Brian.
Ralph! hearest thou any stirring?
Ralph.
I heard one speak here, hard by, in the hollow. Peace!
master, speak low. Nouns! if I do not hear a bow go off,
Bri.
Stand, or I'll shoot.
Sir Arthur.
Who's there?
Bri.
I am the keeper, and do charge you stand.
You have stolen my deer.
---Merry Devil of Edmonton.
Luke's first impulse had been to free himself from the restraint imposed by his grandsire's society. He longed to commune with himself. Leaping the small boundary-wall, which defended the churchyard from a deep green lane, he hurried along in a direction contrary to that taken by the sexton, making the best of his way until he arrived at a gap in the high-banked hazel hedge which overhung the road. Heedless of the impediments thrown in his way by the undergrowth of a rough ring fence, he struck through the opening that presented itself, and, climbing over the moss-grown paling, trod presently upon the elastic4 sward of Rookwood Park.
A few minutes' rapid walking brought him to the summit of a rising ground crowned with aged5 oaks and, as he passed beneath their broad shadows, his troubled spirit, soothed6 by the quietude of the scene, in part resumed its serenity7.
Luke yielded to the gentle influence of the time and hour. The stillness of the spot allayed8 the irritation9 of his frame, and the dewy chillness cooled the fever of his brow. Leaning for support against the gnarled trunk of one of the trees, he gave himself up to contemplation. The events of the last hour--of his whole existence--passed in rapid review before him. The thought of the wayward, vagabond life he had led; of the wild adventures of his youth; of all he had been; of all he had done, of all he had endured--crowded his mind; and then, like the passing of a cloud flitting across the autumnal moon, and occasionally obscuring the smiling landscape before him, his soul was shadowed by the remembrance of the awful revelations of the last hour, and the fearful knowledge he had acquired of his mother's fate--of his father's guilt11.
The eminence12 on which he stood was one of the highest points of the park, and commanded a view of the hall, which might be a quarter of a mile distant, discernible through a broken vista13 of trees, its whitened walls glimmering15 in the moonlight, and its tall chimney spiring16 far from out the round masses of wood in which it lay embosomed. The ground gradually sloped in that direction, occasionally rising into swells18, studded with magnificent timber--dipping into smooth dells, or stretching out into level glades19, until it suddenly sank into a deep declivity20, that formed an effectual division, without the intervention21 of a haw-haw, or other barrier, between the chase and the home-park. A slender stream strayed through this ravine, having found its way thither22 from a small reservoir, hidden in the higher plantations23 to the left; and further on, in the open ground, and in a line with the hall, though, of course, much below the level of the building, assisted by many local springs, and restrained by a variety of natural and artificial embankments, this brook25 spread out into an expansive sheet of water. Crossed by a rustic26 bridge, the only communication between the parks, the pool found its outlet28 into the meads below; and even at that distance, and in that still hour, you might almost catch the sound of the brawling29 waters, as they dashed down the weir30 in a foaming31 cascade32; while, far away, in the spreading valley, the serpentine33 meanderings of the slender current might be traced, glittering like silvery threads in the moonshine. The mild beams of the queen of night, then in her meridian34, trembled upon the topmost branches of the tall timber, quivering like diamond spray upon the outer foliage35; and, penetrating36 through the interstices of the trees, fell upon the light wreaths of vapor37 then beginning to arise from the surface of the pool, steeping them in misty38 splendor39, and lending to this part of the picture a character of dreamy and unearthly beauty.
All else was in unison40. No sound interrupted the silence of Luke's solitude41, except the hooting42 of a large gray owl10, that, scared at his approach, or in search of prey43, winged its spectral44 flight in continuous and mazy circles round his head, uttering at each wheel its startling whoop45; or a deep, distant bay, that ever and anon boomed upon the ear, proceeding46 from a pack of hounds kennelled in a shed adjoining the pool before mentioned, but which was shrouded47 from view by the rising mist. No living objects presented themselves, save a herd48 of deer, crouched49 in a covert50 of brown fern beneath the shadow of a few stunted51 trees, immediately below the point of land on which Luke stood; and although their branching antlers could scarcely be detected from the ramifications52 of the wood itself, they escaped not his practised ken3.
