The Peons are capital horsemen, and several times we saw them, at a gallop1, throw the rein2 on the horse's neck, take from one pocket a bag of loose tobacco, and, with a piece of paper, or a leaf of Indian corn, make a cigar, and then take out a flint and steel and light it.
---HEAD'S Rough Notes.
Away they fly past scattered3 cottages, swiftly and skimmingly, like eagles on the wing, along the Enfield highway. All were well mounted, and the horses, now thoroughly4 warmed, had got into their paces, and did their work beautifully. None of Coates's party lost ground, but they maintained it at the expense of their steeds, which were streaming like water-carts, while Black Bess had scarcely turned a hair.
Turpin, the reader already knows, was a crack rider; he was the crack rider of England of his time, and, perhaps, of any time. The craft and mystery of jockeyship was not so well understood in the eighteenth as it is in the nineteenth century; men treated their horses differently, and few rode them as well as many ride now, when every youngster takes to the field as naturally as if he had been bred a Guacho. Dick Turpin was a glorious exception to the rule, and anticipated a later age. He rode wonderfully lightly, yet sat his saddle to perfection, distributing the weight so exquisitely5 that his horse scarcely felt his pressure; he yielded to every movement made by the animal, and became, as it were, part and parcel of itself; he took care Bess should be neither strained nor wrung6. Freely, and as lightly as a feather, was she borne along; beautiful was it to see her action--to watch her style and temper of covering the ground; and many a first-rate Meltonian might have got a wrinkle from Turpin's seat and conduct.
We have before stated that it was not Dick's object to ride away from his pursuers--he could have done that at any moment. He liked the fun of the chase, and would have been sorry to put a period to his own excitement. Confident in his mare8, he just kept her at such speed as should put his pursuers completely to it, without in the slightest degree inconveniencing himself. Some judgment9 of the speed at which they went may be formed, when we state that little better than an hour had elapsed and nearly twenty miles had been ridden over. "Not bad travelling that," methinks we hear the reader exclaim.
"By the mother that bore me," said Titus, as they went along in this slapping style--Titus, by-the-by, rode a big, Roman-nosed, powerful horse, well adapted to his weight, but which required a plentiful10 exercise both of leg and arm to call forth11 all his action, and keep his rider alongside his companions--"by the mother that bore me," said he, almost thumping12 the wind out of his flea-bitten Bucephalus with his calves13, after the Irish fashion, "if the fellow isn't lighting14 his pipe! I saw the sparks fly on each side of him, and there he goes like a smoky chimney on a frosty morning! See, he turns his impudent15 phiz, with the pipe in his mouth! Are we to stand that, Mr. Coates?"
"Wait awhile, sir--wait awhile," said Coates; "we'll smoke him by-and-by."
Paeans16 have been sung in honor of the Peons of the Pampas by the Headlong Sir Francis; but what the gallant17 major extols18 so loudly in the South American horsemen, viz., the lighting of a cigar when in mid19 career, was accomplished20 with equal ease by our English highwayman a hundred years ago, nor was it esteemed21 by him any extravagant22 feat7 either. Flint, steel, and tinder were bestowed23 within Dick's ample pouch24, the short pipe was at hand, and within a few seconds there was a stream of vapor25 exhaling26 from his lips, like the smoke from a steamboat shooting down the river, and tracking his still rapid course through the air.
"I'll let 'em see what I think of 'em!" said Dick, coolly, as he turned his head.
It was now gray twilight27. The mists of coming night were weaving a thin curtain over the rich surrounding landscape. All the sounds and hum of that delicious hour were heard, broken only by the regular clatter28 of the horses' hoofs29. Tired of shouting, the chasers now kept on their way in deep silence; each man held his breath, and plunged30 his spurs, rowel deep, into his horse; but the animals were already at the top of their speed, and incapable31 of greater exertion32. Paterson, who was a hard rider, and perhaps a thought better mounted, kept the lead. The rest followed as they might.
Had it been undisturbed by the rush of the cavalcade33, the scene would have been still and soothing34. Overhead a cloud of rooks were winging their garrulous35 flight to the ancestral avenue of an ancient mansion36 to the right; the bat was on the wing; the distant lowing of a herd37 of kine saluted38 the ear at intervals39; the blithe40 whistle of the rustic41 herdsman, and the merry chime of waggon42 bells, rang pleasantly from afar. But these cheerful sounds, which make the still twilight hour delightful43, were lost in the tramp of the horsemen, now three abreast44. The hind45 fled to the hedge for shelter, and the waggoner pricked46 up his ears, and fancied he heard the distant rumbling47 of an earthquake.
On rush the pack, whipping, spurring, tugging48 for very life. Again they gave voice, in hopes the waggoner might succeed in stopping the fugitive49. But Dick was already by his side. "Harkee, my tulip," cried he, taking the pipe from his mouth as he passed, "tell my friends behind they will hear of me at York."
"What did he say?" asked Paterson, coming up the next moment.
"That you'll find him at York," replied the waggoner.
"At York!" echoed Coates, in amaze.
Turpin was now out of sight, and although our trio flogged with might and main, they could never catch a glimpse of him until, within a short distance of Ware50, they beheld51 him at the door of a little public house, standing52 with his bridle53 in his hand, coolly quaffing54 a tankard of ale. No sooner were they in sight, than Dick vaulted55 into the saddle, and rode off.
"Devil seize you, sir! why didn't you stop him?" exclaimed Paterson, as he rode up. "My horse is dead lame56. I cannot go any further. Do you know what a prize you have missed? Do you know who that was?"
"No, sir, I don't," said the publican. "But I know he gave his mare more ale than he took himself, and he has given me a guinea instead of a shilling. He's a regular good 'un."
"A good 'un!" said Paterson; "it was Turpin, the notorious highwayman. We are in pursuit of him. Have you any horses? our cattle are all blown."
"You'll find the post-house in the town, gentlemen. I'm sorry I can't accommodate you. But I keeps no stabling. I wish you a very good evening, sir." Saying which, the publican retreated to his domicile.
"That's a flash crib, I'll be bound," said Paterson. "I'll chalk you down, my friend, you may rely upon it. Thus far we're done, Mr. Coates. But curse me if I give it in. I'll follow him to the world's end first."
"Right, sir--right," said the attorney. "A very proper spirit, Mr. Constable57. You would be guilty of neglecting your duty were you to act otherwise. You must recollect58 my father, Mr. Paterson--Christopher, or Kit59 Coates; a name as well known at the Old Bailey as Jonathan Wild's. You recollect him--eh?"
"The greatest thief-taker, though I say it," continued Coates, "on record. I inherit all his zeal--all his ardor61. Come along, sir. We shall have a fine moon in an hour--bright as day. To the post-house! to the post-house!"
Accordingly to the post-house they went; and, with as little delay as circumstances admitted, fresh hacks62 being procured63, accompanied by a postilion, the party again pursued their onward64 course, encouraged to believe they were still in the right scent65.
Night had now spread her mantle66 over the earth; still it was not wholly dark. A few stars were twinkling in the deep, cloudless heavens, and a pearly radiance in the eastern horizon heralded67 the rising of the orb68 of night. A gentle breeze was stirring; the dews of evening had already fallen; and the air felt bland69 and dry. It was just the night one would have chosen for a ride, if one ever rode by choice at such an hour; and to Turpin, whose chief excursions were conducted by night, it appeared little less than heavenly.
Full of ardor and excitement, determined70 to execute what he had mentally undertaken, Turpin held on his solitary71 course. Everything was favorable to his project; the roads were in admirable condition, his mare was in like order; she was inured72 to hard work, had rested sufficiently73 in town to recover from the fatigue74 of her recent journey, and had never been in more perfect training. "She has now got her wind in her," said Dick; "I'll see what she can do--hark away, lass--hark away! I wish they could see her now," added he, as he felt her almost fly away with him.
Encouraged by her master's voice and hand, Black Bess started forward at a pace which few horses could have equalled, and scarcely any have sustained so long. Even Dick, accustomed as he was to her magnificent action, felt electrified75 at the speed with which he was borne along. "Bravo! bravo!" shouted he, "hark away, Bess!"
The deep and solemn woods through which they were rushing rang with his shouts, and the sharp rattle76 of Bess's hoofs; and thus he held his way, while, in the words of the ballad77,
Fled past, on right and left, how fast,
On right and left, fled past, how fast,
Each city, town, and tower.
点击收听单词发音
1 gallop | |
v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔;飞速发展 | |
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2 rein | |
n.疆绳,统治,支配;vt.以僵绳控制,统治 | |
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3 scattered | |
adj.分散的,稀疏的;散步的;疏疏落落的 | |
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4 thoroughly | |
adv.完全地,彻底地,十足地 | |
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5 exquisitely | |
adv.精致地;强烈地;剧烈地;异常地 | |
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6 wrung | |
绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 ); 握紧(尤指别人的手); 把(湿衣服)拧干; 绞掉(水) | |
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7 feat | |
n.功绩;武艺,技艺;adj.灵巧的,漂亮的,合适的 | |
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8 mare | |
n.母马,母驴 | |
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9 judgment | |
n.审判;判断力,识别力,看法,意见 | |
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10 plentiful | |
adj.富裕的,丰富的 | |
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11 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
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12 thumping | |
adj.重大的,巨大的;重击的;尺码大的;极好的adv.极端地;非常地v.重击(thump的现在分词);狠打;怦怦地跳;全力支持 | |
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13 calves | |
n.(calf的复数)笨拙的男子,腓;腿肚子( calf的名词复数 );牛犊;腓;小腿肚v.生小牛( calve的第三人称单数 );(冰川)崩解;生(小牛等),产(犊);使(冰川)崩解 | |
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14 lighting | |
n.照明,光线的明暗,舞台灯光 | |
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15 impudent | |
adj.鲁莽的,卑鄙的,厚颜无耻的 | |
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16 paeans | |
n.赞歌,凯歌( paean的名词复数 ) | |
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17 gallant | |
adj.英勇的,豪侠的;(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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18 extols | |
v.赞颂,赞扬,赞美( extol的第三人称单数 ) | |
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19 mid | |
adj.中央的,中间的 | |
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20 accomplished | |
adj.有才艺的;有造诣的;达到了的 | |
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21 esteemed | |
adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 );敬重;认为;以为 | |
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22 extravagant | |
adj.奢侈的;过分的;(言行等)放肆的 | |
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23 bestowed | |
赠给,授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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24 pouch | |
n.小袋,小包,囊状袋;vt.装...入袋中,用袋运输;vi.用袋送信件 | |
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25 vapor | |
n.蒸汽,雾气 | |
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26 exhaling | |
v.呼出,发散出( exhale的现在分词 );吐出(肺中的空气、烟等),呼气 | |
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27 twilight | |
n.暮光,黄昏;暮年,晚期,衰落时期 | |
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28 clatter | |
v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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29 hoofs | |
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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30 plunged | |
v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 );暴跌;骤降;突降 | |
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31 incapable | |
adj.无能力的,不能做某事的 | |
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32 exertion | |
n.尽力,努力 | |
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33 cavalcade | |
n.车队等的行列 | |
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34 soothing | |
adj.慰藉的;使人宽心的;镇静的 | |
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35 garrulous | |
adj.唠叨的,多话的 | |
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36 mansion | |
n.大厦,大楼;宅第 | |
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37 herd | |
n.兽群,牧群;vt.使集中,把…赶在一起 | |
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38 saluted | |
v.欢迎,致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 );赞扬,赞颂 | |
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39 intervals | |
n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 );间隔时间;[数学]区间;(戏剧、电影或音乐会的)幕间休息 | |
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40 blithe | |
adj.快乐的,无忧无虑的 | |
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41 rustic | |
adj.乡村的,有乡村特色的;n.乡下人,乡巴佬 | |
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42 waggon | |
n.运货马车,运货车;敞篷车箱 | |
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43 delightful | |
adj.令人高兴的,使人快乐的 | |
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44 abreast | |
adv.并排地;跟上(时代)的步伐,与…并进地 | |
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45 hind | |
adj.后面的,后部的 | |
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46 pricked | |
刺,扎,戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 ); 刺伤; 刺痛; 使剧痛 | |
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47 rumbling | |
n. 隆隆声, 辘辘声 adj. 隆隆响的 动词rumble的现在分词 | |
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48 tugging | |
n.牵引感v.用力拉,使劲拉,猛扯( tug的现在分词 ) | |
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49 fugitive | |
adj.逃亡的,易逝的;n.逃犯,逃亡者 | |
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50 ware | |
n.(常用复数)商品,货物 | |
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51 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 | |
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52 standing | |
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的 | |
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53 bridle | |
n.笼头,束缚;vt.抑制,约束;动怒 | |
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54 quaffing | |
v.痛饮( quaff的现在分词 );畅饮;大口大口将…喝干;一饮而尽 | |
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55 vaulted | |
adj.拱状的 | |
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56 lame | |
adj.跛的,(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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57 constable | |
n.(英国)警察,警官 | |
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58 recollect | |
v.回忆,想起,记起,忆起,记得 | |
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59 kit | |
n.用具包,成套工具;随身携带物 | |
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60 perfectly | |
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地 | |
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61 ardor | |
n.热情,狂热 | |
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62 hacks | |
黑客 | |
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63 procured | |
v.(努力)取得, (设法)获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 );拉皮条 | |
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64 onward | |
adj.向前的,前进的;adv.向前,前进,在先 | |
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65 scent | |
n.气味,香味,香水,线索,嗅觉;v.嗅,发觉 | |
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66 mantle | |
n.斗篷,覆罩之物,罩子;v.罩住,覆盖,脸红 | |
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67 heralded | |
v.预示( herald的过去式和过去分词 );宣布(好或重要) | |
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68 orb | |
n.太阳;星球;v.弄圆;成球形 | |
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69 bland | |
adj.淡而无味的,温和的,无刺激性的 | |
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70 determined | |
adj.坚定的;有决心的 | |
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71 solitary | |
adj.孤独的,独立的,荒凉的;n.隐士 | |
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72 inured | |
adj.坚强的,习惯的 | |
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73 sufficiently | |
adv.足够地,充分地 | |
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74 fatigue | |
n.疲劳,劳累 | |
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75 electrified | |
v.使电气化( electrify的过去式和过去分词 );使兴奋 | |
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76 rattle | |
v.飞奔,碰响;激怒;n.碰撞声;拨浪鼓 | |
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77 ballad | |
n.歌谣,民谣,流行爱情歌曲 | |
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78 grove | |
n.林子,小树林,园林 | |
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79 bower | |
n.凉亭,树荫下凉快之处;闺房;v.荫蔽 | |
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