Some thirty years ago, when the first wave of colonization9 broke over the rim of this valley, it was still nature’s playground, the haunt of herds11 of antelope12, elk13 and deer. A few widely scattered14 ranch15 shacks16, a trapper’s hut or two, with occasionally a group of tepees, pitched temporarily by some wandering band of Indians, were the only human habitations within its borders.
There were no garden roses in the valley then, but the wild ones ran riot along the streams among a tangle18 of thorns, sending their sweet fragrance19 everywhere.
In that not-so-long-ago time, one day in July, the month of roses there, the valley lay dozing20 under the spell of the noontide heat. A warm haze21 spread over the drowsy22 hills; the cooling canyon6 breezes were asleep; even the quaking aspens were still; the sky was cloudless; there was nothing to keep the sun from pouring down all of its rays fiercely upon the scene.
To escape its scorching23 heat, everything had sought the shade except the grasshoppers24 and locusts25; they were reveling in the burning brightness, dancing and singing all over the grassy and sage-spread flats.
The cowboys at the Bar B ranch were sprawled26 about on their bunks27, sleeping after{3} their noonday meal—all but Jim Hardy28. He stood out under the porch-like projection29 of the old log shack17, making faces at himself in a broken mirror as he worked with a dull razor to shave the brown stubble off his square-set jaws30 and chin. Topsy and Rock, the ranch dogs, lay near him, lazily snapping at the buzzing flies.
When the scraping process was done, Jim rubbed his persecuted31 face to comfort it a little, and then stepped inside of the shack to get a drink. As he was enjoying his second cup of coolness, his attention was suddenly turned on Dick Davis, lying there with his half-open mouth emitting a purring snore. The spirit of rough fun, always strong in Jim, found expression as usual; he dashed the rest of the cup of water into Dick’s face.
Dick jumped up choking and sputtering32 and swearing at his tormentor33, who stood laughing over his victim’s discomfiture34.
“It’s a hill of a racket ye’re makin’,” said Pat Kelsey, the cook; “can’t ye let a feller slape a little?”
“Oh, cut out your sleepin’; let’s do some celebratin’. Have you forgotten it’s the glorious Fourth of July? Come, have a drink with me, Pat.” He dashed a cup of water into the waking Irishman’s face.{4}
“Ye dirty son of a Yankee!” blurted35 Pat, jumping up, and making for the joker; “it’s auld36 Ireland that can lick you, if auld England didn’t.”
“Stop, or I’ll shoot,” said Jim, jerking a flask37 of whisky out of his hip38 pocket, and pointing it at the wrathful cook.
“Be jabers, if it’s loaded,” said Pat, checking himself, “I’ll give up.”
He grabbed the bottle out of Jim’s hand, uncorked it, and said, “Here’s to Ameriky, the land that Saint Patrick Henry didicated to liberty.” Then he took a long drink and smacked39 his lips.
The rest of the boys, roused by the noise, were laughing over the fun.
“Oh, will, boys,” said Pat, “there’s more for them as likes it.” He raised the bottle and took another drink.
A wild thumping42 of horses’ hoofs43 was heard outside. The boys jumped up and reached the door just as a band of half-tipsy cowboys from Morgan’s and other ranches44, with Bud Nixon at their head, charged up to the shack.{5} They checked their ponies45 with a suddenness that sent the gravel46 flying in front of them.
“Hello, you stags!” shouted Nixon; “got anything to drink?”
“Sure an’ we have,” returned Pat; “bring the bucket, Tiddy, and water ’em.”
“Oh, to hell with your water; give us some whisky.”
“Well, seein’s it’s you,” said Jim, reaching up the flask. It soon went the rounds and returned empty.
“Got any race horses?” said Nixon.
“Talk’s cheap, but it takes money to buy whisky. Bet ye my bridle47 ’gin yours that my horse can outrun yours.”
“It’s a go. Your bridle’s mine,” said Jim, starting for the barn, while the rest of the boys continued bantering48 one another and matching their ponies for other races.
A race track, about a quarter of a mile stretch along the dusty road, was chosen. Dick Davis and Bill Peters were selected as starters. Dan Miller and Tick Johnson were the judges. Pat was elected stakeholder.
The first race was between Silver Bill, one of the blooded animals of the Morgan ranch,{6} and Tex, Jim’s best saddle horse. The two cowboys, with saddles and with chaps on, jogged off to the starting place and began to play for a good start.
Suddenly they whirled and leaped together across the line towards the goal, the eager riders leaning low with quirts flying. Jim’s horse held an easy lead for nearly half the way, then he lost it, the longer-winded roan gradually slipping up and past him. When they dashed by the judges, Bud was full two rods ahead.
“You made me eat dirt square enough,” said Jim, jerking off his silver-mounted bridle and tossing it to Bud. “That’s a good horse you’ve got.”
“Got anything beside talk to stake on that?”
“My saddle ’gin yours.”
“Pull ’er off, and stack her here with mine.” Jim loosed the cinches as he spoke49, jerked off his saddle and flung it over by Pat.
“All right, Jim, if you say so; but I don’t know what Brownie can do. I’ve never run a race with her.{7}”
“That’s my risk. Get yer mare.”
Fred went back to the shack, took a pan of oats, and walked over to the pasture bars to call Brownie. Hearing him, she raised her pretty head and trotted51 nimbly up to him. He threw his arm over her glossy52 neck while she enjoyed the taste of grain, then slipped the bit into her willing mouth, leaped on her and rode over to the boys.
He reached them just in time to see a “joke race” pulled off between Freckles53, a pinto squaw pony54 belonging to Hen Sikes, a big cow-puncher from the Morgan ranch, and Meg Murphy, a tall and lanky55 old mare that Pat had purchased for five dollars from a stranded56 emigrant57 who was passing through the valley. It was a comical sight to see the plump cook perched on his high-backed steed, his smooth face held sober, but his bright eyes twinkling with fun; and beside him tall Hen, with his long legs dangling58 almost to the ground over the little pony’s back. The race was funnier still. The cowboys howled and whooped59 to see the two coming, Pat making clown antics to keep his big mare going; the little Indian pony struggling to carry his big load through first; but in spite of all Pat’s efforts, Freckles won the race, leaving Meg full fifty yards behind.{8}
“Home at last!” cried Pat as he reined60 his mare, galloping63 stiffly, to a sudden standstill at the finish. “Give us a drink to cheer our droopin’ spirits.”
“Have a swig on me,” said Bud; “I kin stan’ it, fer we’re goin’ to skin you good and proper to-day.”
“Not so sure of that,” said Jim; “here, Teddy, let me fix things for you.”
“Goin’ to ride ’er stripped, air ye?” said Bud, as Jim began to put a surcingle around the mare and over Fred’s knees. “Well, tie the kid on tight, for I’m—goin’ to—sha—shake ’im up.” He took another drink of whisky.
“You’d better tie yourself on, old soak.”
“Oh, I kin stick all right,—all right,” said Nixon, staggering toward his horse, “and I’ll beat thet cow-kid so fer he’ll never know he started. Gimme a leg up, Ticky, ole boy.” Tick helped Bud to mount, and he rode off with Fred toward the starting point, swaggering and boasting all the way.
They had to do a good deal of jockeying to get a fair start. Silver Bill, naturally nervous after his first race, was driven frantic64 by his tipsy rider, who thrashed the beautiful little animal unmercifully with his quirt. For half a dozen times they tried to get off, and as many times{9} Dick shouted Bud back, until he got angry and began to curse both Dick and Fred; but finally they managed to get over the line with Brownie about a neck ahead.
“Go,” shouted Dick, and down the track they flew. The little mare, without a touch from her rider, held her lead until they were almost to the finish, then leaping in response to a sharp cut from Fred’s quirt, she spurted65 ahead and came across the line an easy winner. The Bar B boys threw their hats in the air and yelled like Comanches.
When the riders had slowed down and turned back, Nixon broke out with his cursing again, and galloped66 into the crowd sputtering and swearing and accusing Dick and Fred of foul67 play.
The winning crowd checked their jubilant expressions and turned on him.
“What about the start?” asked Dan, as the starters rode up.
“Fair enough!” returned Dick.
“You’re a liar,” shouted Bud.
“Hold on, boys!” shouted Dan, pointing down the road.{10}
The opponents checked themselves and looked up to see two ranch girls galloping towards them. It was Alta Morgan, of the Morgan ranch, and Sally Johnson, the daughter of the game warden70. They were riding around the valley to invite everybody to come to the dance at Morgan’s that night. As they dashed up to the crowd, the cowboys received them with whoops71 of welcome. Their coming suggested a new hope to Nixon.
“Here’s the pony that can beat the cow-kid’s mare,” he said. “You’re just in time to sa—to save the day, little gal61.”
“What do you mean?” asked Alta.
“I mean that—that Silver Bill’s got beat, and you’ve got to save the rep—rep-u-tashun of the Morgan ranch; you got to do it.”
