Sparrow's pool-room was a cavern4 of smoke. Through the blue-ringed mists of tobacco moved the unkempt silhouettes5 of boisterous6 threshermen. Suddenly over the hubbub7 rose a jeering9 cry.
Ned Pullar leaned down and knocked the ashes out of his briar. His immobile face gave no sign that the cry was an insulting challenge. Opening his knife he slowly scooped10 out the bowl of his pipe. Tapping the inverted11 briar on the palm of his hand, he proceeded leisurely12 to fill in the tobacco. This act duly completed, he turned about and looked McClure in the face. In his eyes was a faint twinkle, but he elected to hold his tongue. His deliberate silence provoked his tormentor13. Hitherto McClure had addressed him in a low tone. Now his great voice rose above the chatter14 of the players and the noise of the crashing balls.
"Come, Pullar!" he sneered16. "You're yellow. How about odds17?"
Play ceased and all eyes turned on the two men.
"Pull easy, Rob!" adjured18 some partisan19 of McClure's. "He's soft in the mouth."
The crowd raised applauding guffaws20.
"Naw, it's the blind staggers, pards," cried a smooth voice. "Watch his blinkers."
The immoderate laugh of the crowd had a curiously21 menacing note.
Pullar's blinkers were not blinking, however. He held McClure's eyes with a level glance.
Thrusting hands to hips22 akimbo McClure cried insolently24:
"S-s-stumped! You quitter!"
Pullar was still silent. His clear eye was taking in the situation. McClure was plainly bent25 on baiting him and his purpose was beginning to dawn on the Valley boss. A quick survey of the room discovered to him the presence of nine of McClure's men. He could see them moving about into position to cut off all egress26 from the one door. Not a man of his own gang was in sight and the two or three outsiders were not promising27 allies. The stench of liquor and the savage28 flashing of wild eyes warned him of their fell intention. In the swift process of his thought he realized that they were about to pull him down and "jump" him with the unspeakable savagery29 of drunken fools. He was trapped. With every sense alert he went ahead imperturbably30 preparing to light up.
Drawing a wad of bills from his pocket McClure thrust them under Pullar's nose.
"Five hundred bucks31!" he challenged. "Five hundred little bucks to lay against you two to one that we can lick the Valley Outfit32 in a thirty day run any old time you want to take it on. No time like the present, Pullar!"
Ned Pullar stood straight and immense, a muscular figure in overalls34 and smock. His fresh, youthful face looked almost innocently from under the peak of his cap. His eyes were serious for an instant, then released an amused smile.
"Rob McClure!" he said quietly. "You are developing an interesting humour. Three times to-day you have flaunted35 this trifling36 wager37 in my face. It means nothing to me—nothing more than do you yourself, Robbie, mon, or your engaging gang."
The mocking tone provoked a swift change in McClure. His eyes narrowed to slits38 that gleamed evilly. The rush of passion rendered him impotently mute. Backing their boss with yells of rage the gang moved menacingly toward the speaker. Suddenly above the foul39 oaths rang out a voice. It was one of the outsiders who had slipped unnoticed to the door. With his hand on the knob he called out:
"Hold 'em, Ned. I'll fetch the Valley Outfit mighty40 quick."
There was a rush toward him, but he dashed out of the door and away.
Then followed an instant move toward the solitary41 and defiant42 figure of the Valley boss.
"Halt! You drunken dogs!" cried Pullar in a voice that effected his purpose.
Pausing, the crowd eyed their quarry43 cautiously, warned by the terrible flame leaping from the eyes where but a moment before glimmered44 a whimsical smile. Holding his pipe to his lips with a match ready to light, he addressed them quietly.
"I was getting ready," said he, "to hit the trail for The Craggs when McClure worked himself up over this bet. I'm not interested in his little gamble. But I am tolerable anxious over the important matter of hiking along home to milk the cows. I'm going to pass out that door and I'd hate to hustle46 any of you fellows unnecessarily."
He took a step toward them. There was an involuntary movement to retreat. Pullar laughed and the threshers, with wild yells, rushed at their prey47. Above the clamour rose the bull-like roar of McClure.
"Throw the big stiff!" he shouted. "Mush him under your boots before his gang get here. Put him out and we'll handle them."
