So, having been helped off the run by Joe Burge, I started with my beeves, and made the journey safely to the slaughter-yards, which were then a few miles on the hither side of the town, near the beach. The road lay through the marshes4 for five or six miles, then through the stringy-bark forest, whence I emerged on an open sandy tract5 known as "the heath." Such land is not uncommon6 in the vicinity of Portland and west of Port Fairy; indeed, the greater part of the country between Portland and the wondrous7 downs of the Wannon[Pg 107] consists of this undesirable8 formation alternately with stringy-bark forest.
The soil upon the heath is pure sand of a white or greyish colour. Small lagoons9, thickly covered with dark-brown reeds, are spread over the surface; it is mostly firm riding ground, though very indifferent pasture. Several species of epacris grow there, the pink and white blossoms of which were gay and even brilliant in spring. Open as a plain, and, apart from a question of grass, an effective contrast to the endless eucalyptus10. A few miles of heath—the forest again—and we come to Darlot's Creek11, narrow, but running deep and strong, like a New Zealand river.
This singular stream must in some way receive the water of the great Eumeralla marshes, which, as they have no visible outlet12, probably filter through the lava13 country, from which, near Lake Condah, Darlot's Creek issues without previous notice.
Summer and winter this cheery little stream, from twenty to fifty feet wide, and hardly ever less than from six to ten feet deep, rushes whirling and eddying14 to the sea. We cross at a stone causeway, over which the water runs, and in another mile or two come to the Fitzroy River. This is a true Australian watercourse, and has the usual abruptly15 alternating depth of channel. Both streams debouch16 on a sandy sea-beach, a few miles from Portland. The channel mouths are continually shifting, and as the main road from Port Fairy then crossed them, the depth of water was often unpleasantly altered, to the manifest danger of[Pg 108] travellers. Many a misadventure was credited to the "mouth of the Fitzroy," and more than one poor fellow, when the tide was high, essaying to cross with a heavy swag, lost the number of his mess. The proper thing for non-pedestrians at that time was to ride or drive some distance into the waves, where the depth was shallower; but there were said to be quicksands, in which horse or wheel might sink, and, with the surf breaking over, in such case the look-out was bad.
Before reaching this part of the road, at an elevated point of the heath, a full view of the ocean burst suddenly on my view. What a sight it was! A world of forest greenery lay north, east, and west; on the south the tumbling billows of the unbounded sea. Far as eye could reach was the wondrous plain of the South Pacific, stretching away to the farthest range of vision, where it was lost in a soft, shimmering17 haze18. Did I clap my hands and shout "Thalatta! Thalatta!" like the author of Eōthen? I had the inclination19 to do it, I know.
In the distance, lying north-west, were the cliffs and noble bay of Portland—not a very grand town, but noteworthy as the point d'appui whence those representative Englishmen and distinguished20 colonists21, the Hentys, commenced the Anglo-Saxon conquest of Australia Felix.
I had the pleasure of knowing these gentlemen; and the longer I live, the stronger becomes my conviction that the genuine Englishman, compacted as he is of diverse races, holding the strong points of each, is the best "all-round man" the earth affords. And the Hentys, as a family, have demonstrated my[Pg 109] proposition perhaps more completely than any other which ever landed on our shores. For, consider what manner of colonisers they were! Explorers, sailors, whalers, farmers, squatters, merchants, politicians (Mr. William Henty was chief secretary of Tasmania)—in all these different avocations22 the brothers were of approved excellence23. Indeed, each displayed in his own personality an aptitude24 for the whole range of accomplishments25.
Stalwart and steadfast26 were they in body and mind, well fitted to contend with the rude forces of nature, and still ruder individuals, among which their lot was chiefly cast in those days. But withal genial27, hilarious28, and in their moments of relaxation29 prone30 to indulge in the full swing of those high animal spirits which, for the most part, accompany a robust31 bodily and mental organisation32.