"How often," murmured Luke, "in years gone by, have I traversed these moonlit glades, and wandered amidst these woodlands, on nights heavenly as this--ay, and to some purpose, as yon thinned herd might testify! Every dingle, every dell, every rising brow, every bosky vale and shelving covert, have been as familiar to my track as to that of the fleetest and freest of their number: scarce a tree amidst the thickest of yon outstretching forest with which I cannot claim acquaintance; 'tis long since I have seen them. By Heavens! 'tis beautiful! and it is all my own! Can I forget that it was here I first emancipated53 myself from thraldom54? Can I forget the boundless55 feeling of delight that danced within my veins56 when I first threw off the yoke57 of servitude, and roved unshackled, unrestrained, amidst these woods? The wild intoxicating58 bliss59 still tingles60 to my heart. And they are all my own--my own! Softly, what have we there?"
Luke's attention was arrested by an object which could not fail to interest him, sportsman as he was. A snorting bray was heard, and a lordly stag stalked slowly and majestically61 from out the copse. Luke watched the actions of the noble animal with great interest, drawing back into the shade. A hundred yards, or thereabouts, might be between him and the buck. It was within range of ball. Luke mechanically grasped his gun; yet his hand had scarcely raised the piece half way to his shoulder, when he dropped it again to its rest.
"What am I about to do?" he mentally ejaculated. "Why, for mere62 pastime, should I take away yon noble creature's life, when his carcass would be utterly63 useless to me? Yet such is the force of habit, that I can scarce resist the impulse that tempted64 me to fire; and I have known the time, and that not long since, when I should have shown no such self-control."
Unconscious of the danger it had escaped, the animal moved forward with the same stately step. Suddenly it stopped, with ears pricked65, as if some sound had smote66 them. At that instant the click of a gun-lock was heard, at a little distance to the right. The piece had missed fire. An instantaneous report from another gun succeeded; and, with a bound high in air, the buck fell upon his back, struggling in the agonies of death. Luke had at once divined the cause; he was aware that poachers were at hand. He fancied that he knew the parties; nor was he deceived in his conjecture67. Two figures issued instantly from a covert on the right, and making to the spot, the first who reached it put an end to the animal's struggles by plunging68 a knife into its throat. The affrighted herd took to their heels, and were seen darting69 swiftly down the chase.
One of the twain, meantime, was occupied in feeling for the deer's fat, when he was approached by the other, who pointed70 in the direction of the house. The former raised himself from his kneeling posture71, and both appeared to listen attentively72. Luke fancied he heard a slight sound in the distance; whatever the noise proceeded from, it was evident the deer-stealers were alarmed. They laid hold of the buck, and, dragging it along, concealed73 the carcass among the tall fern; they then retreated, halting for an instant to deliberate, within a few yards of Luke, who was concealed from their view by the trunk of the tree, behind which he had ensconced his person. They were so near, that he lost not a word of their muttered conference.
"The game's spoiled this time, Rob Rust27, any how," growled74 one, in an angry tone; "the hawks75 are upon us, and we must leave this brave buck to take care of himself. Curse him!--who'd 'a' thought of Hugh Badger76's quitting his bed to-night? Respect for his late master might have kept him quiet the night before the funeral. But look out, lad. Dost see 'em?"
"Ay, thanks to old Oliver--yonder they are," returned the other. "One--two--three--and a muzzled77 bouser to boot. There's Hugh at the head on 'em. Shall we stand and show fight? I have half a mind for it."
"No, no," replied the first speaker; "that will never do, Rob--no fighting. Why run the risk of being grabb'd for a haunch of venison? Had Luke Bradley or Jack79 Palmer been with us, it might have been another affair. As it is, it won't pay. Besides, we've that to do at the hall to-morrow night that may make men of us for the rest of our nat'ral lives. We've pledged ourselves to Jack Palmer, and we can't be off in honor. It won't do to be snabbled in the nick of it. So let's make for the prad in the lane. Keep in the shade as much as you can. Come along, my hearty80." And away the two worthies81 scampered82 down the hill-side.
