He was a man of powerful physique, large of frame, possessor of a presence singularly impressive. He was conscious of his power. An habitual6, impatient shrug revealed a restive7 spirit deeply antagonistic8 to baffling elements. A relentless9, implacable expression inwrought the face that exhibited even in the act of smiling the dominance of an over-riding will. There was something cruel in the hard lines about the mouth, while the deep little wrinkles about the eyes more than hinted brutal10 cunning. One felt that given sufficient pressure Rob McClure was capable of the unspeakable. There were, however, relieving features to the hard visage, most prominent of all a high, expansive brow and great, volcanic12 eyes.
Looking out of the window his eyes fell on the yellow stretches of stubble, empty now save for the huge piles of straw thrown up by the blower. In the west the plain was gulfed by the blue depths of The Qu'Appelle Valley. His glance swept over the autumn landscape all unseeing, for his gaze was fixed13 on two streams of distant smoke that rose for a little in straight columns, then floated off in long parallel lines to the west. Clenching15 his fist he brought it down on the desk.
"I've got him nailed!" he breathed fiercely, smiling his strange smile.
Then his confidence seemed to shake. The two lines of smoke were streaming over the fields evenly abreast16.
"Pullar's a silent devil," he whispered darkly. "He is deep—deep as ——, and he cleans up a pile of stuff."
He meditated17 for a little then added decisively:
"But I've got him nailed tight."
The irresolution18 disappeared and the cruel smile stole out again.
"If he should win," was the jocular reflection. "We'll take a look at the little game proposed by Reddy Sykes. Reddy has a way—a fetching way." The name brought a certain merriness to his face. The humour was not attractive.
With a satisfied shrug he rocked back in his chair. As he did so his eyes rested on a photograph above his desk. Down upon him gazed two beautiful faces. Instantly a tender light softened19 the hard features. His lips moved, shaping involuntarily the names:
"Helen! Mary!"
The picture held his searching gaze until the sound of approaching footsteps broke the spell. At the sound the tender light vanished and a conflict surged over his face. Gradually his jaw20 set and the steel of the unyielding will revealed itself. The door opened quietly and in a moment a hand rested gently on his head. The voice that fell on his ear was sympathetic and affectionate. Mary had broken into his sanctum.
"Why, Daddy," she cried, "you are looking very serious. Are you troubled about something?"
The very solicitude21 of the voice seemed to chafe22 him.
"No," he exclaimed abruptly23.
Nothing daunted24 she fondled his hair.
"Is the mill not running well, Daddy?"
The appeal in the voice caused a relenting of his face but his tone was forbidding as he replied:
"Yes. She's running along fine. I must go out to her right away."
Submitting brusquely to her kiss he rose and snapping the roll-top shut took his departure.
Mary McClure sat down in the vacated chair, resting her head on her hands as her father had done.
"Poor Daddy!" she murmured. "You are so busy, so preoccupied25."
There was a trace of pain in the voice, a great wistfulness in the eyes. Once again she was confronted with the tragedy of affection unrequited.
Looking at the father one would expect in his daughter the robust26, ample type. But she was small and fragile, a delicate bloom of young womanhood. Out of the bright face looked lustrous27 brown eyes, a seriousness lying in their playful depths. In appearance only was she fragile, for the small form was well compacted, lithe28 and wiry, capable of really great endurance. She was more than equal to exhausting rides along the ravine and the trails of the upper country. Sitting by the desk she was a diminutive29, disconsolate30 figure. She had drooped31 into a pensiveness32 that of late visited her all too frequently. Nose and chin had the dainty grace of the spirituelle and such was Mary McClure. Yet was she human, fired with an intense passion for people. A quick, light glance of her eyes or the flash of her smile threw the spell that was irresistible33. Life opened to her on all sides. The girl was fortunate in her mother. The glory of a great affection enveloped34 her. In the mother appeared the culture of Old Varsity, giving to the McClure home a distinguishing atmosphere not often found on a Western farm. Helen McClure was a fine companion for the vivacious35 girl, and the two enjoyed a delightful36 camaraderie37.
