I see a column of slow-rising smoke
O'ertop the lofty wood, that skirts the wild.
---COWPER: The Task.
"The top of the morning to you, gem'men," said Turpin, as he rode up at an easy canter. "Did you not hear my halloo? I caught a glimpse of you on the hill yonder. I knew you both, two miles off; and so, having a word or two to say to you, Luke Bradley, before I leave this part of the country, I put Bess to it, and she soon brought me within hail. Bless her black skin," added he, affectionately patting his horse's neck, "there's not her match in these parts, or in any other; she wants no coaxing3 to do her work--no bleeders for her. I should have been up with you before this had I not taken a cross cut to look at poor Ben.
To Bagshot Heath I did repair,
And saw Will Davies hanging there,
With a rustified, fustified, mustified air.
Excuse my singing. The sight of a gibbet always puts me in mind of the Golden Farmer. May I ask whither you are bound, comrades?"
"Comrades!" whispered the sexton to Luke; "you see he does not so easily forget his old friends."
"I have business that will not admit of delay," rejoined Luke; "and to speak plainly----"
"You want not my society," returned Turpin; "I guessed as much. Natural enough! You have got an inkling of your good fortune. You have found out you are a rich man's heir, not a poor wench's bastard7. No offence; I'm a plain spoken man, as you will find, if you know it not already. I have no objection to your playing these fine tricks on others, though it won't answer your turn to do so with me."
"Sir!" exclaimed Luke, sharply.
"Sir to you," replied Turpin--"Sir Luke--as I suppose you would now choose to be addressed. I am aware of all. A nod is as good as a wink9 to me. Last night I learned the fact of Sir Piers10's marriage from Lady Rookwood--ay, from her ladyship. You stare--and old Peter, there, opens his ogles11 now. She let it out by accident; and I am in possession of what can alone substantiate12 your father's first marriage, and establish your claims to the property."
"The devil!" cried the sexton; adding, in a whisper to Luke, "You had better not be precipitate13 in dropping so obliging an acquaintance."
"You are jesting," said Luke to Turpin.
"It is ill jesting before breakfast," returned Dick: "I am seldom in the mood for a joke so early. What if a certain marriage certificate had fallen into my hand?"
"A marriage certificate!" echoed Luke and the sexton simultaneously14.
"The only existing proof of the union of Sir Piers Rookwood with Susan Bradley," continued Turpin. "What if I had stumbled upon such a document--nay15 more, if I knew where to direct you to it?"
"Peace!" cried Luke to his tormentor16; and then addressing Turpin, "if what you say be true, my quest is at an end. All that I need, you appear to possess. Other proofs are secondary to this. I know with whom I have to deal. What do you demand for that certificate?"
"We will talk about the matter after breakfast," said Turpin. "I wish to treat with you as friend with friend. Meet me on those terms, and I am your man; reject my offer, and I turn my mare's head, and ride back to Rookwood. With me now rest all your hopes. I have dealt fairly with you, and I expect to be fairly dealt with in return. It were idle to say, now I have an opportunity, that I should not turn this luck to my account. I were a fool to do otherwise. You cannot expect it. And then I have Rust6 and Wilder to settle with. Though I have left them behind, they know my destination. We have been old associates. I like your spirit--I care not for your haughtiness18; but I will not help you up the ladder to be kicked down myself. Now you understand me. Whither are you bound?"
"To Davenham Priory, the gipsy camp."
"The gipsies are your friends?"
"They are."
"I am alone."
"You are safe."
"You pledge your word that all shall be on the square. You will not mention to one of that canting crew what I have told you?"
"Whom do you except?"
"A woman."
"Bad! never trust a petticoat."
"I will answer for her with my life."
"And for your granddad there?"
"He will answer for himself," said Peter. "You need not fear treachery in me. Honor among thieves, you know."
"Or where else should you seek it?" rejoined Turpin; "for it has left all other classes of society. Your highwayman is your only man of honor. I will trust you both; and you shall find you may trust me. After breakfast, as I said before, we will bring the matter to a conclusion. Tip us your daddle, Sir Luke, and I am satisfied. You shall rule in Rookwood, I'll engage, ere a week be flown; and then---- But so much parleying is dull work; let's make the best of our way to breakfast."
And away they cantered.
A narrow bridle21-road conducted them singly through the defiles22 of a thick wood. Their route lay in the shade, and the air felt chilly23 amidst the trees, the sun not having attained24 sufficient altitude to penetrate25 its depths, while overhead all was warmth and light. Quivering on the tops of the timber, the horizontal sunbeams created, in their refraction, brilliant prismatic colorings, and filled the air with motes26 like golden dust. Our horsemen heeded27 not the sunshine or the shade. Occupied each with his own train of thought, they silently rode on.
Davenham Wood, through which they urged their course, had, in the olden time, been a forest of some extent. It was then an appendage29 to the domains30 of Rookwood, but had passed from the hands of that family to those of a wealthy adjoining landowner and lawyer, Sir Edward Davenham, in the keeping of whose descendants it had ever after continued. A noble wood it was, and numbered many patriarchal trees. Ancient oaks, with broad, gnarled limbs, which the storms of five hundred years had vainly striven to uproot32, and which were now sternly decaying; gigantic beech33 trees, with silvery stems shooting smoothly34 upwards35, sustaining branches of such size, that each, dissevered, would in itself have formed a tree, populous37 with leaves, and variegated38 with rich autumnal tints39; the sprightly40 sycamore, the dark chestnut41, the weird42 wych-elm, the majestic43 elm itself, festooned with ivy44, every variety of wood, dark, dense45, and intricate, composed the forest through which they rode; and so multitudinous was the timber, so closely planted, so entirely46 filled up with a thick, matted vegetation, which had been allowed to collect beneath, that little view was afforded, had any been desired by the parties, into the labyrinth47 of the grove48. Tree after tree, clad in the glowing livery of the season, was passed, and as rapidly succeeded by others. Occasionally a bough49 projected over their path, compelling the riders to incline their heads as they passed; but, heedless of such difficulties, they pressed on. Now the road grew lighter50, and they became at once sensible of the genial51 influence of the sun. The transition was as agreeable as instantaneous. They had opened upon an extensive plantation52 of full-grown pines, whose tall, branchless stems grew up like a forest of masts, and freely admitted the pleasant sunshine. Beneath those trees, the soil was sandy and destitute53 of all undergrowth, though covered with brown, hair-like fibres and dry cones55, shed by the pines. The agile56 squirrel, that freest denizen57 of the grove, starting from the ground as the horsemen galloped59 on, sprang up the nearest tree, and might be seen angrily gazing at the disturbers of his haunts, beating the branches with his fore1 feet, in expression of displeasure; the rabbit darted60 across their path; the jays flew screaming amongst the foliage61; the blue cushat, scared at the clatter62 of the horses' hoofs64, sped on swift wing into quarters secure from their approach; while the parti-colored pies, like curious village gossips, congregated66 to peer at the strangers, expressing their astonishment67 by loud and continuous chattering68. Though so gentle of ascent69 as to be almost imperceptible, it was still evident that the path they were pursuing gradually mounted a hill-side; and when at length they reached an opening, the view disclosed the eminence71 they had insensibly won. Pausing for a moment upon the brow of the hill, Luke pointed72 to a stream that wound through the valley, and, tracing its course, indicated a particular spot amongst the trees. There was no appearance of a dwelling73 house--no cottage roof, no white canvas shed, to point out the tents of the wandering tribe whose abode74 they were seeking. The only circumstance betokening75 that it had once been the haunt of man were a few gray monastic ruins, scarce distinguishable from the stony76 barrier by which they were surrounded; and the sole evidence that it was still frequented by human beings was a thin column of pale blue smoke, that arose in curling wreaths from out the brake, the light-colored vapor77 beautifully contrasting with the green umbrage78 whence it issued.
"Our destination is yonder," exclaimed Luke, pointing in the direction of the vapor.
"I am glad to hear it," cried Turpin, "as well as to perceive there is some one awake. That smoke holds out a prospect79 of breakfast. No smoke without fire, as old Lady Scanmag said; and I'll wager80 a trifle that fire was not lighted for the fayter fellows to count their fingers by. We shall find three sticks, and a black pot with a kid seething81 in it, I'll engage. These gipsies have picked out a prettyish spot to quarter in--quite picturesque82, as one may say--and but for that tell-tale smoke, which looks for all the world like a Dutch skipper blowing his morning cloud, no one need know of their vicinity. A pretty place, upon my soul."
The spot, in sooth, merited Turpin's eulogium. It was a little valley, in the midst of wooded hills, so secluded83, that not a single habitation appeared in view. Clothed with timber to the very summits, excepting on the side where the party stood, which verged85 upon the declivity86, these mountainous ridges87 presented a broken outline of foliage, variegated with tinted88 masses of bright orange, timber, and deepest green. Four hills hemmed89 in the valley. Here and there a gray slab90 of rock might be discerned amongst the wood, and a mountain-ash figured conspicuously91 upon a jutting92 crag immediately below them. Deep sunken in the ravine, and concealed93 in part from view by the wild herbage and dwarf94 shrubs96, ran a range of precipitous rocks, severed36, it would seem, by some diluvial convulsion, from the opposite mountain side, as a corresponding rift97 was there visible, in which the same dip of strata98 might be observed, together with certain ribbed cavities, matching huge bolts of rock which had once locked these stony walls together. Washing this cliff, swept a clear stream, well known and well regarded, as it waxed in width, by the honest brethren of the angle, who seldom, however, tracked it to its rise amongst these hills. The stream found its way into the valley through a chasm99 far to the left, and rushed thundering down the mountain side in a boiling cascade100. The valley was approached in this direction from Rookwood by an unfrequented carriage-road, which Luke had, from prudential reasons, avoided. All seemed consecrated101 to silence--to solitude--to the hush102 of nature; yet this quiet scene was the chosen retreat of lawless depredators, and had erstwhile been the theatre of feudal103 oppression. We have said that no habitation was visible; that no dwelling tenanted by man could be seen; but following the spur of the furthest mountain hill, some traces of a stone wall might be discovered; and upon a natural platform of rock stood a stern square tower, which had once been the donjon of the castle, the lords of which had called the four hills their own. A watch-tower then had crowned each eminence, every vestige104 of which had, however, long since disappeared. Sequestered105 in the vale stood the Priory before alluded106 to--a Monastery107 of Gray Friars, of the Order of St. Francis--some of the venerable walls of which were still remaining; and if they had not reverted108 to the bat and the owl109, as is wont110 to be the fate of such sacred structures, their cloistered112 shrines113 were devoted114 to beings whose natures partook, in some measure, of the instincts of those creatures of the night--a people whose deeds were of darkness, and whose eyes shunned115 the light. Here the gipsies had pitched their tent; and though the place was often, in part, deserted116 by the vagrant117 horde118, yet certain of the tribe, who had grown into years--over whom Barbara Lovel held queenly sway--made it their haunt, and were suffered by the authorities of the neighborhood to remain unmolested--a lenient119 piece of policy, which, in our infinite regard for the weal of the tawny120 tribe, we recommend to the adoption121 of all other justices and knights122 of the shire.
