Slowly passed the days of fog, and the nights of dire2 discomfort3, during the tedious detention4 which followed this unfortunate discovery. From the terrace commanding a boundless5 view over the desolate6 regions traversed, the overflowing7 channel of the Háwash, and the lakes Le Ado and Ailabello could each morning be perceived sparkling with increased lustre8, as their fast-filling basins glittered like sheets of burnished9 silver under the rays of the rising sun. The industrious10 fleas11 continued their nocturnal persecutions, as if never to be sated with European blood; and a constant succession of clouds, which ascended12 the valley, drawing a grey cold curtain before the hoary13 head of Mamrat, proclaimed, amid prolonged peals14 of thunder, the commencement of the rainy season.
But each succeeding night and day brought no nearer prospect15 of release, and the change in the imperial resolves were scarcely less frequent than those which came over the towering face of the stronghold of his subterranean17 treasure. Remonstrances18, penned with infinite labour and difficulty, were responded by endearing messages, garbled19 at the pleasure of those to whom they were confided20; but the subtle excuse for the further delay of the desired audience was never wanting, and conjecture21 became exhausted22 in devising the true cause of the mortifying23 indifference24 displayed to the rich presents from “beyond the great sea.”
A desire on the part, of the despot to preserve due respect in the eyes of his lieges, and perhaps also to imbue25 the minds of his foreign visitors with a befitting sense of his importance, were the most probable motives26. Under the existing disappointment, it afforded some consolation27 to remember that embassies of old to Northern Abyssinia had experienced similar treatment, and to know that delegates to Shoa from the courts of Gondar and Tigré are never presented to the king until weeks after their arrival—a custom originating probably in the more kindly28 feeling of allowing rest to the way-worn traveller at the close of a long and perilous29 journey, but perpetuated30 for less worthy31 considerations.
At length there came a pressing invitation to visit the monarch32 at Debra Berhán, coupled with an assurance that the Master of the Horse should be in attendance to escort the party. But no Master of the Horse was forthcoming at the time appointed, and the following day brought a pathetic billet from the palace—a tiny parchment scroll33, enveloped34 in a sheet of wax, breathing in its contents regret and disappointment. “Son of my house, my heart longed to behold35 you, and I believed that you would come. As you appeared not, I passed the day in distress36, fearing lest the waters should have carried you away, or that the mule37 had fallen on the road. I commanded Melkoo to wait and receive you, and to conduct you to me; but when I hoped to see you arrive, you stayed out. The mule returned; and when I inquired whither you were gone, they told me that you were left. I have committed the fault, in that I gave not orders that they should go down, and bring you.”
Meanwhile, the most vigorous attempts were made, on the part both of the Wulásma and of Ayto Wolda Hana, to exercise exclusive control over the baggage lodged39 at Alio Amba. Locks were placed upon the latches40, and guards appointed over the doors of the houses wherein it was deposited—fully as much care being taken to preclude41 access on the part of those by whom it had been brought, as if His Christian42 Majesty43 had already become the bona fide proprietor44. Repeated orders on the subject, obtained from the palace, were uniformly disregarded by the over-zealous functionaries45, and it was only by force of arms that the repositories were finally burst open, and that charge of the contents could be resumed.
Neither were the persecutions of the gaunt governor of the town among the least of the evils to be endured, resulting as they did in consequences the most inconvenient46. Specially47 appointed to entertain and provide for the wants of the guests, he supplied at the royal expense provisions alike inferior in quality and deficient48 in quantity, taking care at the same time that the king’s munificence49 should be in no wise compromised by purchases, for these he clandestinely50 prevented. His conduct might be traced to the same jealous feelings that pervaded51 the breast of his colleagues in office. In the despotic kingdom of Shoa, the sovereign can alone purchase coloured cloth or choice goods; and Ayto Kálama Work, who is entitled to a certain percentage upon all imports, having formed a tolerably shrewd estimate of the contents of the bales and boxes, believed that these would effectually clog52 the market, and that his dues would be no longer forthcoming. Resolved to extend the most unequivocal proofs of his discontent, he was pleased to assign to the surviving horses and mules53 of the foreigners a tract54 destitute55 of pasturage—one mulberry coloured steed only being pampered56, because from size, colour, and appearance, it was assumed that he must be intended for the king. The continued drenching57 rain at night during the later marches, with the intense heat and general absence of water and forage58 throughout the whole pilgrimage, had sadly reduced the original number. Many more had dropped on the ascent59 from Fárri, and of those whose strength had enabled them to climb the more favoured mountains of Abyssinia, the tails of one half were now presented as evidences of their fate.