In her father Mary was presented with the most cruel enigma38. Here lay the secret of the solemnness that so often filled her eyes. By him all affectionate approach was resented. He seemed deliberately39 striving to quench40 her natural attachment41. But Mary's affection knew no repulse42. Patiently she pressed the attack, intent on destroying the barrier he would insist on building between them. At times she fancied a relenting had rewarded her efforts.
Rising, she walked to the window and looked out pensively43 upon the autumn fields. Her heart was conscious of a dearth44 as great as that of the barren stubble. Her lips trembled as she whispered musingly45:
"Daddy doesn't seem to want my love. Why is he so busy—so—so unfriendly? So buried from us in a hundred cares?"
As she pondered she shuddered47, for she remembered times when he was well-nigh brutal. Then the fetid odour flowed from his breath. Rapt in the poignant48 moment her face drew into sad lines and a mist stole over her eyes, blurring49 the autumn vision.
McClure had made all haste and drew near his machine. As he approached the engine slowed up and stopped and the pitchers50, jabbing their forks into the sheaves, lay down on the loads. Urging his horse to great speed he rode up to the machine. A lively altercation51 was in progress. A knot of excited men were gathered about Snoopy Bill Baird and Sid Smithers, the farmer. Smithers' voice rose high in angry tones.
"She stops right now," he cried vehemently52. "And you pull your Outfit53 off my farm."
Throwing down the lines McClure strode in among the men. His heavy voice rose above the hubbub54.
"What's the kick?" was his demand.
"Smithers is trying to put a crimp in this job," replied Snoopy Bill. "He's ordered the mill off the farm. He contends we're throwing over his grain."
Smithers interposed warmly.
"And you are doing it," said he wrath55 fully56. "It's a cussed shame. I can prove it. Come back to the straw pile."
He promptly57 led the way and the crowd moved back quickly to the blower. Reaching into the straw pile Smithers drew out a coal shovel58. His voice was indignant as he said:
"Here's what I caught in five minutes at the mouth of that blower."
The men crowded round. Cleaning the straws away he disclosed a layer of plump yellow grains covering the bottom of the shovel. As the sight met his eye McClure gave an involuntary start and his face grew dark. His voice was mollifying, however, when he spoke59.
"That looks pretty bad, Smithers," said he quietly. "But you just happened to catch a shoal of grain thrown over on a bunch of straw. I'll bet you ten to one we haven't thrown over five bushels in the last three days."
But Smithers stood firm.
"You can't pull the wool here, McClure," was the menacing retort. "There is a heap of my stuff going over and you quit. Easy Murphy gave me a line on Grant's yield and he's beating me bad. My crop's as good as Grant's and you know it. Haul your Outfit off my farm."
Smithers was determined60. For a moment McClure was silent. Then he spoke in an appeasing61 tone.
"I don't want to quit this job right now," said he. "I'll tell you what I'll do. Let me finish this run in my own way and if your yield doesn't equal Grant's I'll make up the shortage and not charge you a sou for your threshing. Is that square?"
Smithers turned the matter over deliberately.
"Make it law," said he shrewdly, "and I'll hook up with you."
"Agreed!" was the quick response. "I'll sign the papers to-night. Meet me at Reddy Sykes' at ten and we'll put it through."
"Go ahead on that condition," said Smithers, climbing into his wagon62.
Quickly the men were in their places and the machine went roaring into the twilight63. As McClure stood by the separator he signalled to Snoopy Bill.
"Let her rip, Bill," was his shout. "Crowd through a couple of thousand extra before to-morrow night."
Snoopy Bill passed the word and the engineer opened the throttle64. The gang responded with a will and soon a great stream of straw was gushing65 from the blower.
At that moment Mary McClure was standing67 up in her stirrups with eyes fixed intently on a spur of the north bank of the Valley. As she watched, a yodling scream came over the rounded hilltops. She smiled delightedly. On the tip of the lofty spur she caught sight of a red flash that she knew instantly as the shining coat of a certain bay broncho.
"It is Flash with Margaret up!" was the pleased exclamation68. "I believe she wants me."
Forming a horn with her hands she called back in the cry of the hills. The rider on the spur waved her gauntlet in reply, beckoning69 to the rider in the Valley. Instantly Mary turned Bobs into the trees, sending him up a steep bridle70 path to the left. In a few minutes the girls were together and they set out through the stubble to where the Valley Gang was finishing the wheat.
"We are just in time to see the move," said Margaret. "For you, of course, the engineer is the whole gang. You will be able to see Ned in action."
"And you will be absorbed in the rest of the gang, that is in the antics of the separator man," countered Mary.
"At present," laughed Margaret, "I am going to make a raid on your preserves and talk to Ned."
She rode up to the engine.
At that moment there was a boisterously71 gallant72 salute73 from the gang, accompanied by a vigorous waving of caps and the shrill74 scream of the engine. The girls acknowledged the reception by a gay flourish of gauntlets.
"We are going to time the move, Ned," shouted Margaret above the roar of the engine, showing him her watch. "Let us see what the Valley Outfit can do."
Drawing his watch from his pocket Ned blew the whistle, promptly gaining the attention of the whole gang. Waving his hand toward the site of the new setting, he lifted high his watch and pointed75 to Margaret. With a ringing cheer they accepted the challenge and addressed themselves to the race against time. One of the feats76 of a crack outfit is the swift move to a new setting without mishap77 or confusion.
Already the last stock teams have pulled away from the separator and are careering in wild race to the adjacent field. With the tossing in of the final shovelful78 of chaff79 the separator stands clean and naked above the stubble. As the last bit of wheat dribbles80 into the bag Ned signals the stop and Margaret lifts her watch aloft.
"It is up to the Valley crew now," comes the silvery challenge, and the boys respond with a merry shout and the address that marks the discipline of the gang.
As the fly-wheel slows up the pitchers deftly81 throw the belt, roll it up and hang it in place. At the same time the carriers are lowered and secured and the two waiting grain-teams hooked to the separator. Leaning well on the lines the drivers give the word. With a sharp gee82 and a steady pull they haul the mill up on the stubble and head in a curved line for the site of the new setting a quarter of a mile away. There a space has been already cleared and a circle of loaded stook-wagons is beginning to form, awaiting the arrival of the machine.
The feat11 par14 excellence83 of all the teaming about a threshing mill is that of pulling the engine out of the holes into which she has settled and over the intervening stubble. Usually two teams are detailed84 to this duty, but here the big tank team is sufficient. At the drop of the belt Easy Murphy hitched85 the grays. The two big beasts stand expectant. Seizing the lines Easy gives the inspiration of his invigorating brogue. Thrusting their great shoulders at the collars the team leans steadily86 forward. Straining with their mighty87 muscles they sink their toes deep into the turf. The traces stretch into tense, vibrating thongs88. Hawing sharply the real pull commences. The mass begins to move. Swaying slightly as his horses' heads go down, Easy heartens them.
"Stiddy now, me beauties, and aisy ut is or the stubble wull be afthurr ticklin' the bellies89 uv ye."
Suddenly the wheels rise out of the holes and the heavy mass rolls along.
"Aye, 'tis an aisy waltz fer yez, me bantams!" crows the tankman as the big team swings through the soft muck with the weighty Old Lady in tow. At precisely90 the same instant the separator has made its start. Glancing at her watch Margaret is surprised to observe that barely a minute has elapsed.
Arriving at the cleared area the separator, under the guidance of Andy Bissett, circles to the east, coming up to position in the teeth of the wind. The engine takes a curve to the west, swinging east to meet it. With the separator in place and blocked, every man springs to his task. Carriers are swung into proper elevation91, feeder and band-cutter's stands dropped and the belt run out to the engine.
Ned stands on the rear of his engine with eye sighting along the fly-wheel. Now is the critical moment. An inch too much to right or left means the loss of minutes.
"Gee a little!" comes the crisp command. "Steady ahead! Let her swing to gee! Easy now! Hold!"
At the final order Easy Murphy brings his horses to a dead stop. Quickly the belt is slipped on and tautened. Every man stands in his place poised92 for work. Two short shrieks93 of the siren and the whole scene leaps into animation94. Volumes of smoke belch95 from the funnel96, the big belt speeds flapping along to the separator, starting the whirring of a maze97 of lesser98 belts and the spinning of countless99 pulleys. In a moment the cylinder100 is devouring101 an endless flood of sheaves. From the side of the mill the oats gush66 out while the straw rolls up over the carriers in a golden stream.
The girls ride up to the engine, admiration102 in their eyes.
"What time did we kill?" inquired Ned, smiling through his layers of grease.
"You made time," corrected Mary, flashing a bright smile down upon him. "That was wonderful work, quite worthy103 of the Valley Outfit."
"Time," said Margaret with official dignity, "is the surprising record of eight minutes and twenty seconds."
"I must let the gang know," said Ned in high elation104. "That is a pretty decent record." Reaching out he blew eight screeching105 calls. The threshers paused long enough to respond with a trio of husky cheers. Then back they went with a will to the grind.
"What a furiously busy gang you have, Ned," was Mary's ingenuous106 observation, her eyes on the lively sight. "You all work as if we are to have a two-foot fall of snow, during the night. Why this haste?"
Ned smiled peculiarly and was silent. Margaret came quickly to his relief. She was aware of the exact situation and entirely107 disapproved108, but she knew Ned wished to hold the truth from Mary.
"The Valley Outfit have been rushing along at this breakneck speed for the whole of October," said Margaret. "They are gambling109, Mary. The boys have a wager110 that they can pile up a record output for the month. The trial winds up to-morrow night. Ned Pullar and his vaunted Valley Gang are a company of very foolish gentlemen."
"There are exceptions in the case, I suspect," insinuated111 Mary. "Our little Miss Grant exempts112 all tall, good-looking separator men. Hum!"
Ned laughed.
"Were it not for the dust," said he, "I would take you girls over for a chat with our rather handsome fellow. I have a hunch113, however, that Margaret would scarcely enjoy it."
"What? The handsome fellow?" posed Mary mischievously114.
"No. The dust," replied Ned.
"It is a little matter," agreed Margaret.
"The handsome fellow?" teased Ned.
"No. The dust," prompted Mary archly.
All three laughed.
"Here, White!" called Ned to his fireman. "You handle the throttle while I take the girls to the mill."
In spite of the dust the four-cornered interview though necessarily brief resolved itself into a charming "little matter." Andy was back in his place on top of the mill oiling near the carriers. Ned stood beside the girls, who were sitting their horses just beyond the cloud of dust. They were enjoying a few moments' contemplation of the lively scene before departure for the Grant homestead when suddenly a vivid light flashed red in the twilight, flaring115 on the sweating face of Lawrie, the big feeder. Instantly followed a loud metallic116 crashing. With a strange, muffled117 shout Lawrie threw up his hands and fell on the feed table, pitching forward into the jaws118 of the machine. An instant more and he must be seized by the deadly teeth of the whizzing cylinder.
At the blare of fire Ned uttered a cry of alarm and rushed toward the separator. Realizing Lawrie's horrible plight119 he shouted to White at the throttle and taking a lightning leap drew himself up on the separator above the whirring teeth. Already they were fanning the hair of the insensible feeder as his head settled nearer to the blurred120 shine of the hideous121 jaws. Reaching over, Ned seized the helpless man and lifted him by the sheer strength of his powerful arms out of the fangs122 of the machine. But the weight of his inert123 burden swinging suddenly overbalanced him. Poised over that maw of whirling death the two men hung for an awful instant as Ned fought to recover. But the weight was too much; Lawrie began to sink. It was evident the two men were falling back into the cylinder. A scream of terror leaped from the lips of the horror-stricken band-cutters. Then it was Ned felt his shoulder clutched in a mighty grip and he with his precious burden was dragged back to the roof of the mill.
"Thank God you were there, Andy!" exclaimed the big fellow breathlessly as they composed the huddled124 form of the unconscious Lawrie.
"A touch and go, Ned!" was the solemn rejoinder. "I did not know anything was amiss—until I heard your shout. It took me an instant to spot you in the dust. Lawrie's badly smashed."
And so it seemed, for the man's face was washed with blood.