Bidding his grandsire have regard to his seat, Luke leaped a high bank; and, followed by Turpin, began to descend31 the hill. Peter, however, took care to provide for himself. The descent was so perilous123, and the footing so insecure, that he chose rather to trust to such conveyance124 as nature had furnished him with, than to hazard his neck by any false step of the horse. He contrived125, therefore, to slide off from behind, shaping his own course in a more secure direction.
He who has wandered amidst the Alps must have often had occasion to witness the wonderful surefootedness of that mountain pilot, the mule126. He must have remarked how, with tenacious127 hoof63, he will claw the rock, and drag himself from one impending128 fragment to another, with perfect security to his rider; how he will breast the roaring currents of air, and stand unshrinking at the verge84 of almost unfathomable ravines. But it is not so with the horse: fleet on the plain, careful over rugged129 ground, he is timid and uncertain on the hill-side, and the risk incurred130 by Luke and Turpin, in their descent of the almost perpendicular131 sides of the cliff, was tremendous. Peter watched them in their descent with some admiration132, and with much contempt.
"He will break his neck, of a surety," said he; "but what matters it? As well now as hereafter."
The passage along which Luke rode had never before been traversed by horse's hoof. Cut in the rock, it presented a steep zigzag134 path amongst the cliffs, without any defence for the foot traveller, except such as was afforded by a casual clinging shrub95, and no protection whatever existed for a horseman; the possibility of any one attempting the passage not having, in all probability, entered into the calculation of those who framed it. Added to this, the steps were of such unequal heights, and withal so narrow, that the danger was proportionately increased.
"You will find one more easy," replied Luke, "if you ride for a quarter of a mile down the wood, and then return by the brook136 side. You will meet me at the priory."
"No," answered the highwayman, boldly; "if you go, I go too. It shall never be said that Dick Turpin was afraid to follow where another would lead. Proceed."
Luke gave his horse the bridle, and the animal slowly and steadily137 commenced the descent, fixing his fore legs upon the steps, and drawing his hinder limbs carefully after him. Here it was that the lightness and steadiness of Turpin's mare was completely shown. No Alpine138 mule could have borne its rider with more apparent ease and safety. Turpin encouraged her by hand and word; but she needed it not. The sexton saw them, and, tracking their giddy descent, he became more interested than he anticipated. His attention was suddenly drawn139 towards Luke.
"He is gone," cried Peter. "He falls--he sinks--my plans are all defeated--the last link is snapped. No," added he, recovering his wonted composure, "his end is not so fated."
Rook had missed his footing. He rolled stumbling down the precipice a few yards. Luke's fate seemed inevitable140. His feet were entangled141 in the stirrup, he could not free himself. A birch tree, growing in a chink of the precipice, arrested his further fall. But for this timely aid all had been over. Here Luke was enabled to extricate142 himself from the stirrup and to regain143 his feet; seizing the bridle, he dragged his faulty steed back again to the road.
"You have had a narrow escape, by Jove," said Turpin, who had been thunderstruck with the whole proceeding144. "Those big cattle are always clumsy; devilish lucky it's no worse."
It was now comparatively smooth travelling; but they had not as yet reached the valley, and it seemed to be Luke's object to take a circuitous145 path. This was so evident that Turpin could not help commenting upon it.
Luke evaded146 the question. "The crag is steep there," said he; "besides, to tell you the truth, I want to surprise them."
"Ho, ho!" laughed Dick. "Surprise them, eh? What a pity the birch tree was in the way; you would have done it properly then. Egad, here's another surprise."
Dick's last exclamation147 was caused by his having suddenly come upon a wide gully in the rock, through which dashed a headlong torrent148, crossed by a single plank149.
"You must be mad to have taken this road," cried Turpin, gazing down into the roaring depths in which the waterfall raged, and measuring the distance of the pass with his eye. "So, so, Bess!--Ay, look at it, wench. Curse me, Luke, if I think your horse will do it, and, therefore, turn him loose."
But Dick might as well have bidden the cataract150 to flow backwards151. Luke struck his heels into his horse's sides. The steed galloped to the brink152, snorted, and refused the leap.
"I told you so--he can't do it," said Turpin. "Well, if you are obstinate153, a wilful154 man must have his way. Stand aside, while I try it for you." Patting Bess, he put her to a gallop58. She cleared the gulf155 bravely, landing her rider safely upon the opposite rock.
"Now then," cried Turpin, from the other side of the chasm.
Luke again urged his steed. Encouraged by what he had seen, this time the horse sprang across without hesitation156. The next instant they were in the valley.
For some time they rode along the banks of the stream in silence. A sound at length caught the quick ears of the highwayman.
"Hist!" cried he; "some one sings. Do you hear it?"
"I do," replied Luke, the blood rushing to his cheeks.
"And could give a guess at the singer, no doubt," said Turpin, with a knowing look. "Was it to hear yon woodlark that you nearly broke your own neck, and put mine in jeopardy157?"
"Prithee be silent," whispered Luke.
"I am dumb," replied Turpin; "I like a sweet voice as well as another."
Clear as the note of a bird, yet melancholy158 as the distant dole159 of a vesper-bell, arose the sound of that sweet voice from the wood. A fragment of a Spanish gipsy song it warbled: Luke knew it well. Thus ran the romance:
LA GITANILLA
By the Guadalquivir,
Ere the sun be flown,
By that glorious river
Sits a maid alone.
Of that current bright,
Shone her dark eyes tender
As its witching light.
Darkly, richly glowing,
Is her warm cheek seen.
'Tis the Gitanilla
By the stream doth linger,
In the hope that eve
Will her lover bring her.
See, the sun is sinking;
All grows dim, and dies;
See, the waves are drinking
Glories of the skies.
On that current dark;
His long looked-for bark.
'Tis the hour of meeting!
Nay, the hour is past;
Fleeteth hope as fast.
Still the Gitanilla
By the stream doth linger,
In the hope that night
Will her lover bring her.
The tender trembling of a guitar was heard in accompaniment of the ravishing melodist.
The song ceased.
"Where is the bird?" asked Turpin.
"Move on in silence, and you shall see," said Luke; and keeping upon the turf, so that his horse's tread became inaudible, he presently arrived at a spot where, through the boughs166, the object of his investigation167 could plainly be distinguished168, though he himself was concealed from view.
Upon a platform of rock, rising to the height of the trees, nearly perpendicularly169 from the river's bed, appeared the figure of the gipsy maid. Her footstep rested on the extreme edge of the abrupt170 cliff, at whose base the water boiled in a deep whirlpool, and the bounding chamois could not have been more lightly poised171. One small hand rested upon her guitar, the other pressed her brow. Braided hair, of the jettiest dye and sleekest172 texture173, was twined around her brow in endless twisted folds:
Much like a rich and curious coronet,
Upon whose arches twenty Cupids lay,
And were as tied, or loth to fly away.[24]
[Footnote 24: Brown's Pastorals.]
And so exuberant175 was this rarest feminine ornament176, that, after encompassing177 her brow, it was passed behind, and hung down in long thick plaits almost to her feet. Sparkling, as the sunbeams that played upon her dark yet radiant features, were the large, black, Oriental eyes of the maiden178, and shaded with lashes179 long and silken. Hers was a Moorish180 countenance181, in which the magnificence of the eyes eclipses the face, be it ever so beautiful--an effect to be observed in the angelic pictures of Murillo,--and the lovely contour is scarcely noticed in the gaze which those long, languid, luminous182 orbs183 attract. Sybil's features were exquisite184, yet you looked only at her eyes--they were the loadstars of her countenance. Her costume was singular, and partook, like herself, of other climes. Like the Andalusian dame185, her choice of color inclined towards black, as the material of most of her dress was of that sombre hue186. A bodice of embroidered187 velvet188 restrained her delicate bosom's swell189; a rich girdle, from which depended a silver chain, sustaining a short poniard, bound her waist; around her slender throat was twined a costly190 kerchief; and the rest of her dress was calculated to display her slight, yet faultless, figure to the fullest advantage.
Unconscious that she was the object of regard, she raised her guitar, and essayed to touch the chords. She struck a few notes, and resumed her romance:
Swift that stream flows on,
Swift the night is wearing,--
Yet she is not gone,
Though with heart despairing.
Her song died away. Her hand was needed to brush off the tears that were gathering191 in her large dark eyes. At once her attitude was changed. The hare could not have started more suddenly from her form. She heard accents well known concluding the melody:
Dips an oar-plash--hark!--
Gently on the river;
'Tis her lover's bark.
On the Guadalquivir.
Hark! a song she hears!
Every note she snatches;
As the singer nears,
Her own name she catches.
Now the Gitanilla
Stays not by the water,
For the midnight hour
Hath her lover brought her.
It was her lover's voice. She caught the sound at once, and, starting, as the roe192 would arouse herself at the hunter's approach, bounded down the crag, and ere he had finished the refrain, was by his side.
Flinging the bridle to Turpin, Luke sprang to her, and caught her in his arms. Disengaging herself from his ardent193 embrace, Sybil drew back, abashed194 at the sight of the highwayman.
"He is welcome here then," replied Sybil. "But where have you tarried so long, dear Luke?" continued she, as they walked to a little distance from the highwayman. "What hath detained you? The hours have passed wearily since you departed. You bring good news?"
"Good news, my girl; so good, that I falter195 even in the telling of it. You shall know all anon. And see, our friend yonder grows impatient. Are there any stirring? We must bestow196 a meal upon him, and that forthwith: he is one of those who brook not much delay."
"I came not to spoil a love meeting," said Turpin, who had good-humoredly witnessed the scene; "but, in sober seriousness, if there is a stray capon to be met with in the land of Egypt, I shall be glad to make his acquaintance. Methinks I scent70 a stew197 afar off."
"Follow me," said Sybil; "your wants shall be supplied."
"He is here," said Sybil, observing the sexton at a distance. "Who is that old man?"
"My grandsire, Peter Bradley."
"Is that Peter Bradley?" asked Sybil.
"Ay, you may well ask whether that old dried-up otomy, who ought to grin in a glass case for folks to stare at, be kith and kin2 of such a bang-up cove54 as your fancy man, Luke," said Turpin, laughing--"but i' faith he is."
"Though he is your grandsire, Luke," said Sybil, "I like him not. His glance resembles that of the Evil Eye."
And, in fact, the look which Peter fixed199 upon her was such as the rattlesnake casts upon its victim, and Sybil felt like a poor fluttering bird under the fascination200 of that venomous reptile201. She could not remove her eyes from his, though she trembled as she gazed. We have said that Peter's orbs were like those of the toad202. Age had not dimmed their brilliancy. In his harsh features you could only read bitter scorn or withering203 hate; but in his eyes resided a magnetic influence of attraction or repulsion. Sybil underwent the former feeling in a disagreeable degree. She was drawn to him as by the motion of a whirlpool, and involuntarily clung to her lover.
"It is the Evil Eye, dear Luke."
"Tut, tut, dear Sybil; I tell you it is my grandsire."
"The girl says rightly, however," rejoined Turpin; "Peter has a confounded ugly look about the ogles, and stares enough to put a modest wench out of countenance. Come, come, my old earthworm, crawl along, we have waited for you long enough. Is this the first time you have seen a pretty lass, eh?"
"It is the first time I have seen one so beautiful," said Peter; "and I crave204 her pardon if my freedom has offended her. I wonder not at your enchantment205, grandson Luke, now I behold206 the object of it. But there is one piece of counsel I would give to this fair maid. The next time she trusts you from her sight, I would advise her to await you at the hill-top, otherwise the chances are shrewdly against your reaching the ground with neck unbroken."
There was something, notwithstanding the satirical manner in which Peter delivered this speech, calculated to make a more favorable impression upon Sybil than his previous conduct had inspired her with; and, having ascertained208 from Luke to what his speech referred, she extended her hand to him, yet not without a shudder209, as it was enclosed in his skinny grasp. It was like the fingers of Venus in the grasp of a skeleton.
"This is a little hand," said Peter, "and I have some skill myself in palmistry. Shall I peruse210 its lines?"
"Not now, in the devil's name!" said Turpin, stamping impatiently. "We shall have Old Ruffin himself amongst us presently, if Peter Bradley grows gallant211."
Leading their horses, the party took their way through the trees. A few minutes' walking brought them in sight of the gipsy encampment, the spot selected for which might be termed the Eden of the valley. It was a small green plain, smooth as a well-shorn lawn, kept ever verdant--save in the spots where the frequent fires had scorched212 its surface--by the flowing stream that rushed past it, and surrounded by an amphitheatre of wooded hills. Here might be seen the canvas tent with its patches of varied213 coloring; the rude-fashioned hut of primitive214 construction; the kettle slung215
Between two poles, upon a stick transverse;
the tethered beasts of burden, the horses, asses20, dogs, carts, caravans216, wains, blocks, and other movables and immovables belonging to the wandering tribe. Glimmering217 through the trees, at the extremity218 of the plain, appeared the ivy-mantled walls of Davenham Priory. Though much had gone to decay, enough remained to recall the pristine219 state of this once majestic pile, and the long, though broken line of Saxon arches, that still marked the cloister111 wall; the piers that yet supported the dormitory; the enormous horse-shoe arch that spanned the court; and, above all, the great marigold, or circular window, which terminated the chapel220, and which, though now despoiled221 of its painted honors, retained, like the skeleton leaf, its fibrous intricacies entire,--all eloquently222 spoke8 of the glories of the past, while they awakened223 reverence224 and admiration for the still enduring beauty of the present.
Towards these ruins Sybil conducted the party.
"Do you dwell therein?" asked Peter, pointing towards the priory.
"That is my dwelling," said Sybil.
"I love those old walls better than any house that was ever fashioned," replied Sybil.
As they entered the Prior's Close, as it was called, several swarthy figures made their appearance from the tents. Many a greeting was bestowed226 upon Luke, in the wild jargon227 of the tribe. At length an uncouth228 dwarfish229 figure, with a shock head of black hair, hopped230 towards them. He seemed to acknowledge Luke as his master.
"What ho! Grasshopper," said Luke, "take these horses, and see that they lack neither dressing17 nor provender231."
"And hark ye, Grasshopper," added Turpin; "I give you a special charge about this mare. Neither dress nor feed her till I see both done myself. Just walk her for ten minutes, and if you have a glass of ale in the place, let her sip65 it."
A motley assemblage of tawny-skinned varlets, dark-eyed women and children, whose dusky limbs betrayed their lineage, in strange costume, and of wild deportment, checked the path, muttering welcome upon welcome into the ear of Luke as he passed. As it was evident he was in no mood for converse233, Sybil, who seemed to exercise considerable authority over the crew, with a word dispersed234 them, and they herded235 back to their respective habitations.
A low door admitted Luke and his companions into what had once been the garden, in which some old moss-encrusted apple and walnut-trees were still standing207, bearing a look of antiquity236 almost as venerable as that of the adjoining fabric237.
Another open door gave them entrance to a spacious238 chamber239, formerly240 the eating-room or refectory of the holy brotherhood241, and a goodly room it had been, though now its slender lanceolated windows were stuffed with hay to keep out the air. Large holes told where huge oaken rafters had once crossed the roof, and a yawning aperture242 marked the place where a cheering fire had formerly blazed. As regarded this latter spot, the good old custom was not, even now, totally abrogated243. An iron plate, covered with crackling wood, sustained a ponderous244 black caldron, the rich steam from which gratefully affected245 the olfactory246 organs of the highwayman.
"Still hungering after the fleshpots of Egypt," said the sexton, with a ghastly smile.
"We will see what that kettle contains," said Luke.
"Handassah--Grace!" exclaimed Sybil, calling.
"Bring the best our larder249 can furnish," said Sybil, "and use despatch250. You have appetites to provide for, sharpened by a long ride in the open air."
"And a night of business," added Turpin--"and plaguy perplexing business into the bargain."
"And the night of a funeral too," doled253 Peter; "and that funeral a father's. Let us have breakfast speedily, by all means. We have rare appetites."
An old oaken table--it might have been the self-same upon which the holy friars had broken their morning fast--stood in the middle of the room. The ample board soon groaned254 beneath the weight of the savory255 caldron, the unctuous256 contents of which proved to be a couple of dismembered pheasants, an equal proportion of poultry257, great gouts of ham, mushrooms, onions, and other piquant258 condiments259, so satisfactory to Dick Turpin, that, upon tasting a mouthful, he absolutely shed tears of delight. The dish was indeed the triumph of gipsy cookery; and so sedulously260 did Dick apply himself to his mess, and so complete was his abstraction, that he perceived not he was left alone. It was only when about to wash down the last drumstick of the last fowl261 with a can of excellent ale that he made this discovery.
"What! all gone? And Peter Bradley, too? What the devil does this mean?" mused262 he. "I must not muddle263 my brain with any more Pharaoh, though I have feasted like a king of Egypt. That will never do. Caution, Dick, caution. Suppose I shift yon brick from the wall, and place this precious document beneath it. Pshaw! Luke would never play me false. And now for Bess! Bless her black skin! she'll wonder where I've been so long. It's not my way to leave her to shift for herself, though she can do that on a pinch."
Soliloquizing thus, he arose and walked towards the door.
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1
fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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2
kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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3
coaxing
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| v.哄，用好话劝说( coax的现在分词 )；巧言骗取；哄劝，劝诱；“锻炼”效应 | |
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4
mare
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| n.母马，母驴 | |
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5
bleak
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| adj.(天气)阴冷的；凄凉的；暗淡的 | |
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6
rust
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| n.锈；v.生锈；(脑子)衰退 | |
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7
bastard
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| n.坏蛋，混蛋；私生子 | |
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8
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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9
wink
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| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
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10
piers
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| n.水上平台( pier的名词复数 )；（常设有娱乐场所的）突堤；柱子；墙墩 | |
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11
ogles
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| v.（向…）抛媚眼，送秋波( ogle的第三人称单数 ) | |
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12
substantiate
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| v.证实；证明...有根据 | |
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13
precipitate
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| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
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14
simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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15
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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16
tormentor
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| n. 使苦痛之人, 使苦恼之物, 侧幕 =tormenter | |
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17
dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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18
haughtiness
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| n.傲慢；傲气 | |
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19
secrecy
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| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
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20
asses
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| n. 驴，愚蠢的人，臀部 adv. (常用作后置)用于贬损或骂人 | |
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21
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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22
defiles
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| v.玷污( defile的第三人称单数 )；污染；弄脏；纵列行进 | |
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23
chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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24
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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25
penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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26
motes
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| n.尘埃( mote的名词复数 )；斑点 | |
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27
heeded
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的过去式和过去分词 )；变平，使（某物）变平( flatten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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29
appendage
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| n.附加物 | |
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30
domains
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| n.范围( domain的名词复数 )；领域；版图；地产 | |
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31
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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32
uproot
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| v.连根拔起，拔除；根除，灭绝；赶出家园，被迫移开 | |
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33
beech
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| n.山毛榉；adj.山毛榉的 | |
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34
smoothly
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| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
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35
upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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36
severed
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
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37
populous
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| adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的 | |
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38
variegated
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| adj.斑驳的，杂色的 | |
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39
tints
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| 色彩( tint的名词复数 )； 带白的颜色； （淡色）染发剂； 痕迹 | |
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40
sprightly
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| adj.愉快的，活泼的 | |
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41
chestnut
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| n.栗树，栗子 | |
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42
weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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43
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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44
ivy
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| n.常青藤，常春藤 | |
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45
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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46
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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47
labyrinth
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| n.迷宫；难解的事物；迷路 | |
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48
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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49
bough
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| n.大树枝，主枝 | |
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50
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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51
genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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52
plantation
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| n.种植园，大农场 | |
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53
destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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54
cove
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| n.小海湾，小峡谷 | |
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55
cones
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| n.（人眼）圆锥细胞；圆锥体( cone的名词复数 )；球果；圆锥形东西；（盛冰淇淋的）锥形蛋卷筒 | |
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56
agile
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| adj.敏捷的，灵活的 | |
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57
denizen
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| n.居民，外籍居民 | |
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58
gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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59
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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60
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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61
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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62
clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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63
hoof
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| n.(马，牛等的)蹄 | |
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64
hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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65
sip
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| v.小口地喝，抿，呷；n.一小口的量 | |
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66
congregated
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| （使）集合，聚集( congregate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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68
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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69
ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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70
scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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71
eminence
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| n.卓越，显赫；高地，高处；名家 | |
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72
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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73
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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74
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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75
betokening
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| v.预示，表示( betoken的现在分词 ) | |
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76
stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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77
vapor
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| n.蒸汽，雾气 | |
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78
umbrage
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| n.不快；树荫 | |
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79
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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80
wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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81
seething
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| 沸腾的，火热的 | |
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82
picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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83
secluded
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| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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84
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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85
verged
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| 接近，逼近（verge的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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86
declivity
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| n.下坡，倾斜面 | |
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87
ridges
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| n.脊( ridge的名词复数 )；山脊；脊状突起；大气层的)高压脊 | |
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88
tinted
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| adj. 带色彩的 动词tint的过去式和过去分词 | |
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89
hemmed
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| 缝…的褶边( hem的过去式和过去分词 )； 包围 | |
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slab
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| n.平板，厚的切片；v.切成厚板，以平板盖上 | |
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91
conspicuously
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| ad.明显地，惹人注目地 | |
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92
jutting
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| v.（使）突出( jut的现在分词 )；伸出；（从…）突出；高出 | |
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93
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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94
dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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95
shrub
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| n.灌木，灌木丛 | |
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shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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97
rift
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| n.裂口，隙缝，切口；v.裂开，割开，渗入 | |
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98
strata
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| n.地层（复数）；社会阶层 | |
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99
chasm
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| n.深坑，断层，裂口，大分岐，利害冲突 | |
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100
cascade
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| n.小瀑布，喷流；层叠；vi.成瀑布落下 | |
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101
consecrated
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| adj.神圣的，被视为神圣的v.把…奉为神圣，给…祝圣( consecrate的过去式和过去分词 )；奉献 | |
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102
hush
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| int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静 | |
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103
feudal
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| adj.封建的，封地的，领地的 | |
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104
vestige
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| n.痕迹，遗迹，残余 | |
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105
sequestered
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| adj.扣押的；隐退的；幽静的；偏僻的v.使隔绝，使隔离( sequester的过去式和过去分词 )；扣押 | |
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106
alluded
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| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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107
monastery
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| n.修道院，僧院，寺院 | |
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108
reverted
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| 恢复( revert的过去式和过去分词 )； 重提； 回到…上； 归还 | |
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109
owl
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| n.猫头鹰，枭 | |
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110
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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111
cloister
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| n.修道院；v.隐退，使与世隔绝 | |
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112
cloistered
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| adj.隐居的，躲开尘世纷争的v.隐退，使与世隔绝( cloister的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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113
shrines
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| 圣地，圣坛，神圣场所( shrine的名词复数 ) | |
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114
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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115
shunned
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| v.避开，回避，避免( shun的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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116
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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117
vagrant
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| n.流浪者，游民；adj.流浪的，漂泊不定的 | |
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118
horde
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| n.群众，一大群 | |
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119
lenient
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| adj.宽大的，仁慈的 | |
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120
tawny
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| adj.茶色的，黄褐色的；n.黄褐色 | |
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121
adoption
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| n.采用，采纳，通过；收养 | |
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122
knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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123
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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124
conveyance
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| n.(不动产等的)转让，让与；转让证书；传送；运送；表达；（正）运输工具 | |
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125
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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126
mule
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| n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人 | |
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127
tenacious
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| adj.顽强的，固执的，记忆力强的，粘的 | |
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128
impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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129
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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130
incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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131
perpendicular
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| adj.垂直的，直立的；n.垂直线，垂直的位置 | |
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132
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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133
precipice
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| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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134
zigzag
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| n.曲折，之字形；adj.曲折的，锯齿形的；adv.曲折地，成锯齿形地；vt.使曲折；vi.曲折前行 | |
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135
downwards
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| adj./adv.向下的（地），下行的（地） | |
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136
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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137
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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138
alpine
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| adj.高山的；n.高山植物 | |
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139
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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140
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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141
entangled
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| adj.卷入的；陷入的；被缠住的；缠在一起的v.使某人（某物/自己）缠绕，纠缠于（某物中），使某人（自己）陷入（困难或复杂的环境中）( entangle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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142
extricate
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| v.拯救，救出；解脱 | |
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143
regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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144
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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145
circuitous
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| adj.迂回的路的，迂曲的，绕行的 | |
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146
evaded
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| 逃避( evade的过去式和过去分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
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147
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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148
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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149
plank
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| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
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150
cataract
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| n.大瀑布，奔流，洪水，白内障 | |
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151
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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152
brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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153
obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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154
wilful
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| adj.任性的，故意的 | |
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155
gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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156
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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157
jeopardy
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| n.危险；危难 | |
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158
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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159
dole
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| n.救济，（失业）救济金；vt.（out）发放，发给 | |
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160
splendor
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| n.光彩；壮丽，华丽；显赫，辉煌 | |
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161
ripple
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| n.涟波，涟漪，波纹，粗钢梳；vt.使...起涟漪，使起波纹； vi.呈波浪状，起伏前进 | |
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162
tinged
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| v.（使）发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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163
lustre
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| n.光亮，光泽；荣誉 | |
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164
speck
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| n.微粒，小污点，小斑点 | |
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165
fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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166
boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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167
investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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168
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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169
perpendicularly
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| adv. 垂直地, 笔直地, 纵向地 | |
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170
abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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171
poised
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| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
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172
sleekest
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| 时髦的( sleek的最高级 )； 光滑而有光泽的； 保养得很好的； 线条流畅的 | |
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173
texture
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| n.(织物)质地；(材料)构造；结构；肌理 | |
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174
fret
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| v.(使)烦恼；(使)焦急；(使)腐蚀，(使)磨损 | |
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175
exuberant
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| adj.充满活力的；（植物）繁茂的 | |
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176
ornament
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| v.装饰，美化；n.装饰，装饰物 | |
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177
encompassing
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| v.围绕( encompass的现在分词 )；包围；包含；包括 | |
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178
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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179
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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180
moorish
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| adj.沼地的，荒野的，生[住]在沼地的 | |
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181
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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182
luminous
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| adj.发光的，发亮的；光明的；明白易懂的；有启发的 | |
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183
orbs
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| abbr.off-reservation boarding school 在校寄宿学校n.球，天体，圆形物( orb的名词复数 ) | |
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184
exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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185
dame
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| n.女士 | |
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186
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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187
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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188
velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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189
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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190
costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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191
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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192
roe
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| n.鱼卵；獐鹿 | |
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193
ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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194
abashed
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| adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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195
falter
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| vi.(嗓音)颤抖，结巴地说；犹豫；蹒跚 | |
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196
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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197
stew
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| n.炖汤，焖，烦恼；v.炖汤，焖，忧虑 | |
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198
abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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199
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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200
fascination
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| n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋 | |
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201
reptile
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| n.爬行动物；两栖动物 | |
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202
toad
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| n.蟾蜍，癞蛤蟆 | |
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203
withering
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| 使人畏缩的，使人害羞的，使人难堪的 | |
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204
crave
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| vt.渴望得到，迫切需要，恳求，请求 | |
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205
enchantment
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| n.迷惑，妖术，魅力 | |
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206
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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207
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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208
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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209
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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210
peruse
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| v.细读，精读 | |
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211
gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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212
scorched
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| 烧焦，烤焦( scorch的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（植物）枯萎，把…晒枯； 高速行驶； 枯焦 | |
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213
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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214
primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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215
slung
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| 抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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216
caravans
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| （可供居住的）拖车（通常由机动车拖行）( caravan的名词复数 )； 篷车； （穿过沙漠地带的）旅行队（如商队） | |
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217
glimmering
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| 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 ) | |
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218
extremity
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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219
pristine
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| adj.原来的，古时的，原始的，纯净的，无垢的 | |
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220
chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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221
despoiled
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| v.掠夺，抢劫( despoil的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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222
eloquently
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| adv. 雄辩地(有口才地, 富于表情地) | |
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223
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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224
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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225
covet
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| vt.垂涎；贪图(尤指属于他人的东西) | |
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226
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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227
jargon
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| n.术语，行话 | |
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228
uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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229
dwarfish
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| a.像侏儒的，矮小的 | |
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230
hopped
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| 跳上[下]( hop的过去式和过去分词 )； 单足蹦跳； 齐足（或双足）跳行； 摘葎草花 | |
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231
provender
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| n.刍草；秣料 | |
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232
chirped
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| 鸟叫，虫鸣( chirp的过去式 ) | |
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233
converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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234
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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235
herded
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| 群集，纠结( herd的过去式和过去分词 )； 放牧； （使）向…移动 | |
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236
antiquity
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| n.古老；高龄；古物，古迹 | |
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237
fabric
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| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
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238
spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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239
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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240
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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241
brotherhood
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| n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊 | |
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242
aperture
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| n.孔，隙，窄的缺口 | |
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243
abrogated
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| 废除（法律等）( abrogate的过去式和过去分词 )； 取消； 去掉； 抛开 | |
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244
ponderous
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|
| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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245
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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246
olfactory
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| adj.嗅觉的 | |
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247
augurs
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| n.（古罗马的）占兆官( augur的名词复数 )；占卜师，预言者v.预示，预兆，预言( augur的第三人称单数 )；成为预兆；占卜 | |
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248
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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249
larder
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| n.食物贮藏室，食品橱 | |
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250
despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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251
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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252
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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253
doled
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| 救济物( dole的过去式和过去分词 )； 失业救济金 | |
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254
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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255
savory
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| adj.风味极佳的，可口的，味香的 | |
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256
unctuous
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| adj.油腔滑调的，大胆的 | |
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257
poultry
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| n.家禽，禽肉 | |
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258
piquant
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| adj.辛辣的，开胃的，令人兴奋的 | |
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259
condiments
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| n.调味品 | |
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260
sedulously
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| ad.孜孜不倦地 | |
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261
fowl
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| n.家禽，鸡，禽肉 | |
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262
mused
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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263
muddle
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| n.困惑，混浊状态；vt.使混乱，使糊涂，使惊呆；vi.胡乱应付，混乱 | |
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