‘Wilfrid, see if our boat’s alongside, will you?’ I cried, anxious to get him out of the way and to correct as far as possible the unmistakable mood of madness that had come upon him with Lady Monson’s insults and blow, by finding him occupation; ‘and send Finn to help us, and let the men stand by ready to receive the lady.’
He cast a look of fury at his wife as she lay motionless on the deck, her head supported on my arm, and sped away in long strides, chattering1 to himself as he went.
‘Is she dead!’ cried Miss Jennings, in a voice of terror and her ashen2 face streaming.
‘Bless us, no,’ said I, ‘a downright faint, and thank goodness for it. Now, captain.’
How between us we managed to carry her on deck, I’m sure I do not know. Captain Crimp had her by the feet, I by the shoulders, and Miss Laura helped to keep the apparently3 lifeless woman’s head to its bearings. She was as limber as though struck by lightning, and the harder to carry for that reason,—a noble figure, as I have said, and deucedly heavy to boot. My part was the hardest, for I had to step backwards4 and mount the companion ladder, that was almost perpendicular5, crab-fashion. The captain and I swayed together, staggering and perspiring6, bothered excessively by the ungainly rolling of the barque, both of us nearly dead with heat, and I half suffocated7 besides by the abominable8 acid stench from the hold. We were animated9, however, into uncommon10 exertions11 by the desire to get her over the side before she recovered; and the fear of her awakening12 and resisting us and shrieking13 out, and the like, gave us, I reckon, for[225] that particular job the strength of four men. We conveyed her to the gangway, helped by Finn, who received us at the companion hatch, and with infinite pains handed her over the side, still motionless in her swoon, into the boat. A hard task it was; we durst not call out, for fear of reviving her, and the melancholy14 business was carried through by signs and gestures, topped off with sundry15 hoarse16 whispered orders from Finn.
I paused panting, my face burning like fire, whilst Captain Crimp looked to be slowly dissolving, the perspiration18 literally19 streaming from his fingers’ ends on to the deck as though he were a figure of snow gradually wasting.
‘Why couldn’t she have fainted away at first?’ he muttered to me. ‘That’s the worst of women. They’re always so slow a-making up their minds.’
Now that she was in the boat the trouble was at an end; though she recovered consciousness she could not regain20 the barque’s deck, and there was no power in her screams to hinder the yachtsmen’s oars17 from sweeping21 her to the ‘Bride.’ Preserve me! What a picture it all made just then: the wild-haired, wild-eyed, semi-nude figures of the barque’s crew overhanging the rail to view Lady Monson as she lay white and corpse-like in the bottom of the boat; the sober, concerned faces of our own men; Wilfrid’s savage22, crazy look as he waited with his eyes fixed23 upon his yacht for Miss Laura to be handed down before entering the boat himself; the prostrate24 form of his wife with her head pillowed on Finn’s jacket, her eyes half opened, disclosing the whites only, and imparting the completest imaginable aspect of death to her countenance25, with its pale lips and marble brow and cheek bleached26 into downright ghastliness by contrast of the luxuriant black hair that had fallen in tresses from under her hat. The men who had belonged to the ‘Shark’ stood in a little group near the foremast looking on, but with a commiserating27 respectful air. One of them stepped up to us as Miss Laura was in the act of descending28 the side, and addressing Finn whilst he touched his cap, exclaimed, ‘We should be glad, sir, if y’d take us aboard the “Bride.” We’ll heartily29 tarn30 to with the rest; you’ll find us all good men.’
‘No!’ roared Wilfrid, whipping round upon him, ‘I want no man that has had anything to do with the “Shark” aboard my vessel31.’
The fellow fell back muttering. My cousin turned to Captain Crimp.
‘Sir,’ he cried, ‘I thank you for your friendly offices.’ He produced a pocket-book. ‘You have acted the part of an honest man, sir. I am obliged to you. I trust that this may satisfy all charges for the maintenance of Lady Monson on board your ship.’ He handed him a Bank of England note; Crimp turned the corner down to look at the figure—I believe it was a hundred pounds—and then buried it in his breeches pocket.
‘I’m mighty32 obliged to you, mighty obliged,’ he exclaimed.[226] ‘It’s a deal more’n the job’s worth. I’d like to see my way to wishing you happiness’—and he was proceeding33, but Wilfrid stopped him by dropping over the side, calling to me to make haste.
‘Captain Crimp,’ I said hurriedly, ‘you will please keep your barque hove-to as she is now for the present. There’s to be a duel34; you of course know that.’ He nodded. ‘You also heard the promise made to Colonel Hope-Kennedy, that after the duel he is to be at liberty to return to your vessel.’
‘Then I don’t think he will, for the guv’nor means to shoot him,’ said Captain Crimp, ‘and I’ll wager35 what he guv me that he’ll do it too; and sarve ’im right. Running away with another man’s wife! Ain’t there enough single gals36 in the world to suit the likes of that there colonel? But I’ll keep hove-to as you ask.’
All this he mumbled37 in my ear as I put my foot over the side waiting for the wash of the swell38 to float the boat up before dropping. We then shoved off.
We had scarcely measured a boat’s length, however, from the barque’s side, when Lady Monson stirred, opened and shut her eyes, drew a long, fluttering breath, then started up, leaning on her elbow staring about her. She gazed at the men, at me, at her husband and sister, with her wits abroad, but intelligence seemed to rush into her eyes like fire when her sight encountered the yacht. I thought to myself what will she do now? Jump overboard? Go into hysterics? Swoon away again? I watched her keenly, though furtively39, prepared to arrest any passionate40 movement in her, for there had come a wilder look in her face than ever I had seen in Wilfrid’s. My cousin sat like a figure of stone, his gaze riveted41 to his schooner42, and Miss Laura glanced at her sister wistfully, but, as one saw, on the alert to avoid meeting her gaze.
I could very well understand now that this fair, gentle, golden-haired girl should have held her tall, dark, imperious, tragic-eyed sister in awe43.
I know I felt heartily afraid of her myself as I sat pretending not to notice her, though in an askant way I was taking her in from head to foot, feeling mightily44 curious to see what sort of a person she was, and I was exceedingly thankful that the yacht lay within a few minutes of us. But happily there was to be no ‘scene.’ She saw how things stood, and with an air of haughty45 dignity rose from the bottom of the boat and seated herself in the place I vacated for her, turning her face seawards to conceal46 it from the men. Nobody but a woman possessed47 of her excellent harmonious48 shape could have risen unaided with the grace, I may say the majesty49, of motion she exhibited from the awkward, prostrate posture50 in which she had lain. The bitter, sarcastic51 sneer52 upon her lip paralysed in me the immediate53 movement of my mind to offer her my hand. She seemed to float upwards54 to her full[227] height as a stage dancer of easy and exquisite55 skill rises to her feet from a recumbent attitude. I might well believe that many men would find her face fascinating, though it was not one that I could fall in love with. She was out and away handsomer than her picture represented her, spite of the traces which yet lingered of suffering, privation, and distress56 of mind, such as shipwreck57 and even a day’s tossing about in an open boat might produce.
Not a syllable58 was uttered by any one of us as the flashing oars of the rowers swept us to the ‘Bride.’ The sailors with instinctive59 good feeling stared to right and left at their dripping and sparkling blades as though absorbed by contemplation of the rise and fall of the sand-white lengths of ash. Finn at the yoke-lines sat with a countenance of wood. We buzzed foaming60 to the accommodation ladder. I was the first to spring out, and stood waiting to hand Lady Monson on to the steps; but without taking the least notice of me she exclaimed, addressing her sister in a low but distinctly audible voice, ‘Take me at once to your cabin,’ and so saying she stepped on to the ladder. I helped Miss Laura out of the boat, and then they both passed through the gangway and I saw no more of them. Wilfrid mounted slowly at my heels. I passed my arm through his and walked him aft. He made as if he would resist, then came passively enough, sighing deeply as though his heart had broken.
‘Wilfrid,’ I said gently, ‘a hard and bitter part of the project of your voyage is ended. You have regained61 your wife—your one desire is fulfilled. Why not, then, abandon the rest of your programme? Yonder barque will be kept hove-to until we hail her to say that she may proceed. Colonel Hope-Kennedy does not want to fight you. Let me go to him and arrange that he shall return to that vessel forthwith. I abhor62 the notion of a duel between you. Your end has been achieved bloodlessly; your baby has such a claim upon your life, that if you will but give a moment’s thought to the significance of it, you would not, you dare not, turn a deaf ear to the infant’s appeal. Consider again, we are without a surgeon; there is no medical help here for the sufferer, be he you or be he your enemy. This colonel, again, is without a second. Wilfrid, in the name of God, let him go! He may reach England, and will meet you ashore63, if you desire it; but between then and now there will be abundance of time for you to consider whether there is any occasion for you to give the scoundrel a chance of completing the injury he has already dealt you by sending a bullet through your heart.’