Always familiar with the great industry of stock-breeding both in Tasmania and their new home, they imported, from their earliest occupation, the very choicest stud animals, as well as the best implements33 in all departments of husbandry. "Little John," "Wanderer," imported thoroughbreds, were at one time in their possession. Suffolks and Lincolns were not lacking to ensure production of waggon34 horses, and in general effect to speed the plough. And I saw at Muntham the first English coaching sire that my eyes had rested upon—a grand upstanding bay horse, with a well-shaped head, lofty forehand, and clean, flat legs. I remember describing him to a horse-loving friend as an enlarged thoroughbred in appearance—a description which would hold good of some of the better sort of[Pg 110] coachers of the present day, the only doubt being whether, having regard to the abnormal shapes of some of our modern racehorses, the coacher's reputation might not suffer by the comparison.
At the time of which I speak Mr. Edward Henty was at Muntham—that Australian "promised land" of rolling downs, hill and dale, all equally fertile, well grassed, well watered; favoured as to climate, soil, and situation; the only drawback being that the great grass crop, summer-ripened, was occasionally ignited in a dry autumn, and, like a prairie fire, swept all before it. In a later day preparation was made for such a contingency35, and light waggons36, with adequate teams known as the "fire-horses," kept ready to start at a moment's notice for the warning smoke-column. Mr. Frank Henty abode37 at Merino Downs, the name of which explains the early attention paid by him to the chief source of Australian wealth. Mr. Stephen Henty had his residence in the town of Portland, where at that time he was the leading merchant, and, excepting Mr. Blair, the police magistrate38, the leading inhabitant.
No more delightful39 country home ever existed than the wide-verandahed spacious40 bungalow41, from the windows of which the view was unbroken of the waters of the bay. A well-trimmed garden hedge hid the intervening street and slope to the beach without obstructing42 the view. There, if anywhere, was to be found true earthly happiness, if such can ever be predicated of this lower world and its inhabitants.
A promising43 family, full of health, spirits, and intelligence; parents and children alike overflowing[Pg 111] with kindness; hospitality unostentatiously extended both to friends and acquaintances, residents and strangers; a noble property gradually and surely increasing in value; family affection exhibited in its purest form. But
It is written on the rose—
Alas44! that there, decay
Should claim from love a part,—
From love a part!
Where are now the energetic, kindly45 husband and father, the merry boys and girls, the tender mother, then sheltered and united in that most happy home? The mournfullest task of memory lies in realising how large a toll46 is yielded in a few fleeting47 years to the unsparing tax-gatherer Death.
Portland, although devoid48 of the fertile lands which encompass49 Port Fairy and Warrnambool, had yet beauties of its own. Its situation was romantic. Lofty cliffs rose from the beach, and from many a picturesque50 eminence51 the residences of the townspeople looked on the broad ocean and the peaceful waters of the bay. Still were visible when I first saw Portland the grass-grown furrows52 turned by the hand of Edward Henty, who had not only accomplished53 that highly important feat—vitally necessary, indeed, in a settlement poorly provided with grain—but put together the plough with which the first rite54 to Ceres was performed. In those days a deep-rutted, miry road connected the port with the rich lands of the Wannon—forty miles of sore affliction to the driver of any species of vehicle, bullock drays included. Now the rail has simplified all difficulties. From the glorious "downs country"[Pg 112] to the shore is but a journey of hours—from Hamilton to Melbourne how trifling55 a stage!
What if the gallant56 explorer, the immortal57 Major Mitchell, could return and look upon the network of farms, the metalled roads, the railway terminus, the telegraph, the mail-coach! How would he recall the day when, with his toil-worn party, he reached Portland, and, unaware58 of the presence there of wayfarers59 other than themselves, took the Hentys' settlement for one of an escaped gang of bushrangers! How little can we forecast the future in these days of rapid development and almost magical national growth! Besides the Messrs. Henty the principal Wannon squatters were the Winters (George, Samuel, and Trevor), men of remarkable60 intellect; the Messrs. Coldham were at Grassdale, where, indeed, they have the good fortune still to remain; Lang and Elms were at Lyne, near neighbours to Mount Napier; Acheson Ffrench at Monivae, near Hamilton; John Robertson Nowlan, who rented Murndal for some years from Mr. Samuel Pratt Winter. He afterwards went into partnership61 with Captain Stanley Carr, an ex-military man domiciled in Silesia, who imported Saxon merino sheep, and had a very proper idea of the "coming event" in Australia—the great rise and development of the merino interest. Farther on, the Hunters (Alick, Jemmy, and latterly Frank and Willie) were at Kalangadoo, Mount Gambier, with Willie Mitchell, Evelyn Sturt, and John Meredith as next-door neighbours. Charles Mackinnon and his partner Watson—am I trenching on sacred confidences when I allude62 to the sobriquet63 "Jeeribong"?[Pg 113] What a lot of splendid fellows, to be sure! All the men I have named were gentlemen by birth and education. It may be imagined what a jolly, genial society it was, what a luxurious64 neighbourhood, when a few miles' ride was a certain find for culture, good fellowship, and the warmest hospitality. While at the race meetings at Portland and Port Fairy, when these joyous65 comrades amalgamated66 confessedly for enjoyment67, as the old song has it—
And for that reason,
And for a season,
We'll be merry before we go,
there was a week's revelry fit for the gods on high Olympus.
Not only from across the Adelaide border—for Mount Gambier was on the farther side—did both knights68 and squires69 wend their way in pilgrimage to the Port Fairy revels70, but from Trawalla and Mount Emu, from Warranbeen, Ercildoune, and Buninyong. Adolphus Goldsmith from Trawalla, William Gottreaux from Lilaree, Philip Russell from Carngham (I can hear him now ordering his gray colt's legs to be bandaged the night he rode in), Charley Lyon, Compton Ferrers, Alick Cuningham, Will Wright. Ah!
We were a gallant company,
Riding o'er land, sailing o'er sea.
* * * * *
And some are dead and some are gone,
. . . ay di mi—Alhama!
And some are robbers on the hills,
That look along Epirus' valleys.
Well, perhaps not exactly. They abide71 on those hills[Pg 114] which overlook the winding72 Thames, and in the season the Serpentine73 or historic Seine. Any robbery they may engage in is getting the better of unwary brethren at pool, or picking up the odds74 on the favourite a trifle before the general public is taken into the confidence of the stable.
It is hard to find a poet who expresses your feelings and circumstances with precision. Yet even Byron's friends and fellow-believers in Greek independence have hardly had a more complete dispersion than the comrades of that lost "Arcady the Blest."
We ought to have made the most of those days—of the time which came "before the gold." We never saw their like again. Then we tasted true happiness, if such ever visits this lower world. Every one had hope, encouragement, adequate stimulus75 to work,—hard work which was well paid,—leading to enterprise, which year by year fulfilled the promise of progress.
Nobody was too rich. No one was wealthy enough to live in Melbourne. Each man had to be his own overseer; had to live at home. He was, therefore, friendly and genial with his neighbours, on whom he was socially dependent. No one thought of going to Europe, or selling off and "cutting the confounded colony," and so on. No! there we were, adscripti gleb? as we thought, from a dozen or so to a score of years. It was necessary for all to make the best of it, and very cheery and contented76 nearly everybody was.
In these days of universal fencing it seems curious to think that from Portland Bay to Geelong, from Geelong to Melbourne, was there never a fenced-in[Pg 115] estate—only the horse and bullock paddocks. Tens of thousands of cattle were managed and controlled by the stockman—as he was then called—(stock-rider came later), with, perhaps, an assistant black boy or white urchin77 of some sort. It was held that in that respect the cattlemen had the best of it, as one good stockman with occasional aid could look after two or three thousand head of cattle—none of our herds78 were over this number—whereas every thousand or fifteen hundred sheep needed a shepherd, great loss ensuing if the labour and tendance were not provided.
The great industries of Port Fairy were agriculture on the one hand, and pastoral on the other. The rich lands which lay westward of Warrnambool were gradually sold, always after survey and by auction79, having been subdivided80 into moderate-sized farms. These were purchased by resident farmers or small capitalists who desired to try agriculture for an occupation. There was a good market for produce, and the fame of the Port Fairy wheat crop, as well as that of the potato harvest, commenced to spread.
Than the lands on the banks of the Merai, around Warrnambool, and between that town and Port Fairy, none more fertile are known in Australia. They enjoy the conditions of deep, rich loam81, resting on a substratum of tufa and limestone82, with perfect natural drainage. So friable83, too, as to be ready for the plough immediately after rain. Apparently84 of an inexhaustible fertility, and lying near the sea, which occasionally sends its spray over the wheat sheaves, they are but little subject to frost. The coast showers preserve the moisture of the soil, and,[Pg 116] whether for grain, roots, or grass, prevent the disastrous85 desiccation so unhappily common in the fields and pastures of the interior.
As the farmer commenced to press closely upon the pastoral Crown tenant86, a certain soreness was engendered87, but no complaint of wrong-doing on the part of the Government followed. The squatters accepted the situation; they did their best to lighten the difficulty. Those who had high-class grazing or arable88 lands bestirred themselves to buy as much around the homestead as would serve to make a moderate estate. The situation and climate being undeniably good, they argued that they could make as much out of a few thousand acres of freehold as formerly89 from the whole area under an imperfect tenure90.
As a matter of fact, when the dreadful "auction day" arrived, the greater portion of the menaced squatters thus saved themselves. Men sympathised with them, too, and did not bid too persistently91 against the former Lord of the Waste, whose day of dominion92 was over.
The nearest station to Port Fairy was Aringa, the property of Mr. Ritchie. It was only distant about four miles. Partly arable land, but possessing more "stony93 rises" and oak ridges94, it was capable of growing excellent grass, but not likely to need the plough.
The proprietor95 made an excellent survey of his run, carefully excluding the more tempting96 agricultural portions. And so judiciously97 did he purchase at auction that he found himself the owner of twelve or fourteen thousand acres of splendid grass land,[Pg 117] without a road through it, and therefore capable of being enclosed within a ring fence. The average of price was, I fancy, below 25s. per acre. After fencing this truly valuable freehold, Mr. Ritchie discovered that he could let it for such a yearly rental98 as would enable him to live handsomely without the responsibility of stock. Mr. Edols, of Geelong, was, I think, the first tenant on a five years' lease, and ever since that day Aringa has been a highly productive estate, covered with a matted sward of clover and rye-grass, adapted either for sheep or cattle, equally profitable to farm or to let.
Yambuk, formerly the property of Lieutenant99 Andrew Baxter, a retired100 military officer, did not come off quite so well. But I fancy the present proprietor, Mr. Suter, who has lived there since 1854, or thereabouts, finds that he has a freehold sufficient for all ordinary wants.
"Tarrone," lying to the eastward101, was not distant more than ten or twelve miles from Port Fairy. It was occupied in those early days by another army man, Lieutenant Chamberlain. Both of the ex-militaires made exceptionally good squatters, refuting the general experience which does not assign a high rank as successful colonists to soldiers. With enormous reed-beds and marshes, and a certain proportion of stony rises and well-grassed open forest, Tarrone was a model cattle run, carrying generally between two and three thousand head of cattle. It was a splendid tract of fattening102 country, and some of the grandest drafts of bullocks that ever left the West bore the Tarrone brand, "KB." It had formerly belonged to Messrs. Kilgour and Besnard,[Pg 118] but for alleged103 doing to death of aboriginals104 the license105 of these gentlemen had been withdrawn106. It was subsequently granted to Mr. Chamberlain. The paternal107 Government of New South Wales, until late years, kept the whip-hand of the squatters by reason of its power to withhold108 the only title by which we held our lands, and occasionally, as in the case referred to, the power was exercised. This run was also assailed109 by the auctioneer's hammer, but being strictly110 non-agricultural land, it retained virtually its integrity as a grazing estate. "Tarrone" was the station which suffered most on that day of fiery111 wrath112, long remembered as "Black Thursday." All did so more or less; but Mr. Chamberlain, who then lived there, lost fences and homestead, house and furniture, his household escaping barely with their lives. For weeks previously113 the summer weather had been hot and dry. There was, for a wonder, a cessation of the coast showers. The fated morning was abnormal—sultry and breezeless. The vaporous sky became lurid114, darksome—awful. More than one terrified spectator believed that the Last Day had come, and not altogether without reason. The whole colony of Victoria was on fire at the same time, from the western coast to the eastern range of the Australian Alps. Farms and stations were burning at Port Fairy and Portland. The wife and children of a shepherd on the Upper Plenty rivulet115, eastward of Melbourne, were burned to death, nearly three hundred miles in another direction. Far out to sea passengers viewed with wonder and alarm a dense116 black cloud overhanging the coast-line like a pall117, such as may have shrouded118 buried Pompeii when the[Pg 119] volcano heaved its fiery flood. Far from land showers of ashes fell upon the decks of approaching ships.
Though not without expectation of a larger bush-fire than usual, we were chiefly unprepared as the flame-wave rolled in over grass and forest from the north. The fire travelled fast on the preceding night, and the north-east wind rising to a gale119 towards mid-day, the march of the Destroyer waxed resistless and overpowering. Mr. Chamberlain told us afterwards that, feeling indisposed for exertion120, and unaware of actual danger, he was lying down reading Vanity Fair. So enthralled121 was he by Becky Sharp's fascinations122 that he delayed going out to reconnoitre, though uneasily conscious that the smoke-clouds were thickening.
He went at length on foot. Then he saw, to his astonishment123, a wall of fire approaching the homestead with appalling124 rapidity. He turned and fled for his life, but had barely time to warn the station hands when the devouring125 element swept after. It was idle to resist in any ordinary method. The flames seemed to leap from the tree tops, as they scaled the trunks, then the higher branches, and were borne on loose fragments of bark far ahead of the line of fire.
In a quarter of an hour each fence, building, and shed of a well-improved homestead was in flames. So great was the heat that after the first flight of the inmates126 from the dwelling-house, it was impossible to re-enter. Nothing of the contents was saved but a desk and a picture, while the household stood awestricken in a plot of garden vegetation, moistening their parched127 lips from time to time, suffocating[Pg 120] with heat and smoke, and holding much doubt as to their ultimate safety. As they gazed around they could see the wild birds dropping dead from the forest trees, the kangaroos leaping past with singed128 and burning fur, while cattle, bellowing129 with fear and astonishment, dashed wildly to the river-bank, to plunge130 into the deeper pools.
At Dunmore a better look-out had been kept. By the united efforts of the establishment the flames were arrested on the very verge131 of the homestead; but so close and desperate was the contest that the garden gate was burned, and Mr. Macknight was carried indoors insensible, having fainted from the severity of the protracted132 struggle. Had he died it would not have been the only instance on record of the danger of over-exertion with the thermometer at more than a hundred and fifty degrees of Fahrenheit133 in the sun.
We at Squattlesea Mere were more lucky than our neighbours, inasmuch as the fire took a turn southward, behind Dunmore, and continued its devastating134 progress through the heaths and scrubs which lay on the north bank of the Shaw. It was in a manner shunted away from our homestead by the region of marsh3 country which stretched around and beyond it.
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1
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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3
marsh
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| n.沼泽，湿地 | |
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4
marshes
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| n.沼泽，湿地( marsh的名词复数 ) | |
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5
tract
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| n.传单，小册子，大片(土地或森林) | |
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6
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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7
wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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8
undesirable
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| adj.不受欢迎的，不良的，不合意的，讨厌的；n.不受欢迎的人，不良分子 | |
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9
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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10
eucalyptus
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| n.桉树，桉属植物 | |
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11
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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12
outlet
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| n.出口/路；销路；批发商店；通风口；发泄 | |
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13
lava
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| n.熔岩，火山岩 | |
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14
eddying
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| 涡流，涡流的形成 | |
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15
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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16
debouch
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| v.流出，进入 | |
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17
shimmering
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| v.闪闪发光，发微光( shimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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18
haze
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| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
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19
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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colonists
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| n.殖民地开拓者，移民，殖民地居民( colonist的名词复数 ) | |
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avocations
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| n.业余爱好，嗜好( avocation的名词复数 )；职业 | |
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excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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aptitude
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| n.(学习方面的)才能，资质，天资 | |
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accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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steadfast
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| adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的 | |
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genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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28
hilarious
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| adj.充满笑声的，欢闹的；[反]depressed | |
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29
relaxation
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| n.松弛，放松；休息；消遣；娱乐 | |
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prone
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| adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的 | |
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robust
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| adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的 | |
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organisation
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| n.组织，安排，团体，有机休 | |
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implements
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| n.工具( implement的名词复数 )；家具；手段；[法律]履行（契约等）v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 )；执行；贯彻；使生效 | |
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waggon
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| n.运货马车，运货车；敞篷车箱 | |
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contingency
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| n.意外事件，可能性 | |
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waggons
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| 四轮的运货马车( waggon的名词复数 )； 铁路货车； 小手推车 | |
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abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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magistrate
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| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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39
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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bungalow
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| n.平房，周围有阳台的木造小平房 | |
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obstructing
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| 阻塞( obstruct的现在分词 )； 堵塞； 阻碍； 阻止 | |
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43
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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44
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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45
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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46
toll
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| n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟) | |
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47
fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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48
devoid
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| adj.全无的，缺乏的 | |
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49
encompass
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| vt.围绕，包围；包含，包括；完成 | |
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50
picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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51
eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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52
furrows
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| n.犁沟( furrow的名词复数 )；（脸上的）皱纹v.犁田，开沟( furrow的第三人称单数 ) | |
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53
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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54
rite
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| n.典礼，惯例，习俗 | |
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55
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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56
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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57
immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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58
unaware
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| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
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59