“How?”
“By racin’ Eagle agin’ that Brown mouse over thar. Come, now, show ’em your spunk72, little one—show ’em your spunk.”
“What, ride in a race?”
“Sure!”
“Well, I never did such a thing; but if the Morgan name is at stake, I’m ready.”
A lusty cheer greeted the girl’s decision. The boys began to lay their wagers73. Hats, spurs, chaps, bridles74, shirts, kerchiefs, saddles and{11} even horses were put at stake, while Alta, laughing nervously75, made ready for the race. Fred also was excited. To ride any race is enough to make one a little nervous, but to be matched against a dashing girl, and a stranger at that, was a thrilling experience.
“I’m going to win the race,” said Alta, throwing a smile at him.
“All right, come on!”
She was a picture of animation77, as they cantered away together,—graceful, alert, eager for the fun, her pretty cheeks glowing and her eyes laughing.
His bright eyes were dancing too; and his frank face was flushing, from the thrill of blended emotions that were stirring his heart.
Eagle and Brownie seemed to sense that something unusual was in the air, but they both held their nerves responsive to their riders’ wills.
“Get ready,” cried Dick.
They turned their horses toward the north, riding in that direction a few rods; then they whirled close together, and the little animals leaped back, head to head across the line; and head to head they stayed as they flashed along{12} the track. Alta’s hat flew off, her hair was flying in the breeze. They both were leaning forward in excitement and eagerness as the fleet little horses strained every nerve and muscle to win.
The cowboys yelled their wild delight to see them coming, nose to nose, nearer and nearer, heads low, hoofs fluttering, the result in doubt until almost at the finish, when Alta cried, “Win, Eagle, win!”
The little dapple-gray pony leaped in response, and forged half a neck ahead of his glossy brown rival, and he held this slight lead till they shot over the line, past the excited faces of the yelling cowboys crowded close to see the finish. The riders gradually slowed down to an easy gallop62, then turned round together to canter back.
“Fine!” cried Fred; “I’m so glad you won.”
“I said I would; but you certainly gave us a close chase. Oh, wasn’t it fun?” She threw another joyous78 smile at him; her eyes were dancing with delight, as they rode up to the cheering crowd. The losers were as happy as the winners. The race was worth the money. And they really wanted her to win, for Alta was a great favorite among them.{13}
“A regular trump,” said Sally, giving her a big squeeze.
“A quane o’ hearts!” put in Pat gallantly.
“Oh, thank you, thank you! It was heaps o’ fun,” responded Alta; “and now I want you all to have some more fun. Will you come to our dance to-night? Everybody is invited.”
“We’ll sure be there!” shouted the boys, as the girls turned to gallop away.
“I speak for the first dance with you, Miss Morgan,” said Dick.
“You may have it,” responded Alta, laughingly,—“to pay for giving us such a fine start. Good-by.”
They waved their hands at the admiring group of boys and dashed away.
An ugly, jealous look flashed out of Bud Nixon’s eyes when Dick spoke up so smartly to get first place that night with Alta.
“You’d better go a little slow around that gal, pardner; er ye might strike some tr-trouble,” he said, threateningly.
“If you’re lookin’ fer trouble, old man,” retorted Dick, “you can find it any time you want it.{14}”
“Here, cut your cussin’,” said Jim, “and have another one on me. You beat us all right, Nixon, but we’re game yet.”