"Shall I follow," thought Luke, "and run the risk of falling into the keeper's hand, just at this crisis, too? No, but if I am found here, I shall be taken for one of the gang. Something must be done--ha!--devil take them, here they are already."
Further time was not allowed him for reflection. A hoarse83 baying was heard, followed by a loud cry from the keepers. The dog had scented85 out the game; and, as secrecy86 was no longer necessary, his muzzle78 had been removed. To rush forth87 now were certain betrayal; to remain was almost equally assured detection; and, doubting whether he should obtain credence88 if he delivered himself over in that garb89 and armed, Luke at once rejected the idea. Just then it flashed across his recollection that his gun had remained unloaded, and he applied90 himself eagerly to repair this negligence91, when he heard the dog in full cry, making swiftly in his direction. He threw himself upon the ground, where the fern was thickest; but this seemed insufficient92 to baffle the sagacity of the hound--the animal had got his scent84, and was baying close at hand. The keepers were drawing nigh. Luke gave himself up for lost. The dog, however, stopped where the two poachers had halted, and was there completely at fault: snuffing the ground, he bayed, wheeled round, and then set off with renewed barking upon their track. Hugh Badger and his comrades loitered an instant at the same place, looked warily93 round, and then, as Luke conjectured94, followed the course taken by the hound.
Swift as thought, Luke arose, and keeping as much as possible under cover of the trees, started in a cross line for the lane. Rapid as was his flight, it was not without a witness: one of the keeper's assistants, who had lagged behind, gave the view-halloo in a loud voice. Luke pressed forward with redoubled energy, endeavoring to gain the shelter of the plantation24, and this he could readily have accomplished95, had no impediment been in his way. But his rage and vexation were boundless, when he heard the keeper's cry echoed by shouts immediately below him, and the tongue of the hound resounding96 in the hollow. He turned sharply round, steering97 a middle course, and still aiming at the fence. It was evident, from the cheers of his pursuers, that he was in full view, and he heard them encouraging and directing the dog.
Luke had gained the park palings, along which he rushed, in the vain quest of some practicable point of egress98, for the fence was higher in this part of the park than elsewhere, owing to the inequality of the ground. He had cast away his gun as useless. But even without that incumbrance, he dared not hazard the delay of climbing the palings. At this juncture99 a deep breathing was heard close behind him. He threw a glance over his shoulder. Within a few yards was a ferocious100 bloodhound, with whose savage101 nature Luke was well acquainted; the breed, some of which he had already seen, having been maintained at the hall ever since the days of grim old Sir Ranulph. The eyes of the hound were glaring, blood-red; his tongue was hanging out, and a row of keen white fangs102 was displayed, like the teeth of a shark. There was a growl--a leap--and the dog was close upon him.
Luke's courage was undoubted. But his heart failed him as he heard the roar of the remorseless brute103, and felt that he could not avoid an encounter with the animal. His resolution was instantly taken: he stopped short with such suddenness, that the dog, when in the act of springing, flew past him with great violence, and the time, momentary104 as it was, occupied by the animal in recovering himself, enabled Luke to drop on his knee, and to place one arm, like a buckler, before his face, while he held the other in readiness to grapple his adversary105. Uttering a fierce yell, the hound returned to the charge, darting at Luke, who received the assault without flinching106; and in spite of a severe laceration of the arm, he seized his foe107 by the throat, and hurling108 him upon the ground, jumped with all his force upon his belly109. There was a yell of agony--the contest was ended, and Luke was at liberty to pursue his flight unmolested.
Brief as had been the interval110 required for this combat, it had been sufficient to bring the pursuers within sight of the fugitive111. Hugh Badger, who from the acclivity had witnessed the fate of his favorite, with a loud oath discharged the contents of his gun at the head of its destroyer. It was fortunate for Luke that at this instant he stumbled over the root of a tree--the shot rattled112 in the leaves as he fell, and the keeper, concluding that he had at least winged his bird, descended113 more leisurely114 towards him. As he lay upon the ground, Luke felt that he was wounded; whether by the teeth of the dog, from a stray shot, or from bruises115 inflicted116 by the fall, he could not determine. But, smarting with pain, he resolved to wreak117 his vengeance118 upon the first person who approached him. He vowed119 not to be taken with life--to strangle any who should lay hands upon him. At that moment he felt a pressure at his breast. It was the dead hand of his mother!
Luke shuddered120. The fire of revenge was quenched121. He mentally cancelled his rash oath; yet he could not bring himself to surrender at discretion122, and without further effort. The keeper and his assistants were approaching the spot where he lay, and searching for his body. Hugh Badger was foremost, and within a yard of him.
The words were scarcely out of his mouth ere the speaker was dashed backwards124, and lay sprawling125 upon the sod. Suddenly and unexpectedly, as an Indian chief might rush upon his foes126, Luke arose, dashing himself with great violence against Hugh, who happened to stand in his way, and before the startled assistants, who were either too much taken by surprise, or unwilling127 to draw a trigger, could in any way lay hands upon him, exerting all the remarkable128 activity which he possessed129, he caught hold of a projecting branch of a tree, and swung himself, at a single bound, fairly over the paling.
Hugh Badger was shortly on his legs, swearing lustily at his defeat. Directing his men to skirt alongside the fence, and make for a particular part of the plantation which he named, and snatching a loaded fowling-piece from one of them, he clambered over the pales, and guided by the crashing branches and other sounds conveyed to his quick ear, he was speedily upon Luke's track.
The plantation through which the chase now took place was not, as might be supposed, a continuation of the ring fence which Luke had originally crossed on his entrance into the park, though girded by the same line of paling, but, in reality, a close pheasant preserve, occupying the banks of a ravine, which, after a deep and tortuous130 course, terminated in the declivity heretofore described as forming the park boundary. Luke plunged131 into the heart of this defile133, fighting his way downwards134, in the direction of the brook. His progress was impeded135 by a thick undergrowth of brier, and other matted vegetation, as well as by the entanglements136 thrown in his way by the taller bushes of thorn and hazel, the entwined and elastic branches of which, in their recoil137, galled138 and fretted139 him, by inflicting140 smart blows on his face and hands. This was a hardship he usually little regarded. But, upon the present occasion, it had the effect, by irritating his temper, of increasing the thirst of vengeance raging in his bosom17.
Through the depths of the ravine welled the shallow stream before alluded141 to, and Hugh Badger had no sooner reached its sedgy margin142 than he lost all trace of the fugitive. He looked cautiously round, listened intently, and inclined his ear to catch the faintest echo. All was still: not a branch shook, not a leaf rustled143. Hugh looked aghast. He had made sure of getting a glimpse, and, perhaps, a stray shot at the "poaching rascal," as he termed him, "in the open space, which he was sure the fellow was aiming to reach; and now, all at once, he had disappeared, like a will-o'-the-wisp or a boggart of the clough." However, he could not be far off, and Hugh endeavored to obtain some clue to guide him in his quest. He was not long in detecting recent marks deeply indented144 in the mud on the opposite bank. Hugh leaped thither at once. Further on, some rushes were trodden down, and there were other indications of the course the fugitive had taken.
"Hark forward!" shouted Hugh, in the joy of his heart at this discovery; and, like a well-trained dog, he followed up with alacrity145 the scent he had opened. The brook presented still fewer impediments to expedition than the thick copse, and the keeper pursued the wanderings of the petty current, occasionally splashing into the stream. Here and there, the print of a foot on the soil satisfied him he was in the right path. At length he became aware, from the crumbling146 soil, that the object of his pursuit had scaled the bank, and he forthwith moderated his pace. Halting, he perceived what he took to be a face peeping at him from behind a knot of alders147 that overhung the steep and shelving bank immediately above him. His gun was instantly at his shoulder.
"Come down, you infernal deer-stealing scoundrel," cried Hugh, "or I'll blow you to shivers."
No answer was returned: expostulation was vain; and, fearful of placing himself at a disadvantage if he attempted to scale the bank, Hugh fired without further parley148. The sharp discharge rolled in echoes down the ravine, and a pheasant, scared by the sound, answered the challenge from a neighboring tree. Hugh was an unerring marksman, and on this occasion his aim had been steadily149 taken. The result was not precisely150 such as he had anticipated. A fur cap, shaken by the shot from the bough151 on which it hung, came rolling down the bank, proclaiming the ruse152 that had been practised upon the keeper. Little time was allowed him for reflection. Before he could reload, he felt himself collared by the iron arm of Luke.
Hugh Badger was a man of great personal strength--square-set, bandy-legged, with a prodigious153 width of chest, and a frame like a Hercules, and, energetic as was Luke's assault, he maintained his ground without flinching. The struggle was desperate. Luke was of slighter proportion, though exceeding the keeper in stature154 by the head and shoulders. This superiority availed him little. It was rather a disadvantage in the conflict that ensued. The gripe fastened upon Hugh's throat was like that of a clenched155 vice156. But Luke might as well have grappled the neck of a bull, as that of the stalwart keeper. Defending himself with his hobnail boots, with which he inflicted several severe blows upon Luke's shins, and struggling vehemently157, Hugh succeeded in extricating158 himself from his throttling159 grasp; he then closed with his foe, and they were locked together, like a couple of bears at play. Straining, tugging160, and practising every sleight161 and stratagem162 coming within the scope of feet, knees, and thighs--now tripping, now jerking, now advancing, now retreating, they continued the strife163, but all with doubtful result. Victory, at length, seemed to declare itself in favor of the sturdy keeper. Aware of his opponent's strength, it was Luke's chief endeavor to keep his lower limbs disengaged, and to trust more to skill than force for ultimate success. To prevent this was Hugh's grand object. Guarding himself against every feint, he ultimately succeeded in firmly grappling his agile164 assailant. Luke's spine165 was almost broken by the shock, when he suddenly gave way; and, without losing his balance, drew his adversary forward, kicking his right leg from under him. With a crash like that of an uprooted166 oak, Hugh fell, with his foe upon him, into the bed of the rivulet167.
Not a word had been spoken during the conflict. A convulsive groan168 burst from Hugh's hardy169 breast. His hand sought his girdle, but in vain; his knife was gone. Gazing upwards170, his dancing vision encountered the glimmer14 of the blade. The weapon had dropped from its case in the fall. Luke brandished171 it before his eyes.
"Villain172!" gasped173 Hugh, ineffectually struggling to free himself, "you will not murder me?" And his efforts to release himself became desperate.
"No," answered Luke, flinging the uplifted knife into the brook. "I will not do that, though thou hast twice aimed at my life to-night. But I will silence thee, at all events." Saying which, he dealt the keeper a blow on the head that terminated all further resistance on his part.
Leaving the inert174 mass to choke up the current, with whose waters the blood, oozing175 from the wound, began to commingle176, Luke prepared to depart. His perils177 were not yet past. Guided by the firing, the report of which alarmed them, the keeper's assistants hastened in the direction of the sound, presenting themselves directly in the path Luke was about to take. He had either to retrace178 his steps, or face a double enemy. His election was made at once. He turned and fled.
For an instant the men tarried with their bleeding companion. They then dragged him from the brook, and with loud oaths followed in pursuit.
Threading, for a second time, the bosky labyrinth179, Luke sought the source of the stream. This was precisely the course his enemies would have desired him to pursue; and when they beheld180 him take it, they felt confident of his capture.
The sides of the hollow became more and more abrupt181 as they advanced, though they were less covered with brushwood. The fugitive made no attempt to climb the bank, but still pressed forward. The road was tortuous, and wound round a jutting182 point of rock. Now he was a fair mark--no, he had swept swiftly by, and was out of sight before a gun could be raised. They reached the same point. He was still before them, but his race was nearly run. Steep, slippery rocks, shelving down to the edges of a small, deep pool of water, the source of the stream, formed an apparently183 insurmountable barrier in that direction. Rooted--Heaven knows how!--in some reft or fissure184 of the rock, grew a wild ash, throwing out a few boughs185 over the solitary186 pool; this was all the support Luke could hope for, should he attempt to scale the rock. The rock was sheer--the pool deep--yet still he hurried on. He reached the muddy embankment; mounted its sides; and seemed to hesitate. The keepers were now within a hundred yards of him. Both guns were discharged. And, sudden as the reports, with a dead, splashless plunge132, like a diving otter187, the fugitive dropped into the water.
The pursuers were at the brink188. They gazed at the pool. A few bubbles floated upon its surface, and burst. The water was slightly discolored with sand. No ruddier stain crimsoned189 the tide; no figure rested on the naked rock; no hand clung to the motionless tree.
"Devil take the rascal!" growled one; "I hope he harn't escaped us, arter all."
"Noa, noa, he be fast enough, never fear," rejoined the other; "sticking like a snig at the bottom o' the pond; and, dang him! he deserves it, for he's slipped out of our fingers like a snig often enough to-night. But come, let's be stumping190, and give poor Hugh Badger a helping191 hand."
Whereupon they returned to the assistance of the wounded and discomfited192 keeper.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
buck
|
|
| n.雄鹿，雄兔；v.马离地跳跃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
bray
|
|
| n.驴叫声, 喇叭声；v.驴叫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
ken
|
|
| n.视野，知识领域 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
elastic
|
|
| n.橡皮圈，松紧带；adj.有弹性的；灵活的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
aged
|
|
| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
soothed
|
|
| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
serenity
|
|
| n.宁静，沉着，晴朗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
allayed
|
|
| v.减轻，缓和( allay的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
irritation
|
|
| n.激怒，恼怒，生气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
owl
|
|
| n.猫头鹰，枭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
guilt
|
|
| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
eminence
|
|
| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
vista
|
|
| n.远景，深景，展望，回想 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
glimmer
|
|
| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
glimmering
|
|
| n.微光，隐约的一瞥adj.薄弱地发光的v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
spiring
|
|
| v.（教堂的） 塔尖，尖顶( spire的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
bosom
|
|
| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
swells
|
|
| 增强( swell的第三人称单数 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
glades
|
|
| n.林中空地( glade的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
declivity
|
|
| n.下坡，倾斜面 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
intervention
|
|
| n.介入，干涉，干预 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
thither
|
|
| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
plantations
|
|
| n.种植园，大农场( plantation的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
plantation
|
|
| n.种植园，大农场 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
brook
|
|
| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
rustic
|
|
| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
rust
|
|
| n.锈；v.生锈；(脑子)衰退 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
outlet
|
|
| n.出口/路；销路；批发商店；通风口；发泄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
brawling
|
|
| n.争吵，喧嚷 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
weir
|
|
| n.堰堤，拦河坝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
foaming
|
|
| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
cascade
|
|
| n.小瀑布，喷流；层叠；vi.成瀑布落下 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
serpentine
|
|
| adj.蜿蜒的，弯曲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
meridian
|
|
| adj.子午线的；全盛期的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
foliage
|
|
| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
penetrating
|
|
| adj.（声音）响亮的，尖锐的adj.（气味）刺激的adj.（思想）敏锐的，有洞察力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
vapor
|
|
| n.蒸汽，雾气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
misty
|
|
| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
splendor
|
|
| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
unison
|
|
| n.步调一致，行动一致 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
solitude
|
|
| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
hooting
|
|
| （使）作汽笛声响，作汽车喇叭声( hoot的现在分词 )； 倒好儿； 倒彩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
prey
|
|
| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
spectral
|
|
| adj.幽灵的，鬼魂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
whoop
|
|
| n.大叫，呐喊，喘息声；v.叫喊，喘息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
proceeding
|
|
| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
shrouded
|
|
| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
herd
|
|
| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
crouched
|
|
| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
covert
|
|
| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
stunted
|
|
| adj.矮小的；发育迟缓的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
ramifications
|
|
| n.结果，后果( ramification的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
emancipated
|
|
| adj.被解放的，不受约束的v.解放某人（尤指摆脱政治、法律或社会的束缚）( emancipate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
thraldom
|
|
| n.奴隶的身份，奴役，束缚 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
55
boundless
|
|
| adj.无限的；无边无际的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
veins
|
|
| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
yoke
|
|
| n.轭；支配；v.给...上轭，连接，使成配偶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
intoxicating
|
|
| a. 醉人的,使人兴奋的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
bliss
|
|
| n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
tingles
|
|
| n.刺痛感( tingle的名词复数 )v.有刺痛感( tingle的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
majestically
|
|
| 雄伟地； 庄重地； 威严地； 崇高地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
mere
|
|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
utterly
|
|
| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
tempted
|
|
| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
pricked
|
|
| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
smote
|
|
| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
conjecture
|
|
| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
plunging
|
|
| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
darting
|
|
| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
posture
|
|
| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
attentively
|
|
| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
concealed
|
|
| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
growled
|
|
| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
hawks
|
|
| 鹰( hawk的名词复数 )； 鹰派人物，主战派人物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
badger
|
|
| v.一再烦扰，一再要求，纠缠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
muzzled
|
|
| 给（狗等）戴口套( muzzle的过去式和过去分词 )； 使缄默，钳制…言论 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
muzzle
|
|
| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
jack
|
|
| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
hearty
|
|
| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
worthies
|
|
| 应得某事物( worthy的名词复数 )； 值得做某事； 可尊敬的； 有（某人或事物）的典型特征 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
scampered
|
|
| v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑，惊惶奔跑( scamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
hoarse
|
|
| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
scent
|
|
| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
scented
|
|
| adj.有香味的；洒香水的；有气味的v.嗅到(scent的过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
secrecy
|
|
| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
credence
|
|
| n.信用，祭器台，供桌，凭证 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
garb
|
|
| n.服装，装束 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
applied
|
|
| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
negligence
|
|
| n.疏忽，玩忽，粗心大意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
insufficient
|
|
| adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
warily
|
|
| adv.留心地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
conjectured
|
|
| 推测，猜测，猜想( conjecture的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
accomplished
|
|
| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
resounding
|
|
| adj. 响亮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
steering
|
|
| n.操舵装置 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
egress
|
|
| n.出去；出口 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
juncture
|
|
| n.时刻，关键时刻，紧要关头 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
ferocious
|
|
| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
savage
|
|
| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
fangs
|
|
| n.（尤指狗和狼的）长而尖的牙( fang的名词复数 )；（蛇的）毒牙；罐座 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
brute
|
|
| n.野兽，兽性 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
momentary
|
|
| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
adversary
|
|
| adj.敌手，对手 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
flinching
|
|
| v.（因危险和痛苦）退缩，畏惧( flinch的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
foe
|
|
| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
hurling
|
|
| n.爱尔兰式曲棍球v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的现在分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
belly
|
|
| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
interval
|
|
| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
fugitive
|
|
| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
rattled
|
|
| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
descended
|
|
| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
leisurely
|
|
| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
bruises
|
|
| n.瘀伤，伤痕，擦伤( bruise的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
inflicted
|
|
| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
wreak
|
|
| v.发泄；报复 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
vengeance
|
|
| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
vowed
|
|
| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
shuddered
|
|
| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
quenched
|
|
| 解（渴）( quench的过去式和过去分词 )； 终止（某事物）； （用水）扑灭（火焰等）； 将（热物体）放入水中急速冷却 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
discretion
|
|
| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
rascal
|
|
| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
backwards
|
|
| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
sprawling
|
|
| adj.蔓生的，不规则地伸展的v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的现在分词 )；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
foes
|
|
| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
unwilling
|
|
| adj.不情愿的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
remarkable
|
|
| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
possessed
|
|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
tortuous
|
|
| adj.弯弯曲曲的，蜿蜒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
plunged
|
|
| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
plunge
|
|
| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
defile
|
|
| v.弄污，弄脏；n.(山间)小道 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
downwards
|
|
| adj./adv.向下的（地），下行的（地） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
impeded
|
|
| 阻碍，妨碍，阻止( impede的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
entanglements
|
|
| n.瓜葛( entanglement的名词复数 )；牵连；纠缠；缠住 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
recoil
|
|
| vi.退却，退缩，畏缩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
galled
|
|
| v.使…擦痛( gall的过去式和过去分词 )；擦伤；烦扰；侮辱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
fretted
|
|
| 焦躁的，附有弦马的，腐蚀的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
inflicting
|
|
| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
alluded
|
|
| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
margin
|
|
| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
rustled
|
|
| v.发出沙沙的声音( rustle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
indented
|
|
| adj.锯齿状的，高低不平的；缩进排版 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
alacrity
|
|
| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
crumbling
|
|
| adj.摇摇欲坠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
alders
|
|
| n.桤木( alder的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
148
parley
|
|
| n.谈判 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
149
steadily
|
|
| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
150
precisely
|
|
| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
151
bough
|
|
| n.大树枝，主枝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
152
ruse
|
|
| n.诡计，计策；诡计 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
153
prodigious
|
|
| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
154
stature
|
|
| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
155
clenched
|
|
| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
156
vice
|
|
| n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
157
vehemently
|
|
| adv. 热烈地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
158
extricating
|
|
| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
159
throttling
|
|
| v.扼杀( throttle的现在分词 )；勒死；使窒息；压制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
160
tugging
|
|
| n.牵引感v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
161
sleight
|
|
| n.技巧，花招 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
162
stratagem
|
|
| n.诡计，计谋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
163
strife
|
|
| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
164
agile
|
|
| adj.敏捷的，灵活的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
165
spine
|
|
| n.脊柱，脊椎；(动植物的)刺；书脊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
166
uprooted
|
|
| v.把（某物）连根拔起( uproot的过去式和过去分词 )；根除；赶走；把…赶出家园 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
167
rivulet
|
|
| n.小溪，小河 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
168
groan
|
|
| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
169
hardy
|
|
| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
170
upwards
|
|
| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
171
brandished
|
|
| v.挥舞( brandish的过去式和过去分词 )；炫耀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
172
villain
|
|
| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
173
gasped
|
|
| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
174
inert
|
|
| adj.无活动能力的，惰性的；迟钝的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
175
oozing
|
|
| v.（浓液等）慢慢地冒出，渗出( ooze的现在分词 )；使（液体）缓缓流出；（浓液）渗出，慢慢流出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
176
commingle
|
|
| v.混合 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
177
perils
|
|
| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
178
retrace
|
|
| v.折回；追溯，探源 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
179
labyrinth
|
|
| n.迷宫；难解的事物；迷路 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
180
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： |
|
|
|
|
181
abrupt
|
|
| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
182
jutting
|
|
| v.（使）突出( jut的现在分词 )；伸出；（从…）突出；高出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
183
apparently
|
|
| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
184
fissure
|
|
| n.裂缝；裂伤 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
185
boughs
|
|
| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
186
solitary
|
|
| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
187
otter
|
|
| n.水獭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
188
brink
|
|
| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
189
crimsoned
|
|
| 变为深红色（crimson的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
190
stumping
|
|
| 僵直地行走，跺步行走( stump的现在分词 )； 把（某人）难住； 使为难； （选举前）在某一地区作政治性巡回演说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
191
helping
|
|
| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
192
discomfited
|
|
| v.使为难( discomfit的过去式和过去分词)；使狼狈；使挫折；挫败 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |