Was this well done, Jenny?
--Captain Macheath.
While Turpin and King are walking across the bowling-green, we will see what has taken place outside the inn. Tom's presentiments1 of danger were not, it appeared, without foundation. Scarcely had the ostler brought forth2 our two highwaymen's steeds, when a post-chaise, escorted by two or three horsemen, drove furiously up to the door. The sole occupant of the carriage was a lady, whose slight and pretty figure was all that could be distinguished3, her face being closely veiled. The landlord, who was busied in casting up Turpin's account, rushed forth at the summons. A word or two passed between him and the horsemen, upon which the former's countenance4 fell. He posted in the direction of the garden; and the horsemen instantly dismounted.
"We have him now, sure enough," said one of them, a very small man, who looked, in his boots, like Buckle5 equipped for the Oaks.
"By the powers! I begin to think so," replied the other horseman. "But don't spoil all, Mr. Coates, by being too precipitate6."
"Never fear that, Mr. Tyrconnel," said Coates; for it was the gallant7 attorney: "he's sure to come for his mare8. That's a trap certain to catch him, eh, Mr. Paterson? With the chief constable9 of Westminster to back us, the devil's in it if we are not a match for him."
"And for Tom King, too," replied the chief constable; "since his blowen's peached, the game's up with him, too. We've long had an eye upon him, and now we'll have a finger. He's one of your dashing trouts to whom we always give a long line, but we'll land him this time, anyhow. If you'll look after Dick Turpin, gemmen, I'll make sure of Tom."
"I'd rather you would help us, Mr. Paterson," said Coates; "never mind Tom King; another time will do for him."
"No such thing," said Paterson; "one weighs just as much for that matter as t'other. I'll take Tom to myself, and surely you two, with the landlord and ostler, can manage Turpin amongst you."
"I don't know that," said Coates, doubtfully; "he's a devil of a fellow to deal with."
"Take him quietly," said Paterson. "Draw the chaise out of the way, lad. Take our tits to one side, and place their nags11 near the door, ostler. Shall you be able to see him, ma'am, where you are?" asked the chief constable, walking to the carriage, and touching12 his hat to the lady within. Having received a satisfactory nod from the bonnet13 and veil, he returned to his companions. "And now, gemmen," added he, "let's step aside a little. Don't use your fire-arms too soon."
As if conscious of what was passing around her, and of the danger that awaited her master, Black Bess exhibited so much impatience14, and plunged15 so violently, that it was with difficulty the ostler could hold her. "The devil's in the mare," said he; "what's the matter with her? She was quiet enough a few minutes since. Soho! lass, stand."
Turpin and King, meanwhile, walked quickly through the house, preceded by the host, who conducted them, and not without some inward trepidation16, towards the door. Arrived there, each man rushed swiftly to his horse. Dick was in the saddle in an instant, and stamping her foot on the ostler's leg, Black Bess compelled the man, yelling with pain, to quit his hold of the bridle17. Tom King was not equally fortunate. Before he could mount his horse, a loud shout was raised, which startled the animal, and caused him to swerve18, so that Tom lost his footing in the stirrup, and fell to the ground. He was instantly seized by Paterson, and a struggle commenced, King endeavoring, but in vain, to draw a pistol.
"Flip19 him,[108] Dick; fire, or I'm taken," cried King. "Fire! damn you, why don't you fire?" shouted he, in desperation, still struggling vehemently20 with Paterson, who was a strong man, and more than a match for a light weight like King.
[Footnote 108: Shoot him.]
"I can't," cried Dick; "I shall hit you, if I fire."
"Take your chance," shouted King. "Is this your friendship?"
Thus urged, Turpin fired. The ball ripped up the sleeve of Paterson's coat, but did not wound him.
"Again!" cried King. "Shoot him, I say. Don't you hear me? Fire again!"
Pressed as he was by foes21 on every side, himself their mark, for both Coates and Tyrconnel had fired upon him, and were now mounting their steeds to give chase, it was impossible that Turpin could take sure aim; added to which, in the struggle, Paterson and King were each moment changing their relative positions. He, however, would no longer hesitate, but again, at his friend's request, fired. The ball lodged22 itself in King's breast! He fell at once. At this instant a shriek23 was heard from the chaise: the window was thrown open, and her thick veil being drawn24 aside, the features of a very pretty female, now impressed with terror and contrition25, were suddenly exhibited.
"Yes, yes, 'tis she, sure enough," said Paterson. "You see, ma'am, what you and such like have brought him to. However, you'll lose your reward; he's going fast enough."
"Ay, ay, sir," said Paterson, "she blowed the gaff, if it's any consolation30 to you to know it."
"Consolation!" repeated the dying man; "perfidious31!--oh!--the prophecy--my best friend--Turpin--I die by his hand."
"Mr. Paterson! Mr. Paterson!" cried Coates; "leave the landlord to look after the body of that dying ruffian, and mount with us in pursuit of the living rascal34. Come, sir; quick! mount! despatch35! You see he is yonder; he seems to hesitate; we shall have him now."
"Well, gemmen, I'm ready," said Paterson; "but how the devil came you to let him escape?"
"Saint Patrick only knows!" said Titus; "he's as slippery as an eel--and, like a cat, turn him which way you will, he is always sure to alight upon his legs. I wouldn't wonder but we lose him now, after all, though he has such a small start. That mare flies like the wind."
"He shall have a tight run for it, at all events," said Paterson, putting spurs into his horse. "I've got a good nag10 under me, and you are neither of you badly mounted. He's only three hundred yards before us, and the devil's in it if we can't run him down. It's a three hundred pound job, Mr. Coates, and well worth a race."
"You shall have another hundred from me, sir, if you take him," said Coates, urging his steed forward.
"Thank you, sir, thank you. Follow my directions, and we'll make sure of him," said the constable. "Gently, gently, not so fast up the hill--you see he's breathing his horse. All in good time, Mr. Coates--all in good time, sir."
And maintaining an equal distance, both parties cantered leisurely36 up the ascent37 now called Windmill Hill. We shall now return to Turpin.
Aghast at the deed he had accidentally committed, Dick remained for a few moments irresolute38; he perceived that King was mortally wounded, and that all attempts at rescue would be fruitless; he perceived, likewise, that Jerry and the Magus had effected their escape from the bowling-green, as he could detect their figures stealing along the hedge-side. He hesitated no longer. Turning his horse, he galloped39 slowly off, little heeding40 the pursuit with which he was threatened.
"Every bullet has its billet," said Dick; "but little did I think that I really should turn poor Tom's executioner. To the devil with this rascally41 snapper," cried he, throwing the pistol over the hedge. "I could never have used it again. 'Tis strange, too, that he should have foretold42 his own fate--devilish strange! And then that he should have been betrayed by the very blowen he trusted! that's a lesson, if I wanted any. But trust a woman!--not I, the length of my little finger."
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
presentiments
|
|
| n.（对不祥事物的）预感( presentiment的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
distinguished
|
|
| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
countenance
|
|
| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
buckle
|
|
| n.扣子，带扣；v.把...扣住，由于压力而弯曲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
precipitate
|
|
| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
gallant
|
|
| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
mare
|
|
| n.母马，母驴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
constable
|
|
| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
nag
|
|
| v.(对…)不停地唠叨；n.爱唠叨的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
nags
|
|
| n.不断地挑剔或批评（某人）( nag的名词复数 )；不断地烦扰或伤害（某人）；无休止地抱怨；不断指责v.不断地挑剔或批评（某人）( nag的第三人称单数 )；不断地烦扰或伤害（某人）；无休止地抱怨；不断指责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
touching
|
|
| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
bonnet
|
|
| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
impatience
|
|
| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
plunged
|
|
| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
trepidation
|
|
| n.惊恐，惶恐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
bridle
|
|
| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
swerve
|
|
| v.突然转向，背离；n．转向，弯曲，背离 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
flip
|
|
| vt.快速翻动；轻抛；轻拍；n.轻抛；adj.轻浮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
vehemently
|
|
| adv. 热烈地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
foes
|
|
| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
lodged
|
|
| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
shriek
|
|
| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
contrition
|
|
| n.悔罪，痛悔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
glazing
|
|
| n.玻璃装配业；玻璃窗；上釉；上光v.装玻璃( glaze的现在分词 )；上釉于，上光；（目光）变得呆滞无神 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
behold
|
|
| v.看，注视，看到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
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： |
|
|
|
|
30
consolation
|
|
| n.安慰，慰问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
perfidious
|
|
| adj.不忠的，背信弃义的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
backwards
|
|
| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
alas
|
|
| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
rascal
|
|
| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
despatch
|
|
| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
leisurely
|
|
| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
ascent
|
|
| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
irresolute
|
|
| adj.无决断的，优柔寡断的，踌躇不定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
galloped
|
|
| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
heeding
|
|
| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
rascally
|
|
| adj. 无赖的，恶棍的 adv. 无赖地，卑鄙地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
foretold
|
|
| v.预言，预示( foretell的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |