Another Scene In Southern Life
IN the city, a few miles from the plantation1, a scene which too often affords those degrading pictures that disgrace a free and happy country, was being enacted2. A low brick building, standing3 in an area protected by a high fence, surmounted4 with spikes5 and other dangerous projectiles6, formed the place. The upper and lower windows of this building were strongly secured with iron gratings, and emitted the morbid7 air from cells scarcely large enough to contain human beings of ordinary size. In the rear, a sort of triangular8 area opened, along which was a line of low buildings, displaying single and double cells. Some had iron rings in the floor; some had rings in the walls; and, again, others had rings over head. Some of these confines of misery9-for here men's souls were goaded10 by the avarice11 of our natures-were solitary12; and at night, when the turmoil13 of the day had ceased, human wailings and the clank of chains might be heard breaking through the walls of this charnel-house. These narrow confines were filled with living beings-beings with souls, souls sold according to the privileges of a free and happy country,--a country that fills us with admiration14 of its greatness. It is here, O man, the tyrant15 sways his hand most! it is here the flesh and blood of the same Maker16, in chains of death, yearns17 for freedom.
We walk through the corridor, between narrow arches containing the abodes18 of misery, while our ears drink the sad melancholy19 that sounds in agitated20 throbs21, made painful by the gloom and darkness. Touching22 an iron latch23, the door of a cell opens, cold and damp, as if death sat upon its walls; but it discloses no part of the inmate's person, and excites our sympathies still more. We know the unfortunate is there,--we hear the murmuring, like a death-bell in our ears; it is mingled24 with a dismal25 chaos26 of sound, piercing deep into our feelings. It tells us in terror how gold blasts the very soul of man-what a dark monster of cruelty he can become,--how he can forget the grave, and think only of his living self,--how he can strip reason of its right, making himself an animal with man for his food. See the monster seeking only for the things that can serve him on earth-see him stripping man of his best birth-right, see him the raving27 fiend, unconscious of his hell-born practices, dissevering the hope that by a fibre hangs over the ruins of those beings who will stand in judgment28 against him. His soul, like their faces, will be black, when theirs has been whitened for judgment in the world to come!
Ascending29 a few steps, leading into a centre building-where the slave merchant is polished into respectability-we enter a small room at the right hand. Several men, some having the appearance of respectable merchants, some dressed in a coarse, red-mixed homespun, others smoking cigars very leisurely30, are seated at a table, upon which are several bottles and tumblers. They drank every few minutes, touched glasses, uttered the vilest31 imprecations. Conspicuous32 among them is Marco Graspum: it is enough that we have before introduced him to the reader at Marston's mansion33. His dark peering eyes glisten34 as he sits holding a glass of liquor in one hand, and runs his fingers through his bristly hair with the other. "The depths of trade are beyond some men," he says, striking his hand on the table; then, catching35 up a paper, tears it into pieces. "Only follow my directions; and there can be no missing your man," he continued, addressing one who sat opposite to him; and who up to that time had been puffing36 his cigar with great unconcern. His whole energies seemed roused to action at the word. After keeping his eyes fixed37 upon Graspum for more than a minute, he replied, at the same time replenishing his cigar with a fresh one--
"Yee'h sees, Marco,--you'r just got to take that ar' say back, or stand an all-fired chaffing. You don't scar' this 'un, on a point a' business. If I hain't larned to put in the big pins, no fellow has. When ye wants to 'sap' a tall 'un, like Marston, ye stands shy until ye thinks he's right for pulling, and then ye'll make a muffin on him, quicker. But, ye likes to have yer own way in gettin' round things, so that a fellow can't stick a pinte to make a hundred or two unless he weaves his way clean through the law-unless he understands Mr. Justice, and puts a double blinder on his eye. There's nothing like getting on the right side of a fellow what knows how to get on the wrong side of the law; and seeing how I've studied Mr. Justice a little bit better than he's studied his books, I knows just what can be done with him when a feller's got chink in his pocket. You can't buy 'em, sir, they're so modest; but you can coax38 'em at a mighty39 cheaper rate-you can do that!" "And ye can make him feel as if law and his business warn't two and two," rejoined Anthony Romescos, a lean, wiry man, whose small indescribable face, very much sun-scorched, is covered with bright sandy hair, matted and uncombed. His forehead is low, the hair grows nearly to his eyebrows40, profuse41 and red; his eyes wander and glisten with desperation; he is a merciless character. Men fear him, dread42 him; he sets the law at defiance43, laughs when he is told he is the cunningest rogue44 in the county. He owns to the fearful; says it has served him through many a hard squeeze; but now that he finds law so necessary to carry out villainy, he's taken to studying it himself. His dress is of yellow cotton, of which he has a short roundabout and loose pantaloons. His shirt bosom45 is open, the collar secured at the neck with a short black ribbon; he is much bedaubed with tobacco-juice, which he has deposited over his clothes for the want of a more convenient place. A gray, slouch hat usually adorns46 his head, which, in consequence of the thinking it does, needs a deal of scratching. Reminding us how careful he is of his feet, he shows them ensconced in a pair of Indian moccasins ornamented48 with bead-work; and, as if we had not become fully49 conscious of his power, he draws aside his roundabout, and there, beneath the waist of his pantaloons, is a girdle, to which a large hunting-knife is attached, some five inches of the handle protruding50 above the belt. "Now, fellers, I tell ye what's what, ye'r point-up at bragin'; but ye don't come square up to the line when there's anything to put through what wants pluck. 'Tain't what a knowin' 'un like I can do; it's just what he can larn to be with a little training in things requiring spunk51. I'm a going to have a square horse, or no horse; if I don't, by the great Davy, I'll back out and do business on my own account,--Anthony Romescos always makes his mark and then masters it. If ye don't give Anthony a fair showin', he'll set up business on his own account, and pocket the comins in. Now! thar's Dan Bengal and his dogs; they can do a thing or two in the way of trade now and then; but it requires the cunnin as well as the plucky53 part of a feller. It makes a great go when they're combined, though,--they ala's makes sure game and slap-up profit."
"Hold a stave, Anthony," interrupted a grim-visaged individual who had just filled his glass with whiskey, which he declared was only to counteract55 the effect of what he had already taken. He begs they will not think him half so stupid as he seems, says he is always well behaved in genteel society, and is fully convinced from the appearance of things that they are all gentlemen. He wears a semi-bandittical garb56, which, with his craven features, presents his character in all its repulsiveness57. "You needn't reckon on that courage o' yourn, old fellow; this citizen can go two pins above it. If you wants a showin', just name the mark. I've seed ye times enough,--how ye would not stand ramrod when a nigger looked lightning at ye. Twice I seed a nigger make ye show flum; and ye darn't make the cussed critter toe the line trim up, nohow," he mumbles58 out, dropping his tumbler on the table, spilling his liquor. They are Graspum's "men;" they move as he directs-carry out his plans of trade in human flesh. Through these promulgators of his plans, his plots, his desperate games, he has become a mighty man of trade. They are all his good fellows-they are worth their weight in gold; but he can purchase their souls for any purpose, at any price! "Ah, yes, I see-the best I can do don't satisfy. My good fellows, you are plum up on business, do the square thing; but you're becomin' a little too familiar. Doing the nigger business is one thing, and choosing company's another. Remember, gentlemen, I hold a position in society, I do," says Graspum, all the dignity of his dear self glowing in his countenance59.
"I see! There's no spoilin' a gentleman what's got to be one by his merits in trade. Thar's whar ye takes the shine out of us. Y'er gentleman gives ye a right smart chance to walk into them ar' big bugs60 what's careless,--don't think yer comin' it over 'em with a sort o' dignity what don't 'tract61 no s'picion." rejoined Romescos, taking up his hat, and placing it carelessly on his head, as if to assure Graspum that he is no better than the rest.
"Comprehend me, comprehend me, gentlemen! There can, and must be, dignity in nigger trading; it can be made as honourable62 as any other branch of business. For there is an intricacy about our business requiring more dignity and ability than general folks know. You fellers couldn't carry out the schemes, run the law down, keep your finger on people's opinion, and them sort o' things, if I didn't take a position in society what 'ud ensure puttin' ye straight through. South's the place where position's worth somethin'; and then, when we acts independent, and don't look as if we cared two toss-ups, ah!"
"I wonder you don't set up a dignity shop, and go to selling the article;-might have it manufactured to sell down south."
"Ah, Romescos," continued Graspum, "you may play the fool; but you must play it wisely to make it profitable. Here, position puts law at defiance!-here it puts croakers over humanity to rest-here, when it has money, it makes lawyers talk round the points, get fat among themselves, fills the old judge's head with anything; so that he laughs and thinks he don't know nothin'. Listen to what I'm goin' to say, because you'll all make somethin' out on't. I've just got the dignity to do all; and with the coin to back her up, can safe every chance. When you fellers get into a snarl63 running off a white 'un, or a free nigger, I has to bring out the big talk to make it seem how you didn't understand the thing. 'Tain't the putting the big on, but it's the keepin' on it on. You'd laugh to see how I does it; it's the way I keeps you out of limbo64, though."
We have said these men were Graspum's "men;" they are more-they are a band of outlaws65, who boast of living in a free country, where its institutions may be turned into despotism. They carry on a system of trade in human bodies; they stain the fairest spots of earth with their crimes. They set law at defiance-they scoff67 at the depths of hell that yawn for them,--the blackness of their villainy is known only in heaven. Earth cares little for it; and those familiar with the devices of dealers71 in human bodies shrink from the shame of making them known to the world. There was a discontent in the party, a clashing of interests, occasioned by the meagre manner in which Graspum had divided the spoils of their degradation72. He had set his dignity and position in society at a much higher value than they were willing to recognise,--especially when it was to share the spoils in proportion. Dan Bengal, so called from his ferocity of character, was a celebrated73 dog-trainer and negro-hunter, "was great in doing the savager portion of negro business." This, Romescos contended, did not require so much cunning as his branch of the business-which was to find "loose places," where doubtful whites see out remnants of the Indian race, and free negroes could be found easy objects of prey75; to lay plots, do the "sharp," carry out plans for running all free rubbish down south, where they would sell for something.
"True! it's all true as sunshine," says Romescos; "we understand Mr. Graspum inside and out. But ye ain't paid a dime76 to get me out of any scrape. I was larned to nigger business afore I got into the 'tarnal thing; and when I just gits me eye on a nigger what nobody don't own, I comes the sly over him-puts him through a course of nigger diplomacy77. The way he goes down to the Mississippi is a caution to nigger property!"
He has enlisted78 their attention, all eyes are set upon him, every voice calls out to know his process. He begs they will drink round; they fill their glasses, and demand that he will continue the interest of his story.
"My plans are worth a fortune to those who follow the business," he says, giving his glass a twirl as he sets it upon the table, and commences--
"Born 'cute, you see; trade comes natural. Afore a free 'un don't know it, I has him bonded80 and tucked off for eight or nine hundred dollars, slap-up, cash and all. And then, ye sees, it's worth somethin' in knowin' who to sell such criturs too-so that the brute81 don't git a chance to talk about it without getting his back troubled. And then, it requires as much knowin' as a senator's got just to fix things as smooth so nobody won't know it; and just like ye can jingle82 the coin in yer pocket, for the nigger, what everybody's wonderin' where he can be gone to. I tell ye what, it takes some stameny to keep the price of a prime feller in your pocket, and wonder along with the rest where the rascal83 can be. If you'd just see Bob Osmand doe it up, you'd think his face was made for a methodist deacon in camp meeting-time. The way he comes it when he wants to prove a free nigger's a runaway84, would beat all the disciples85 of Blackstone between here and old Kentuck. And then, Bob's any sort of a gentleman, what you don't get in town every day, and wouldn't make a bad senator, if he'd bin54 in Congress when the compromise was settled upon,--'cos he can reason right into just nothin' at all. Ye see it ain't the feelings that makes a feller a gentleman in our business, it's knowing the human natur o' things; how to be a statesman, when ye meets the like, how to be a gentleman, and talk polite things, and sich like; how to be a jolly fellow, an' put the tall sayings into the things of life; and when ye gets among the lawyers, to know all about the pintes of the law, and how to cut off the corners, so they'll think ye're bin a parish judge. And then, when ye comes before the squire86, just to talk dignity to him-tell him where the law is what he don't seem to comprehend. You've got to make a right good feller of the squire by sticking a fee under his vest-pocket when he don't obsarve it. And then, ye know, when ye make the squire a right good feller, you must keep him to the point; and when there's any swarin' to be done, he's just as easily satisfied as the law. It's all business, you see; and thar's just the same kind a thing in it; because profit rules principle, and puts a right smart chance o' business into their hands without troubling their consciences. But then, Bob ain't got the cunnin' in him like I-nor he can't "rope-in on the sly,"-knock down and drag out, and just tell a whole possee to come on, as I do. And that's what ye don't seem to come at, Graspum," said Romescos, again filling his glass, and drawing a long black pipe from his pocket prepares it for a smoke.
"Now, the trouble is, you all think you can carry out these matters on your own hook; but it's no go, and you'll find it so. It's a scheme that must have larger means at the head of it; and each man's rights must be stipulated87, and paid according to his own enterprise. But this discontent is monstrous88 and injurious, and if continued will prove unprofitable. You see, fellers, you've no responsibility, and my position is your protection, and if you don't get rich you must not charge the blame to me; and then just see how you live now to what you did when ranging the piny woods and catching a stray nigger here and there, what didn't hardly pay dog money. There's a good deal in the sport of the thing, too; and ye know it amounts to a good deal to do the gentleman and associate with big folks, who puts the business into one's hands, by finding out who's got lean purses and prime niggers," rejoined Graspum, very coolly.
"Ah, yes; that's the way ye comes it over these haristocrats, by doin' the modest. Now, Graspum, 'tain't no trouble to leak a sap like that Lorenzo, and make his friends stand the blunt after we've roped him into your fixings," replied Romescos.
"No, no; not a bit of it," resounded89 several voices. "We do all the dragwork with the niggers, and Graspum gets the tin."
"But he pays for the drink. Come, none of this bickering90; we must agree upon business, and do the thing up brown under the old system," interrupted another.
"Hold! close that bread trap o' yourn," Romescos shouts at the top of his voice. "You're only a green croaker from the piny woods, where gophers crawl independent; you ain't seen life on the borders of Texas. Fellers, I can whip any man in the crowd,--can maker the best stump91 speech, can bring up the best logic92; and can prove that the best frightenin' man is the best man in the nigger business. Now, if you wants a brief sketch93 of this child's history, ye can have it." Here Romescos entered into an interesting account of himself. He was the descendant of a good family, living in the city of Charleston; his parents, when a youth, had encouraged his propensities94 for bravery. Without protecting them with that medium of education which assimilates courage with gentlemanly conduct, carrying out the nobler impulses of our nature, they allowed him to roam in that sphere which produces its ruffians. At the age of fifteen he entered a counting-room, when his quick mercurial95 temperament96 soon rendered him expert at its minor97 functions. Three years had hardly elapsed when, in a moment of passion, he drew his dirk, (a weapon he always carried) and, in making a plunge98 at his antagonist99, inflicted100 a wound in the breast of a near friend. The wound was deep, and proved fatal. For this he was arraigned101 before a jury, tried for his life. He proved the accident by an existing friendship-he was honourably102 acquitted103. His employer, after reproaching him for his proceedings104, again admitted him into his employment. Such, however, was his inclination105 to display the desperado, that before the expiration106 of another year he killed a negro, shot two balls at one of his fellows, one of which was well nigh proving fatal, and left the state. His recklessness, his previous acts of malignity107, his want of position, all left him little hope of escaping the confines of a prison. Fleeing to parts unknown, his absence relieved the neighbourhood of a responsibility. For a time, he roamed among farmers and drovers in the mountains of Tennessee; again he did menial labour, often forced to the direst necessity to live. One day, when nearly famished108, he met a slave-driver, conducting his coffle towards the Mississippi, to whom he proffered109 his services. The coarse driver readily accepted them; they proceeded on together, and it was not long before they found themselves fitting companions. The one was desperate-the other traded in desperation. An ardent110 nature, full of courage and adventure, was a valuable acquisition to the dealer70, who found that he had enlisted a youngster capable of relieving him of inflicting112 that cruelty so necessary to his profession. With a passion for inflicting torture, this youth could now gratify it upon those unfortunate beings of merchandise who were being driven to the shambles113: he could gloat in the exercise of those natural propensities which made the infliction114 of pain a pleasant recreation. In the trade of human flesh all these cruel traits became valuable; they enabled him to demand a good price for his services. Initiated115 in all the mysteries of the trade, he was soon entrusted116 with gangs of very considerable extent; then he made purchases, laid plans to entrap117 free negroes, performed the various intricacies of procuring118 affidavits119 with which to make slave property out of free flesh. Nature was nature, and what was hard in him soon became harder; he could crib "doubtful white stuff" that was a nuisance among folks, and sell it for something he could put in his pocket. In this way Romescos accumulated several hundred dollars; but avarice increased, and with it his ferocity. It belonged to the trade, a trade of wanton depravity. He became the terror of those who assumed to look upon a negro's sufferings with sympathy, scoffing120 at the finer feelings of mankind. Twice had his rapacity121 been let loose-twice had it nearly brought him to the gallows122, or to the tribunal of Judge Lynch. And now, when completely inured123 in the traffic of human flesh,--that traffic which transposes man into a demon124, his progress is checked for a while by a false step.
It was this; and this only to the deep disgrace of the freest and happiest country on earth. A poor orphan125 girl, like many of her class in our hospitable126 slave world, had been a mere127 cast-off upon the community. She knew nothing of the world, was ignorant, could neither read nor write,--something quite common in the south, but seldom known in New England. Thus she became the associate of depraved negroes, and again, served Romescos as a victim. Not content with this, after becoming tired of her, he secured her in the slave-pen of one of his fellow traders. Here he kept her for several weeks, closely confined, feeding her with grits128. Eventually "running" her to Vicksburg, he found an accomplice129 to sign a bill of sale, by which he sold her to a notorious planter, who carried her into the interior. The wretched girl had qualities which the planter saw might, with a little care, be made extremely valuable in the New Orleans market,--one was natural beauty. She was not suitable property for the agricultural department of either a cotton or sugar plantation, nor was she "the stripe" to increase prime stock; hence she must be prepared for the general market. When qualified131 according to what the planter knew would suit the fancy market, she was conveyed to New Orleans, a piece of property bright as the very brightest, very handsome, not very intelligent,--just suited to the wants of bidders132.
Here, at the shambles in the crescent city, she remained guarded, and for several weeks was not allowed to go beyond the door-sill; after which a sale was effected of her with the keeper of a brothel, for the good price of thirteen hundred dollars. In this sink of iniquity133 she remained nearly two years. Fearing the ulterior consequences, she dared not assert her rights to freedom, she dared not say she was born free in a free country. Her disappearance134 from the village in which she had been reared caused some excitement; but it soon reduced itself to a very trifling135 affair. Indeed, white trash like this was considered little else than rubbish, not worth bringing up respectably. And while suspicion pointed136 to Romescos, as the person who could account for her mysterious disappearance, such was the fear of his revenge that no one dared be the accuser. Quietly matters rested, poor virtue137 was mean merchandise, had its value, could be bought and sold-could be turned to various uses, except enlisting138 the sympathies of those who study it as a market commodity. A few days passed and all was hushed; no one enquired139 about the poor orphan, Martha Johnson. In the hands of her creole owner, who held her as a price for licentious140 purposes, she associated with gentlemen of polite manners-of wealth and position. Even this, though profane141, had advantages, which she employed for the best of purposes; she learned to read and to write,--to assimilate her feelings with those of a higher class. Society had degraded her, she had not degraded herself. One night, as the promiscuous142 company gathered into the drawing-room, she recognised a young man from her native village; the familiar face inspired her with joy, her heart leaped with gladness; he had befriended her poor mother-she knew he had kind feelings, and would be her friend once her story was told. The moments passed painfully; she watched him restlessly through the dance,--sat at his side. Still he did not recognise her,--toilet had changed her for another being; but she had courted self-respect rather than yielded to degradation. Again she made signs to attract his attention; she passed and repassed him, and failed. Have I thus changed, she thought to herself.
At length she succeeded in attracting his attention; she drew him aside, then to her chamber143. In it she disclosed her touching narrative144, unfolded her sorrows, appealed to him with tears in her eyes to procure145 her freedom and restore her to her rights. Her story enlisted the better feelings of a man, while her self-respect, the earnestness with which she pleaded her deliverance, and the heartlessness of the act, strongly rebuked146 the levity147 of those who had made her an orphan outcast in her own village. She was then in the theatre of vice69, surrounded by its allurements148, consigned149 to its degradation, a prey to libertinism-yet respecting herself. The object of his visit among the denizens150 was changed to a higher mission, a duty which he owed to his moral life,--to his own manliness151. He promised his mediation152 to better her eventful and mysterious life, to be a friend to her; and nobly did he keep his promise. On the following day he took measures for her rescue, and though several attempts were made to wrest153 her from him, and the mendacity of slave-dealers summoned to effect it, he had the satisfaction of seeing her restored to her native village,--to freedom, to respectability.
We withhold154 the details of this too true transaction, lest we should be classed among those who are endeavouring to create undue155 excitement. The orphan girl we here refer to was married to a respectable mechanic, who afterwards removed to Cincinnati, and with his wife became much respected citizens.
Proceedings were after some delay commenced against Romescos, but,--we trust it was not through collusion with officials-he escaped the merited punishment that would have been inflicted upon him by a New England tribunal. Again he left the state, and during his absence it is supposed he was engaged in nefarious156 practices with the notorious Murrel, who carried rapine and death into the unoffending villages of the far west. However, be this as it may, little was known of him for several years, except in some desperate encounter. The next step in his career of desperation known, was joining a band of guerillos led by one of the most intrepid157 captains that infested158 the borders of Mexico, during the internal warfare159 by which her Texan provinces struggled for independence. Freebooters, they espoused160 the Texan cause because it offered food for their rapacity, and through it they became formidable and desperate foes161 to the enemy. They were the terror of the ranchoes, the inhabitants fled at their approach; their pillage162, rapine, and slaughtering163, would stain the annals of barbarous Africa. They are buried, let us hope for the name of a great nation, that they may remain beneath the pale of oblivion.
In their incursions, as mounted riflemen, they besieged164 villages, slaughtered165 the inhabitants, plundered166 churches, and burned dwellings167; they carried off captive females, drove herds168 of cattle to distant markets. Through the auspices169 of this band, as is now well known, many young females were carried off and sold into slavery, where they and their offspring yet remain. While pursuing this nefarious course of life, Romescos accumulated more than twenty thousand dollars; and yet,--though ferocity increased with the daring of his profession,--there was one impulse of his nature, deeply buried, directing his ambition. Amid the dangers of war, the tumult170 of conflict, the passion for daring-this impulse kept alive the associations of home,--it was love! In early life he had formed an attachment171 for a beautiful young lady of his native town; it had ripened172 with his years; the thoughts of her, and the hope of regaining173 her love if he gained wealth, so worked upon his mind that he resolved to abandon the life of a guerillo, and return home. After an absence of fourteen years he found the object of his early love,--that woman who had refused to requite174 his affection,--a widow, having buried her husband, a gentleman of position, some months previous.
Romescos had money,--the man was not considered; he is not considered where slavery spreads its vices68 to corrupt175 social life. He had been careful to keep his business a profound secret, and pressing his affections, soon found the object of his ambition keenly sensitive to his advances. Rumour176 recounted his character with mystery and suspicion; friends remonstrated177, but in vain; they were united despite all opposition178, all appeals. For a time he seemed a better man, the business he had followed harassed179 his mind, seeming to haunt him, and poison his progress. He purchased a plantation on the banks of the Santee; for once resolved to pursue an honest course, to be a respectable citizen, and enjoy the quiet of home.
A year passed: he might have enjoyed the felicity of domestic life, the affections of a beautiful bride; but the change was too sudden for his restless spirit. He was not made to enjoy the quiet of life, the task stood before him like a mountain without a pass, he could not wean himself from the vices of a marauder. He had abused the free offerings of a free country, had set law at defiance; he had dealt in human flesh, and the task of resistance was more than the moral element in his nature could effect. Violations180 of human laws were mere speculations181 to him; they had beguiled182 him, body and soul. He had no apology for violating personal feeling; what cared he for that small consideration, when the bodies of men, women, and children could be sacrificed for that gold which would give him position among the men of the south. If he carried off poor whites, and sold them into slavery, he saw no enormity in the performance; the law invested him with power he made absolute. Society was chargeable with all his wrongs, with all his crimes, all his enormities. He had repeatedly told it so, pointing for proof to that literal observance of the rule by which man is made mere merchandise. Society had continued in its pedantic183 folly184, disregarding legal rights, imposing185 no restraints on the holder186 of human property, violating its spirit and pride by neglecting to enforce the great principles of justice whereby we are bound to protect the lives of those unjustly considered inferior beings. Thus ends a sketch of what Romescos gave of his own career.
We now find him associated with the desperadoes of slave-dealing, in the scene we have presented. After Romescos had related what he called the romance of his life,--intended, no doubt, to impress the party with his power and intrepidity187, and enable him to set a higher value upon his services,--he lighted a pipe, threw his hat upon the floor, commenced pacing up and down the room, as if labouring under deep excitement. And while each one seemed watching him intently, a loud knocking was heard at the door,--then the baying of blood-hounds, the yelps188 of curs, mingling189 with the murmurs190 of those poor wretches191 confined in the cells beneath. Then followed the clanking of chains, cries, and wailings, startling and fearful.
Dan Bengal sprang to the door, as if conscious of its import. A voice demanded admittance; and as the door opened Bengal exclaimed, "Halloo!-here's Nath Nimrod: what's the tune79 of the adventure?"
A short, stout192 man entered, dressed in a coarse homespun hunting dress, a profuse black beard and moustache nearly covering his face. "I is'nt so bad a feller a'ter all-is I?" he says, rushing forward into the centre of the room, followed by four huge hounds. They were noble animals, had more instinctive193 gentleness than their masters, displayed a knowledge of the importance of the prize they had just gained.
"Hurrah194 for Nath! hurrah! hurrah! hurrah, for Nath! You got him, Nath-did'nt ye?" resounded from several tongues, and was followed by a variety of expressions highly complimentary195 to his efficiency.
Romescos, however, remained silent, pacing the floor unconcerned, except in his own anxiety-as if nothing had occurred to disturb him. Advancing to the table, the new visitor, his face glowing with exultation196, held forth197, by the crispy hair, the blanched198 and bloody199 head of an unfortunate negro who had paid the penalty of the State's allowance for outlaws. "There: beat that, who can? Four hundred dollars made since breakfast;" he cries out at the top of his voice. They cast a measured look at the ghastly object, as if it were a precious ornament47, much valued for the price it would bring, according to law. The demon expresses his joy, descants200 on his expertness and skill, holds up his prize again, turns it round, smiles upon it as his offering, then throws it into the fire place, carelessly, like a piece of fuel. The dogs spring upon it, as if the trophy201 was for their feast; but he repulses202 them; dogs are not so bad after all-the canine203 is often the better of the two-the morsel204 is too precious for canine dogs,--human dogs must devour205 it. "There is nothing like a free country, nothing; and good business, when it's well protected by law," says Nimrod, seating himself at the table, filling a glass, bowing to his companions, drinking to the health of his friends. He imagines himself the best fellow of the lot. Taking Graspum by the hand, he says, "there is a clear hundred for you, old patron!" pulls an Executive proclamation from his pocket, and points to where it sets forth the amount of reward for the outlaw66-dead or alive. "I know'd whar the brute had his hole in the swamp," he continues: "and I summed up the resolution to bring him out. And then the gal52 o' Ginral Brinkle's, if I could pin her, would be a clear fifty more, provided I could catch her without damage, and twenty-five if the dogs havocked206 her shins. There was no trouble in getting the fifty, seeing how my dogs were trained to the point and call. Taste or no taste, they come square off at the word. To see the critters trace a nigger, you'd think they had human in them; they understands it so! But, I tell you what, it's one thing to hunt a gal nigger, and another to run down an outlaw what has had two or three years in the swamp. The catching him's not much, but when ye have to slide the head off, all the pious207 in yer natur comes right up to make yer feelings feel kind a' softish. However, the law protects ye, and the game being only a nigger, different rules and things govern one's feelings."
Bengal interrupts by laconically208 insinuating-raising his moody209 face, and winking210 at Graspum-that it was all moonshine to talk about trouble in that kind of business; "It's the very highest of exhilarating sport!" he concludes emphatically.
"Dan!" returns the other, with a fierce stare, as he seizes the bottle and is about to enjoy a glass of whisky uninvited; "let your liquor stop your mouth. I set the whole pack upon the trail at daylight, and in less than two hours they came upon him, bolted him, and put him to the river. The leader nabbed him about half way across, but the chap, instead of giving in, turned and fought like a hero. Twice I thought he would whip the whole pack, but the way they made the rags fly warn't nobody's business. Well, I just come up with him as he plunged211 into the stream, lifts old sure mark, as gives him about a dozen plugs; and then the old feller begged just so, you'd thought he was a Christian212 pleadin' forgiveness at the last moment. But, when I seizes him and gives him three or four levellers with the butt213 of the rifle, ye never saw a sarpent plunge, and struggle, and warp214 so. Says I, 'It's no use, old feller,--yer might as well give her up;' and the way his eyes popped, just as if he expected I war'nt goin to finish him. I tell ye, boys, it required some spunk about then, for the critter got his claws upon me with a death grip, and the dogs ripped him like an old corn stalk, and would'nt keep off. And then there was no fracturin his skull215; and seeing how he was overpowering me, I just seizes him by the throat and pops his head off quicker than a Chinese executioner."
The author has given the language of the slave-hunter who related the case personally.
"Now, thar' war'nt so much in takin' the gal, cos jist when she seed the dogs comin', the critter took to tree and gin right up: but when I went to muzlin' on her, so she could'nt scream, then she gets saucy216; and I promised to gin her bricks,--which, fellers, I reckon yer must take a hand in so the brute won't wake the neighbours; and I'll do'e it afore I sleeps," said Nimrod, getting up from the table and playfully touching Romescos upon the arm. "I see ye ain't brightened to-day--Graspum's share don't seem to suit yer, old feller; ah! ah!!" he continued.
"Just put another ten per cent. upon the out-lining, and running free 'uns, and I'll stand flint," said Romescos, seeming to be acted upon by a sudden change of feelings, as he turned to Graspum, with a look of anxiety.
"Very well," returned Graspum. "Yer see, there's that Marston affair to be brought to a point; and his affairs are just in such a fix that he don't know what's what, nor who's who. Ther'll have to be some tall swearing done in that case afore it's brought to the hammer. That cunning of yours, Romescos, will just come into play in this case. It'll be just the thing to do the crooked217 and get round the legal points." Thus Graspum, with the dignity and assurance of a gentleman, gave his opinion, drank with his companions, and withdrew for the night.
Romescos, Bengal, and Nimrod, soon after descended218 into the vaults219 below, followed by a negro bearing a lantern. Here they unbolted one of the cells, dragged forth a dejected-looking mulatto woman, her rags scarcely covering her nakedness. The poor wretch130, a child born to degradation and torture, whose cries were heard in heaven, heaved a deep sigh, then gave vent111 to a flood of tears. They told how deep was her anguish220, how she struggled against injustice221, how sorrow was burning her very soul. The outpourings of her feelings might have aroused the sympathies of savage74 hearts; but the slave monsters were unmoved. Humbleness222, despair, and even death, sat upon her very countenance; hope had fled her, left her a wreck223 for whom man had no pity. And though her prayers ascended224 to heaven, the God of mercy seemed to have abandoned her to her tormentors. She came forward trembling and reluctantly, her countenance changed; she gave a frowning look at her tormentors, wild and gloomy, shrank back into the cell, the folds of straight, black hair hanging about her shoulders.
"Come out here!" Nimrod commands in an angry tone; then, seizing her by the arm, dragged her forth, and jerked her prostrate225 on the ground. Here, like as many fiends in human form, the rest fell upon her, held her flat to the floor by the hands and feet, her face downwards226, while Nimrod, with a raw hide, inflicted thirty lashes227 on her bare back. Her cries and groans228, as she lay writhing229, the flesh hanging in quivering shreds230, and lifting with the lash,--her appeals for mercy, her prayers to heaven, her fainting moans as the agony of her torture stung into her very soul, would have touched a heart of stone. But, though her skin had not defiled231 her in the eyes of the righteous, there was none to take pity on her, nor to break the galling232 chains; no! the punishment was inflicted with the measured coolness of men engaged in an every-day vocation233. It was simply the right which a democratic law gave men to become lawless, fierce in the conspiracy234 of wrong, and where the legal excitement of trafficking in the flesh and blood of one another sinks them unconsciously into demons235.
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plantation
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| n.种植园，大农场 | |
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enacted
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| 制定（法律），通过（法案）( enact的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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surmounted
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| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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spikes
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| n.穗( spike的名词复数 )；跑鞋；（防滑）鞋钉；尖状物v.加烈酒于( spike的第三人称单数 )；偷偷地给某人的饮料加入（更多）酒精（ 或药物）；把尖状物钉入；打乱某人的计划 | |
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projectiles
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| n.抛射体( projectile的名词复数 )；（炮弹、子弹等）射弹，（火箭等）自动推进的武器 | |
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morbid
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| adj.病的；致病的；病态的；可怕的 | |
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triangular
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| adj.三角（形）的，三者间的 | |
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misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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goaded
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| v.刺激( goad的过去式和过去分词 )；激励；（用尖棒）驱赶；驱使（或怂恿、刺激）某人 | |
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avarice
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| n.贪婪；贪心 | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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turmoil
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| n.骚乱，混乱，动乱 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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tyrant
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| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
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maker
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| n.制造者，制造商 | |
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yearns
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| 渴望，切盼，向往( yearn的第三人称单数 ) | |
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abodes
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| 住所( abode的名词复数 )； 公寓； （在某地的）暂住； 逗留 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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throbs
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| 体内的跳动( throb的名词复数 ) | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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latch
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| n.门闩，窗闩；弹簧锁 | |
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mingled
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| 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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dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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chaos
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| n.混乱，无秩序 | |
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raving
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| adj.说胡话的；疯狂的，怒吼的；非常漂亮的；令人醉心[痴心]的v.胡言乱语(rave的现在分词)n.胡话；疯话adv.胡言乱语地；疯狂地 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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vilest
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| adj.卑鄙的( vile的最高级 )；可耻的；极坏的；非常讨厌的 | |
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conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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glisten
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| vi.（光洁或湿润表面等）闪闪发光，闪闪发亮 | |
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catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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coax
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| v.哄诱，劝诱，用诱哄得到，诱取 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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40
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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41
profuse
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| adj.很多的，大量的，极其丰富的 | |
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42
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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43
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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44
rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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45
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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46
adorns
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| 装饰，佩带( adorn的第三人称单数 ) | |
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ornament
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| v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物 | |
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48
ornamented
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| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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49
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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50
protruding
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的现在分词 )；凸 | |
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51
spunk
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| n.勇气，胆量 | |
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52
gal
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| n.姑娘，少女 | |
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53
plucky
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| adj.勇敢的 | |
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54
bin
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| n.箱柜；vt.放入箱内；[计算机] DOS文件名:二进制目标文件 | |
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55
counteract
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| vt.对…起反作用，对抗，抵消 | |
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56
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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57
repulsiveness
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58
mumbles
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| 含糊的话或声音，咕哝( mumble的名词复数 ) | |
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59
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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60
bugs
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| adj.疯狂的，发疯的n.窃听器( bug的名词复数 )；病菌；虫子；[计算机]（制作软件程序所产生的意料不到的）错误 | |
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61
tract
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| n.传单，小册子，大片(土地或森林) | |
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62
honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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63
snarl
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| v.吼叫，怒骂，纠缠，混乱；n.混乱，缠结，咆哮 | |
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limbo
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| n.地狱的边缘；监狱 | |
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65
outlaws
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| 歹徒，亡命之徒( outlaw的名词复数 )； 逃犯 | |
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outlaw
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| n.歹徒，亡命之徒；vt.宣布…为不合法 | |
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67
scoff
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| n.嘲笑，笑柄，愚弄；v.嘲笑，嘲弄，愚弄，狼吞虎咽 | |
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68
vices
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| 缺陷( vice的名词复数 )； 恶习； 不道德行为； 台钳 | |
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69
vice
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| n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的 | |
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dealer
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| n.商人，贩子 | |
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dealers
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| n.商人( dealer的名词复数 )；贩毒者；毒品贩子；发牌者 | |
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degradation
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| n.降级；低落；退化；陵削；降解；衰变 | |
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73
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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74
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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75
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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76
dime
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| n.（指美国、加拿大的钱币）一角 | |
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diplomacy
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| n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕 | |
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78
enlisted
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| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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79
tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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80
bonded
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| n.有担保的，保税的，粘合的 | |
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brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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82
jingle
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| n.叮当声，韵律简单的诗句；v.使叮当作响，叮当响，押韵 | |
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rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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runaway
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| n.逃走的人，逃亡，亡命者；adj.逃亡的，逃走的 | |
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85
disciples
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| n.信徒( disciple的名词复数 )；门徒；耶稣的信徒；（尤指）耶稣十二门徒之一 | |
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squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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stipulated
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| vt.& vi.规定；约定adj.[法]合同规定的 | |
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monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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resounded
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| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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bickering
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| v.争吵( bicker的现在分词 )；口角；（水等）作潺潺声；闪烁 | |
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91
stump
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| n.残株，烟蒂，讲演台；v.砍断，蹒跚而走 | |
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92
logic
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| n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性 | |
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93
sketch
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| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
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94
propensities
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| n.倾向，习性( propensity的名词复数 ) | |
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95
mercurial
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| adj.善变的，活泼的 | |
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96
temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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97
minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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98
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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99
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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100
inflicted
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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101
arraigned
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| v.告发( arraign的过去式和过去分词 )；控告；传讯；指责 | |
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102
honourably
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| adv.可尊敬地，光荣地，体面地 | |
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103
acquitted
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| 宣判…无罪( acquit的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现 | |
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104
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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105
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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106
expiration
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| n.终结，期满，呼气，呼出物 | |
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107
malignity
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| n.极度的恶意，恶毒；（病的）恶性 | |
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108
famished
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| adj.饥饿的 | |
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109
proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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110
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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111
vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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112
inflicting
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的现在分词 ) | |
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113
shambles
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| n.混乱之处；废墟 | |
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114
infliction
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| n.（强加于人身的）痛苦，刑罚 | |
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115
initiated
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| n. 创始人 adj. 新加入的 vt. 开始，创始，启蒙，介绍加入 | |
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116
entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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117
entrap
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| v.以网或陷阱捕捉，使陷入圈套 | |
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118
procuring
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的现在分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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119
affidavits
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| n.宣誓书，（经陈述者宣誓在法律上可采作证据的）书面陈述( affidavit的名词复数 ) | |
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120
scoffing
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| n. 嘲笑, 笑柄, 愚弄 v. 嘲笑, 嘲弄, 愚弄, 狼吞虎咽 | |
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121
rapacity
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| n.贪婪，贪心，劫掠的欲望 | |
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122
gallows
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| n.绞刑架，绞台 | |
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123
inured
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| adj.坚强的，习惯的 | |
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124
demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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125
orphan
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| n.孤儿；adj.无父母的 | |
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126
hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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127
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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128
grits
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| n.粗磨粉；粗面粉；粗燕麦粉；粗玉米粉；细石子，砂粒等( grit的名词复数 )；勇气和毅力v.以沙砾覆盖（某物），撒沙砾于( grit的第三人称单数 )；咬紧牙关 | |
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129
accomplice
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| n.从犯，帮凶，同谋 | |
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130
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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131
qualified
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| adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的 | |
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132
bidders
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| n.出价者，投标人( bidder的名词复数 ) | |
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133
iniquity
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| n.邪恶；不公正 | |
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134
disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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135
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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136
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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137
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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138
enlisting
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| v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的现在分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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139
enquired
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| 打听( enquire的过去式和过去分词 )； 询问； 问问题； 查问 | |
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140
licentious
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| adj.放纵的，淫乱的 | |
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141
profane
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| adj.亵神的，亵渎的；vt.亵渎，玷污 | |
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142
promiscuous
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| adj.杂乱的，随便的 | |
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143
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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144
narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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145
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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146
rebuked
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| 责难或指责( rebuke的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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147
levity
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| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
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148
allurements
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| n.诱惑( allurement的名词复数 )；吸引；诱惑物；有诱惑力的事物 | |
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149
consigned
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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150
denizens
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| n.居民，住户( denizen的名词复数 ) | |
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151
manliness
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| 刚毅 | |
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152
mediation
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| n.调解 | |
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153
wrest
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| n.扭，拧，猛夺；v.夺取，猛扭，歪曲 | |
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154
withhold
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| v.拒绝，不给；使停止，阻挡 | |
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155
undue
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| adj.过分的；不适当的；未到期的 | |
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156
nefarious
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|
| adj.恶毒的，极坏的 | |
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157
intrepid
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| adj.无畏的，刚毅的 | |
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158
infested
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| adj.为患的，大批滋生的（常与with搭配）v.害虫、野兽大批出没于( infest的过去式和过去分词 )；遍布于 | |
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159
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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160
espoused
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| v.（决定）支持，拥护（目标、主张等）( espouse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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161
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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162
pillage
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| v.抢劫；掠夺；n.抢劫，掠夺；掠夺物 | |
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163
slaughtering
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的现在分词 ) | |
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164
besieged
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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165
slaughtered
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| v.屠杀，杀戮，屠宰( slaughter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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166
plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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167
dwellings
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| n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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168
herds
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| 兽群( herd的名词复数 )； 牧群； 人群； 群众 | |
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169
auspices
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| n.资助，赞助 | |
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170
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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171
attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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172
ripened
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| v.成熟，使熟( ripen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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173
regaining
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| 复得( regain的现在分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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174
requite
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| v.报酬，报答 | |
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175
corrupt
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| v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的 | |
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176
rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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177
remonstrated
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| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
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178
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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179
harassed
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| adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
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180
violations
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| 违反( violation的名词复数 )； 冒犯； 违反（行为、事例）； 强奸 | |
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181
speculations
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| n.投机买卖( speculation的名词复数 )；思考；投机活动；推断 | |
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182
beguiled
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| v.欺骗( beguile的过去式和过去分词 )；使陶醉；使高兴；消磨（时间等） | |
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183
pedantic
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| adj.卖弄学问的；迂腐的 | |
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184
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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185
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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186
holder
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| n.持有者，占有者；(台，架等)支持物 | |
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187
intrepidity
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| n.大胆，刚勇；大胆的行为 | |
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188
yelps
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| n.（因痛苦、气愤、兴奋等的）短而尖的叫声( yelp的名词复数 )v.发出短而尖的叫声( yelp的第三人称单数 ) | |
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189
mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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190
murmurs
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| n.低沉、连续而不清的声音( murmur的名词复数 )；低语声；怨言；嘀咕 | |
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191
wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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193
instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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194
hurrah
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| int.好哇，万岁，乌拉 | |
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195
complimentary
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| adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的 | |
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196
exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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197
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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198
blanched
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| v.使变白( blanch的过去式 )；使（植物）不见阳光而变白；酸洗（金属）使有光泽；用沸水烫（杏仁等）以便去皮 | |
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199
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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200
descants
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| n.多声部音乐中的上方声部( descant的名词复数 ) | |
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201
trophy
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| n.优胜旗，奖品，奖杯，战胜品，纪念品 | |
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202
repulses
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| v.击退( repulse的第三人称单数 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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203
canine
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| adj.犬的，犬科的 | |
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204
morsel
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| n.一口，一点点 | |
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205
devour
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| v.吞没；贪婪地注视或谛听，贪读；使着迷 | |
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206
havocked
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| 严重破坏（havoc的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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207
pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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208
laconically
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| adv.简短地，简洁地 | |
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209
moody
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| adj.心情不稳的，易怒的，喜怒无常的 | |
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210
winking
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| n.瞬眼，目语v.使眼色( wink的现在分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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211
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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212
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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213
butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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214
warp
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| vt.弄歪，使翘曲，使不正常，歪曲，使有偏见 | |
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215
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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saucy
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| adj.无礼的；俊俏的；活泼的 | |
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crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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218
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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219
vaults
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| n.拱顶( vault的名词复数 )；地下室；撑物跳高；墓穴 | |
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220
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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221
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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222
humbleness
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| n.谦卑，谦逊；恭顺 | |
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223
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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224
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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225
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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226
downwards
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| adj./adv.向下的（地），下行的（地） | |
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227
lashes
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| n.鞭挞( lash的名词复数 )；鞭子；突然猛烈的一击；急速挥动v.鞭打( lash的第三人称单数 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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228
groans
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| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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229
writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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230
shreds
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| v.撕碎，切碎( shred的第三人称单数 )；用撕毁机撕毁（文件） | |
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231
defiled
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| v.玷污( defile的过去式和过去分词 )；污染；弄脏；纵列行进 | |
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232
galling
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| adj.难堪的,使烦恼的,使焦躁的 | |
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233
vocation
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| n.职业，行业 | |
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234
conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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235
demons
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| n.恶人( demon的名词复数 )；恶魔；精力过人的人；邪念 | |
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