Now we were following the long line of bare grade, upturned reddish by the plows13 and scrapers and picks and shovels14; sometimes elevated, for contour, sometimes merged15 with the desert itself. There the navvies digged and delved16, scarcely taking time to glance 224at us. And day by day we plodded17 in the interminable clouds of desert dust raised by the supply wagons18.
Captain Hyrum fought shy of their camps. The laborers21 were mainly Irish, trans-shipped from steerage, dock, and Bowery, and imported from Western mining centers; turbulent in their relaxations22 and plentifully23 supplied with whiskey: companies, they, not at all to the Mormon mind. Consequently we halted apart from them—and well so, for those were womanless camps and the daily stint24 bred strong appetites.
There were places where we made half circuit out from the grade and abandoned it entirely25. In this way we escaped the dust, the rough talk, and the temptations; now and again obtained a modicum26 of forage27 in the shape of coarse weedy grasses at the borders of sinks.
But it was a cruel country on men and beasts. Our teamsters who had been through by the Overland Trail said that the Bitter Creek28 desert was yet worse: drier, barer, dustier and uglier. Nevertheless this was our daily program:
To rise after a shivery night, into the crisp dawn which once or twice glinted upon a film of ice formed in the water buckets; to herd30 the stiffened31 animals and place them convenient; to swallow our hot coffee and our pork and beans, and flapjacks when the cooks were in the humor; to hook the teams to the wagons and break corral, and amidst cracking of lashes33 stretch out into column, then to lurch34 and groan35 onward36, at snail’s pace, through the constantly increasing day until soon we also were wrung37 and parched38 by a relentless39 heat succeeding the frosty night.
The sleeping beauties of the realm were ever farther removed. In the distances they awaited, luring40 with promise of magic-invested azure41 battlements, languid reds and yellows like tapestry42, and patches of liquid blue and dazzling snowy white, canopied43 by a soft, luxurious44 sky. But when we arrived, near spent, the battlements were only isolated45 sandstone outcrops inhabited by rattlesnakes, the reds and yellows were sun-baked soil as hard, the liquid blue was poisonous, stagnant46 sinks, the snow patches were soda47 and bitter alkali, the luxurious sky was the same old white-hot dome48, reflecting the blazing sun upon the fuming49 earth.
Then at sunset we made corral; against theft, when near the grade; against Indians and pillage50 when out from the grade, with the animals under herd guard. There were fires, there was singing at the Mormon camp, there was the heavy sleep beneath blanket and buffalo51 robe, through the biting chill of a breezeless night, the ground a welcomed bed, the stars vigilant52 from horizon to horizon, the wolves stalking and bickering53 like avid54 ghouls.
So we dulled to the falsity of the desert and the drudgery55 of the trail; and as the grading camps became less frequent the men grew riper for any diversion. That My Lady and Daniel and I were to furnish it seemed to be generally accepted. Here were the time-old elements: two men, one woman—elements so constituted that in other situation they might have brought comedy but upon such a trail must and should pronounce for tragedy, at least for true melodrama56.
Besides, I was expected to uphold the honor of our Gentile mess along with my own honor. That was demanded; ever offered in cajolery to encourage my pistol practice. I was, in short, “elected,” by an obsession57 equal to a conviction; and what with her insistently58 obtruded59 as a bonus I never was permitted to lose sight of the ghastly prize of skill added to merit.
At first the matter had disturbed and horrified60 me mightily61, to the extent that I anticipated evading62 the issue while preparing against it. Surely this was the current of a prankish63 dream. And dreams I had—frightfully tumultuous dreams, of red anger and redder blood, sometimes my own blood, sometimes another’s; dreams from which I awakened64 drenched65 in cold nightmare sweat.
To be infused, even by bunkum and banter66, with the idea of killing67, is a sad overthrow68 of sane69 balance. I would not have conceived the thing possible to me a month back. But the monotonous70 desert trail, the close companying with virile71, open minds, and the 227strict insistence72 upon individual rights—yes, and the irritation73 of the same faces, the same figures, the same fare, the same labor20, the same scant74 recreations, all worked as poison, to depress and fret75 and stimulate76 like alternant chills and fever.
Practice I did, if only in friendly emulation77 of the others, as a pass-the-time. I improved a little in drawing easily and firing snap-shot. The art was good to know, bad to depend upon. In the beginnings it worried me as a sleight-of-hand, until I saw that it was the established code and that Daniel himself looked to no other.
In fact, he pricked78 me on, not so much by word as by manner, which was worse. Since that evening when, in the approving parlance79 of my friends, I had “cut him out” by walking with her to the Adams fire, we had exchanged scarcely a word; he ruffled80 about at his end of the train and mainly in his own precincts, and I held myself in leash81 at mine, with self-consciousness most annoying to me.
But his manner, his manner—by swagger and covert82 sneer83 and ostentatious triumph of alleged84 possession emanating85 an unwearied challenge to my manhood. My revolver practice, I might mark, moved him to shrugs86 and flings; when he hulked by me he did so with a stare and a boastful grin, but without other response to my attempted “Howdy?”; now and again he assiduously cleaned his gun, sitting out where I should see even if I did not straightway look; in this 228he was most faithful, with sundry87 flourishes babying me by thinking to intimidate88.
Withal he gave me never excuse of ending him or placating89 him, but shifted upon me the burden of choosing time and spot.
Once, indeed, we near had it. That was on an early morning. He was driving in a yoke90 of oxen that had strayed, and he stopped short in passing where I was busied with gathering91 our mules92.
“Say, Mister, I want a word with yu,” he demanded.
“Well, out with it,” I bade; and my heart began to thump93. Possibly I paled, I know that I blinked, the sun being in my eyes.
“Needn’t be skeered. I ain’t goin’ to hurt ye. I ’laow yu expected to make up to that woman, didn’t yu, ’fore this?”
“What woman?” I encouraged; but I was wondering if my revolver was loose.
“Edna. ’Cause if yu did, ’tain’t no use, Mister. Why,” indulgently, “yu couldn’t marry her—yu couldn’t marry her no more’n yu could kill me. Yu’re a Gentile, an’ yu’d be bustin’ yore own laws. But thar ain’t no Gentile laws for the Lord’s an’inted; so I thought I’d tell yu I’m liable to marry her myself. Yu’ve kep’ away from her consider’ble; this is to tell yu yu mought as well keep keepin’ away.”
“I sha’n’t discuss Mrs. Montoyo with you, sir,” I broke, cold, instead of hot, watching him very narrowly (as I had been taught to do), my hand nerved for the inevitable95 dart96. “But I am her friend—her friend, mind you; and if she is in danger of being imposed upon by you, I stand ready to protect her. For I want you to know that I’m not afraid of you, day or night. Why, you low dog——!” and I choked, itching97 for the crisis.
“I seen yu practicin’. Go ahead. I wouldn’t kill yu naow. Or if yu want practice in ’arnest, start to draw.” He waited a moment, in easy insolence100. I did not draw. “Let yore dander cool. Thar’s no use yu tryin’ to buck29 the Mormons. I’ve warned ye.” And he passed on, cracking his lash32.
Suddenly I was aware that, as seemed, every eye in the camp had been fastened upon us two. My fingers shook while with show of nonchalance101 I resumed adjusting the halters.
“Gosh! Looked for a minute like you and him was to have it out proper,” Jenks commented, matter of fact, when I came in. “Hazin’ you a bit, was he? What’d he say?”
“He warned me to keep away from Mrs. Montoyo. Went so far as to lay claim to her himself, the whelp. Boasted of it.”
“Throwed it in your face, did he? Wall, you goin’ to let him cache her away?”
“Look here,” I said desperately102, still a-tremble: “Why do you men put that up to me? Why do you egg me on to interfere103? She’s no more to me than she is to you. Damn it, I’ll take care of myself but I don’t see why I should shoulder her, except that she’s a woman and I won’t see any woman mistreated.”
He pulled his whiskers, and grinned.