He listened to me with wonderful patience, his head bowed, his eyes rooted on the deck, his hands clasped in front of him. I was flattering myself that I had produced something of the impression I desired to make, when, lifting his face, he looked slowly round at me, and said quietly, almost softly, ‘Charles, I shall not love you less for your advice. You speak out of the fulness of your heart. I thank you, dear cousin, for your kindness. And[228] now do me this favour.’ He pulled out his watch and let his eye rest on it for a brief pause, but I doubt if he took note of the hour. ‘Go to Colonel Hope-Kennedy and make all necessary arrangements for our meeting as soon as possible. See Captain Finn, and request him to send the sailors below when the appointed time arrives. Come to my cabin and let me know the result. Colonel Hope-Kennedy shall have choice of the pistols in my case, and, seeing that he has no second any more than I have, for your office will simply consist in chalking the distance and in giving the signal, he must load for himself.’
He took my hand in both his, pressed it hard, and then, without a word, walked to the companion and disappeared. Captain Finn, who had been watching us from a distance, waiting till our conversation had ended, now walked up to me.
‘Can you tell me his honour’s wishes, sir?’ he inquired. ‘I suppose now that he’s fallen in with her ladyship he’ll be heading home?’
‘Let the yacht lie as she is for the present, Finn,’ said I; ‘no need to hoist64 in the boat either. She cannot hurt herself alongside in this smooth water. We may be wanting her shortly to convey Colonel Hope-Kennedy to the barque. Sir Wilfrid means to fight him, and at once. I would give half what I am worth to avert65 this meeting, but my cousin is resolved, and I must stand by him.’
‘Sir,’ said Finn, ‘he has been cruelly used.’
‘When the time comes,’ I continued, ‘he wishes the men to be sent below. You will see to that.’
‘Oh, yes. But I dorn’t think the helm should be desarted, sir.’
‘Certainly not,’ I exclaimed. ‘Arrange it thus: Let Mr. Crimp hold the wheel. I must have help at hand, for one of the men may fall badly wounded. Therefore, stay you on deck, Captain Finn, and keep by me within easy hail. Cutbill is also a strong, serviceable fellow in such an emergency as this. Post him at the forehatch to hinder any man from popping his head up to look. I shall thus have two—you and him—to assist me.’
‘Right, sir,’ he exclaimed, touching66 his cap.
‘Better mark off the ground, or deck rather, at once,’ said I; ‘fetch me a piece of chalk, Finn.’
He went forward, and in a few moments returned with what I required. A broad awning67 sheltered the whole of the quarterdeck that lay gleaming white as the flesh of the cocoa-nut in the soft, almost violet-hued shadow. There was just air enough stirring aloft to keep the lighter68 cloths quiet and to provide against the yacht being slued or revolved69 by the run of the long, delicate, tropic swell. I said to Finn, after considering a little and anxiously observing the effects of the sunshine gushing70 through the blue air betwixt the edge of the awning and the bulwark71 rail, or rising off the sea in a trembling flashing that whitened the air above it, ‘I don’t think it will matter which side of the quarterdeck we choose. The men must toss for position. But there’s a dazzle on the water off[229] the port bow that might bother the eye that faces forward. Better mark the starboard side therefore.’
He gazed thoughtfully around, and said, ‘The yacht’s position can be altered, if you like, sir.’
I answered, ‘No; leave her as she is. She rolls regularly and quietly thus.’
I had never before been concerned in a duel, and in the matter of the strict etiquette72 of this sort of encounter was entirely73 at a loss how to act. However, I had always understood that twelve paces were the prescribed distance, so ruling a line athwartships almost abreast74 of the mainmast, I made twelve steps and then scored another line crosswise, measuring the interval75 a second time, and finding that it was very fairly twelve of my own paces. The men had come together in a crowd forward, and were staring aft with all their might. They knew perfectly76 well what was going to take place, and they were not yet sensible that they were not to be admitted to the spectacle. It was to be something of a far more wildly exciting sort than catching77 a shark, ay, or even may be of seeing a man hung at a ship’s yardarm. It put a sort of sickness into me somehow to witness that swarm78 of whiskered mahogany-checked faces, all looking thirstily, expectation shaping every posture, with a kind of swimming of the whole body of them too in the haze79 of heat into which the yacht’s jibboom went twisting in a manner to make the brain dizzy to watch it. One never gets to see how thoroughly80 animal human nature is at bottom until one has examined the expression of the countenances81 of a mob, big or little, assembled in expectation of witnessing human suffering.
I stepped below. Colonel Hope-Kennedy sat bareheaded at the cabin table, supporting his head on his right elbow and drumming softly with the fingers of his left hand. I approached him, and giving him a bow, which he returned with an air of great dignity—men are amazingly polite when arranging the terms of some cut-throat job—I said, ‘It is my painful duty, sir, to inform you that my cousin desires the meeting between you and him should take place at once.’
‘Not a moment need be lost so far as I am concerned,’ he answered, gazing at me steadfastly82 with eyes that looked like porcelain83 with the singular glaze84 that seemed to have come suddenly upon them.
‘My cousin requests me to state,’ I continued, ‘that you will consider him as acting85 without a second equally with yourself. My unhappy office will consist simply in giving the signal to fire. I would to God that my influence had been powerful enough with him to arrest his resolution at this point——’
‘It could not have prevailed with me,’ he exclaimed. ‘The madman’s blow was needless. On what part of the yacht do we fight?’
‘On the quarterdeck,’ I answered.
[230]
‘Measured by you?’
I bowed.
‘As there are no seconds,’ he said, ‘I presume we load for ourselves?’
‘That is Sir Wilfrid Monson’s suggestion,’ I answered.
‘Have you the pistols, sir?’
‘I will fetch them.’
I went at once to Wilfrid’s berth86 and knocked, and walked in without waiting for him to tell me to enter. He was writing in his diary; he instantly threw down his pen and jumped from his chair.
‘Is all ready, Charles?’ he asked.
‘Your pistols are identical, I believe?’ said I.
‘Exactly alike,’ he answered.
‘Then Colonel Hope-Kennedy’s choice,’ said I, ‘cannot furnish him with any advantage over you, by his choosing, I mean, with a soldier’s experience the preciser weapon?’
‘There is not an atom of difference between them,’ he exclaimed. ‘Yonder’s the case, Charles. Take it, and let the scoundrel choose for himself.’
He could not have spoken more coolly had he been giving me the most commonplace instructions. I remember wondering whilst I looked at him and listened to him whether he actually realised his own intention; yet I should have known better than this if only for the meaning his face conveyed, and for a note in his voice that made every accent hard and steady. He said, ‘When you are ready ring the hand-bell on the table; I will then join you.’
‘But you will charge your own pistol,’ said I, ‘so I must return with the weapon after the Colonel has made his choice.’
‘No,’ he exclaimed; ‘carry the case on deck and load for me.’
‘Very well,’ said I, wearily and sick at heart, and devoutly87 wishing that some heavy black squall would come thundering down on the yacht as the precursor88 of a gale89 of wind and delay this wretched business, for the present anyway. I took the pistol-case, and returned it to Colonel Hope-Kennedy. He slightly glanced at the fire-arms, and said with a faint smile, ‘They are an elegant brace90 of weapons. Either will do for me.’
‘Will you load on deck or here, sir?’ said I.
‘Here, if you please.’
He extracted one of the pistols, poised91 it in his hand, toying a moment or two with it, tried the trigger once or twice, then loaded it, fitting the cap to the nipple with fingers in which I could not discern the least tremor92. He then returned the pistol to the case. Both of us would know which one he had handled very well, as it lay against the side upon which the lid locked.
‘Have you a surgeon on board?’ he inquired.
I answered No. He looked a little anxious, and exclaimed, ‘No one of any kind qualified93 to deal with a wound?’ Again I answered No. He seemed to wince94 at this, the only expression[231] of uneasiness I had witnessed in him. Finding he asked no more questions, I said, ‘If you are ready, sir, I will summon my cousin.’
‘I am ready,’ he replied.