Meanwhile White had shut down and willing hands helped them move the wounded man to the ground. Water was speedily applied125 and the blood sopped126 up, revealing a deep gash127 along the forehead gouged128 by some missile thrown out by the rotating cylinder. Under the steady bathing there were soon signs of returning consciousness. Slowly opening his eyes Lawrie was surprised to find Ned bending over him, looking at him with anxious, sober gaze. A gleam of intelligence crept into the man's face and he smiled faintly.
"Oh, yes!" he said reminiscently. "I remember. I felt it slip in and tried to draw it back but it got away." After a moment's pause he added: "I am afraid it has played hob with the cylinder and concave. Have you taken a look, Ned?"
"You Lawrie!" cried Ned, smiling at the game fellow. "It's the man first here, you know. How are you feeling?"
"O.K., Ned, though by gum I seem to have taken the count."
Recovering he rose on his elbow and looked around curiously129. The gang were gathered about him, a circle of solemn faces. Giving a little laugh he said na?vely:
"What's got your goat, pals130?"
"Shure 'tis the lucky, quare divil ye are," said Murphy, "till be dead wan46 minute and assistin' at your own post mortin the nixt."
A hearty131 laugh passed round the circle relieving the tension. No more was said, but Lawrie understood the grip of Ned's strong hand.
"We must fix that cut, Lawrie," said he, looking helplessly about. "This dirt will never do."
The moment the girls realized the accident they had dismounted and assumed the official duties of Red Cross first aid. Mary McClure smiled at Ned's words. She had already arrived at a solution. Rising from her place beside Lawrie she spoke.
"Ned," said she curiously, "have you a knife?"
"Here," was the prompt response as he produced a jack-knife.
"Margaret, you take it," said the girl, "and if the Valley Gang will close their eyes for a minute I'll direct you what to do."
At the words she lifted her skirt daintily, revealing the snowy white edge of the petticoat beneath. With dancing eyes the gang made the right about turn and Lawrie decided133 on an immediate134 snooze. A few minutes later his brow was bound with a clean bandage and he was making his way shakily to the feed-board. Calling a farewell the fair riders rode away over the stubble, followed by the applause of the grateful fellows.
Meanwhile at the machine there were interesting developments. Jean Benoit, who was working in on the shakers, gave a sudden shout and popped up out of the separator holding something in his hand. It was a heavy wrench135. He examined it in a puzzled manner for a moment then handed it to Easy Murphy. The tool was minus one of its jaws. On the remaining jaw some initials had been punched, but they had been almost obliterated136 through the recent offices of a file.
"Dat no Valley wrench!" exclaimed Jean.
"Probably one of Grant's left on the stock during the binding," said Ned.
Easy Murphy shook his head sceptically.
"Ah!" was his fierce cry as he tipped the tool at a new angle to the light. "So I think. By the Howly St. Paddy! Take a look, Ned. Can you see?"
Ned took a look and there in the bright shine of the filed surface were good traces of the punch marks forming plainly the letters, R-M. Over him swept an ominous137 conviction. Without a word he placed the wrench carefully in the tool-box.
"'Tis the hand uv Snoopy Bill," said Easy Murphy darkly. "And 'tis his foul138 plot near did fer Lawrie and Ned." Clenching his hands he dropped suddenly into a vengeful silence.
A desire for revenge swept through the gang like an electric shock. Even Ned's cool eyes emitted a dangerous glare. Andy Bissett saw the dire132 change in his companion. Laying his hand on Ned's shoulder he said quietly:
"Ned, it's a dastardly trick but Lawrie will be well in half an hour. It's up to the Valley Outfit to call the bluff139 and play the winning card. Half a dozen teeth are gone in the concave and several others twisted. The cylinder is about as bad. With fast work it will mean only a two-hour stop. Let us finish strong."
"Very well!" agreed Ned. But his face did not resume its usual imperturbable140 demeanour.
There was no more threshing that night. Morning found them out an hour earlier, however, pounding grimly ahead, bent141 on recovering the lost time. As Ned stood at the throttle, a masterful shadow in the gray dawn, he thought over the adventure of the night before. It seemed to hold some sinister142 portent143. Easy Murphy had in the meantime recounted to him the episode with Snoopy Bill Baird. Two more heavy tools had been discovered in one of the loads. Suddenly he became conscious of the malignant144 nature of the foe145 with whom he was striving. His jaw set tightly and a mighty resolution shot from his eyes. Unconsciously he opened the throttle and the power throbbed146 with a fresh leap along the great belt. As he did so a vision flitted unexpectedly before him. He saw Mary McClure standing amid the gang, her eyes alight with laughter while she held her skirt daintily lifted to disclose the snowy fabric147 for Lawrie's wound. Suddenly his face lost its seriousness and he laughed delightedly.
"Mary!" he cried softly.
Shutting off the throttle he curbed148 the engine in her impulse to race.
"I guess we have a bunch of pressure left, Old Lady," said he confidently, as he guided her into steadiness. The thing of power steamed on into the strenuous149 day while the thing of will threw down the challenge of youth.
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1
perturbed
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| adj.烦燥不安的v.使（某人）烦恼，不安( perturb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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shrug
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| v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等) | |
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irony
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| n.反语，冷嘲；具有讽刺意味的事，嘲弄 | |
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uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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restive
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| adj.不安宁的，不安静的 | |
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antagonistic
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| adj.敌对的 | |
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relentless
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| adj.残酷的，不留情的，无怜悯心的 | |
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brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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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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volcanic
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| adj.火山的；象火山的；由火山引起的 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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par
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| n.标准，票面价值，平均数量；adj.票面的，平常的，标准的 | |
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clenching
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的现在分词 ) | |
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abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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meditated
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| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的过去式和过去分词 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
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irresolution
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| n.不决断，优柔寡断，犹豫不定 | |
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softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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chafe
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| v.擦伤；冲洗；惹怒 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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daunted
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| 使（某人）气馁，威吓( daunt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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preoccupied
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| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
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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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lustrous
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| adj.有光泽的；光辉的 | |
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lithe
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| adj.(指人、身体)柔软的，易弯的 | |
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diminutive
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| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
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disconsolate
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| adj.忧郁的，不快的 | |
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drooped
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| 弯曲或下垂，发蔫( droop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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pensiveness
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| n.pensive（沉思的）的变形 | |
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irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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vivacious
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| adj.活泼的，快活的 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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37
camaraderie
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| n.同志之爱，友情 | |
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38
enigma
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| n.谜，谜一样的人或事 | |
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39
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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40
quench
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| vt.熄灭，扑灭；压制 | |
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41
attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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42
repulse
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| n.击退，拒绝；vt.逐退，击退，拒绝 | |
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43
pensively
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| adv.沉思地，焦虑地 | |
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44
dearth
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| n.缺乏，粮食不足，饥谨 | |
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45
musingly
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| adv.沉思地，冥想地 | |
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46
wan
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| (wide area network)广域网 | |
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47
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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48
poignant
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| adj.令人痛苦的，辛酸的，惨痛的 | |
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49
blurring
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| n.模糊，斑点甚多，（图像的）混乱v.（使）变模糊( blur的现在分词 )；（使）难以区分 | |
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50
pitchers
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| 大水罐( pitcher的名词复数 ) | |
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51
altercation
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| n.争吵，争论 | |
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52
vehemently
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| adv. 热烈地 | |
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53
outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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54
hubbub
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| n.嘈杂；骚乱 | |
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55
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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56
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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57
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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58
shovel
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| n.铁锨，铲子，一铲之量；v.铲，铲出 | |
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59
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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60
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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61
appeasing
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| 安抚，抚慰( appease的现在分词 )； 绥靖（满足另一国的要求以避免战争） | |
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62
wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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63
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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64
throttle
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| n.节流阀，节气阀，喉咙；v.扼喉咙，使窒息，压 | |
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65
gushing
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| adj.迸出的；涌出的；喷出的；过分热情的v.喷，涌( gush的现在分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话 | |
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66
gush
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| v.喷，涌；滔滔不绝(说话)；n.喷，涌流；迸发 | |
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67
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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68
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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69
beckoning
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| adj.引诱人的，令人心动的v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的现在分词 ) | |
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70
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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71
boisterously
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| adv.喧闹地，吵闹地 | |
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72
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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73
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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74
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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75
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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76
feats
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| 功绩，伟业，技艺( feat的名词复数 ) | |
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77
mishap
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| n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸 | |
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78
shovelful
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| n．一铁铲 | |
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79
chaff
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| v.取笑，嘲笑；n.谷壳 | |
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80
dribbles
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| n.涓滴( dribble的名词复数 )；细滴；少量（液体）v.流口水( dribble的第三人称单数 )；（使液体）滴下或作细流；运球，带球 | |
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81
deftly
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| adv.灵巧地，熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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82
gee
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| n.马；int.向右！前进！，惊讶时所发声音；v.向右转 | |
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83
excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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84
detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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85
hitched
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| （免费）搭乘他人之车( hitch的过去式和过去分词 )； 搭便车； 攀上； 跃上 | |
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86
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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87
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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88
thongs
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| 的东西 | |
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89
bellies
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| n.肚子( belly的名词复数 )；腹部；（物体的）圆形或凸起部份；腹部…形的 | |
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90
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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91
elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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92
poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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93
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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94
animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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95
belch
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| v.打嗝，喷出 | |
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96
funnel
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| n.漏斗；烟囱；v.汇集 | |
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97
maze
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| n.迷宫，八阵图，混乱，迷惑 | |
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98
lesser
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| adj.次要的，较小的；adv.较小地，较少地 | |
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99
countless
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| adj.无数的，多得不计其数的 | |
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100
cylinder
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| n.圆筒，柱(面)，汽缸 | |
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101
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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102
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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103
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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104
elation
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| n.兴高采烈，洋洋得意 | |
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105
screeching
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| v.发出尖叫声( screech的现在分词 )；发出粗而刺耳的声音；高叫 | |
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106
ingenuous
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| adj.纯朴的，单纯的；天真的；坦率的 | |
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107
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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108
disapproved
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| v.不赞成( disapprove的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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109
gambling
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| n.赌博；投机 | |
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110
wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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111
insinuated
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| v.暗示( insinuate的过去式和过去分词 )；巧妙或迂回地潜入；（使）缓慢进入；慢慢伸入 | |
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112
exempts
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| 使免除[豁免]( exempt的第三人称单数 ) | |
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113
hunch
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| n.预感，直觉 | |
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114
mischievously
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| adv.有害地；淘气地 | |
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115
flaring
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| a.火焰摇曳的，过份艳丽的 | |
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116
metallic
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| adj.金属的；金属制的；含金属的；产金属的；像金属的 | |
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117
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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118
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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119
plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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120
blurred
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| v.（使）变模糊( blur的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）难以区分；模模糊糊；迷离 | |
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121
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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122
fangs
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| n.（尤指狗和狼的）长而尖的牙( fang的名词复数 )；（蛇的）毒牙；罐座 | |
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123
inert
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| adj.无活动能力的，惰性的；迟钝的 | |
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124
huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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125
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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126
sopped
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| adj.湿透的，浸透的v.将（面包等）在液体中蘸或浸泡( sop的过去式和过去分词 )；用海绵、布等吸起（液体等） | |
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127
gash
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| v.深切，划开；n.(深长的)切(伤)口；裂缝 | |
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128
gouged
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| v.凿( gouge的过去式和过去分词 )；乱要价；（在…中）抠出…；挖出… | |
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129
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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130
pals
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| n.朋友( pal的名词复数 )；老兄；小子；（对男子的不友好的称呼）家伙 | |
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131
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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132
dire
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| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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133
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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134
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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135
wrench
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| v.猛拧；挣脱；使扭伤；n.扳手；痛苦，难受 | |
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136
obliterated
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| v.除去( obliterate的过去式和过去分词 )；涂去；擦掉；彻底破坏或毁灭 | |
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137
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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138
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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139
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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140
imperturbable
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| adj.镇静的 | |
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141
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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142
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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143
portent
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| n.预兆；恶兆；怪事 | |
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144
malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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145
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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146
throbbed
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| 抽痛( throb的过去式和过去分词 )； （心脏、脉搏等）跳动 | |
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147
fabric
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| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
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148
curbed
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| v.限制，克制，抑制( curb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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149
strenuous
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| adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的 | |
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