“Dunno jest how fur you’re elected. Looks like there was something between you and her—though I don’t say for shore. But she’s your kind; she may be a leetle devil, but she’s your kind—been eddicated and acts the lady. She ain’t our kind. Thunderation! What’d we do with her? She’d be better off marryin’ Dan’l. He’d give her a home. If you hadn’t been with this train I don’t believe she’d have follered in. That’s the proposition. You got to fight him anyway; he’s set out to back you down. It’s your fracas104, isn’t it?”
“I know it,” I admitted. “He’s been ugly toward me from the first, without reason.”
“Reckoned to amuse himself. He’s one o’ them fellers that think to show off by ridin’ somebody they think they can ride. The boys hate to see you lay down to that; for you’d better call him and eat lead or else quit the country. So you might as well give him a full dose and take the pot.”
“What pot?”
“The woman, o’ course.”
“I tell you, Mrs. Montoyo has nothing to do with it, any more than any woman. It’s a matter between him and me—he began it by jeering105 at me before she appeared. I want her left out of it.”
“Oh, pshaw!” Jenks scoffed106. “That can’t be did. He’s fetched her into it. What do you aim to do, then? Dodge107 her? When you’re dodgin’ her you’re dodgin’ him, or so he’ll take it.”
“I’ll not dodge him, you can bet on that,” I vowed108. “I don’t seek her, nor him; but I shall not go out of my way to avoid either of them.”
“And when you give him his dose, what’ll you do?”
“If that is forced upon me, nothing. It will be in defense109 of my rights, won’t it? But I don’t want any further trouble with him. I hope to God I won’t have.”
“Shore,” Jenks soothed110. “You’re not a killer111. All the same, you’re elected; he began it and you’ll have to finish it. Then you’ll needs look out for yourself and her too, for he’s made her the stakes.”
“Why will I?”
“She can stay with the Mormons, if she wants to.”
“Oh, yes; if she wants to. But do you reckon she 232does? Not much! She’s lookin’ to you—she’s lookin’ to you. She’s a smart leetle piece—knows how to play her cards, and she’s got you and Dan’l goin’.”
“But she’s married. You can’t expect——”
“Oh, yes,” he wagged again, interrupting. “Shore. There’s Montoyo. I don’t envy you your job, but damn’ if you mightn’t work harder and do wuss. She’s a clipper, and I never did hear anything ’specially bad of her, beyond cappin’. Whoa, Jinny!”
I wrathfully cogitated113. Now I began to hate her. I was a tool to her hand, once more, was I? And how had it come about? She had not directly besought114 me to it—not by word. Daniel had decreed, and already our antagonism115 had been on. And I had defied him—naturally. He should not bilk me of free movement. But the issue might, on the face of it, appear to be she. As I tugged116 at the harness, under breath I cursed the scurvy117 turn of events; and in seeking to place the blame found amazing cleverness in her. Just the same, I was not going to kill him for her account; never, never! And I wished to the deuce that she’d kept clear of me.
Jenks was speaking.
“So the fust chance you get you might as well walk straight into him, call him all the names you can lay tongue to, and when he makes a move for his gun beat him to the draw and come up shootin’. Then 233it’ll be over with. The longer it hangs, the less peace you’ll have; for you’ve got to do it sooner or later. It’s you or him.”
“There ain’t, if you’re a he critter on two legs,” snapped Jenks. “Not in this country or any other white man’s country; no, nor in red man’s country neither. What you do back in the States, can’t say. Trust in pray’r, mebbe.”
Nevertheless I determined119 to make a last effort even at the risk of losing caste. In the reaction from the pressure of that recent encounter when I might have killed, but didn’t, I again had a spell of fierce, sick protest against the rôle being foisted120 upon me—foisted, I could see, by her machinations as well as by his animosity. The position was too false to be borne. There was no joy in it, no zest121, no adequate reward. Why, in God’s name, should I be sentenced to have blood upon my hands and soul? Surely I might be permitted to stay clean.
Therefore this evening immediately after corral was formed I sought out Captain Adams, as master of the train; and disregarding the gazes that followed me and that received me I spoke122 frankly123, here at his own wagon19, without preliminary.
“Daniel and I appear to be at outs, sir,” I said. “Why, I do not know, except that he seems to have had a dislike for me from the first day. If he’ll let 234me alone I’ll let him alone. I’m not one to look for trouble.”
“Daniel will take care of himself.”
“That is his privilege,” I answered. “I am not here to question his rights, Captain, as long as he keeps within them; but I don’t require of him to take care of me also. If he will hold to his own trail I’ll hold to mine, and I assure you there’ll be no trouble.”
“Daniel will take care of himself, I say,” he reiterated125. “Yes, and look after all that belongs to him, stranger. There’s no use threatening Daniel. What he does he does as servant of the Lord and he fears naught126.”
“Neither do I, sir,” I retorted hotly. “One may wish to avoid trouble and still not fear it. I have not come to you with complaint. I merely wish to explain. You are captain of the train and responsible for its conduct. I give you notice that I shall defend myself against insult and annoyance127.”
“A moment, stranger. Your talk is big. What have you to do with this woman Edna?”
“With Mrs. Montoyo? What I please, if it pleases her, sir. If she claims your protection, very good. Should she claim mine, she’ll have it.” And there, confound it, I had spoken. “But with this, Daniel has nothing to do. I believe that the lady you mention is simply your present guest and my former acquaintance.”
“You err,” he thundered, darkening. “You cannot be expected to see the light. But I say to you, keep away, keep away. I will have no gallivanting, no cozening and smiling and prating129 and distracting. She must be nothing to you. Never can be, never shall be. Her way is appointed, the instrument chosen, and as a sister in Zion she shall know you not. Now get you gone——” a favorite expression of his. “Get you gone, meddle130 not hereabouts, and I’ll see to it that you are spared from harm.”
Surprising myself, and perhaps him, I gazed full at him and laughed without reserve or irritation.
“Thank you, Captain,” I heard myself saying. “I am perfectly131 capable of self-protection. And I expect to remain a friend of Mrs. Montoyo as long as she permits me. For your bluster132 and Daniel’s I care not a sou. In fact, I consider you a pair of damned body-snatchers. Good-evening.”
Then out I stormed, boiling within, reckless of opposition—even courting it; but met none, Daniel least of all (for he was elsewhere), until as I passed on along the lined-up wagons I heard my name uttered breathlessly.
“Mr. Beeson.”
It was not My Lady; her I had not glimpsed. The gentle English girl Rachael had intercepted133 me. She 236stood between two wagons, whither she had hastened.
“You will be careful?”
“How far, madam?”
“Of yourself, and for her. Oh, be careful. You can gain nothing.”
Her face and tone entreated134 me. She was much in earnest, the roses of her round cheeks paled, her hands clasped.
“I shall only look out for myself,” said I. “That seems necessary.”
“You should keep away from our camp, and from Daniel. There is nothing you can do. You—if you could only understand.” Her hands tightened135 upon each other. “Won’t you be careful? More careful? For I know. You cannot interfere; there is no way. You but run great risk. Sister Edna will be happy.”
“Did she send you, madam?” I asked.
“N-no; yes. Yes, she wishes it. Her place has been found. The Lord so wills. We all are happy in Zion, under the Lord. Surely you would not try to interfere, sir?”
“I have no desire to interfere with the future happiness of Mrs. Montoyo,” I stiffly answered. “She is not the root of the business between Daniel and me, although he would have it appear so. And you yourself, a woman, are satisfied to have her forced into Mormonism?”
“She has been living in sin, sir. The truth is appointed only among the Latter Day Saints. We have the book and the word—the Gentile priests are not ordained136 of the Lord for laying on of hands. In Zion Edna shall be purged137 and set free; there she shall be brought to salvation138. Our bishops139, perhaps Brigham Young himself, will show her the way. But no woman in Zion is married without consent. The Lord directs through our prophets. Oh, sir, if you could only see!”
An angel could not have pleaded more sweetly. To have argued with her would have been sacrilege, for I verily believed that she was pure of heart.
“There is nothing for me to say, madam,” I responded. “As far as I can do so with self-respect I will avoid Daniel. I certainly shall not intrude140 upon your party, or bother Mrs. Montoyo. But if Daniel brings trouble to me I will hand it back to him. That’s flat. He shall not flout141 me out of face. It rests with him whether we travel on peacefully or not. And I thank you for your interest.”
“I will pray for you,” she said simply. “Good-bye, sir.”
She withdrew, hastening again, sleek142 haired, round figured, modest in her shabby gown. I proceeded to the outfit6 with a new sense of disease. If she—if Mrs. Montoyo really had yielded, if she were out of the game—but she never had been in it; not to me. And still I conned143 the matter over and over, vainly convincing myself that the situation had cleared. 238Notwithstanding all my effort, I somehow felt that an incentive144 had vanished, leaving a gap. The affair now had simmered down to plain temper and tit for tat. I championed nothing, except myself.
Why, with her submissive, in a fracas I might be working hurt to her, beyond the harm to him. But she be hanged, as to that phase of it. I had been led on so far that there was no solution save as Daniel turned aside. Heaven knows that the matter would have been sordid145 enough had it focused upon a gambler’s wife; and here it looked only prosaic146. Thus viewing it I fought an odd disappointment in myself, coupled with a keener disappointment in her.
“You talked to Hyrum, I see,” Jenks commented.
“I did.”
“’Bout Dan’l, mebbe?”
“I wanted to make plain that the business is none of my seeking. Hyrum is wagon master.”
“Didn’t get any satisfaction, I’ll bet.”
“No. On the contrary.”
“I could have told you you’d be wastin’ powder.”
“At any rate,” I informed, “Mrs. Montoyo is entirely out of the matter. She never was in it except as she was entitled to protection, but now she requires no further notice.”
“How so?”
“That is her wish. She sent me word by Rachael.”
“She did? Wall?” He eyed me. “You swaller that?”239
“Willingly.” And I swallowed my bitterness also.
“Means to marry him, does she?”
“Rachael did not say as to that. Rather, she gave me to understand that a way would be found to release Mrs. Montoyo from Benton connections, but that no woman in Utah is obliged to marry. Is that true?”
“Um-m.” Jenks rubbed his beard. “Wall, they do say Brigham Young is ag’in promisc’yus swappin’, and things got to be done straight, ’cordin’ to the faith. But an unjined female in the church is a powerful lonely critter. Sticks out like a sore thumb. They read the Bible at her plenty. Um-m,” mused147 he. “I don’t put much stock in that yarn148 you bring me. There’s a nigger in the wood-pile, but he ain’t black. What you goin’ to do about it?”
“Nothing. It’s not my concern. Now if Daniel will mind his affairs I’ll continue to mind mine.”
“Wall, Zion’s a long way off yet,” quoth friend Jenks. “I don’t look to see you or she get there—nor Dan’l either.”
He being stubborn, I let him have the last word; did not seek to develop his views. But his contentious149 harping150 shadowed like an omen99.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
slumberous
|
|
| a.昏昏欲睡的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
replenished
|
|
| 补充( replenish的过去式和过去分词 )； 重新装满 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
swapped
|
|
| 交换（工作）( swap的过去式和过去分词 )； 用…替换，把…换成，掉换（过来） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
contractor
|
|
| n.订约人，承包人，收缩肌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
outfits
|
|
| n.全套装备( outfit的名词复数 )；一套服装；集体；组织v.装备，配置设备，供给服装( outfit的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
outfit
|
|
| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
bevy
|
|
| n.一群 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
casement
|
|
| n.竖铰链窗；窗扉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
imperative
|
|
| n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
tugging
|
|
| n.牵引感v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
rampantly
|
|
| 粗暴地，猖獗的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
sledges
|
|
| n.雪橇，雪车( sledge的名词复数 )v.乘雪橇( sledge的第三人称单数 )；用雪橇运载 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
plows
|
|
| n.犁( plow的名词复数 )；犁型铲雪机v.耕( plow的第三人称单数 )；犁耕；费力穿过 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
shovels
|
|
| n.铲子( shovel的名词复数 )；锹；推土机、挖土机等的)铲；铲形部份v.铲子( shovel的第三人称单数 )；锹；推土机、挖土机等的)铲；铲形部份 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
merged
|
|
| （使）混合( merge的过去式和过去分词 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
delved
|
|
| v.深入探究，钻研( delve的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
plodded
|
|
| v.沉重缓慢地走（路）( plod的过去式和过去分词 )；努力从事；沉闷地苦干；缓慢进行（尤指艰难枯燥的工作） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
wagons
|
|
| n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
wagon
|
|
| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
labor
|
|
| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
laborers
|
|
| n.体力劳动者，工人( laborer的名词复数 )；（熟练工人的）辅助工 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
relaxations
|
|