On this I rang the little hand-bell that stood upon the table, and in a minute Wilfrid came out. In grim silence we mounted the companion steps, my cousin leading the way, the Colonel next, and I at his heels, with the pistol-case under my arm and a very lively sense of murder in my heart. All was hushed where the ladies were. Whether Miss Laura guessed what was going forward I know not, but I was very thankful that she remained hidden, since, in the face of the Colonel’s coolness, it was most important that nothing should imperil Wilfrid’s composure. The yacht’s decks were deserted95 save by the figures of the men who it had been arranged were to remain. Forward at the hatch conducting to the forecastle stood the tall, burly figure of Cutbill; close beside the cabin skylight was Finn, pale, agitated96, his mouth working in the middle of his face as though he were rehearsing a long speech; Crimp grasped the wheel. Heaven knows how it was that I should have found eyesight for small outside features of such a scene as this at that moment, but I clearly recollect97 observing that sour old Jacob, with a view, mayhap, of supporting his spirits, had thrust an immense quid into his cheek, the angle whereof stood out like a boil or a formidable bruise98 against the clear gleam of sky past him; up and down which the curtseying of the yacht slided his squab, homely99 figure, and I also observed that he gnawed100 upon this junk with an energy that suggested a mind in an advanced stage of distraction101.
I said to the Colonel, ‘It will be satisfactory to myself, sir, if you will kindly102 measure the distance I have chalked.’
His eye swiftly ran from line to line, and then giving me a slight bow he said, nonchalantly, ‘I am quite satisfied.’
‘With regard to the light,’ I continued, looking from him to Wilfrid, ‘you will decide for yourselves, gentlemen, which end of the vessel you will face.’
‘It is immaterial,’ said the Colonel, with a slight shrug103.
‘Then,’ said Wilfrid, ‘I will have my back to the wheel.’
I could not be sure that he was well advised, for the blue dazzle of sunshine past the awning would throw out his figure into clear relief, as I noticed Crimp’s was projected, clean lined as a shadow cast by the moonlight on a white deck.
‘It may be as well to toss for position,’ I said.
‘No,’ cried Wilfrid, ‘I am content.’
I loaded his pistol and handed the weapons to the men. My heart thumped104 like a coward’s in my breast, but I strove hard to conceal my agitation105 for Wilfrid’s sake. Each took up his respective post, and both held their pistols at level. The Colonel exclaimed ‘Tell your mad relative to feather-edge himself. He is all front. ’Tis too irrational106 to take advantage of.’
[232]
Wilfrid heard him and cried out, ‘Let him look to himself. Ready with the signal, Charles.’
I pulled out my pocket-handkerchief, and as I did so old Crimp suddenly let go the wheel and came skimming up to Finn, rumbling107 out, in a voice half choked with tobacco-juice, that the gent’s pistol (meaning the Colonel’s) was upon him full, and that he wasn’t going to be made cold beef of for any man.
‘Ready, gentlemen!’ I cried, and desirous of emphasising the signal, lest the Colonel’s keener sight should witness the fall of the handkerchief before the flutter of it caught Wilfrid’s eye, I called out ‘Now!’ and the handkerchief fell to the deck.
There was one report only; it was like the sharp crack of a whip. For the instant I did not know which man’s pistol had exploded, but the little curl of smoke at Wilfrid’s end told me that it was his. I saw the Colonel fling his arms up, and his weapon flashed as he seemed to fire it straight into the air. ‘Good God! how generous!’ was the thought that swept through me; ‘he will not fight.’ He continued holding his pistol elevated whilst you could have counted ten, with a slight backward leaning posture and an indescribable look in his face, absolutely as though he were endeavouring to follow the flight of the bullet; his weapon then fell to the deck, he made a clutch with both hands at his heart, with a deep groan108 sank—his knees yielding, and, with his hands still at his heart, dropped, as a wooden figure might, on his side and lay without motion.
Finn and I rushed up to him. Whilst the skipper freed his neck I grasped his wrist, but found it pulseless. Yet it was difficult to credit that he was dead. His face was as reposeful109 as that of a sleeper110. There was no look whatever of pain in it—nay, such faint distinguishable expression as I remember had the air of a light smile. I opened his coat, and found a small perforation in the shirt under the right arm; the orifice was as cleanly clipped as though made with a pair of scissors. There was no blood.
‘Dead, sir!’ exclaimed Finn. ‘A noble-looking gentleman, too. A pity, a pity! How gents of this kind stand upon their honour! yet they’re the people to break up homes.’
‘Call Cutbill,’ said I, ‘and let the body be taken below.’
I rose from my knees and walked aft to Wilfrid, who remained standing111 at the chalked line, his arm that grasped the pistol hanging by his side. There was a kind of lifting look in his face, that with his swelled112 nostrils113 and large protruding114 eyes and a curve of the upper lip, that was made a sarcastic sneer of by the peculiar115 projection116 of the under one, indicated a mood of scornful triumph, of exultation117 subdued118 by contempt.
‘You have killed your man, Wilfrid,’ said I.
‘I have shot him through the heart,’ said he, talking like one newly aroused from his slumber119 and still in process of collecting his mind.
[233]
‘Most probably. You hit him in some vital part, anyway. He dropped dead.’
‘He made sure of killing120 me; I saw it in his cold, deliberate way of covering me.’ He laughed harshly and mirthlessly. ‘He’ll trouble no other man’s peace. I’ve merely liberated122 the spirit of a devil that is now winging its way on black, bat-like wings back to that hell it came from. There will be disappointment amongst the fiends. That fellow there,’ nodding at the body over which Cutbill and Finn were bending, ‘was good at least for another twenty years of scoundrelism. What are they going to do with him?’
‘Carry him below.’
‘Finn!’ he called.
‘Sir!’ answered the skipper, looking up from the body, whose arms he grasped.
‘Hide it in some forward cabin, and if stone-dead, as Mr. Monson declares, get it stitched up. I’ll tell you when to bury him.’
‘Ay, ay, sir,’ answered Finn promptly123, but looking shocked nevertheless.
My cousin handed me his pistol. As he did so his manner changed; a broken-hearted look—I do not know how else to describe the expression—entered his face. He drew a long, deep breath, like to the sigh of a sufferer from some exquisite throe, and said in a low voice, trembling with the tears which pressed close behind, ‘His death does not return to me what he has taken from me. With him go my honour, my peace of mind, the love that was my wife’s—all gone—all gone!’ he muttered. ‘My God!’ he almost shrieked124, ‘how blank has the world become, now that he lies there.’
‘Be advised by me, Wilfrid,’ said I; ‘withdraw to your cabin and rest. This has been a terrible morning—enough to last out a lifetime has been crowded into it. You met him bravely, fairly, honourably125. He has paid the penalty of his infamy126, and though Heaven knows I would have gone to any lengths to avert this meeting, yet, since it has happened, I thank God your life is preserved and that you have come out of it unharmed.’
His eyes moistened and he took my hand; but just then Cutbill and Finn came staggering towards the companion hatch, bearing the body between them, on which he walked hastily to the rail and stood peering over into the water, supporting his temples in his hands.
Jacob Crimp had resumed his hold of the wheel. I went up to him. ‘I’ll keep the helm steady,’ said I, ‘whilst you wipe out those chalk marks on the deck. Meanwhile pick up that pistol yonder and bring me the case off the skylight.’
Whilst he did this we were hailed from the barque. She lay close to us, with her sailors in a crowd about the fore-rigging, where they had been standing attentive127 spectators of the duel. ‘Beg pardon!’ bawled128 Captain Crimp, erect129 on the rail and steadying himself by a backstay, ‘but I should be glad to know if the gent’s coming aboard?’
[234]
I shouted back, ‘No. You need not wait for him.’
The man tossed his arm with a gesture very significant of a growling130 ‘Well, well!’ and then with a flourish of his hat he cried, ‘A lucky run home to ’ee, gentlemen all!’ dismounted, and fell to singing out orders. His wild-looking crew ran about, the maintopsail-yard slowly swung round, and presently the deeply-laden, malodorous craft, rolling clumsily upon a swell to whose light summer heavings our yacht was curtseying with fairy grace, was heading round to her course, blurring131 the water at her bows to the blowing of the mild breeze that had scarcely power enough to lift her foresail.
Finn and Cutbill arrived on deck, and Wilfrid on seeing them went below.
‘Better turn the hands up, I suppose, now, sir?’ said Finn to me. ‘There’ll be nothen more, your honour, that’ll be onfit for them to see.’
‘By all means, Captain Finn; and then get the boat hoisted132 and a course shaped for home, for our quest is over, and we have made southing enough, Heaven knows!’
Cutbill went forward. There is a magic in the mere121 sound of homeward bound that would put a jocund133 nimbleness into the proportions of a marine134 Falstaff. Cutbill tried to walk and look as though he were sensible that death lay under his feet and that the shadow of a dreadful event hung dark upon the yacht, but scarce was he abreast of the galley135 when his spirits proved too much for him, and he measured the rest of the deck in several gleesome, floundering jumps, pounding the scuttle136 with a capstan bar that he snatched up, and roaring out, ‘All hands trim sail for home!’ The men came tumbling up as though the yacht’s forecastle were vomiting137 sailors, and in a breath the lustrous138 decks of the ‘Bride’ were full of life, colour, and movement.
A man came to the wheel. I lingered a minute or two to exchange a few words with Finn.
‘You are sure the Colonel is dead?’
‘Ay, sir; he’ll be no deader a thousand years hence.’
‘A bloody139 morning’s work, Finn! I feel heart-sick, as though I had shared in the assassination140 of a man. But since it was bound to end in one or the other’s death, ’tis best as it is. Have you any particulars of the foundering141 of the “Shark”?’
‘The yarn142 her people—I mean the surwivors aboard the barque—spun our men whilst they lay alongside was that they met with a gale of wind, that, after blowing with hurricane fury for two days and two nights, ended in dismasting ’em. The fall of the mainmast ripped the plank143 out of the deck as clean as though shipwrights144 had been at work there. Then the pounding of the wreckage145 alongside started a butt146, and she took in water faster than they could pump it out. There were boats enough for all hands and to spare, and they had just time to get away when the “Shark” foundered147. ’Twas blowing hard then, and a high sea[235] running, and before it came on dark the boats had lost sight of one another. The Colonel and her ladyship were together, along with five sailors, one of whom fell overboard on the second day and was drownded. They were three days and four nights washing about afore the “’Liza Robbins” fell in with them. That’s all I got to hear, sir; but I suppose it’s the true yarn right enough.’
‘I dare say they encountered much such weather as we met with,’ said I; ‘the same straight-lined storm thundering up from the south, for all one knows. Well, now, Finn, drive us home as fast as ever you can. Bowl her along—we’ve all had enough of it. In what berth have you placed the body?’
‘In the one that was occupied by his honour’s walet, sir.’
I gave him a nod, and, with the pistol-case under my arm, descended148 the steps and went to my cabin.
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chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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ashen
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| adj.灰的 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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perpendicular
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| adj.垂直的，直立的；n.垂直线，垂直的位置 | |
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perspiring
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| v.出汗，流汗( perspire的现在分词 ) | |
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7
suffocated
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| （使某人）窒息而死( suffocate的过去式和过去分词 )； （将某人）闷死； 让人感觉闷热； 憋气 | |
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8
abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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9
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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10
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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11
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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12
awakening
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| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
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13
shrieking
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| v.尖叫( shriek的现在分词 ) | |
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14
melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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15
sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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16
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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17
oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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18
perspiration
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| n.汗水；出汗 | |
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19
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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20
regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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21
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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22
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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23
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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24
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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25
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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26
bleached
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| 漂白的，晒白的，颜色变浅的 | |
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27
commiserating
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| v.怜悯，同情( commiserate的现在分词 ) | |
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28
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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29
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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30
tarn
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| n.山中的小湖或小潭 | |
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31
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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32
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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33
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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34
duel
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| n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争 | |
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35
wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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36
gals
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| abbr.gallons （复数）加仑（液量单位）n.女孩，少女( gal的名词复数 ) | |
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37
mumbled
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| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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38
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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39
furtively
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| adv. 偷偷地, 暗中地 | |
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40
passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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41
riveted
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| 铆接( rivet的过去式和过去分词 )； 把…固定住； 吸引； 引起某人的注意 | |
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42
schooner
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| n.纵帆船 | |
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43
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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44
mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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45
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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46
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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47
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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48
harmonious
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| adj.和睦的，调和的，和谐的，协调的 | |
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49
majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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50
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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51
sarcastic
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| adj.讥讽的，讽刺的，嘲弄的 | |
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52
sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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53
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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54
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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55
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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56
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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57
shipwreck
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| n.船舶失事，海难 | |
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58
syllable
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| n.音节；vt.分音节 | |
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59
instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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60
foaming
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| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
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61
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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62
abhor
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| v.憎恶；痛恨 | |
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63
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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64
hoist
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| n.升高，起重机，推动；v.升起，升高，举起 | |
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65
avert
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| v.防止，避免；转移(目光、注意力等) | |
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66
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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67
awning
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| n.遮阳篷；雨篷 | |
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68
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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69
revolved
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| v.（使）旋转( revolve的过去式和过去分词 )；细想 | |
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70
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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71
bulwark
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| n.堡垒，保障，防御 | |
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72
etiquette
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| n.礼仪，礼节；规矩 | |
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73
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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74
abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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75
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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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
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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78
swarm
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| n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入 | |
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79
haze
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| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
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80
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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81
countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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82
steadfastly
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| adv.踏实地，不变地；岿然；坚定不渝 | |
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83
porcelain
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| n.瓷；adj.瓷的，瓷制的 | |
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84
glaze
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| v.因疲倦、疲劳等指眼睛变得呆滞，毫无表情 | |
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85
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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86
berth
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| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
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87
devoutly
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| adv.虔诚地，虔敬地，衷心地 | |
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88
precursor
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| n.先驱者；前辈；前任；预兆；先兆 | |
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89
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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90
brace
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| n. 支柱,曲柄,大括号; v. 绷紧,顶住,(为困难或坏事)做准备 | |
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91
poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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92
tremor
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| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
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93
qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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94
wince
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| n.畏缩，退避，（因痛苦，苦恼等)面部肌肉抽动；v.畏缩，退缩，退避 | |
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95
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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96
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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97
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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98
bruise
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| n.青肿，挫伤；伤痕；vt.打青；挫伤 | |
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99
homely
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| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
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100
gnawed
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| 咬( gnaw的过去式和过去分词 )； （长时间） 折磨某人； （使）苦恼； （长时间）危害某事物 | |
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101
distraction
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| n.精神涣散，精神不集中，消遣，娱乐 | |
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102
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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103
shrug
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| v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等) | |
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104
thumped
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| v.重击， （指心脏）急速跳动( thump的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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105
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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106
irrational
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| adj.无理性的，失去理性的 | |
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107
rumbling
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| n. 隆隆声, 辘辘声 adj. 隆隆响的 动词rumble的现在分词 | |
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108
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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109
reposeful
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| adj.平稳的，沉着的 | |
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110
sleeper
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| n.睡眠者，卧车，卧铺 | |
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111
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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112
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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113
nostrils
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| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
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114
protruding
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的现在分词 )；凸 | |
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115
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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116
projection
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| n.发射，计划，突出部分 | |
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117
exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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118
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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119
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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120
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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121
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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122
liberated
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| a.无拘束的，放纵的 | |
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123
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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124
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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125
honourably
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| adv.可尊敬地，光荣地，体面地 | |
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126
infamy
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| n.声名狼藉，出丑，恶行 | |
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127
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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128
bawled
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| v.大叫，大喊( bawl的过去式和过去分词 )；放声大哭；大声叫出；叫卖（货物） | |
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129
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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130
growling
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| n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼 | |
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131
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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132
hoisted
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| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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133
jocund
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| adj.快乐的，高兴的 | |
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134
marine
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| adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵 | |
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135
galley
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| n.（飞机或船上的）厨房单层甲板大帆船；军舰舰长用的大划艇； | |
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136
scuttle
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| v.急赶，疾走，逃避；n.天窗；舷窗 | |
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137
vomiting
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| 吐 | |
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138
lustrous
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| adj.有光泽的；光辉的 | |
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139
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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140
assassination
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| n.暗杀；暗杀事件 | |
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141
foundering
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| v.创始人( founder的现在分词 ) | |
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142
yarn
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| n.纱，纱线，纺线；奇闻漫谈，旅行轶事 | |
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143
plank
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| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
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144
shipwrights
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| n.造船者，修船者( shipwright的名词复数 ) | |
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145
wreckage
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| n.（失事飞机等的）残骸，破坏，毁坏 | |
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146
butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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147
foundered
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| v.创始人( founder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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148
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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