The part of the Little Creek4 diggings to which the gold-hunters transported their camp, was a wild, secluded5 spot, not much visited by the miners, partly on account of its gloomy appearance, and partly in consequence of a belief that the Celestials6 located there were getting little or no gold. In this supposition they were correct. Ah-wow and Ko-sing being inveterately7 lazy, contented8 themselves with digging just enough gold to enable them to purchase a sufficiency of the necessaries of life. But the region was extremely rich, as our adventurers found out very soon after their arrival. One of the ravines, in particular, gave indications of being full of gold, and several panfuls of earth that were washed out shewed so promising10 a return, that the captain and Larry were anxious to begin at once. They were overruled, however, by the others, who wished to make trial of the bed of the stream.
Six days of severe labour were undergone by the whole party ere their task was accomplished11, during which period they did not make an ounce of gold, while, at the same time, their little store was rapidly melting away. Nevertheless, they worked heartily12, knowing that a few days of successful digging would amply replenish13 their coffers. At grey dawn they set to work; some, with trousers tucked up, paddling about in the water all day, carrying mud and stones, while others felled trees and cut them into logs wherewith to form the dam required to turn the stream from its course. This was a matter of no small difficulty. A new bed had to be cut to the extent of eight or ten yards, but for a long time the free and jovial14 little mountain stream scorned to make such a pitiful twist in its course, preferring to burst its way headlong through the almost completed barricade15 by which it was pent-up.
Twice did it accomplish this feat16, and twice, in so doing, did it sweep Captain Bunting off his legs and roll him along bodily, in a turmoil17 of mud and stones and dirty water, roaring, as it gushed18 forth19, as if in savage20 triumph. On the second occasion, Bill Jones shared the captain’s ducking, and all who chanced to be working about the dam at the time were completely drenched21. But, however much their bodies might be moistened, no untoward22 accident could damp the ardour of their spirits. They resumed work again; repaired the breach23, and, finally, turned the obstinate24 stream out of the course which, probably, it had occupied since creation. It rushed hissing25, as if spitefully, along its new bed for a few yards, and then darted28, at a right angle, back into its former channel, along which it leaped exultingly29 as before.
But the object for which all this trouble had been undertaken was attained30. About eight yards of the old bed of the torrent31 were laid bare, and the water was drained away, whereat each of the party exhibited his satisfaction after his own peculiar32 manner—Larry O’Neil, as usual, giving vent9 to his joy in a hearty33 cheer.
The result was even more successful than had been anticipated. During the next few days the party conversed34 little; their whole energies being devoted35 to eating, sleeping, and digging. The bed of the stream was filled with stones, among which they picked up numerous nuggets of various sizes—from a pea to a walnut—some being almost pure gold, while others were, more or less, mixed with quartz36. A large quantity of the heavy black sand was also found at the bottom of a hole, which once had been an eddy—it literally37 sparkled with gold-dust, and afforded a rich return for the labour previously38 expended39 in order to bring it to light. The produce of the first two days’ work was no less than fourteen pounds weight of gold!
The third day was the Sabbath, and they rested from their work. It is, however, impossible for those who have never been in similar circumstances to conceive how difficult it was for our party of gold-hunters to refrain from resuming work as usual on that morning. Some of them had never been trained to love or keep the Sabbath, and would have certainly gone to work had not Ned and the captain remonstrated40. All were under great excitement in consequence of their valuable discovery, and anxious to know whether the run of luck was likely to continue, and not one of the party escaped the strong temptation to break the Sabbath-day, except, indeed, the Chinamen, who were too easy-going and lazy to care whether they worked or rested. But the inestimable advantage of good early training told at this time on Ned Sinton. It is questionable41 whether his principles were strong enough to have carried him through the temptation, but Ned had been trained to reverence42 the Lord’s-day from his earliest years, and he looked upon working on the Sabbath with a feeling of dread43 which he could not have easily shaken off, even had he tried. The promise, in his case, was fulfilled—“Train up a child in the way he should go, and he will not depart from it when he is old;” and though no mother’s voice of warning was heard in that wild region of the earth, and no guardian’s hand was there to beckon44 back the straggler from the paths of rectitude, yet he was not “let alone;” the arm of the Lord was around him, and His voice whispered, in tones that could not be misunderstood, “Remember the Sabbath-day, to keep it holy.”
We have already said, that the Sabbath at the mines was a day of rest as far as mere45 digging went, but this was simply for the sake of resting the wearied frame, not from a desire to glorify46 God. Had any of the reckless miners who filled the gambling-houses been anxious to work during Sunday on a prolific47 claim, he would not have hesitated because of God’s command.
The repose48 to their overworked muscles, and the feeling that they had been preserved from committing a great sin, enabled the party to commence work on Monday with a degree of cheerfulness and vigour49 that told favourably50 on their profits that night, and in the course of a few days they dug out gold to the extent of nearly two thousand pounds sterling51.
“We’re goin’ to get rich, no doubt of it,” said the captain one morning to Ned, as the latter was preparing to resume work in the creek; “but I’ll tell you what it is, I’m tired o’ salt beef and pork, and my old hull52 is gettin’ rheumatic with paddling about barefoot in the water, so I mean to go off for a day’s shootin’ in the mountains.”
“Very good, captain,” replied Ned; “but I fear you’ll have to go by yourself, for we must work out this claim as fast as we can, seeing that the miners further down won’t be long of scenting53 out our discovery.”
Ned’s words were prophetic. In less than half-an-hour after they were uttered a long-visaged Yankee, in a straw hat, nankeen trousers, and fisherman’s boots, came to the spot where they were at work, and seated himself on the trunk of a tree hard by to watch their proceedings55.
“Guess you’ve got som’thin’,” he said, as Larry, after groping in the mud for a little, picked up a lump of white quartz with a piece of gold the size of a marble embedded56 in the side of it.
“Ah! but ye’re good for sore eyes,” cried Larry, examining the nugget carefully.
“I say, stranger,” inquired the Yankee, “d’ye git many bits like that in this location?”
The Irishman regarded his question with an expressive57 leer. “Arrah! now, ye won’t tell?” he said, in a hoarse58 whisper; “sure it’ll be the death o’ me av ye do. There’s no end o’ them things here—as many as ye like to pick; it’s only the day before to-morrow that I turned up a nugget of pure goold the size of me head; and the capting got hold o’ wan59 that’s only half dug out yet, an’ wot’s seen o’ ’t is as big as the head o’ a five-gallon cask—all pure goold.”
The Yankee was not to be put off the scent54 by such a facetious60 piece of information. He continued to smoke in silence, sauntered about with his hands in his nankeen pockets, watched the proceedings of the party, inspected the dirt cast ashore61, and, finally, dug out and washed a panful of earth from the banks of the stream, after which he threw away the stump62 of his cigar, and went off whistling. Three hours later he returned with a party of friends, laden63 with tents, provisions, and mining tools, and they all took up their residence within twenty yards of our adventurers, and commenced to turn the course of the river just below them.
Larry and Jones were at first so angry that they seriously meditated64 committing an assault upon the intruders, despite the remonstrances65 of Tom Collins and Maxton, who assured them that the new-comers had a perfect right to the ground they occupied, and that any attempt to interrupt them by violence would certainly be brought under the notice of Judge Lynch, whose favourite punishments, they well knew, were whipping and hanging.
Meanwhile Captain Bunting had proceeded a considerable way on his solitary hunting expedition into the mountains, bent66 upon replenishing the larder67 with fresh provisions. He was armed with his favourite blunderbuss, a pocket-compass, and a couple of ship-biscuits. As he advanced towards the head of the valley, the scenery became more and more gloomy and rugged68, but the captain liked this. Having spent the greater part of his life at sea, he experienced new and delightful69 sensations in viewing the mountain-peaks and ravines by which he was now surrounded; and, although of a sociable70 turn of mind, he had no objection for once to be left to ramble71 alone, and give full vent to the feelings of romance and enthusiastic admiration72 with which his nautical73 bosom74 had been filled since landing in California.
Towards noon, the captain reached the entrance to a ravine, or gorge75, which opened upon the larger valley, into which it discharged a little stream from its dark bosom. There was an air of deep solitude76 and rugged majesty77 about this ravine that induced the wanderer to pause before entering it. Just then, certain sensations reminded him of the two biscuits in his pocket, so he sat down on a rock and prepared to dine. We say prepared to dine, advisedly, for Captain Bunting had a pretty correct notion of what comfort meant, and how it was to be attained. He had come out for the day to enjoy himself and although his meal was frugal78, he did not, on that account, eat it in an off-hand easy way, while sauntering along, as many would have done. By no means. He brushed the surface of the rock on which he sat quite clean, and, laying the two biscuits on it, looked first at one and then at the other complacently79, while he slowly, and with great care, cut his tobacco into delicate shreds80, and filled his pipe. Then he rose, and taking the tin prospecting-pan from his belt, went and filled it at the clear rivulet81 which murmured at his feet, and placed it beside the biscuits on the rock. This done, he completed the filling of his pipe, and cast a look of benignity82 at the sun, which at that moment happened in his course to pass an opening between two lofty peaks, which permitted him to throw a cloth of gold over the captain’s table.
Captain Bunting’s mind now became imbued83 with those aspirations84 after knowledge, which would have induced him, had he been at sea, to inquire, “How’s her head?” so he pulled out his pocket-compass, and having ascertained86 that his nose, when turned towards the sun, pointed87 exactly “south-south-west, and by south,” he began dinner. Thereafter he lit his pipe, and, reclining on the green turf beside the rock, with his head resting on his left hand, and wreaths of smoke encircling his visage, he—he enjoyed himself. To elaborate a description, reader, often weakens it—we cannot say more than that he enjoyed himself—emphatically.
Had Captain Bunting known who was looking at him in that solitary place, he would not have enjoyed himself quite so much, nor would he have smoked his pipe so comfortably.
On the summit of the precipice88 at his back stood, or rather sat, one of the natives of the country, in the shape of a grizzly-bear. Bruin had observed the captain from the time he appeared at the entrance of the ravine, and had watched him with a curious expression of stupid interest during all his subsequent movements. He did not attempt to interrupt him in his meal, however, on two grounds—first, because the nature of the grizzly-bear, if not molested89, induces him to let others alone; and secondly90, because the precipice, on the top of which he sat, although conveniently close for the purposes of observation, was too high for a safe jump.
Thus it happened that Captain Bunting finished his meal in peace, and went on his way up the wild ravine, without being aware of the presence of so dangerous a spectator. He had not proceeded far, when his attention was arrested by the figure of a man seated on a ledge85 of rock that over hung a yawning gulf91 into which the little stream plunged92.
So still did the figure remain, with the head drooping93 on the chest, as if in deep contemplation, that it might have been mistaken for a statue cut out of the rock on which it sat. A deep shadow was cast over it by the neighbouring mountain-peaks, yet, as the white sheet of a waterfall formed the background, it was distinctly visible.
The captain advanced towards it with some curiosity, and it was not until he was within a hundred yards that a movement at length proved it to be a living human being.
The stranger rose hastily, and advanced to meet a woman, who at the same moment issued from an opening in the brushwood near him. The meeting was evidently disagreeable to the woman, although, from the manner of it, and the place, it did not seem to be accidental; she pushed the man away several times, but their words were inaudible to the captain, who began to feel all the discomfort94 of being an unintentional observer. Uncertainty95 as to what he should do induced him to remain for a few moments inactive, and he had half made up his mind to endeavour to retreat unobserved, when the man suddenly struck down the female, who fell with a faint cry to the earth.
In another minute the captain was at the side of the dastardly fellow, whom he seized by the neck with the left hand, while with the right he administered a hearty blow to his ribs96. The man turned round fiercely, and grappled with his assailant; and then Captain Bunting became aware that his antagonist97 was no other than Smith, alias98 Black Jim, the murderer.
Smith, although a strong man, was no match for the captain, who soon overpowered him.
“Ha! you villain99, have I got you?” cried he, as he almost throttled100 the man. “Get up now, an’ come along peaceably. If you don’t, I’ll knock your brains out with the butt101 of my gun.”
He permitted Black Jim to rise as he spoke102, but held him fast by the collar, having previously taken from him his knife and rifle.
Black Jim did not open his lips, but the scowl103 on his visage shewed that feelings of deadly hatred104 burned in his bosom.
Meanwhile, the girl had recovered, and now approached.
“Ah! plase, sir,” she said, “let him off. Shure I don’t mind the blow; it’s done me no harm—won’t ye, now?”
“Let him off!” exclaimed the captain, violently; “no, my good girl; if he has not murdered you, he has at any rate murdered one human being that I know of, and if I can, I’ll bring him to justice.”
Kate, (for it was she), started at this reply, and looked earnestly at the man, who hung his head, and, for the first time, shewed symptoms of a softer feeling.
“Ah! it’s true, I see, an’ all hope is gone. If he’d commit a murder, he’d tell a lie too. I thought he spoke truth when he said Nelly was alive, but—”
The girl turned as she spoke, and left the spot hurriedly, while the captain took out his pocket-handkerchief, and began to fasten the arms of his prisoner behind him. But Black Jim was not to be secured without a struggle. Despair lent him energy and power. Darting105 forward, he endeavoured to throw his captor down, and partially106 succeeded; but Captain Bunting’s spirit was fully27 roused, and, like most powerful men whose dispositions107 are habitually108 mild and peaceful, he was in a blaze of uncontrollable passion. For some time Black Jim writhed109 like a serpent in the strong grasp of his antagonist, and once or twice it seemed as if he would succeed in freeing himself, but the captain’s hands had been trained for years to grasp and hold on with vice-like tenacity110, and no efforts could disengage them. The two men swayed to and fro in their efforts, no sound escaping them, save an occasional gasp111 for breath as they put forth renewed energy in the deadly struggle. At last Black Jim began to give way. He was forced down on one knee, then he fell heavily on his side, and the captain placed his knee on his chest.
Just then a peculiar hiss26 was heard behind them, and the captain, looking back, observed that a third party had come upon the scene. The grizzly-bear, which has been described as watching Captain Bunting at dinner, had left its former position on the brow of the precipice, and, whether from motives112 of curiosity, or by accident, we will not presume to say, had followed the captain’s track. It now stood regarding the two men with an uncommonly113 ferocious114 aspect. Its indignation may, perhaps, be accounted for by the fact that they stood in the only path by which it could advance—a precipice on one side and a thicket115 on the other rendering116 the passage difficult or impossible. Grizzlies117 are noted118 for their objection to turn out of their way for man or beast, so the combatants no sooner beheld119 the ferocious-looking animal than they sprang up, seized their weapons, and fired together at their common enemy. Bruin shook his head, uttered a savage growl120, and charged. It seemed as if Black Jim had missed altogether—not to be wondered at considering the circumstances—and the mixture of shot and slugs from the blunderbuss was little more hurtful than a shower of hail to the thick-skinned monarch121 of these western hills. Be this as it may, the two men were compelled to turn and flee for their lives. Black Jim, being the nimbler of the two, was soon out of sight among the rocks of the precipices122, and, we may remark in passing, he did not again make his appearance. Inwardly thanking the bear for its timely appearance, he ran at top speed into the mountains, and hid himself among those wild lonely recesses123 that are visited but rarely by man or beast.
Captain Bunting endeavoured to save himself by darting up the face of the precipice on his left, but the foot-hold was bad, and the bear proved about as nimble as himself, compelling him to leap down again and make for the nearest tree. In doing so, he tripped over a fallen branch, and fell with stunning124 violence to the ground. He rose, however, instantly, and grasping the lower limb of a small oak, drew himself with some difficulty up among the branches.
The bear came thundering on, and reached the tree a few seconds later. It made several abortive125 efforts to ascend126, and then, sitting down at the foot, it looked up, grinning and growling127 horribly in disappointed rage.