Among the very few incidents that occurred to break the monotony of the probationary60 sojourn61 was the arrival of the “Lebáshi,” the hereditary62 thief-catcher of the kingdom. For several hours the little town was in a state of confusion and dismay. Burglary had been committed—divers pieces of salt had been abstracted, and the appearance of the police-officer was not one whit38 more agreeable to the innocent than to the guilty.
A ring having been formed in the market-place by the crowded spectators, the diviner introduced his accomplice63, a stolid-looking lad, who seated himself upon a bullock’s hide with an air of deep resignation. An intoxicating64 drug was, under many incantations, extracted from a mysterious leathern scrip, and thrown into a horn filled with new milk; and this potation, aided by several hurried inhalations of a certain narcotic65, had the instantaneous effect of rendering66 the recipient67 stupidly frantic68. Springing upon his feet, he dashed, foaming69 at the mouth, among the rabble70, and without any respect to age or sex, dealt vigorously about him, until at length secured by a cord about the loins, when he dragged his master round and round from street to street, snuffling through the nose like a bear in the dark recesses71 of every house, and leaving unscrutinised no hole or corner.
After scraping for a considerable time with his nails under the foundation of a hut, wherein he suspected the delinquent72 to lurk73, the imp16 entered, sprang upon the back of the proprietor, and became totally insensible. The man was forthwith arraigned74 before a tribunal of justice, at which Ayto Kálama Work presided; and although no evidence could be adduced, and he swore repeatedly to his innocence75 by the life of the king, he was sentenced by the just judges to pay forty pieces of salt. This fine was exactly double the amount alleged76 to have been stolen, and one fourth became the perquisite77 of the Lebáshi.
The services of the hereditary thief-catcher are in universal requisition. Should the property lost consist of live instead of dead stock, it not unfrequently happens that the disciple78 remains79 torpid80 upon the ground; when all parties concerned feel perfectly81 satisfied that the animal has either strayed or been destroyed by wild beasts, and the expenses attending the divination82 must be paid by the owner. With the design of testing the skill of the magician, the Negoos once upon a time commanded his confidential83 page to secrete84 certain articles of wearing apparel pertaining85 to the royal wardrobe, and after an investigation86 of four days, the proper individual being selected with becoming formality, the professional reputation of “him who catches” acquired a lustre which has since remained untarnished.
Many a weary hour was passed in listening to tales of real or counterfeit87 maladies, which were daily recounted in the hovel at Alio Amba. Witchcraft88 and the influence of the evil eye have firm possession of the mind of every inhabitant, and sufficiently89 diverting were the complaints laid to their door by those who sought amulets90 and talismans91 at the hand of the foreigners. A young Moslem92 damsel, whose fickle93 swain had deserted94 her, could never gaze on the moon that her heart went not pit-a-pat, whilst the tears streamed from her dark eyes; and a hoary veteran with one foot in the grave sought the restoration of rhetorical powers, which had formed the boast of his youth, but which had been destroyed by the pernicious gaze of a rival. “Of yore,” quoth he who introduced the patient, “this was a powerful orator95; and when he lifted up his voice in the assembly, men marvelled96 as he spoke97; but now, although his heart is still eloquent98, his tongue is niggard of words.”
Equally hopeless was the case of an unfortunate slave-dealer, who crawled in search of relief to the abode99 of the king’s guests. A Galla of the Ittoo tribe had undertaken the removal of severe rheumatism100, contracted on the road from Hurrur; to which end he administered a powerful narcotic, which rendered the patient insensible. Armed with a sharp creese he then proceeded to cut and slash101 in every direction, from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot; and when the mutilated victim awoke to a sense of his melancholy102 condition, the ruthless operator had disappeared. Scarred and seamed in every part of his body, he now presented the appearance of one who had been flayed103 alive, and the skin had so contracted over the gaps whence the flesh had been scooped104, that, unless with extreme difficulty, he could neither eat, drink, nor speak. “My life is burdensome,” groaned105 the miserable106 picture of human calamity107; “and it were better that I should die. I have bathed in the hot springs at Korári without deriving108 the slightest relief. You white men know every thing: give me something to heal me, for the love of Allah!”
点击收听单词发音
1 probation | |
n.缓刑(期),(以观后效的)察看;试用(期) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2 dire | |
adj.可怕的,悲惨的,阴惨的,极端的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3 discomfort | |
n.不舒服,不安,难过,困难,不方便 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4 detention | |
n.滞留,停留;拘留,扣留;(教育)留下 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5 boundless | |
adj.无限的;无边无际的;巨大的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6 desolate | |
adj.荒凉的,荒芜的;孤独的,凄凉的;v.使荒芜,使孤寂 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7 overflowing | |
n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的,充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8 lustre | |
n.光亮,光泽;荣誉 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9 burnished | |
adj.抛光的,光亮的v.擦亮(金属等),磨光( burnish的过去式和过去分词 );被擦亮,磨光 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10 industrious | |
adj.勤劳的,刻苦的,奋发的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
11 fleas | |
n.跳蚤( flea的名词复数 );爱财如命;没好气地(拒绝某人的要求) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
12 ascended | |
v.上升,攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
13 hoary | |
adj.古老的;鬓发斑白的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
14 peals | |
n.(声音大而持续或重复的)洪亮的响声( peal的名词复数 );隆隆声;洪亮的钟声;钟乐v.(使)(钟等)鸣响,(雷等)发出隆隆声( peal的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
15 prospect | |
n.前景,前途;景色,视野 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
16 imp | |
n.顽童 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
17 subterranean | |
adj.地下的,地表下的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
18 remonstrances | |
n.抱怨,抗议( remonstrance的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
19 garbled | |
adj.(指信息)混乱的,引起误解的v.对(事实)歪曲,对(文章等)断章取义,窜改( garble的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
20 confided | |
v.吐露(秘密,心事等)( confide的过去式和过去分词 );(向某人)吐露(隐私、秘密等) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
21 conjecture | |
n./v.推测,猜测 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
22 exhausted | |
adj.极其疲惫的,精疲力尽的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
23 mortifying | |
adj.抑制的,苦修的v.使受辱( mortify的现在分词 );伤害(人的感情);克制;抑制(肉体、情感等) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
24 indifference | |
n.不感兴趣,不关心,冷淡,不在乎 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
25 imbue | |
v.灌输(某种强烈的情感或意见),感染 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
26 motives | |
n.动机,目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
27 consolation | |
n.安慰,慰问 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
28 kindly | |
adj.和蔼的,温和的,爽快的;adv.温和地,亲切地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
29 perilous | |
adj.危险的,冒险的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
30 perpetuated | |
vt.使永存(perpetuate的过去式与过去分词形式) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
31 worthy | |
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
32 monarch | |
n.帝王,君主,最高统治者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
33 scroll | |
n.卷轴,纸卷;(石刻上的)漩涡 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
34 enveloped | |
v.包围,笼罩,包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
35 behold | |
v.看,注视,看到 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
36 distress | |
n.苦恼,痛苦,不舒适;不幸;vt.使悲痛 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
37 mule | |
n.骡子,杂种,执拗的人 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
38 whit | |
n.一点,丝毫 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
39 lodged | |
v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 );暂住;埋入;(权利、权威等)归属 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
40 latches | |
n.(门窗的)门闩( latch的名词复数 );碰锁v.理解( latch的第三人称单数 );纠缠;用碰锁锁上(门等);附着(在某物上) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
41 preclude | |
vt.阻止,排除,防止;妨碍 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
42 Christian | |
adj.基督教徒的;n.基督教徒 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
43 majesty | |
n.雄伟,壮丽,庄严,威严;最高权威,王权 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
44 proprietor | |
n.所有人;业主;经营者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
45 functionaries | |
n.公职人员,官员( functionary的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
46 inconvenient | |
adj.不方便的,令人感到麻烦的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
47 specially | |
adv.特定地;特殊地;明确地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
48 deficient | |
adj.不足的,不充份的,有缺陷的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
49 munificence | |
n.宽宏大量,慷慨给与 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
50 clandestinely | |
adv.秘密地,暗中地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
51 pervaded | |
v.遍及,弥漫( pervade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
52 clog | |
vt.塞满,阻塞;n.[常pl.]木屐 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
53 mules | |
骡( mule的名词复数 ); 拖鞋; 顽固的人; 越境运毒者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
54 tract | |
n.传单,小册子,大片(土地或森林) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
55 destitute | |
adj.缺乏的;穷困的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
56 pampered | |
adj.饮食过量的,饮食奢侈的v.纵容,宠,娇养( pamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
57 drenching | |
n.湿透v.使湿透( drench的现在分词 );在某人(某物)上大量使用(某液体) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
58 forage | |
n.(牛马的)饲料,粮草;v.搜寻,翻寻 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
59 ascent | |
n.(声望或地位)提高;上升,升高;登高 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
60 probationary | |
试用的,缓刑的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
61 sojourn | |
v./n.旅居,寄居;逗留 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
62 hereditary | |
adj.遗传的,遗传性的,可继承的,世袭的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
63 accomplice | |
n.从犯,帮凶,同谋 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
64 intoxicating | |
a. 醉人的,使人兴奋的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
65 narcotic | |
n.麻醉药,镇静剂;adj.麻醉的,催眠的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
66 rendering | |
n.表现,描写 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
67 recipient | |
a.接受的,感受性强的 n.接受者,感受者,容器 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
68 frantic | |
adj.狂乱的,错乱的,激昂的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
69 foaming | |
adj.布满泡沫的;发泡 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
70 rabble | |
n.乌合之众,暴民;下等人 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
71 recesses | |
n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 );(工作或业务活动的)中止或暂停期间;学校的课间休息;某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 );将(墙)做成凹形,在(墙)上做壁龛;休息,休会,休庭 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
72 delinquent | |
adj.犯法的,有过失的;n.违法者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
73 lurk | |
n.潜伏,潜行;v.潜藏,潜伏,埋伏 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
74 arraigned | |
v.告发( arraign的过去式和过去分词 );控告;传讯;指责 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
75 innocence | |
n.无罪;天真;无害 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
76 alleged | |
a.被指控的,嫌疑的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
77 perquisite | |
n.固定津贴,福利 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
78 disciple | |
n.信徒,门徒,追随者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
79 remains | |
n.剩余物,残留物;遗体,遗迹 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
80 torpid | |
adj.麻痹的,麻木的,迟钝的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
81 perfectly | |
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
82 divination | |
n.占卜,预测 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
83 confidential | |
adj.秘(机)密的,表示信任的,担任机密工作的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
84 secrete | |
vt.分泌;隐匿,使隐秘 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
85 pertaining | |
与…有关系的,附属…的,为…固有的(to) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
86 investigation | |
n.调查,调查研究 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
87 counterfeit | |
vt.伪造,仿造;adj.伪造的,假冒的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
88 witchcraft | |
n.魔法,巫术 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
89 sufficiently | |
adv.足够地,充分地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
90 amulets | |
n.护身符( amulet的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
91 talismans | |
n.护身符( talisman的名词复数 );驱邪物;有不可思议的力量之物;法宝 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
92 Moslem | |
n.回教徒,穆罕默德信徒;adj.回教徒的,回教的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
93 fickle | |
adj.(爱情或友谊上)易变的,不坚定的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
94 deserted | |
adj.荒芜的,荒废的,无人的,被遗弃的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
95 orator | |
n.演说者,演讲者,雄辩家 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
96 marvelled | |
v.惊奇,对…感到惊奇( marvel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
97 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: |
|
|
98 eloquent | |
adj.雄辩的,口才流利的;明白显示出的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
99 abode | |
n.住处,住所 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
100 rheumatism | |
n.风湿病 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
101 slash | |
vi.大幅度削减;vt.猛砍,尖锐抨击,大幅减少;n.猛砍,斜线,长切口,衣衩 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
102 melancholy | |
n.忧郁,愁思;adj.令人感伤(沮丧)的,忧郁的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
103 flayed | |
v.痛打( flay的过去式和过去分词 );把…打得皮开肉绽;剥(通常指动物)的皮;严厉批评 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
104 scooped | |
v.抢先报道( scoop的过去式和过去分词 );(敏捷地)抱起;抢先获得;用铲[勺]等挖(洞等) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
105 groaned | |
v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 );发牢骚;抱怨;受苦 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
106 miserable | |
adj.悲惨的,痛苦的;可怜的,糟糕的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
107 calamity | |
n.灾害,祸患,不幸事件 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
108 deriving | |
v.得到( derive的现在分词 );(从…中)得到获得;源于;(从…中)提取 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
欢迎访问英文小说网 |