The bottle was passed around. Then Bud and his tipsy followers81 gathered up their winnings and struck off whooping82 down the road, while the Bar B boys returned to the old shack.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
wondrous
|
|
| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
continental
|
|
| adj.大陆的，大陆性的，欧洲大陆的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
rim
|
|
| n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
grassy
|
|
| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
picturesque
|
|
| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
canyon
|
|
| n.峡谷，溪谷 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
canyons
|
|
| n.峡谷( canyon的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
kin
|
|
| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
colonization
|
|
| 殖民地的开拓，殖民，殖民地化； 移殖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
herd
|
|
| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
herds
|
|
| 兽群( herd的名词复数 )； 牧群； 人群； 群众 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
antelope
|
|
| n.羚羊；羚羊皮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
elk
|
|
| n.麋鹿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
scattered
|
|
| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
ranch
|
|
| n.大牧场，大农场 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
shacks
|
|
| n.窝棚，简陋的小屋( shack的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
shack
|
|
| adj.简陋的小屋，窝棚 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
tangle
|
|
| n.纠缠；缠结；混乱；v.(使)缠绕；变乱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
fragrance
|
|
| n.芬芳，香味，香气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
dozing
|
|
| v.打瞌睡,假寐 n.瞌睡 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
haze
|
|
| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
drowsy
|
|
| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
scorching
|
|
| adj. 灼热的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
grasshoppers
|
|
| n.蚱蜢( grasshopper的名词复数 )；蝗虫；蚂蚱；（孩子）矮小的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
locusts
|
|
| n.蝗虫( locust的名词复数 )；贪吃的人；破坏者；槐树 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
sprawled
|
|
| v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的过去式和过去分词)；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
bunks
|
|
| n.（车、船等倚壁而设的）铺位( bunk的名词复数 )；空话，废话v.（车、船等倚壁而设的）铺位( bunk的第三人称单数 )；空话，废话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
hardy
|
|
| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
projection
|
|
| n.发射，计划，突出部分 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
jaws
|
|
| n.口部；嘴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
persecuted
|
|
| （尤指宗教或政治信仰的）迫害(~sb. for sth.)( persecute的过去式和过去分词 )； 烦扰，困扰或骚扰某人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
sputtering
|
|
| n.反应溅射法；飞溅；阴极真空喷镀；喷射v.唾沫飞溅( sputter的现在分词 )；发劈啪声；喷出；飞溅出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
tormentor
|
|
| n. 使苦痛之人, 使苦恼之物, 侧幕 =tormenter | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
discomfiture
|
|
| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
blurted
|
|
| v.突然说出，脱口而出( blurt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
auld
|
|
| adj.老的，旧的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
flask
|
|
| n.瓶，火药筒，砂箱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
hip
|
|
| n.臀部，髋；屋脊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
smacked
|
|
| 拍，打，掴( smack的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
hearty
|
|
| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
miller
|
|
| n.磨坊主 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
thumping
|
|
| adj.重大的，巨大的；重击的；尺码大的；极好的adv.极端地；非常地v.重击(thump的现在分词)；狠打；怦怦地跳；全力支持 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
hoofs
|
|
| 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 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
ranches
|
|
| 大农场， （兼种果树，养鸡等的）大牧场( ranch的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
ponies
|
|
| 矮种马，小型马( pony的名词复数 )； ￡25 25 英镑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
gravel
|
|
| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
bridle
|
|
| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
bantering
|
|
| adj.嘲弄的v.开玩笑，说笑，逗乐( banter的现在分词 )；（善意地）取笑，逗弄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
mare
|
|
| n.母马，母驴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
trotted
|
|
| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
glossy
|
|
| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
freckles
|
|
| n.雀斑，斑点( freckle的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
pony
|
|
| adj.小型的；n.小马 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
lanky
|
|
| adj.瘦长的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
stranded
|
|
| a.搁浅的，进退两难的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
emigrant
|
|
| adj.移居的，移民的；n.移居外国的人，移民 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
dangling
|
|
| 悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
whooped
|
|
| 叫喊( whoop的过去式和过去分词 )； 高声说； 唤起 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
reined
|
|
| 勒缰绳使（马）停步( rein的过去式和过去分词 )； 驾驭； 严格控制； 加强管理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
gal
|
|
| n.姑娘，少女 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
gallop
|
|
| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
galloping
|
|
| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
frantic
|
|
| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
spurted
|
|
| （液体，火焰等）喷出，（使）涌出( spurt的过去式和过去分词 )； （短暂地）加速前进，冲刺 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
galloped
|
|
| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
foul
|
|
| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
calf
|
|
| n.小牛，犊，幼仔，小牛皮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
bristling
|
|
| a.竖立的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
warden
|
|
| n.监察员，监狱长，看守人，监护人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
whoops
|
|
| int.呼喊声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
spunk
|
|
| n.勇气，胆量 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
wagers
|
|
| n.赌注，用钱打赌( wager的名词复数 )v.在（某物）上赌钱，打赌( wager的第三人称单数 )；保证，担保 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
bridles
|
|
| 约束( bridle的名词复数 )； 限动器； 马笼头； 系带 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
nervously
|
|
| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
gallantly
|
|
| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
animation
|
|
| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
joyous
|
|
| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
grit
|
|
| n.沙粒，决心，勇气；v.下定决心，咬紧牙关 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
ginger
|
|
| n.姜，精力，淡赤黄色；adj.淡赤黄色的；vt.使活泼，使有生气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
followers
|
|
| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
whooping
|
|
| 发嗬嗬声的，发咳声的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |