During our stay in port we had "signed-on" a new member of the crew, a tall and not bad-looking Arab, named Yadillah, who, by some means or the other, had been left at Ceylon from one of the mail-boats. He was engaged as cook and steward2, thereby3 relieving Johnston of a task which was, in the tropical climates, none too pleasant. Yadillah could speak English fairly well, and, although he required special berthing4 and messing arrangements, he got on with the rest of the crew, in a most satisfactory manner.
In crossing the Bay of Bengal we caught the southern limit of the S.W. monsoon5, so that, without having to requisition the motor, we made rapid progress as far as Singapore.
Thence navigation, mainly on account of the imperfect charting of these waters, became difficult; and as we approached the coral islands of the Pacific a man had to be constantly stationed at the cross-trees by day to look out for shoal water, while at night the "Fortuna" had to be kept under reduced sail, so as to bring-to at the first sign of danger.
Seven months had now elapsed since the day when the "Fortuna" cleared out from Fowey, and we were within a few hours' sail of the island where we hoped to find the "San Philipo" treasure. Every member of the crew was in a state of anxious tension, while my father and his brother, though outwardly calm, were in a fever of excitement. In spite of our sanguine6 hopes, there occurred the thought that possibly our reading of the cipher7 might be wrong, or that some one else might have forestalled8 us.
"Wind's falling light, sir," remarked the bos'n, as my father, in his impatience9, had taken the third observation that morning.
"Yes, but with luck we'll make the island well before nightfall. Tell them to get the motor running."
Two hours sufficed to bring the jagged peaks of the Truk Archipelago above the horizon, and shortly afterwards, in fulfilment of my parent's forecast, the island known to us as the "San Philipo" hove in sight.
By my uncle's suggestion we headed away to starboard so as to approach the island in the same direction as did the fugitive10 "San Philipo" and her pursuer the "Anne," and, on drawing nearer, we saw that the island bore a strong resemblance to the description given by my roving ancestor.
There was the hill to the south-east, with its cat's-head outlines, and the two rugged11 headlands on the western side, and by the aid of a glass we could make out the mouth of a large cave, while all around the island, as far as we could see, was a long line of white foam12, denoting the presence of the coral reef.
"Mast-head, there! Can you make out the entrance?" hailed my father.
"Aye, aye, sir—a point on the port bow."
"Then let her go," remarked the pater to the quartermaster. "We must get inside the reef before dark. Mr. Wilkins," he added, addressing the bos'n, "have the anchors cleared away, and keep the lead going."
"No bottom at twenty fathoms13," reported the bos'n, after a few casts had been made.
Presently we on deck could distinguish a dark break in the turmoil14 of foaming15 water; it was the channel into the lagoon16.
"Now or never!" exclaimed the quartermaster, who had relieved the man at the wheel, and was now steering17 straight for the gap. There was not a breath of wind, and had the "Fortuna" depended solely18 upon her sails we would have had to bring up till the breeze came, and with it, possibly a heavier sea on the reef.
"If the motor plays us false we are done for," remarked Uncle Herbert, who was anxiously regarding the smother19 of foam on either bow.
"Never fear; it has served us faithfully up to the present," replied my father. "Another five minutes will settle it."
Straight for the gap the "Fortuna" sped under full power, not a sound being heard above the loud roar of the breakers and the quick pulsations of the engine. On the crest20 of a huge wave she appeared to hang, then, plunging21 into the trough, her propeller22 raced, and her head fell off towards the reef. The spokes23 flew through the quartermaster's hands, and the staunch little yacht recovered herself, with tons of water pouring from her fo'c'sle. The next moment her stern sank deeply in the waves, the propeller gripped, and with a terrific lurch24 the "Fortuna" passed between the coral reefs and gained the shelter of the quiet lagoon. The anchor was let go, and, with a rush and a roar, the chain tore through the hawse-pipe, and the yacht brought up in six fathoms.
We had arrived at "San Philipo" Island.
Directly everything was snugged25 down, darkness had fallen on the scene, so that nothing further could be done that night. For the first time armed watches were set, but, though the sounds of paddles around the vessel26 and shouting on shore were heard at intervals27, there was no attempt on the part of the natives to molest28 us.