The captain had dropped the blunderbuss in his fall, and now, with deep regret, and not a little anxiety, found himself unarmed and a prisoner. True, his long knife was still in its place, but he was too well aware of the strength and ferocity of the grizzly-bear—from hearsay128, and now from ocular demonstration—to entertain the idea of acting129 on the offensive with such a weapon.
The sun sank behind the mountain-peaks, and the shades of night began to fall upon the landscape, and still did Captain Bunting and the bear sit—the one at the top, and the other at the foot of the oak-tree—looking at each other. As darkness came on, the form of the bear became indistinct and shadowy; and the captain’s eyes waxed heavy, from constant staring and fatigue130, so that at length bruin seemed, to the alarmed fancy of the tree’d mariner131, to be twice the size of an elephant. At last the darkness became so deep that its form mingled132 with the shadows on the ground, and for some time the uncertainty as to its actual presence kept the prisoner wakeful; but soon his eyes began to close, despite his utmost efforts to keep them open; and for two hours he endured an agonising struggle with sleep, compared to which his previous struggle with Black Jim was mere child’s-play. He tried every possible position among the branches, in the hope of finding one in which he might indulge in sleep without the risk of falling, but no such position was to be found; the limbs of the tree were too small and too far apart.
At last, however, he did find a spot to lie down on, and, with a sigh of relief, lay back to indulge in repose. Alas133! the spot was a myth—he merely dreamed it; the next moment he dropt, like a huge over-ripe pear, to the ground. Fortunately a bush broke the violence of his fall, and, springing up with a cry of consternation134, he rushed towards the tree, expecting each instant to feel the terrible hug of his ursine135 enemy. The very marrow136 in his back-bone seemed to shrink, for he fancied that he actually felt the dreaded137 claws sinking into his flesh. In his haste he missed the branch, and fell violently forward, scratching himself terribly among the bushes. Again he rose, and a cold perspiration138 broke out upon him as he uttered an involuntary howl of terror, and once more leaped up at the limb of the oak, which he could just barely see. He caught it; despair nerved him, and in another moment he was safe, and panting violently among the branches.
We need scarcely say that this little episode gave his feelings such a tremendous shock that his tendency to sleep was thoroughly139 banished140; but another and a better result flowed from it,—the involuntary hubbub141 created by his yells and crashing falls reached listening and not far-distant ears.
During their evening meal that day, Ned Sinton and his comrades had speculated pretty freely, and somewhat jocularly, on the probable result of the captain’s hunting expedition—expressing opinions regarding the powers of the blunderbuss, which it was a shame, Larry O’Neil said, “to spake behind its back;” but as night drew on, they conversed more seriously, and when darkness had fairly set in they became anxious.
“It’s quite clear that something’s wrong,” cried Ned Sinton, entering the tent hastily, “we must up and search for him. The captain’s not the man to lose his way with a compass in his pocket and so many landmarks142 round him.”
All the party rose at once, and began to buckle143 on belts and arm, while eagerly suggesting plans of search.
“Who can make a torch?” inquired Ned.
“Some one must stay behind to look after our things. The new-comers who camped beside us to-day are not used to mining life, and don’t sufficiently145 know the terrors of Lynch law. Do you stop, Maxton. Now then, the rest of you, come along.”
Ned issued from the tent as he spoke, and walked at a rapid pace along the track leading up the valley, followed closely by Tom Collins, Larry O’Neil, and Bill Jones—all of whom were armed with rifles, revolvers, and bowie-knives. For a long time they walked on in silence, guided by the faint light of the stars, until they came to the flat rock which had formed the captain’s dinner-table. Here they called a halt, in order to discuss the probability of their lost comrade having gone up the ravine. The question was soon settled by Larry, who discovered a few crumbs146 of the biscuit lying on the rock, and footprints leading up the ravine; for the captain, worthy147 man, had stepped recklessly into the little stream when he went to fill his pannikin, and his wet feet left a distinct track behind him for some distance.
“He can’t have gone far up such a wild place as this,” said Tom Collins, while they moved cautiously along. “Kindle the torch, Ned, it will light us on our way, and be a guide to the captain if he’s within sight.”
“It will enlighten enemies, too, if any are within range,” replied Ned, hesitating.
“Oh, no fear,” rejoined Tom, “our greatest enemy is darkness; here, Jones, hand me your match-box.”
In a few seconds the torch flared148 forth, casting a broad glare of light on their path, as they advanced, examining the foot of precipices.
“Give a shout, Larry,” said Ned.
Larry obeyed, and all listened intently, but, save the echo from the wild cliffs, no reply was heard.
Had the captain been wide-awake at the time, he would, doubtless, have heard the friendly shout, but his ears were dull from prolonged watching. It was thought needless to repeat the cry, so the party resumed their search with anxious forebodings in their hearts, though their lips were silent.
They had not proceeded far, however, when the noise occasioned by the captain’s fall from the tree, as already described, struck upon their ears.
“Och! what’s that?” exclaimed Larry, with a look of mingled surprise and superstitious149 fear.
For a minute the party seemed transformed into statues, as each listened intently to the mysterious sounds.
“They come from the other side of the point ahead,” remarked Ned, in a whisper. “Light another torch, Larry, and come on—quick!”
Ned led the way at a run, holding one of the torches high above his head, and in a few minutes passed round the point above referred to. The glare of his torch immediately swept far ahead, and struck with gladsome beam on the now wakeful eye of the captain, who instantly greeted it with one of his own peculiarly powerful and eminently150 nautical roars.
“Hooroo!” yelled Larry, in reply, dashing forward at full speed. “Here we are all right, capting, comin’ to the rescue; don’t give in, capting; pitch into the blackguards—”
“Look out for the grizzly-bear,” roared the captain, as his friends advanced at a run, waving their torches encouragingly.
The whole party came to a dead halt on this unexpected caution, and each cocked his piece as they looked, first into the gloom beyond, and then at each other, in surprise and perplexity.
“Halloo! captain, where are you?” shouted Ned.
“And where’s the bear!” added Tom Collins.
“Right in front o’ you,” replied the captain, “about fifty yards on. The bear’s at the bottom o’ the tree, and I’m a-top of it. Come on, and fire together; but aim low, d’ye hear?”
“Ay, ay, sir,” replied Bill Jones, as if he were answering a command on shipboard, while he advanced boldly in the direction indicated.
The others were abreast151 of him instantly, Ned and Larry holding the torches high in their left hands as they approached, step by step, with rifles ready for instant use.
“Have a care,” cried the captain; “I see him. He seems to be crouchin’ to make a rush.”
This caused another halt; but as no rush was made, the party continued to advance very slowly.
“Oh! av ye would only shew yerself,” said Larry, in a suppressed tone of exasperation152 at being kept so long in nervous expectation.
“I see him,” cried Ned, taking aim.
The rest of the party cried “Where!” aimed in the same direction, and the whole fired a volley, the result of which was, that Captain Bunting fell a second time to the ground, crashing through the branches with a terrible noise, and alighting heavily at the foot of the tree. To the surprise of all, he instantly jumped up, and seizing Ned and Tom as they came up, shook them warmly by the hand.
“Och! are ye not shot, capting?” exclaimed Larry.
“Not a bit; not even hurt,” answered the captain, laughing.
The fact was, that Captain Bunting, in his anxiety to escape being accidentally shot by his comrades, had climbed to the utmost possible height among the tender top branches of the oak. When the volley was fired, he lost his balance, fell through the tree, the under branches of which happily broke his fall, and finally alighted on the back of the grizzly-bear itself, which lay extended, and quite dead, on the ground.
“Faix we’ve polished him off for wance,” cried Larry, in the excess of his triumph, as he stood looking at the fallen bear.
“Faix we’ve done nothing of the sort,” retorted Tom Collins, who was examining the carcase. “It’s been dead for hours, and is quite cold. Every bullet has missed, too, for the shot that settled him is on the side next the ground. So much for hasty shooting. Had bruin been alive when we fired, I’m inclined to think that some of us would not be alive now.”
