The Shawanoe declined them all.
“Deerfoot will walk,” he calmly said. “He has done so many times. He will not grow tired as soon as the horses. Let us go forward.”
To show that the question was settled he strode off across the prairie, carrying his rifle in a trailing position and stepping with his elastic2 gait, which he could maintain hour after hour without fatigue3. Moreover, it would have been no hardship for him to strike into a lope which would have kept the animals at a trot4 throughout the day. You know that a man, trained to the exercise, can walk farther than a horse, and no person was ever better trained than the young Shawanoe.
The oppression caused by his loss showed itself for a long time. He held his place in advance of the others, rarely speaking and often acting5 as if unaware6 that he had companions with him. They respected his moods, and though they chatted among themselves, said little or nothing to him.
About the middle of the afternoon the boys descried7 an object in the horizon to the northeast, which at first they took to be a white cloud heaped against the sky. But its stationary8 position and its peculiar9 form revealed that it was a mountain peak whose summit was covered with snow. Seen against the sky it had a soft bluish tint10 which made it a most striking figure in the landscape. The clear air of these regions makes distances deceptive11, objects seeming to be much nearer the spectator than they are. When Victor said he thought they might camp that night at its base, the Blackfoot told him that by traveling all of next day they would hardly be able to reach the mountain, which is one of the loftiest of that section.
The truth of Mul-tal-la’s words was evident when, after fully12 four hours of brisk walking, they camped on the bank of a small creek13 and saw the sun sink behind the mountain peak, which appeared to be as far away as ever. The plain was still treeless, and the fire kindled14 on the gently sloping bank was of dry buffalo15 chips such as had already done them service. Before daylight had departed the horizon was scanned with the aid of the spyglass without discovering anything of an unusual character.
It was the turn of the red men to act as sentinels, and Deerfoot quietly said that he would take the first watch, calling the Blackfoot when he thought proper. As usual, he read a chapter from his Bible. After he had finished and the devotions of all were over, he again took out the book, placing himself so that enough light fell upon the pages to permit him to read. The last sight that the boys had of him was in this motionless posture16 and occasionally turning a leaf. Thus he sat when the three sank into restful slumber17. The succulent grass was so abundant that the horses, relieved of saddles, bridles18 and burdens, were left free to crop as long as they chose and to sleep when the notion came to them.
A half hour after his friends had fallen asleep Deerfoot put away his book and rose to his feet. It was profoundly still. On his right flowed the slightly muddy stream, no more than fifty feet wide and of shallow depth. In other directions stretched the slightly rolling prairie until lost in the gloom. The moon was near the full, but its light was treacherous19 and uncertain because of the masses of clouds that slowly drifted across its face. At times one could see quite clearly for a hundred yards or more, and then the shadows crept up to the camp, whose fire threw out comparatively little light. Now and then the watchful20 sentinel was able to detect the dim outlines of the farther shore, even when the surface of the stream did not reflect the mild glow of the fire.
Nothing escaped his vigilant21 eye. It was not yet midnight when Bug22, the horse of Mul-tal-la, showed a strange restlessness. He whinnied softly two or three times, and finally came to his feet. Deerfoot moved silently to his side, patted his neck and spoke23 soothingly24. The animal showed no alarm, but rather curiosity. His nose was pointed25 to the south, where he seemed to scent26 something unusual.
The Shawanoe waited till the moon emerged from the clouds and then peered in that direction. He could detect nothing out of the common. He walked a little way and again waited for the moon’s face to become unveiled. Still all looked the same as before. He went back to Bug and found him in the former position, with ears pricked27 forward, nose thrust slightly out and breathing more rapidly than was his wont28. The other horses gave no sign of disturbance29.
The Shawanoe was puzzled. He felt that if this dumb brute30 was able to detect the approach of danger he ought to do the same. Kneeling, he pressed one ear against the damp ground.
As he did so he was sensible of a faint rhythmic31, velvet-like tremor32, which was inaudible when he raised his head. Using the earth again as a medium, he listened and brought all his faculties33 into play. The singular pulsation34 neither increased nor diminished. The best comparison he could make was to that of the multitudinous tramping of thousands of tiny feet upon the earth miles away, recalling the gradual subsidence of the racket created by the stamping of the bison. Deerfoot knew it was not produced by those animals. It could not have been elk35 or deer, for they never herded36 in such vast numbers, nor could it have been made by wolves, since their tread was too soft for the sound to penetrate37 far.
The Shawanoe was mystified. Rising to his feet again he stood gazing southward, wondering what strange thing was to come out of the flickering38 moonlight. But none appeared, and hearing a movement of Bug, he turned and saw him disposing himself for the night. He lay down on the grassy39 earth, prepared to continue the rest which had been broken so curiously40.
“‘Helloa!’”
This looked as if the uneasiness of the horse was over. A few minutes later Deerfoot again placed his ear against the ground. Immediately he was aware that that faint, tremulous throbbing41 which had so mystified him was passing away. Whatever had caused it was receding42, and soon the silence became as profound as before. He was still at a loss to understand its nature, though he thought it was produced by animals treading the earth in immense numbers.
Walking back to camp, he noted43 the three unconscious forms wrapped in their blankets, for there was enough sharpness in the air to make the warmth pleasant and little heat was given out by the fire. The Shawanoe paused just far enough away to be revealed dimly in the subdued44 glow, and was leaning on his rifle, listening, looking and meditating45, when the stillness was broken by a single exclamation46:
“Helloa!”
It was the voice of a white man on the other side of the stream which ran close to the camp. The face of the moon happened to be clear at that moment, and glancing across, Deerfoot saw a shadowy figure standing47 on the edge of the water. The head and front of a horse showed at his side, and he was evidently studying the camp upon which he had come.
Deerfoot straightened up and promptly48 called back:
“Helloa! Come over and see us.”
As he spoke he walked down to the edge of the stream, as if to meet the stranger, who in a cheery voice replied:
“That suits me. I was thinkin’ of doin’ that same thing,”
He was seen to swing himself upon the back of his horse, whose ribs49 he kicked with his heels and ordered forward. The animal stepped with some hesitation50 into the water, snuffing and feeling his way. He had advanced only two or three paces when Deerfoot observed that he was followed by two other horses, each of which carried a large pack on his back. The distance was short, but it took some time for the three animals to ford51 the stream, which was no more than two or three feet deep, with a bottom of soft mud.
The moment the leader touched dry land the man slipped from the saddle and extended his hand.
“Why, you’re an Injin!” he exclaimed. “I didn’t think that, but I’m powerful glad to see you.”
“And Deerfoot is glad to see his brother,” replied the smiling Shawanoe, returning the pressure of the other.
“Who are you?” asked the white man, peering closely into the countenance52 as dimly seen in the firelight.
“Deerfoot, and a Shawanoe by birth.”
“Shawanoe,” repeated the white man. “I don’t remember havin’ heerd tell of them varmints—that is of that tribe,” he corrected with a laugh; “no offence.”
“Their home is a good many miles from here, in Ohio.”
“Ah! that explains it. I’ve seed worse lookin’ redskins than you.”
“And plenty better ones,” said Deerfoot rather taken with the off-hand manner of the newcomer.
“Dunno ’bout that. There are a few good ones among the redskins and some powerful mean ones. I’m suited with you so fur, from the ground up.”
The visitor was of massive frame, fully six feet high, broad in proportion, with a grizzly53 beard that covered his face to the eyes and flowed over his breast. He was dressed like a half-civilized Indian, wearing a fur cap, thick shoes instead of moccasins, and with a heavy, loose coat flung over his deerskin hunting shirt. He had a strong, well-formed nose and bright gray eyes, which peered keenly from under his shaggy brows. His voice was deep, and with a genial54 musical tone which was pleasing and fitted well his frank manner. He shifted his long rifle to his left hand when he extended the other to the Shawanoe and scanned him with a sharpness evidently acquired by his long experience on the prairies and in the mountains.
“Deerfoot is glad to meet his brother. He hopes he will stay for the rest of the night with him and his friends.”
“Who mought they be?” asked the man, looking around at the three forms wrapped in blankets near the fire. The boys were sleeping quietly, and even the Blackfoot did not seem to have been disturbed by the rather boisterous55 greeting of the visitor.
“Afore you tell me about ’em, I guess I may as well unship my rudder,” added the latter, who proceeded deliberately56 to remove the loads from the other two horses and place them on the ground. Then each was freed from his belongings57 and given a resounding58 slap in turn:
“Off with you and none of your tricks. If I haven’t cured you of tryin’ to sneak59 off I’ll cure you in the mornin’, and don’t you forget it.”
His own horse kicked up his heels, flirted60 his head and led the way, the others soberly following out into the gloom till they came to the place where the animals of our friends were reposing61. There was some neighing, meant for greetings, and then no further attention was given by them to one another.
Deerfoot flung some chips on the blaze and sat down, inviting62 his visitor by a gesture to do the same. He assumed a lolling posture and produced a short black clay pipe. Crumbling63 some plug tobacco in the palm of his hand, he poked64 it into the bowl with his forefinger65 and lit it from the fire.
“My name is Jack66 Halloway,” he said, after several puffs67. “I’ve spent the winter in the mountains, trapping beaver68 and foxes and sich, and am on my way to St. Louis with a good load of peltries. I’ve had better luck than usual and am later in gettin’ back than is gin’rally the case, but it paid to wait, though I did have some trouble with the Snake Injins. Howsumever, you said you was goin’ to tell me ’bout your friends that seem to be sleepin’ powerful heavy like.”
Deerfoot had decided69 that no harm could come from telling this man the truth about himself and his companions, and he now did so. The Indian belonged to the Blackfoot tribe, and had been on a visit a long way to the east. Deerfoot had agreed to accompany him on his return home, but hoped to be with his own friends again the following year. Then he told of the twin boys, sons of a friend of his. One was going into a decline because of grief over the loss of his parent, and it was agreed that the only cure was through diverting his thoughts and energies by this long and hard journey. That no mistake had been made was proved long before, for the lad had gained so rapidly in strength and spirits that he was his former self again and physically70 the equal of his brother in every respect.
Jack Halloway listened with close interest, for the story was remarkable71. He sagely72 remarked, however, that if the boys had been so greatly benefited the wisest thing to do was for the three to turn back and allow the Blackfoot to finish his journey alone.
“I jedge from what I’ve heerd that you’re a powerful cute Injin and know that, though you’re a good many miles from St. Louis, you ain’t half way to the Pacific yit. I’ve never been there myself, but I know ’nough of the mountains and Injins to know that the job is the biggest thing in all creation. Depend upon it, Shawanoe, you’ll never get home onless you turn back now!”
This was said with great earnestness, the trapper nodding his head and slapping his knee with his palm.
“The words of my brother are wise, but it would sadden the hearts of my brothers if we went home, and he who was ill would become ill again and die.”
“See here, younker, own up now; it’s you who’d feel the worst.”
And to help make his meaning clear, Jack Halloway leaned over and thrust his thumb into the ribs of Deerfoot and chuckled73. The Shawanoe could not help smiling.
“Deerfoot can never be happy till he looks upon the face of the great water that lies far toward the setting sun. He must go on.”
“Wal, you’re boss of the job, as I can see from what you say, but I want to tell you one thing that you don’t know.”
“There are many things that Deerfoot doesn’t know.”
The trapper glanced around, as if afraid of being overheard, and then lowered his voice almost to a whisper as he leaned toward him:
“The varmints in the mountains that you’ve got to git through are gettin’ more cantankerous74 than ever. I’ve trapped and hunted among ’em for nigh onto twenty year, and never had as much trouble as last winter. I’ve been told by the boys that come down the Missouri in the spring that there’s just as good huntin’ and trappin’ up that way, and the varmints don’t bother ’em half as much as out here; so I’ve made up my mind to strike out for that part of the world next fall when I go for the beaver runs agin.”
Jack Halloway was not slow to see that his warnings were thrown away on the young Shawanoe, and was discreet75 enough to take another line. He puffed76 his lips for some minutes, continually glancing at Deerfoot, who tried to act as if unconscious of this scrutiny77, which at times became embarrassing. Suddenly the trapper started like a man who had forgotten something.
“That’s powerful qu’ar,” he said, “and I beg your pardon.”
While speaking he was groping hurriedly through an interior pocket of his coat, and now brought forth78 a flask79 and twisted the cork80 from it.
“I allers take a keg of it into the mountains, for there’s no thin’ like it when you find the weather a bit too cold, and it’s just as good when it’s too hot or you’ve got the blue devils and don’t feel right. After you.”
And he leaned over and reached the flask to Deerfoot.
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收听单词发音
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1
zigzag
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| n.曲折，之字形；adj.曲折的，锯齿形的；adv.曲折地，成锯齿形地；vt.使曲折；vi.曲折前行 | |
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2
elastic
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| n.橡皮圈，松紧带；adj.有弹性的；灵活的 | |
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3
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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4
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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5
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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6
unaware
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| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
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7
descried
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| adj.被注意到的，被发现的，被看到的 | |
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8
stationary
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| adj.固定的，静止不动的 | |
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9
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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10
tint
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| n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
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11
deceptive
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| adj.骗人的，造成假象的，靠不住的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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14
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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15
buffalo
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| n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛 | |
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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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17
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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18
bridles
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| 约束( bridle的名词复数 )； 限动器； 马笼头； 系带 | |
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19
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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20
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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21
vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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22
bug
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| n.虫子；故障；窃听器；vt.纠缠；装窃听器 | |
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23
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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24
soothingly
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| adv.抚慰地，安慰地；镇痛地 | |
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25
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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26
scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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27
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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28
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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29
disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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30
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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31
rhythmic
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| adj.有节奏的，有韵律的 | |
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32
tremor
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| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
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33
faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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34
pulsation
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| n.脉搏，悸动，脉动；搏动性 | |
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elk
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| n.麋鹿 | |
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36
herded
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| 群集，纠结( herd的过去式和过去分词 )； 放牧； （使）向…移动 | |
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37
penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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38
flickering
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| adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的 | |
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39
grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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40
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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41
throbbing
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| a. 跳动的,悸动的 | |
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42
receding
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的现在分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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43
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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44
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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45
meditating
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| a.沉思的，冥想的 | |
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46
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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47
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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48
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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49
ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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50
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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51
Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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52
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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53
grizzly
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| adj.略为灰色的，呈灰色的；n.灰色大熊 | |
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54
genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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55
boisterous
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| adj.喧闹的，欢闹的 | |
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56
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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57
belongings
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| n.私人物品，私人财物 | |
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58
resounding
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| adj. 响亮的 | |
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59
sneak
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| vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行 | |
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60
flirted
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| v.调情，打情骂俏( flirt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61
reposing
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的现在分词 ) | |
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62
inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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63
crumbling
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| adj.摇摇欲坠的 | |
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64
poked
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| v.伸出( poke的过去式和过去分词 )；戳出；拨弄；与（某人）性交 | |
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65
forefinger
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| n.食指 | |
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66
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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67
puffs
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| n.吸( puff的名词复数 )；（烟斗或香烟的）一吸；一缕（烟、蒸汽等）；（呼吸或风的）呼v.使喷出( puff的第三人称单数 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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68
beaver
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| n.海狸，河狸 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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physically
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| adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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sagely
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| adv. 贤能地，贤明地 | |
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chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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cantankerous
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| adj.爱争吵的，脾气不好的 | |
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discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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puffed
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| adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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flask
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| n.瓶，火药筒，砂箱 | |
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cork
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| n.软木，软木塞 | |
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