At daybreak next morning we were awake, and on going on deck we could appreciate the natural beauty of our surroundings. The "Fortuna" lay directly over her anchor, which could be clearly seen on the sandy bottom. Not a ripple29 disturbed the placid30 surface of the lagoon, save an occasional gentle swell31 from the breakers on the reef, where day and night the huge green rollers lashed32 themselves in fury upon the coral rocks, churning themselves into milk-white foam to the accompaniment of a dull, subdued33 roar like the distant rumbling34 of an express train on a still night.
From where we lay the south-easternmost, or cat's-head, mountain was within a quarter of a mile, but only one of the western headlands was visible, as it effectually shut out its fellow. The cave that Humphrey Trevena had emphasized proved to be a huge rent in the cliff, made apparently35 by. volcanic36 action. Immediately in the centre of the southern side of the island—that is, the shore off which we lay—was a broad expanse of white sand, backed by a gently rising ground on which was a dense37 mass of vegetable growth, scrub and coco-nut palms being indiscriminately mingled38. On the beach were half a dozen canoes, some, judging by their lofty prows39 and decorated sides, being used for war purposes; the others, being lighter41 and provided with out-riggers, were of the usual type used by the Pacific Islanders for fishing.
Around the canoes, and lining42 the shore, were hundreds of natives, who regarded the "Fortuna" with undisguised curiosity. By the aid of my telescope I could make them out very clearly. They were middle-sized, slender, and well-proportioned, though a few were of a stature43 that would be considered great even in Cornwall; their colour was almost that of the natives of the Malay Archipelago. Their features were small, but high and well-formed, their cheek-bones projecting, while both men and women had an abundance of glossy44 black hair. The majority were entirely45 naked, save for a conical covering for the head made of plaited and bleached46 leaves. In the foreground many of the men wore a kind of cuirass of stiff plaited cocoa-fibre, which was continued like half a stove-pipe to a distance of six inches above their heads. Their arms consisted of formidable swords with a jagged edge of sharks' teeth, and fearful-looking spears, terminating in a triple barb47. A few, whom we took to be chiefs, wore in addition a complete covering of porcupine48 skin for the head, only their eyes being visible.
"A cheerful-looking set, aren't they?" remarked the doctor, who was also engaged in examining the throng49 of natives. "Do you think we are likely to have trouble with them?"
"The greatest tact50 will have to be employed if we wish to avoid a row," replied my father, with his eyes still glued to his field-glasses. "See, some of them are putting off in their canoes."
Already they had launched two of their largest craft, while knots of natives were busily engaged in hauling down the rest.
"Serve out the small arms, Mr. Lord, please," said my father; "but take care that we give no sign likely to provoke a fight. Herbert, will you see to the quick-firer and the Maxim51."
Quickly, yet quietly, our preparations for defence were made. The three-pounder was placed on its mounting amidships, which had not been removed since the gunnery practice in the Red Sea, and the Maxim, concealed52 behind a square of canvas, was mounted on its tripod so as to command the water between us and the shore, while each man placed his rifle, with charged magazine, on the deck within hand's reach.
Hardly was this done than the natives' flotilla came within hailing distance. The warriors53, decked in their barbaric finery, were grouped in the prow40 of their war canoes. Many of them bore livid scars, the legacy54 of many a tribal55 fight, and in their panoply56 a more repulsive57 and savage58 crowd I never wish to see. In that moment of actual danger I felt a peculiar59 trembling of the limbs and dry sensation in my throat. From the canoes I turned my eyes towards my companions. The crew seemed perfectly60 cool and determined61, a circumstance that somewhat reassured62 me. Dr. Conolly was evidently labouring under strong physical excitement, as if anxious to begin the fray63, while my father, though in no doubt as to the issue, was evidently reluctant to give the order to open fire on the yelling crowd of savages64, who, brandishing65 their swords and spears, had drawn66 up within fifty yards, the paddles of their canoes resting motionless on the water.
"Cannot we let rip at the vicious brutes67?" asked the doctor. "They will be over the side in a minute if we don't."
"Not if it can possibly be helped," replied my father. "Where's Herbert?" he added hurriedly.
There was no sign of my uncle on deck, but, on being called, he replied, from below, "Wait half a second."
Standing68 on the rail, my father held up a piece of brilliantly dyed cloth and a string of gaudy69 glass beads70 as a peace-offering to the aggressive natives, but the only reply was a shower of stones, hurled71 from slings72 of cocoa-cloth, that whizzed over our heads. It was only by quick descent that my father missed the unwelcome present.
"Lie down, men!" he shouted, "and stand by with your arms!"
Another volley of stones came from the natives, some striking the ship's side, others humming through the rigging. As I lay flat on the deck I saw a huge copper73 helmet emerge from the companion hatchway, and Uncle Herbert, dressed in a diver's suit, without, of course, the air tubes and lead sinkers, came on deck.
Striding to the side, he faced the warlike mob, and instantly, to the accompaniment of a chorus of "Ohe! Owha!" the natives took up their paddles and made for the shore.
"That's done it," laughed Uncle Herbert, removing the copper head-dress, which was rendering74 its wearer most uncomfortably hot, even in the slanting75 rays of the early morning sun.
"Stop, you idiot!" exclaimed my father, laying a detaining hand on his brother's shoulders; but the warning was too late. Some of the natives in the hindermost canoe saw the helmet being removed, and, calling to their fellows, the whole of the boats turned and made for the yacht.
"We are in for it this time!" exclaimed Dr. Conolly. "See, they are making for both sides at once."
Such was the case. Two war canoes and five smaller ones (where they had come from I do not know) made for the starboard side, and the remaining war canoes, with three others, headed for the port side.
"Money," exclaimed my father to the man in charge of the quick-firer, indicating the largest craft that was making obliquely76 across our bows, "can you manage to put a shot through that fellow's bow?"
"Aye, aye, sir, I'll try."
Calmly, yet deliberately77, the gun's crew opened the breech-block and thrust home the gleaming cylinder78 with its deadly head. Hardly had the breech-block been replaced than Money hung on the sights for a brief second. There was a flash and a roar, and the next moment the shot tore a gaping79 hole in the stem of the canoe, and, after a series of ricochets, struck the cliff with terrific force, bringing down large masses of rock. The stricken craft immediately became waterlogged, its occupants, all swimmers from their infancy80, striking out vigorously for the shore, while the remainder of the boats turned tail in a panic.
"Lower away the whaler and pick up as many as you can," shouted my father, and, in obedience81 to the order, the men sprang to the falls. The boat had fortunately been already cleared away, so that it was the work of a few moments to lower it.
In spite of their frantic82 struggles, five of the natives were picked up, tied hand and foot, and brought back to the yacht, where, surrounded by the crew, they were placed on the deck.
"Now for a little moral persuasion," exclaimed my father, and, looking round, he noticed a small grove83 of coco-palms growing close to the water's edge at a distance of about a quarter of a mile.
"Show them a charge, Money," he continued; "then plank84 a shot right into the centre of those trees."
The gunner exhibited the projectile85, a common shell, to the terrified savages; then, in full view, he placed the charge in the gun.
"Ready, sir!" he announced.
In obedience to an order, the natives were raised to their feet and made to look in the direction of the grove. Once more the quick-firer barked, and the highly charged projectile, bursting in the centre of the group of trees, levelled four of them in a shower of splinters and a dense cloud of smoke, while the savages, in their fright, sank to the deck and uttered shrill86 cries of terror.
"Cut that man loose," continued my father, indicating one of the captives, who, by reason of the loss of their fantastic war paint and finery, were by no means unintelligent in appearance.
Offers of presents were unavailing, the man refusing to look at the glittering baubles87 that were shown him. Some one suggested giving him a plug of tobacco, but, though the offer had a strong attraction, the native still remained in sullen88 isolation89.
"Perhaps he thinks we are going to eat him," suggested the doctor.
"Let me 'ave a rub at him, sir," exclaimed Mills, one of the deck hands.
"Have a what?" asked Dr. Conolly.
"A rub at 'im. Rubbin' noses is what they does in these 'ere parts as a sign of affection like."
"By all means," replied the doctor, laughing; "I don't suppose Captain Trevena has any objection."
Without further ado, Mills took hold of the native's shoulders, and, thrusting his face forward, he applied90 his nasal organ to that of the savage, and, as if by magic, the latter's taciturn manner completely vanished. The remaining four prisoners were then cut loose and subjected to the same ceremony, and, on being given a ship's biscuit apiece, they squatted91 on the deck, stuffing the food down their throats, and chattering92 in a lively, yet absolutely indistinguishable, fashion.
At length, laden93 with the pieces of coloured cloth and glass beads which, in their fright, they had previously94 refused, the natives were taken ashore95 in the whaler, and, after exaggerated gestures of goodwill96, they vanished into the woods.
"That's satisfactory so far," commented my parent on the return of the boat; "but we must be very careful to guard against treachery. Pipe all hands to breakfast, Mr. Wilkins, and then we'll set about to find the remains97 of the 'San Philipo.'"
点击收听单词发音
1 replenished | |
补充( replenish的过去式和过去分词 ); 重新装满 | |
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2 steward | |
n.乘务员,服务员;看管人;膳食管理员 | |
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3 thereby | |
adv.因此,从而 | |
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4 berthing | |
v.停泊( berth的现在分词 );占铺位;边板 | |
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5 monsoon | |
n.季雨,季风,大雨 | |
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6 sanguine | |
adj.充满希望的,乐观的,血红色的 | |
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7 cipher | |
n.零;无影响力的人;密码 | |
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8 forestalled | |
v.先发制人,预先阻止( forestall的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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9 impatience | |
n.不耐烦,急躁 | |
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10 fugitive | |
adj.逃亡的,易逝的;n.逃犯,逃亡者 | |
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11 rugged | |
adj.高低不平的,粗糙的,粗壮的,强健的 | |
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12 foam | |
v./n.泡沫,起泡沫 | |
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13 fathoms | |
英寻( fathom的名词复数 ) | |
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14 turmoil | |
n.骚乱,混乱,动乱 | |
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15 foaming | |
adj.布满泡沫的;发泡 | |
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16 lagoon | |
n.泻湖,咸水湖 | |
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17 steering | |
n.操舵装置 | |
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18 solely | |
adv.仅仅,唯一地 | |
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19 smother | |
vt./vi.使窒息;抑制;闷死;n.浓烟;窒息 | |
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20 crest | |
n.顶点;饰章;羽冠;vt.达到顶点;vi.形成浪尖 | |
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21 plunging | |
adj.跳进的,突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 );暴跌;骤降;突降 | |
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22 propeller | |
n.螺旋桨,推进器 | |
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23 spokes | |
n.(车轮的)辐条( spoke的名词复数 );轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 | |
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24 lurch | |
n.突然向前或旁边倒;v.蹒跚而行 | |
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25 snugged | |
v.整洁的( snug的过去式和过去分词 );温暖而舒适的;非常舒适的;紧身的 | |
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26 vessel | |
n.船舶;容器,器皿;管,导管,血管 | |
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27 intervals | |
n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 );间隔时间;[数学]区间;(戏剧、电影或音乐会的)幕间休息 | |
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28 molest | |
vt.骚扰,干扰,调戏 | |
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29 ripple | |
n.涟波,涟漪,波纹,粗钢梳;vt.使...起涟漪,使起波纹; vi.呈波浪状,起伏前进 | |
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30 placid | |
adj.安静的,平和的 | |
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31 swell | |
vi.膨胀,肿胀;增长,增强 | |
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32 lashed | |
adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 );煽动;紧系;怒斥 | |
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33 subdued | |
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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34 rumbling | |
n. 隆隆声, 辘辘声 adj. 隆隆响的 动词rumble的现在分词 | |
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35 apparently | |
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎 | |
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36 volcanic | |
adj.火山的;象火山的;由火山引起的 | |
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37 dense | |
a.密集的,稠密的,浓密的;密度大的 | |
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38 mingled | |
混合,混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 ); 混进,与…交往[联系] | |
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39 prows | |
n.船首( prow的名词复数 ) | |
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40 prow | |
n.(飞机)机头,船头 | |
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41 lighter | |
n.打火机,点火器;驳船;v.用驳船运送;light的比较级 | |
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42 lining | |
n.衬里,衬料 | |
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43 stature | |
n.(高度)水平,(高度)境界,身高,身材 | |
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44 glossy | |
adj.平滑的;有光泽的 | |
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45 entirely | |
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地 | |
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46 bleached | |
漂白的,晒白的,颜色变浅的 | |
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47 barb | |
n.(鱼钩等的)倒钩,倒刺 | |
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48 porcupine | |
n.豪猪, 箭猪 | |
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49 throng | |
n.人群,群众;v.拥挤,群集 | |
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50 tact | |
n.机敏,圆滑,得体 | |
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51 maxim | |
n.格言,箴言 | |
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52 concealed | |
a.隐藏的,隐蔽的 | |
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53 warriors | |
武士,勇士,战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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54 legacy | |
n.遗产,遗赠;先人(或过去)留下的东西 | |
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55 tribal | |
adj.部族的,种族的 | |
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56 panoply | |
n.全副甲胄,礼服 | |
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57 repulsive | |
adj.排斥的,使人反感的 | |
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58 savage | |
adj.野蛮的;凶恶的,残暴的;n.未开化的人 | |
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59 peculiar | |
adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的 | |
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60 perfectly | |
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地 | |
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61 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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62 reassured | |
adj.使消除疑虑的;使放心的v.再保证,恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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63 fray | |
v.争吵;打斗;磨损,磨破;n.吵架;打斗 | |
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64 savages | |
未开化的人,野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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65 brandishing | |
v.挥舞( brandish的现在分词 );炫耀 | |
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66 drawn | |
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的 | |
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67 brutes | |
兽( brute的名词复数 ); 畜生; 残酷无情的人; 兽性 | |
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68 standing | |
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的 | |
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69 gaudy | |
adj.华而不实的;俗丽的 | |
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70 beads | |
n.(空心)小珠子( bead的名词复数 );水珠;珠子项链 | |
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71 hurled | |
v.猛投,用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 );大声叫骂 | |
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72 slings | |
抛( sling的第三人称单数 ); 吊挂; 遣送; 押往 | |
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73 copper | |
n.铜;铜币;铜器;adj.铜(制)的;(紫)铜色的 | |
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74 rendering | |
n.表现,描写 | |
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75 slanting | |
倾斜的,歪斜的 | |
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76 obliquely | |
adv.斜; 倾斜; 间接; 不光明正大 | |
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77 deliberately | |
adv.审慎地;蓄意地;故意地 | |
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78 cylinder | |
n.圆筒,柱(面),汽缸 | |
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79 gaping | |
adj.口的;张口的;敞口的;多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 );张开,张大 | |
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80 infancy | |
n.婴儿期;幼年期;初期 | |
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81 obedience | |
n.服从,顺从 | |
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82 frantic | |
adj.狂乱的,错乱的,激昂的 | |
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83 grove | |
n.林子,小树林,园林 | |
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84 plank | |
n.板条,木板,政策要点,政纲条目 | |
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85 projectile | |
n.投射物,发射体;adj.向前开进的;推进的;抛掷的 | |
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86 shrill | |
adj.尖声的;刺耳的;v尖叫 | |
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87 baubles | |
n.小玩意( bauble的名词复数 );华而不实的小件装饰品;无价值的东西;丑角的手杖 | |
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88 sullen | |
adj.愠怒的,闷闷不乐的,(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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89 isolation | |
n.隔离,孤立,分解,分离 | |
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90 applied | |
adj.应用的;v.应用,适用 | |
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91 squatted | |
v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的过去式和过去分词 );非法擅自占用(土地或房屋);为获得其所有权;而占用某片公共用地。 | |
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92 chattering | |
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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93 laden | |
adj.装满了的;充满了的;负了重担的;苦恼的 | |
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94 previously | |
adv.以前,先前(地) | |
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95 ashore | |
adv.在(向)岸上,上岸 | |
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96 goodwill | |
n.善意,亲善,信誉,声誉 | |
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97 remains | |
n.剩余物,残留物;遗体,遗迹 | |
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