“Now, that’s wot I wos sure of,” remarked Bill Jones. “Wot I says is this—w’en yer goin’ aloft to reef to’sails, don’t be in a hurry. It’s o’ no manner o’ use tryin’ to shove on the wind. If ye’ve got a thing to do, do it slow—slow an’ sure. If ye haven’t got a thing to do, in coorse ye can’t do it, but if ye have, don’t be in a hurry—I says.”
Bill Jones’s maxim153 is undoubtedly154 a good one. Not a scratch had the bear received from any one of the party. The bullet of Black Jim had laid him low. Although hurriedly aimed, it had reached the animal’s heart, and all the time that Captain Bunting was struggling to overcome his irresistible155 tendency to sleep, poor bruin was lying a helpless and lifeless body at the foot of the oak-tree.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
exertions
|
|
| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
solitary
|
|
| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
rambling
|
|
| adj.[建]凌乱的，杂乱的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
creek
|
|
| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
secluded
|
|
| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
celestials
|
|
| n.天的，天空的( celestial的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
inveterately
|
|
| adv.根深蒂固地，积习地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
8
contented
|
|
| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
vent
|
|
| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
promising
|
|
| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
accomplished
|
|
| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
heartily
|
|
| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
replenish
|
|
| vt.补充；(把…)装满；(再)填满 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
jovial
|
|
| adj.快乐的，好交际的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
barricade
|
|
| n.路障，栅栏，障碍；vt.设路障挡住 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
feat
|
|
| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
turmoil
|
|
| n.骚乱，混乱，动乱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
gushed
|
|
| v.喷，涌( gush的过去式和过去分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
savage
|
|
| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
drenched
|
|
| adj.湿透的；充满的v.使湿透( drench的过去式和过去分词 )；在某人（某物）上大量使用（某液体） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
untoward
|
|
| adj.不利的，不幸的，困难重重的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
breach
|
|
| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
obstinate
|
|
| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
hissing
|
|
| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
hiss
|
|
| v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
darted
|
|
| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
exultingly
|
|
| 兴高采烈地，得意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
attained
|
|
| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
torrent
|
|
| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
peculiar
|
|
| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
hearty
|
|
| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
conversed
|
|
| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
devoted
|
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
quartz
|
|
| n.石英 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
literally
|
|
| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
previously
|
|
| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
expended
|
|
| v.花费( expend的过去式和过去分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
remonstrated
|
|
| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
questionable
|
|
| adj.可疑的，有问题的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
reverence
|
|
| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
dread
|
|
| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
beckon
|
|
| v.(以点头或打手势)向...示意，召唤 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
glorify
|
|
| vt.颂扬，赞美，使增光，美化 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
prolific
|
|
| adj.丰富的，大量的；多产的，富有创造力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
repose
|
|
| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
vigour
|
|
| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
favourably
|
|
| adv. 善意地，赞成地 =favorably | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
sterling
|
|
| adj.英币的(纯粹的，货真价实的)；n.英国货币(英镑) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
hull
|
|
| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
scenting
|
|
| vt.闻到（scent的现在分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
scent
|
|
| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
proceedings
|
|
| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
embedded
|
|
| a.扎牢的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
expressive
|
|
| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
hoarse
|
|
| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
wan
|
|
| (wide area network)广域网 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
facetious
|
|
| adj.轻浮的，好开玩笑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
ashore
|
|
| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
stump
|
|
| n.残株，烟蒂，讲演台；v.砍断，蹒跚而走 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
laden
|
|
| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
meditated
|
|
| 深思，沉思，冥想( meditate的过去式和过去分词 )； 内心策划，考虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
remonstrances
|
|
| n.抱怨，抗议( remonstrance的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
larder
|
|
| n.食物贮藏室，食品橱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
rugged
|
|
| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
delightful
|
|
| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
sociable
|
|
| adj.好交际的，友好的，合群的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
ramble
|
|
| v.漫步，漫谈，漫游；n.漫步，闲谈，蔓延 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
admiration
|
|
| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
nautical
|
|
| adj.海上的，航海的，船员的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
bosom
|
|
| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
gorge
|
|
| n.咽喉，胃，暴食，山峡；v.塞饱，狼吞虎咽地吃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
solitude
|
|
| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
majesty
|
|
| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
frugal
|
|
| adj.节俭的，节约的，少量的，微量的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
complacently
|
|
| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
shreds
|
|
| v.撕碎，切碎( shred的第三人称单数 )；用撕毁机撕毁（文件） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
rivulet
|
|
| n.小溪，小河 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
benignity
|
|
| n.仁慈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
imbued
|
|
| v.使（某人/某事）充满或激起（感情等）( imbue的过去式和过去分词 )；使充满；灌输；激发（强烈感情或品质等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
aspirations
|
|
| 强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 )； 志向； 发送气音； 发 h 音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
ledge
|
|
| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
ascertained
|
|
| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
precipice
|
|
| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
molested
|
|
| v.骚扰( molest的过去式和过去分词 )；干扰；调戏；猥亵 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
secondly
|
|
| adv.第二，其次 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
gulf
|
|
| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
plunged
|
|
| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
drooping
|
|
| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
discomfort
|
|
| n.不舒服，不安，难过，困难，不方便 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
uncertainty
|
|
| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
ribs
|
|
| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
antagonist
|
|
| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
alias
|
|
| n.化名；别名；adv.又名 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
villain
|
|
| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
throttled
|
|
| v.扼杀( throttle的过去式和过去分词 )；勒死；使窒息；压制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
butt
|
|
| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
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： |
|
|
|
|
103
scowl
|
|
| vi.(at)生气地皱眉，沉下脸，怒视；n.怒容 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
hatred
|
|
| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
darting
|
|
| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
partially
|
|
| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
dispositions
|
|
| 安排( disposition的名词复数 )； 倾向； （财产、金钱的）处置； 气质 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
habitually
|
|
| ad.习惯地，通常地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
writhed
|
|
| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
tenacity
|
|
| n.坚韧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
gasp
|
|
| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
motives
|
|
| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
uncommonly
|
|
| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
ferocious
|
|
| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
thicket
|
|
| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
rendering
|
|
| n.表现，描写 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
grizzlies
|
|
| 北美洲灰熊( grizzly的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
noted
|
|
| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
beheld
|
|
| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
growl
|
|
| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
monarch
|
|
| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
precipices
|
|
| n.悬崖，峭壁( precipice的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
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： |
|
|
|
|
124
stunning
|
|
| adj.极好的；使人晕倒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
abortive
|
|
| adj.不成功的，发育不全的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
ascend
|
|
| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
growling
|
|
| n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
hearsay
|
|
| n.谣传，风闻 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
acting
|
|
| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
fatigue
|
|
| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
mariner
|
|
| n.水手号不载人航天探测器，海员，航海者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
mingled
|
|
| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
alas
|
|
| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
consternation
|
|
| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
ursine
|
|
| adj.似熊的，熊的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
marrow
|
|
| n.骨髓；精华；活力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
dreaded
|
|
| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
perspiration
|
|
| n.汗水；出汗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
thoroughly
|
|
| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
banished
|
|
| v.放逐，驱逐( banish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
hubbub
|
|
| n.嘈杂；骚乱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
landmarks
|
|
| n.陆标( landmark的名词复数 )；目标；（标志重要阶段的）里程碑 ~ (in sth)；有历史意义的建筑物（或遗址） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
buckle
|
|
| n.扣子，带扣；v.把...扣住，由于压力而弯曲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
lighting
|
|
| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
sufficiently
|
|
| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
crumbs
|
|
| int. (表示惊讶)哎呀 n. 碎屑 名词crumb的复数形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
148
Flared
|
|
| adj. 端部张开的, 爆发的, 加宽的, 漏斗式的 动词flare的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
149
superstitious
|
|
| adj.迷信的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
150
eminently
|
|
| adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
151
abreast
|
|
| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
152
exasperation
|
|
| n.愤慨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
153
maxim
|
|
| n.格言，箴言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
154
undoubtedly
|
|
| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
155
irresistible
|
|
| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |