The February sun pours down on the plains in a fierce, garish6 flow, shedding no warmth from its low-slanting shafts7. Pellawa is hushed to sepulchral9 solitude10 in the grim embrace of "forty below." An occasional sleigh drifts phantom-like along the street, its runners emitting a frosty singing. Only the dozens of smoke columns rising straight and high in the air proclaim the village a haunt of the living.
Wrapped in the comfort of an immense buffalo12 coat, Reddy Sykes stepped into a waiting cutter.
"Rob McClure's!" was his brief direction to the driver.
As the team trotted13 down the street and out over the white expanse he settled himself snugly15 among the robes. Sykes was in fine fettle, with eyes unusually bright. His great chest expanded in deep breaths of self-gratification. His elation16 was somewhat due to the bibber's effervescence. The odour of his habitual17 elixir18 exhaled19 copiously20 from his breath. But here was another stimulant21 none the less powerful. The fox was out with his nose in the wind hugging a live trace. There was game in the wind.
He reached McClure's as the sun rolled under the reddened valley in a disk of blood. Leaving the cutter he stepped briskly to the door. While stamping the snow from his feet, preparatory to knocking, a musical voice greeted him and Mary McClure appeared miraculously22 at his side, an apple-cheeked, cherry-lipped Venus-in-furs. She had just driven in from The Craggs.
"Pardon me!" said Sykes, in cavalier attentiveness23, reaching out for the knob she had already taken. The rare beauty of the girl and her close presence ensnared him. Recklessly obedient to a sudden impulse, he seized her hand and drew her closer to him. For the briefest instant he looked into her eyes with daring assurance.
"Mary!" he said softly, imprisoning25 firmly her struggling hand, "what a chic26 little wench you are! Do you realize that you are maddening in those furs, with your eyes and colour and lips? Your lips!" he repeated, leaning toward her.
The cordial smile faded swiftly from her eyes and the red cheeks blanched27.
"Please release my hand, Mr. Sykes," she commanded, in a low, distressed28 tone.
Looking down into her indignant eyes he saw something there that counselled hasty obedience29. He let go at once.
"Sorry, Mary!" was his apology in a tone affecting deep penitence30. "I am demented over you. You are distracting to-night. Will you let me in? I have come to see your father."
Making no reply she opened the door.
"Mr. Sykes is here, Mother," was the quiet announcement. "He drove up just as I came in from stabling Bobs. He wishes to see Father at once."
Mrs. McClure cordially welcomed the effusively31 agreeable guest, guiding him to the office. In a very few minutes he reappeared, accompanied by McClure, who proceeded to make hasty preparations for the trail.
"You go ahead," said he to Sykes. "I'll come along in my own rig."
"Are you leaving before tea?" asked Mrs. McClure in surprise.
"Yes," was the abrupt32 response. "We have a big deal on. I'll not be back until late."
As the men went out the two women looked at each other in silent significance. On the topic of father and husband their lips were sealed. At the moment their minds were exceedingly busy. The burning light in Mary's eyes disturbed her mother.
"You are troubled, daughter?" was the gentle question as she threw her arms about the girl. "Perhaps it will help us both to talk it over. I think it high time that we should resume our little confidences."
Returning the embrace and caress33, Mary looked soberly into her mother's eyes.
"It is a fear I have had for weeks, Mother," said she, responding to her mother's question. "Until to-day it was more or less vague. Now it is real. I am convinced there is ground for a little anxiety on my part. Can you not surmise34 it?"
Helen McClure studied the serious eyes so near her. She shook her head.
"No. I do not think it would be wise to guess. Can you not tell me?"
"I shudder35 at the influence Mr. Sykes has over Father," said Mary reminiscently. "It alarms me to see that power grow stronger every day. Candidly36, Mother, I am afraid of the deal they are in such haste to arrange. There was something unpleasantly secretive in their manner just now. I did not like the look in Dad's eyes."
"Is this your fear?" pressed the mother gently.