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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60
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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61
partnership
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| n.合作关系，伙伴关系 | |
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62
allude
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| v.提及，暗指 | |
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63
sobriquet
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| n.绰号 | |
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64
luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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65
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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66
amalgamated
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| v.（使）（金属）汞齐化( amalgamate的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）合并；联合；结合 | |
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67
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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68
knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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69
squires
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| n.地主，乡绅( squire的名词复数 ) | |
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70
revels
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| n.作乐( revel的名词复数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉v.作乐( revel的第三人称单数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉 | |
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71
abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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72
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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73
serpentine
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| adj.蜿蜒的，弯曲的 | |
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74
odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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75
stimulus
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| n.刺激，刺激物，促进因素，引起兴奋的事物 | |
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76
contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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77
urchin
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| n.顽童；海胆 | |
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78
herds
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| 兽群( herd的名词复数 )； 牧群； 人群； 群众 | |
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79
auction
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| n.拍卖；拍卖会；vt.拍卖 | |
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80
subdivided
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| 再分，细分( subdivide的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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81
loam
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| n.沃土 | |
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82
limestone
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| n.石灰石 | |
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83
friable
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| adj.易碎的 | |
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84
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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85
disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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86
tenant
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| n.承租人；房客；佃户；v.租借，租用 | |
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87
engendered
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| v.产生（某形势或状况），造成，引起( engender的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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88
arable
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| adj.可耕的，适合种植的 | |
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89
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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90
tenure
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| n.终身职位；任期；(土地)保有权，保有期 | |
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91
persistently
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| ad.坚持地；固执地 | |
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92
dominion
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| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
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93
stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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94
ridges
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| n.脊( ridge的名词复数 )；山脊；脊状突起；大气层的)高压脊 | |
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95
proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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96
tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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97
judiciously
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| adv.明断地，明智而审慎地 | |
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98
rental
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| n.租赁，出租，出租业 | |
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99
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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100
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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101
eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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102
fattening
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| adj.（食物）要使人发胖的v.喂肥( fatten的现在分词 )；养肥（牲畜）；使（钱）增多；使（公司）升值 | |
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103
alleged
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| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
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104
aboriginals
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| （某国的）公民( aboriginal的名词复数 )； 土著人特征； 土生动物（或植物） | |
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105
license
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| n.执照，许可证，特许；v.许可，特许 | |
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106
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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107
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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108
withhold
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| v.拒绝，不给；使停止，阻挡 | |
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109
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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110
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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111
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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112
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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113
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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114
lurid
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| adj.可怕的；血红的；苍白的 | |
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115
rivulet
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| n.小溪，小河 | |
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116
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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117
pall
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| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
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118
shrouded
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| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
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119
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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120
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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121
enthralled
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| 迷住，吸引住( enthrall的过去式和过去分词 )； 使感到非常愉快 | |
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122
fascinations
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| n.魅力( fascination的名词复数 )；有魅力的东西；迷恋；陶醉 | |
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123
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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124
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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125
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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126
inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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127
parched
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| adj.焦干的；极渴的；v.（使）焦干 | |
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128
singed
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| v.浅表烧焦( singe的过去式和过去分词 )；（毛发）燎，烧焦尖端[边儿] | |
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129
bellowing
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| v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的现在分词 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
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130
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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131
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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132
protracted
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| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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133
Fahrenheit
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| n./adj.华氏温度；华氏温度计(的) | |
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134
devastating
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| adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的 | |
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