With answering shouts they leaped to the attack. Pullar stepped back lightly, feigning48 retreat. Drawn49 by the ruse50 two sprang after him. Suddenly they felt a clutch like steel. Separating the two assailants he brought them together with a trap-like shutting of his muscular arms. Their heads met with a muffled51 shock and he sent them reeling to the wall. Hands were grasping for him as he shot out his right fist and his left and two more of his demented foes52 sank to their knees. Making a lightning side step he sprang away, freeing himself from the gripping tentacles53 of the gang.
In a flashing glimpse he found that he had dodged54 the attack en masse only to throw himself in the path of Snoopy Bill Baird. The huge slouching form was charging him wickedly. He twisted aside to elude55 the onset56 but was unable to avoid the kick of the heavy boot. It caught him along the cheek-bone, ripping the flesh. He closed, clinching57 his assailant. The big fellows were well matched, but with a confusing speed Pullar had pinned Baird's arms in a girdling grip. Tripping his great, writhing58 captive over his hip23 he flung him clean away above his head. Like a flying missile the man shot through the air, crashing down sprawlingly59 upon a pool table.
Pullar was not aware that his huge antagonist60 lay on the table a groaning61 heap, for they were dragging him down on all sides. Two of his assailants clung to his arms, robbing him of any means of defense63, while a third belaboured him fiercely about the head. Still another fastened on his throat. This latter clutched Pullar's neck with both hands, gouging64 his thumbs into the windpipe with vicious design to strangle. The vital grip began to tell and slowly at first, then with a chuck, they went to the floor.
"Hold him! Hold him!" shouted McClure gleefully as he danced about seeking a chance to strike. But a sudden change came over the battle. The fall had shaken the bulldog clutch. By a prodigious65 effort Pullar wrenched66 his right arm free. There was a series of quick, jabbing motions and the four assailants fell magically away. With a bound Pullar was on his feet facing McClure. The latter struck furiously for the face but his blow was swept aside by something rigid67. Pullar stood inside his enemy's guard. He had but to strike and it would be over. He did not strike. Instead he smiled through the blood and stepped lightly back.
"No, McClure!" said he with a grim smile. "I don't need to."
The other looked at him a moment then breathed a low oath of surprise. At that instant there was a great shout and the Valley Gang charged through the door. Turning to the gang Ned Pullar lifted his hands and shouted out above the tumult68:
"Back, men! This fracas69 is over!"
"Not on yer life!" cried Easy Murphy, angered to fighting-mad pitch by the sight of the bloody70 face of his boss.
"The fight is over!" cried Ned, holding back his men.
"Begobs! Ye don't know this wan33 Irish divil, Ned?" screamed Murphy. "I wull be afthurr pluggin' the lights uv me frind McClure."
At the words he stepped toward McClure, followed by the others. But he was intercepted71 by a swift motion of Pullar.
"No, Easy!" cried the young boss firmly. "Stick with me, lad. This is my powwow. We are about to smoke the pipe of peace."
For a fleeting72 instant he caught the Irishman's eye. The flash of intelligence that passed between them checked the belligerent73 passion in Murphy's wild heart. With a significant and rueful nod the thresher agreed to Pullar's wish.
"Ah, Ned, darlint!" said he affectionately, taking in the room at a sweeping74 glance. "For why have ye bin62 mussin' up Rob's bowld byes? 'Tis a cyclone75 blower ye are, me hearty76. Go ahead wid the show. The Valley Gang's occupyin' the front sates."
With a very bad grace the Valley Outfit followed their spokesman's lead. The eyes of the two gangs turned to Ned.
Aside from the gash78 along his cheek he was unhurt. Walking in among McClure's men he picked up his pipe. Repacking the tobacco carefully he lit up. Throwing a series of blue circles to the ceiling he indulged in a moment's reminiscence. Finally he spoke77, addressing Easy Murphy in his usual quiet tone.
"A few minutes ago," said he, "Rob McClure was eating his head off over a certain little proposition when—we had a slight interruption. In fact, I was anxious to get home to the milking. I have changed my mind. Rob's proposal will interest you. He wants to stack his huskies up against the Valley Gang on a thirty-day run. He contends laying down a trifle of five hundred dollars that he can lick my gang——"
Here arose a sudden commotion79, savage threats and a sinister80 movement of the Valley Gang. Ned waved his men back with a laugh.
"Just a minute, lads," said he. "Let me have my say. McClure pretends that he can lick the Valley Outfit in a thirty day out-put. Strange as it may seem I cannot agree with him. If he will make a real bet, make it cash and approve Jack81 Butte as holder82 of stakes, we'll be able to start something right off the bat."
On the heels of his words rose a chorus of defies from his men. Hands flew to pockets and wads appeared. Snoopy Bill caught his feet groggily83 scenting84 a gamble. In Rob McClure's eyes shone the gleam of the shark.
"Now you're spunking up!" said he with a sneer15. "Butte's our man."
Turning to one of his gang, he said:
"Scoot out, Ford85, and get him."
While the man started off to carry out his bidding he whipped out his check book and filled in a form. As Snoopy Bill spied the amount he let out a low whistle.
"Two thousand!" he exclaimed. "Rob, you're a la-la."
McClure handed the book to Pullar. Ned read it with immobile face. Amid a deep silence the crowd pressed around the bosses. Would Pullar call the bluff86?
The year of which we write was the fall of nineteen hundred. The smoke of the tractor was rarely seen in the land. Of the gas-power machine there was no sign whatever. For five years Ned had swung steadily87 along the Valley's brow with his twenty-horse, thirty-six inch portable mill, threshing the line of farmers rimming88 the northern bank of The Qu'Appelle. If a farmer got Pullar's mill it assured him a straight crew, a quick, clean job and all his grain. The Valley Gang was thoroughly89 workmanlike, the crack outfit of the Pellawa stretches.
This supremacy90 was now disputed. Some ten years before McClure had come from the East with bags of money and bushels of confidence, not to mention a stock of real ability. He was keen to get and heady and aggressive in the getting. Three years before he had entered the threshing game and pitched in with his usual gusto. One of his first moves was to cross the Valley and make a bold raid on Pullar's run. But his effort failed. Pullar's line of jobs remained intact. He managed to pick up a few farmers thrown on the threshing market through the defunct91 condition of their syndicate machine. Since Pullar's outfit was full up for a big season the cluster of jobs fell to McClure. The farmers of the Pullar run threw out some banter92 and an occasional jab resenting the attempt of McClure to cut in. This nettled93 McClure and was the small beginning of a bitter rivalry94. Smothering95 his chagrin96 McClure set to work to build up a gang that would lower the colours of the Valley Outfit. At the end of the season it was found that Pullar's bushelage had far exceeded that of the rival machine. The following year repeated their fortunes. Then McClure startled Pellawa by exchanging his portable outfit for an immense forty-inch separator driven by a thirty-horse tractor steam power, of course. The new machine was equipped with self-feeder, self-bagger and cyclone blower. Adding extensively to his run he put on a large gang and began the season with everything in his favour.
Though facing alarming odds, Pullar took up the gauge97 in his quiet way. Rumours98 of record days by both machines drifted about the settlement with the result that the annual threshing derby began to show a tendency toward even money. The interested public pricked99 up its ears, enjoying the come-back of Ned. This popularity, with the complication of a three-day boose fest, was responsible for McClure's insulting challenge.
Ned was still scanning the check when Jack Butte appeared in the doorway100.
"Just in time, Jack!" greeted Ned with a grin. "Hold this money for McClure. We are hooking up for a two-hand game, gang for gang."
There was a roar of applause from the Valley threshers. Above the noise rose the voice of Easy Murphy. He was performing the sailor's hornpipe before the shifty form of Snoopy Bill.
"Come across wid yer dust," challenged Murphy. "Fifty till fifty we skin ye aloive!"
"Taken!" was the eager acceptance. "Here, Butte's the dough101. You can hand it back when the cows come home."
Butte was deluged102 with wagers103.
"Hold your horses!" cried he, lifting protesting hands. "Two at a time. Come along quietly and we'll fix it all snug104."
Taking out his note-book he made punctilious105 entry of all stakes. His task completed he took the trouble to plainly restate conditions.
"I'll bank this bunch of grass," he concluded. "The game winds up at eight P.M. on the last day of October. We'll meet in Louie Swale's Emporium and cash in. Meet me there at ten o'clock. And, gentlemen——"
He paused, reading the faces of the bosses and their men with keen eyes.
"This game's to be run on the square. Do you get me?"
"Right-o!" agreed McClure. "We'll shear106 these lambs on Hallowe'en."
Ignoring the jibe107 Ned Pullar pointed108 to the checks wedged in the pile of bills. They were McClure's and his own. Speaking quietly to Butte he said:
"You'll cash those papers and re-bank the whole amount in your own name?"
"Exactly!" replied Butte, flashing sharp eyes at the young boss.
"Good!" was the low response.