"This is involved," returned Mary. "I have an even more personal anxiety. I am afraid of the man, Chesley Sykes. He is growing too attentive24 and familiar. Why? I do not know. I have never liked him and he has no right to press his intimacy37. He is irrepressible, laughs at my snubs and deports38 himself with such annoying confidence. This all came about suddenly in the early winter. Why should he insist on a friendship that is detestable to me?"
Mary paused, awaiting some response to her appeal. But her mother hazarded no guess.
"You will remember, Mother," resumed Mary reflectively, "that I stopped riding the Valley during those wonderful days in December. I did that because of a wholesome39 fear of Chesley Sykes. I had a persistent40 feeling that he was shadowing me. Several times during my rides along the river I 'happened' upon him. One day, seized with an intuition that somebody was trailing me, I slipped into a cowpath and detouring41 quickly, watched the back trail from a covert42. In a few minutes Sykes rode up on that big hunter of his. He pulled up at the cowpath and leaning down studied it a moment. Satisfied, at length, he turned into Bobs' tracks and followed me. As he turned down the path he spoke43 to his horse. I caught the words and they frightened me.
"'King!' said he, with that confident laugh, 'nothing our little lady can do will blind our trail. She'll find one Sykes in at the killing44. She's a neat little fox but we'll gather her brush.'
"I shook him by sending Bobs into the Willow45 and up-stream. After riding out of sight about a bend we stole into the trees and made all haste for home.
"To-night at the door he was rude and maudlin46. He had been drinking and was therefore unwise. He professed47 to be penitent48, yet I could see his audacious assurance cropping out. This is the thing that makes me tremble. He has some reason for this boldness. He has Dad's approval. It is evidently Dad's will that I foster intimate relations with his friend. That I will not do."
Looking into her daughter's glowing eyes, Helen McClure was deeply conscious of the trouble there. Her own mind was alarmed and had been for many days. She knew only too well that Mary had plumbed49 correctly her father's intentions as to her relations with Sykes. She was also sure of something that the girl was only dimly suspicious of. She had long since concluded that the two men had reached some definite agreement that had far-reaching interest for Mary. Their projects seemed to involve her compliance50. The mother knew that circumstances were leading to a clash of wills. But she decided51 that reticence52 was best for the present.
"I am sorry you are in trouble, Mary," said the mother affectionately. "You have certainly real ground for your distrust of Sykes. Avoid him. And if a swift decision should ever be thrust upon you, follow your heart. That is the only safe way. But we must not grow pessimistic, daughter. There are bright days ahead. We will help them to come quickly."
The reserve with which her mother spoke convinced Mary of grave reasons for caution. Running up to her room she pondered the events of the last hour. As she dwelt upon her experiences and pieced her disturbing reflections she found herself looking into the future with a distinct sense of trepidation53.
The night was dark, a night of stars dazzlingly bright. There was a traveller on the Pellawa trail. Ned Pullar was drawing near the homestead upon his return from the village. The air was calm save for the slight drift of a five-mile breeze caused by his ride into the north. Even this faint wind had the biting tang of the extremely low temperature, forcing him to avert54 his face from its freezing breath. Giving a sudden, piercing whistle he sent his horses into a smart trot14.
He was the prey55 to a vague uneasiness. That morning he had set out with his father with their two loads of Red Knight56. A great deal of time had been spent at the village making up the shipments to the various national farms. It was late before they were ready to set out for home. Then occurred a hitch57. They were taking back with them a power fanning mill. When they drove up to Nick Ford58's implement59 shed they were disappointed to find that the mill had not been completely set up. It would take quite half an hour, so Ford advised them.
"I'll take the engine with me," said Ned. "I can set out ahead and get busy with the chores. You will be along in an hour or so."
"That will be the best plan," agreed the old man.
His father had no sooner agreed to the suggestion than a misgiving60 swept over Ned. A glance at his father's face reassured61 him, however, and he let the arrangement stand. Loading the gasoline engine he set off. As he drove along he debated the wisdom of his decision. Three months ago he would not have left his father alone in Pellawa. But these months had seen a remarkable62 change in Edward Pullar. He had developed a dignity and self-reliance that Ned knew was based in a sudden accretion63 of strength. His dreams of The Red Knight were ennobling and the achievement of the hopes of long years had rallied him. He felt it safe to trust him alone in the village with its lurking64 danger, and yet—he wished again and again that he had waited with his father. The nearer he drew to the homestead the greater grew his uneasiness.
Edward Pullar went into the little office occupying a corner of the implement shed and sat down prepared to patiently await the completion of Ford's task. It was the only place in the village where he could pass the time with safety. Louie Swale's and Sparrow's both occurred to him as the common rendezvous65 of travellers, but he passed them up with a shudder. He well knew his weakness and wished greatly to vindicate66 Ned's faith in him. The business of setting up the mill did not progress continuously. In fact, several times Ford had dropped his tools to visit the Square Room. There he at length met Sykes and McClure. The trio held ominous67 consultation68.
"Old Ed. is in my office," replied Ford to a question from Sykes. "Ned must be nearly home. You did not meet him?"
"No. He slipped down into the Valley just as we drove out of Rob's."
"I've killed about all the time I dare without arousing his suspicion. Let us get him in here."
McClure shook his head emphatically.
"Nothing doing," was his impatient retort. "He's dodged70 it for months. We'll have to get him without his knowing it."
Sykes sat back watching the others and sipping71 his glass reflectively. With a laugh of easy assurance he rocked forward in his chair.
"It will be easy," said he with a cryptic72 smile. "It all depends on you, Ford. If you will take your time and keep your head the thing is done. I've got the paper ready. Old Ed. can hold a tankful and walk as straight as a post. I've seen him drunk as a lord but to all appearances as quiet and wise as a judge. We'll get Cy Marshall in to witness the deal. Cy's eyesight is not what it used to be, but it is all we could desire. Might be lucky later to have the documents OK-ed by a magistrate73 whose record is without blemish74. Here is a little secret," said he, drawing a small vial from his pocket.
Opening the tube he dropped a tiny tablet into his palm. Glancing significantly at Ford he said:
"You are the only one who can use it, Nick."
But Ford shook his head dubiously75.
"Perfectly76 harmless!" urged Sykes. "He'll sleep it down in six hours and—it gets you a couple of hundred now and a share when Foyle comes through."
Ford shifted. Sykes took out a roll of bills. While Ford hung back Sykes opened a flask77 and dropped in the tablet. The drug dissolved swiftly, leaving the liquor as before. Sykes laughed.
"I repeat, it is perfectly harmless," said he. "I could drink it myself." Then he added with a fiendish glimmer78 in his eyes Rob McClure had seen there once before, "They got you sloppy79 drunk last fall, Nick, and put Rob's gang on the hog80, then threw you into the lake to cool you off. Here is your chance to hand Pullar a sleeper81. Are you afraid to put this easy thing across?"
With a vengeful laugh Nick reached for the flask.
"See what we can do with it," said he grimly. "The laugh's on Ned."
"Rob and I'll meander82 down to the office," said Sykes casually83. "We'll camp there for an hour. Cy is handy any time we want him. I'll stay at the desk. Rob will keep his eye on you and Old Ed. We'll have to work fast, but without any hurry, remember that, without any hurry while Cy is around."
Thrusting the flask in an inner pocket Ford took his departure.
Meanwhile Edward Pullar waited in the implement office. The room was very small and warmed by a very large air-tight heater. He grew so warm he took off his fur coat. Ford passed in and out, spending a moment in pleasant chat. Alone once more his inactivity and the warmth combined to make him drowsy84. His head dropped forward at times in a brief doze11. But he would instantly rouse and glance out the window. His throat and lips grew dry and a thirst came over him. He went over to a pail in the corner, but was disappointed to find it contained no water. He resumed his chair.
As he sat by the window looking out into the falling night Ford entered and after shuffling85 a moment about the little desk went out. The thirst recurred86, but as there was no way to slake87 it, he patiently endured the discomfort88. His thoughts followed Ned along the trail or drifted into the fascinating world of The Red Knight. Then the "thing" began to creep upon him. Gradually he became aware of an odour familiar and bibulously89 gratifying. At first it was but a fleeting90 inhalation. Then it became continuous, tripling in its pleasing gratefulness. A possibility flashed into his mind. He glanced about. There it was upon the desk within easy reach. He could just discern it in the dim light. It was a flask three parts full. Ford had left it carelessly on the edge of the drop leaf, the cork91 out. Without any act of volition92 his hand reached out and his fingers closed on the glass. As he felt the dear, familiar form of the flask a mighty93 thirst welled up. But he halted, and, letting go of the bottle, snatched his hand away as if stung by a serpent. The realization94 of what he was about to do shook him strangely. Clenching95 his hands he turned away, lifting his head in proud resolution. He would fight this devil sitting so quietly by him.
Ford came in again and lit the dirty lamp. He picked up the bottle.
"You'll excuse me, Ed.," said he apologetically. "But it's so raw out there I've got to take a warmer. Just a nip. There!"
He had tipped the glass, but none of the liquor had passed his lips. The gurgle was maddening to the old man.
"You're welcome to a swig, Ed.," said Ford in a friendly manner. "But I'll not ask you to indulge, for I know you're on the water-wagon these days. I'll leave the 'wee drap' handy in case you take a notion."
He went out.
Ten minutes passed and the fight against the heat and the terrible thirst went swayingly on. The sight of the yellow liquid coupled with the subtle and odorous fumes96 from the breath of Bacchus plied69 him with an exquisite97 torment98. He began to fear the "thing" again. Rising, he put on his coat and prepared for a stroll in the keen night without. With his hand on the door-knob he looked back, pausing irresolute99. Slowly his fingers relaxed and he sat down once more.
A physical lassitude began to steal over him, due to the excessive heat. The desire to drink became overmasteringly insistent100. The smell of the vaporizing whiskey was sweeter than perfumes of Arabia. In a little he became conscious of nothing else. Then he found himself sitting beside the desk, leaning heavily upon it, the empty flask in his hand. His throat was parched101 and his brain on fire. He looked at the bottle with burning eyes. It was empty! Empty! As he contemplated102 it wildly Ford entered.
"Your mill is about ready," said he. "How are you making it?"
"Say, Nick!" whispered the old man cunningly, "I've stolen a march on you. The whiskey's all gone. I'd give a hundred dollars for a right good drink. Where can we get it?"
Ford looked at the inebriate103, startled at the wild leer and the pitiable obsequiousness104 of the great figure.
"Too bad she's dry!" was the response. "That was the last drop I had. Come along with me. I'll fix you up."
They went out together, arriving a few minutes later at Sykes' office. Before they entered Ford whispered in his ear:
"Straighten up, Ed. That was strong stuff. It's got you swinging. These fellows will let you have all you want after you sign up."
"How?—how is that?" cried the old man in a half-startled voice, as he forced himself to walk erect105.
"Hush8!" was the admonitory reply. "It's this way. They have no right to let you have it, and unless you sign three or four little papers, promising106 not to give them away, why, of course, they don't take the chance. You do the signing and leave the rest to me. Keep straight while we are inside. We'll get a bottle and go back to the shed."
"I understand, Nick," was the solemn response. "I'll protect the boys."
They entered. McClure, Sykes and Cy Marshall were within.
"Here is Ed. Pullar," said Nick. "He's ready to sign up and in an all-fired hurry. It's a long trip to The Craggs."
"We'll let him go quick," responded Sykes in a businesslike tone. "You sign here, Mr. Pullar."
Exerting all his power of will Edward Pullar wrote his name on a number of papers. The signature was duly certified107 by Cy Marshall. They loitered a moment, during which Sykes kept up a casual chat. Stepping near, Ford at length whispered:
"We'll get out. I've got it. Steady and slow, old man."
Obediently the old man followed him through the door. As the door shut his fingers closed around the promised flask. Then with a drunken punctiliousness108 he halted.
"Say, Nick!" was the shocked whisper. "We forgot to settle with the boys!"
Nick laughed.
"It's all right, Ed.," was the soothing109 response. "I laid down the price. It's my treat."
With a relieved laugh the old man trudged110 after him.
Ford assisted his victim to hitch up his horses and load the mill, joining him in a last drink before he sent him into the bitter night.
At his office Sykes sat back in his chair rubbing his hands complacently111, while Rob McClure stared at the parchments decorated with the clear signature of Edward Pullar.
"It's a tidy little clean-up," was Rob's gratified observation.
"Tidy's the word and tight!" agreed Sykes with acquiescing112 nods. "We've got Pullar hogtied with a two-inch rope. The law isn't made that can bust113 these agreements. When Hank Foyle signs up we wind up a very pleasant and totally regular deal."
Arrived at the homestead, Ned worked swiftly at his tasks. The chores finished, he ran into the house and busied himself preparing their simple meal. This too accomplished114, he opened the mail and delved115 into the pile of letters. He had barely entered upon the perusal116 of the first letter when he set it down absent-mindedly. He was troubled at the non-appearance of his father. The uneasiness aroused along the trail changed suddenly to a fear that all was not right. He had expected to hear the bells within an hour after his arrival. It was now nearly two. Throwing on cap and coat, he walked down the lane to the road-allowance and peered into the main trail. It was empty as far as the eye could define. With hand to ear he listened. There was no sound in all the frozen stillness. It was a deadly night for the helpless traveller. The temperature was creeping lower every minute. He thought of the white death that steals noiselessly through a night like this. With the thought came a premonition. A depressive fear weighed him down.
Hurrying back to the house he made ready for a drive, leaving the waiting meal untouched. Throwing the driving harness on Darkey and his mate he hitched117 them to the cutter and set off for the village. They sped along at a twelve-mile clip, their nimble hoofs118 tattooing119 the dash with a fusillade of snow chips. The wind of their own motion smote120 his face with its subtle sting, blanching121 its exposed surfaces before he realized the frost was at work. Ducking into the warm collar, he avoided a bad bite. Crouching122 behind the wall of fur, his mind swiftly conjured123 the fate of an unfortunate numbed124 by the fancied warmth of liquor. Pathetic cases of terrible exposures and death flitted before his mind. Scarcely aware of it, he urged his flying horses to fifteen miles.
Unceasingly he searched the shadowy twin-ribbon of trail beyond the end of the cutter tongue. At length they dipped into the Northwest Cut and dashed over the Valley to the south climb. There as they were taking the sharp curve about a shoulder of the hill, his horses swerved125 suddenly in a shying leap. He halted them perilously126 near the edge of the steep embankment. Coming slowly about the hill was his father's team. They were taking the decline soberly and carefully and apparently127 on their own initiative. There was no driver in sight. At a sharp command from Ned they halted. Leaping from his cutter, he looked over the edge of the double box. In the bottom of the sleigh lay his father, motionless.
With a poignant128 cry Ned vaulted129 into the sleigh. He was shocked with a horrible fear as he discovered cap and gauntlets removed and coat wide open. A quick glance filled him with increased alarm. Hands and face of the sleeper were white with the wax-like colour of the dead. Hastily he thrust on cap and gauntlets and closed the open coat. Arranging the robes in the cutter, he carried the drunken form to the vehicle and placed it upon the seat. Taking the robes and even the empty bags out of the sleigh, he wrapped them about his father and took his place beside him. Whirling his frost-coated drivers about, he sent them furiously down the hill, leaving the heavy team to follow at their own sedate130 pace.
He did not spare the willing brutes131 ahead and pulled them up at the door in a cloud of steam. Throwing the robes upon them, he carried his father in and laid him upon the floor. Rushing out, he brought in pails of snow and set to work massaging132 the frozen face and hands. Circulation once more established, he carried the still inert133 form to his bed. This accomplished, he went out to his team and stabled them. The dumb brutes wondered at the swift tenderness with which he groomed134 away the thick coat of frost.
"You are not hurt a whit," said he gratefully, as he watched them happily munching135 their oats. "And you saved Dad."
The gentle taps with which he bid them good-night were comforting to their faithful equine spirits.
Out into the darkness he stepped, missing with a sudden and strange acuteness the mute sympathy of the animals now shut in the stables. The night was colder than ever and breathless with the hush of the lowering temperature. The silence of the farmstead depressed136 him. He looked at the house. It was a mysterious shape in the darkness, sheltering within it the wreck137 so pitiably still. Entering, he sat down to his long vigil. It was a lonely night for Ned Pullar—the loneliest he had ever known.
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1
glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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2
gouges
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| n.凿( gouge的名词复数 )；乱要价；（在…中）抠出…；挖出…v.凿( gouge的第三人称单数 )；乱要价；（在…中）抠出…；挖出… | |
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daggers
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| 匕首，短剑( dagger的名词复数 ) | |
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4
smiting
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的现在分词 ) | |
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5
vacuity
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| n.(想象力等)贫乏，无聊，空白 | |
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garish
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| adj.华丽而俗气的，华而不实的 | |
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7
shafts
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| n.轴( shaft的名词复数 )；（箭、高尔夫球棒等的）杆；通风井；一阵（疼痛、害怕等） | |
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hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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9
sepulchral
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| adj.坟墓的，阴深的 | |
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solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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doze
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| v.打瞌睡；n.打盹，假寐 | |
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12
buffalo
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| n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛 | |
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13
trotted
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| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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snugly
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| adv.紧贴地；贴身地；暖和舒适地；安适地 | |
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elation
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| n.兴高采烈，洋洋得意 | |
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habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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elixir
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| n.长生不老药，万能药 | |
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exhaled
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| v.呼出，发散出( exhale的过去式和过去分词 )；吐出（肺中的空气、烟等），呼气 | |
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copiously
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| adv.丰富地，充裕地 | |
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stimulant
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| n.刺激物，兴奋剂 | |
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miraculously
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| ad.奇迹般地 | |
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attentiveness
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| [医]注意 | |
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attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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imprisoning
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| v.下狱，监禁( imprison的现在分词 ) | |
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chic
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| n./adj.别致(的)，时髦(的)，讲究的 | |
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blanched
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| v.使变白( blanch的过去式 )；使（植物）不见阳光而变白；酸洗（金属）使有光泽；用沸水烫（杏仁等）以便去皮 | |
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distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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penitence
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| n.忏悔，赎罪；悔过 | |
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effusively
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| adv.变溢地，热情洋溢地 | |
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32
abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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33
caress
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| vt./n.爱抚，抚摸 | |
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34
surmise
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| v./n.猜想，推测 | |
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35
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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candidly
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| adv.坦率地，直率而诚恳地 | |
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37
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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38
deports
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| v.将…驱逐出境( deport的第三人称单数 )；举止 | |
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39
wholesome
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| adj.适合；卫生的；有益健康的；显示身心健康的 | |
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40
persistent
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| adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的 | |
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41
detouring
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| 绕道( detour的现在分词 ) | |
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42
covert
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| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
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43
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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44
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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45
willow
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| n.柳树 | |
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46
maudlin
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| adj.感情脆弱的，爱哭的 | |
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47
professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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48
penitent
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| adj.后悔的；n.后悔者；忏悔者 | |
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49
plumbed
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| v.经历( plumb的过去式和过去分词 )；探究；用铅垂线校正；用铅锤测量 | |
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50
compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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51
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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52
reticence
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| n.沉默，含蓄 | |
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53
trepidation
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| n.惊恐，惶恐 | |
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54
avert
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| v.防止，避免；转移(目光、注意力等) | |
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55
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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56
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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57
hitch
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| v.免费搭(车旅行)；系住；急提；n.故障；急拉 | |
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58
Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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59
implement
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| n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行 | |
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60
misgiving
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕 | |
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61
reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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62
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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63
accretion
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| n.自然的增长，增加物 | |
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64
lurking
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| 潜在 | |
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65
rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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66
vindicate
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| v.为…辩护或辩解，辩明；证明…正确 | |
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67
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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68
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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69
plied
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的过去式和过去分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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70
dodged
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| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
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71
sipping
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| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的现在分词 ) | |
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72
cryptic
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| adj.秘密的，神秘的，含义模糊的 | |
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73
magistrate
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| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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74
blemish
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| v.损害；玷污；瑕疵，缺点 | |
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75
dubiously
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| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
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76
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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77
flask
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| n.瓶，火药筒，砂箱 | |
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78
glimmer
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| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
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79
sloppy
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| adj.邋遢的，不整洁的 | |
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80
hog
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| n.猪；馋嘴贪吃的人；vt.把…占为己有，独占 | |
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81
sleeper
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| n.睡眠者，卧车，卧铺 | |
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82
meander
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| n.河流的曲折，漫步，迂回旅行；v.缓慢而弯曲地流动，漫谈 | |
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83
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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84
drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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85
shuffling
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| adj. 慢慢移动的, 滑移的 动词shuffle的现在分词形式 | |
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86
recurred
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| 再发生，复发( recur的过去式和过去分词 )； 治愈 | |
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87
slake
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| v.解渴，使平息 | |
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88
discomfort
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| n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便 | |
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89
bibulously
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| adj.嗜酒的；吸水的，吸潮的 | |
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90
fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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91
cork
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| n.软木，软木塞 | |
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92
volition
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| n.意志；决意 | |
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93
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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94
realization
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| n.实现；认识到，深刻了解 | |
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95
clenching
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的现在分词 ) | |
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96
fumes
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| n.(强烈而刺激的)气味，气体 | |
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97
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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98
torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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99
irresolute
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| adj.无决断的，优柔寡断的，踌躇不定的 | |
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100
insistent
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| adj.迫切的，坚持的 | |
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101
parched
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| adj.焦干的；极渴的；v.（使）焦干 | |
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102
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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103
inebriate
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| v.使醉 | |
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104
obsequiousness
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| 媚骨 | |
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105
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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106
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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107
certified
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| a.经证明合格的；具有证明文件的 | |
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108
punctiliousness
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109
soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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110
trudged
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| vt.& vi.跋涉，吃力地走（trudge的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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111
complacently
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| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
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112
acquiescing
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| v.默认，默许( acquiesce的现在分词 ) | |
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113
bust
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| vt.打破；vi.爆裂；n.半身像；胸部 | |
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114
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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115
delved
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| v.深入探究，钻研( delve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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116
perusal
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| n.细读，熟读；目测 | |
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117
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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118
hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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119
tattooing
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| n.刺字，文身v.刺青，文身( tattoo的现在分词 )；连续有节奏地敲击；作连续有节奏的敲击 | |
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120
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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121
blanching
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| adj.漂白的n.热烫v.使变白( blanch的现在分词 )；使（植物）不见阳光而变白；酸洗（金属）使有光泽；用沸水烫（杏仁等）以便去皮 | |
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122
crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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123
conjured
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| 用魔术变出( conjure的过去式和过去分词 )； 祈求，恳求； 变戏法； （变魔术般地） 使…出现 | |
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124
numbed
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| v.使麻木，使麻痹( numb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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125
swerved
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| v.（使）改变方向，改变目的( swerve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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126
perilously
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| adv.充满危险地，危机四伏地 | |
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127
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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128
poignant
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| adj.令人痛苦的，辛酸的，惨痛的 | |
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129
vaulted
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| adj.拱状的 | |
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130
sedate
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| adj.沉着的，镇静的，安静的 | |
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131
brutes
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| 兽( brute的名词复数 )； 畜生； 残酷无情的人； 兽性 | |
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132
massaging
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| 按摩，推拿( massage的现在分词 ) | |
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133
inert
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| adj.无活动能力的，惰性的；迟钝的 | |
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134
groomed
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| v.照料或梳洗（马等）( groom的过去式和过去分词 )；使做好准备；训练；（给动物）擦洗 | |
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135
munching
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| v.用力咀嚼（某物），大嚼( munch的现在分词 ) | |
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136
depressed
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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137
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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