Taking a step nearer McClure, Pullar fastened his eyes on the face of his enemy. The lips of the older man were parted about to make some insulting fling when he bit his tongue. Ned's eyes were smiling but behind the smile glittered an ominous109 light that made McClure strike an attitude of defense. He retreated a step, watching the other. In an instant the air was electric. There was a shout from the Valley men and they leaped up beside their boss.
"Since this little deal is satisfactorily arranged, McClure," said Ned casually110, "it may occur to you that your cows need milking. At any rate, the Valley Gang have taken a sudden whim45 to be alone. Think it over. We'll give you exactly one minute to get out. If you are here sixty seconds hence we'll maul you a little and—throw you out."
Ned took his watch from his pocket while the Valley Gang let out a defiant and joyful111 shout.
There was a malignant112 growl113 from the belligerent gang across the room at the sudden challenge. Rage swept over them but they made no move to close with their taunting114 enemies. The Valley men flung jeer8 and jibe in wild effort to provoke a charge. Hissing115 a terrible oath McClure turned to his men. What he saw decided116 him. Pointing to the door he addressed them.
"Cowards!" he snarled117. "Get out!"
With a slouching alacrity118 they obeyed, vanishing through the door in swift and ignominious119 retreat. McClure passed after them without a word.
"Tin seconds till spare, the lucky divils!" cried Easy Murphy regretfully.
At his rueful words the Valley Outfit lifted a victorious120 roar, following McClure and his men with shouts of derision.
Ten minutes later as Ned Pullar stood in the pool-room door a white horse dashed by, cantering along the slushy street. Astride swayed the form of a girl clothed in a slicker. Beneath her quaint121 hood122 flashed the light of brown eyes. Their quick glance caught his salute123. She acknowledged the greeting by a dainty tip of her head and the faintest of smiles.
The slight recognition sent his blood atingle. In a moment she disappeared about a building. The vision of the girl remained with him and a shadow contended with the pleasure the sudden meeting had brought into his face. Finally the shadow triumphed and a deeply troubled look came into his eyes.
"Ah, Mary!" he reflected. "Where will this day's work lead us?"
The girl was Mary McClure, only child of his avowed124 enemy.
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1
panes
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| 窗玻璃( pane的名词复数 ) | |
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turbid
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| adj.混浊的，泥水的，浓的 | |
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torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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silhouettes
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| 轮廓( silhouette的名词复数 )； （人的）体形； （事物的）形状； 剪影 | |
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boisterous
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| adj.喧闹的，欢闹的 | |
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hubbub
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| n.嘈杂；骚乱 | |
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jeer
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| vi.嘲弄，揶揄；vt.奚落；n.嘲笑，讥评 | |
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jeering
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| adj.嘲弄的，揶揄的v.嘲笑( jeer的现在分词 ) | |
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10
scooped
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| v.抢先报道( scoop的过去式和过去分词 )；（敏捷地）抱起；抢先获得；用铲[勺]等挖（洞等） | |
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inverted
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| adj.反向的，倒转的v.使倒置，使反转( invert的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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tormentor
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| n. 使苦痛之人, 使苦恼之物, 侧幕 =tormenter | |
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14
chatter
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| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
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15
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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sneered
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| 讥笑，冷笑( sneer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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adjured
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| v.（以起誓或诅咒等形式）命令要求( adjure的过去式和过去分词 )；祈求；恳求 | |
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partisan
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| adj.党派性的；游击队的；n.游击队员；党徒 | |
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guffaws
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| n.大笑，狂笑( guffaw的名词复数 )v.大笑，狂笑( guffaw的第三人称单数 ) | |
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curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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hips
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| abbr.high impact polystyrene 高冲击强度聚苯乙烯，耐冲性聚苯乙烯n.臀部( hip的名词复数 )；[建筑学]屋脊；臀围（尺寸）；臀部…的 | |
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hip
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| n.臀部，髋；屋脊 | |
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insolently
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| adv.自豪地，自傲地 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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egress
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| n.出去；出口 | |
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promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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savagery
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| n.野性 | |
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imperturbably
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| adv.泰然地，镇静地，平静地 | |
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bucks
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| n.雄鹿( buck的名词复数 )；钱；（英国十九世纪初的）花花公子；（用于某些表达方式）责任v.（马等）猛然弓背跃起( buck的第三人称单数 )；抵制；猛然震荡；马等尥起后蹄跳跃 | |
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outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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wan
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| (wide area network)广域网 | |
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overalls
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| n.（复）工装裤；长罩衣 | |
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flaunted
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| v.炫耀，夸耀( flaunt的过去式和过去分词 )；有什么能耐就施展出来 | |
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trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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slits
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| n.狭长的口子，裂缝( slit的名词复数 )v.切开，撕开( slit的第三人称单数 )；在…上开狭长口子 | |
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foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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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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defiant
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| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
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quarry
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| n.采石场；v.采石；费力地找 | |
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glimmered
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| v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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whim
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| n.一时的兴致，突然的念头；奇想，幻想 | |
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hustle
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| v.推搡；竭力兜售或获取；催促；n.奔忙(碌) | |
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47
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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48
feigning
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| 假装，伪装( feign的现在分词 )； 捏造（借口、理由等） | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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50
ruse
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| n.诡计，计策；诡计 | |
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51
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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52
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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53
tentacles
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| n.触手( tentacle的名词复数 )；触角；触须；触毛 | |
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54
dodged
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| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
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elude
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| v.躲避，困惑 | |
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56
onset
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| n.进攻，袭击，开始，突然开始 | |
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clinching
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| v.（尤指两人）互相紧紧抱[扭]住( clinch的现在分词 )；解决（争端、交易），达成（协议） | |
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58
writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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59
sprawlingly
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| 蔓生的，不规则地伸展的 | |
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60
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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61
groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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62
bin
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| n.箱柜；vt.放入箱内；[计算机] DOS文件名:二进制目标文件 | |
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63
defense
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| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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64
gouging
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| n.刨削[槽]v.凿( gouge的现在分词 )；乱要价；（在…中）抠出…；挖出… | |
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65
prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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66
wrenched
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| v.（猛力地）扭( wrench的过去式和过去分词 )；扭伤；使感到痛苦；使悲痛 | |
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67
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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68
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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69
fracas
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| n.打架；吵闹 | |
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70
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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71
intercepted
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| 拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 )； 截住； 截击； 拦阻 | |
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72
fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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73
belligerent
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| adj.好战的，挑起战争的；n.交战国，交战者 | |
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74
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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75
cyclone
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| n.旋风，龙卷风 | |
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76
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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77
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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78
gash
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| v.深切，划开；n.(深长的)切(伤)口；裂缝 | |
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79
commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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80
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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81
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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82
holder
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| n.持有者，占有者；(台，架等)支持物 | |
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83
groggily
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| adv.酒醉地；东倒西歪地 | |
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84
scenting
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| vt.闻到（scent的现在分词形式） | |
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85
Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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86
bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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87
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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88
rimming
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| n.（沸腾钢）结壳沸腾作用 | |
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89
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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90
supremacy
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| n.至上；至高权力 | |
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91
defunct
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| adj.死亡的；已倒闭的 | |
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92
banter
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| n.嘲弄，戏谑；v.取笑，逗弄，开玩笑 | |
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93
nettled
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| v.拿荨麻打，拿荨麻刺（nettle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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rivalry
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| n.竞争，竞赛，对抗 | |
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95
smothering
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的现在分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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97
gauge
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| v.精确计量；估计；n.标准度量；计量器 | |
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rumours
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| n.传闻( rumour的名词复数 )；风闻；谣言；谣传 | |
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pricked
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| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
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100
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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101
dough
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| n.生面团；钱，现款 | |
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102
deluged
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| v.使淹没( deluge的过去式和过去分词 )；淹没；被洪水般涌来的事物所淹没；穷于应付 | |
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103
wagers
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| n.赌注，用钱打赌( wager的名词复数 )v.在（某物）上赌钱，打赌( wager的第三人称单数 )；保证，担保 | |
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104
snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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105
punctilious
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| adj.谨慎的，谨小慎微的 | |
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106
shear
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| n.修剪，剪下的东西，羊的一岁；vt.剪掉，割，剥夺；vi.修剪，切割，剥夺，穿越 | |
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107
jibe
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| v.嘲笑，与...一致，使转向；n.嘲笑，嘲弄 | |
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108
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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109
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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110
casually
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| adv.漠不关心地，无动于衷地，不负责任地 | |
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111
joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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112
malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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113
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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114
taunting
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| 嘲讽( taunt的现在分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落 | |
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115
hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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116
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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117
snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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118
alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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119
ignominious
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| adj.可鄙的，不光彩的，耻辱的 | |
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120
victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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121
quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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122
hood
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| n.头巾，兜帽，覆盖；v.罩上，以头巾覆盖 | |
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123
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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124
avowed
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| adj.公开声明的，承认的v.公开声明，承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
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