| n.消遣( relaxation的名词复数 )；松懈；松弛；放松 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
plentifully
|
|
| adv. 许多地，丰饶地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
stint
|
|
| v.节省，限制，停止；n.舍不得化，节约，限制；连续不断的一段时间从事某件事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
modicum
|
|
| n.少量，一小份 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
forage
|
|
| n.(牛马的)饲料，粮草；v.搜寻，翻寻 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
creek
|
|
| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
buck
|
|
| n.雄鹿，雄兔；v.马离地跳跃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
herd
|
|
| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
stiffened
|
|
| 加强的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
lash
|
|
| v.系牢；鞭打；猛烈抨击；n.鞭打；眼睫毛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
lashes
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
lurch
|
|
| n.突然向前或旁边倒；v.蹒跚而行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
groan
|
|
| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
onward
|
|
| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
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） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
parched
|
|
| adj.焦干的；极渴的；v.（使）焦干 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
relentless
|
|
| adj.残酷的，不留情的，无怜悯心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
luring
|
|
| 吸引，引诱（lure的现在分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
azure
|
|
| adj.天蓝色的，蔚蓝色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
tapestry
|
|
| n.挂毯，丰富多采的画面 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
canopied
|
|
| adj. 遮有天篷的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
luxurious
|
|
| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
isolated
|
|
| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
stagnant
|
|
| adj.不流动的，停滞的，不景气的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
soda
|
|
| n.苏打水；汽水 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
dome
|
|
| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
fuming
|
|
| 愤怒( fume的现在分词 )； 大怒； 发怒； 冒烟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
pillage
|
|
| v.抢劫；掠夺；n.抢劫，掠夺；掠夺物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
buffalo
|
|
| n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
vigilant
|
|
| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
bickering
|
|
| v.争吵( bicker的现在分词 )；口角；（水等）作潺潺声；闪烁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
avid
|
|
| adj.热心的；贪婪的；渴望的；劲头十足的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
drudgery
|
|
| n.苦工，重活，单调乏味的工作 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
melodrama
|
|
| n.音乐剧；情节剧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
obsession
|
|
| n.困扰，无法摆脱的思想(或情感) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
insistently
|
|
| ad.坚持地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
obtruded
|
|
| v.强行向前，强行，强迫( obtrude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
horrified
|
|
| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
mightily
|
|
| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
evading
|
|
| 逃避( evade的现在分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
prankish
|
|
| adj.爱开玩笑的，恶作剧的；开玩笑性质的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
64
awakened
|
|
| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
drenched
|
|
| adj.湿透的；充满的v.使湿透( drench的过去式和过去分词 )；在某人（某物）上大量使用（某液体） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
banter
|
|
| n.嘲弄，戏谑；v.取笑，逗弄，开玩笑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
killing
|
|
| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
overthrow
|
|
| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
sane
|
|
| adj.心智健全的，神志清醒的，明智的，稳健的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
monotonous
|
|
| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
virile
|
|
| adj.男性的；有男性生殖力的；有男子气概的；强有力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
insistence
|
|
| n.坚持；强调；坚决主张 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
irritation
|
|
| n.激怒，恼怒，生气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
scant
|
|
| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
fret
|
|
| v.(使)烦恼；(使)焦急；(使)腐蚀，(使)磨损 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
stimulate
|
|
| vt.刺激，使兴奋；激励，使…振奋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
emulation
|
|
| n.竞争；仿效 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
pricked
|
|
| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
parlance
|
|
| n.说法；语调 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
ruffled
|
|
| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
leash
|
|
| n.牵狗的皮带，束缚；v.用皮带系住 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
covert
|
|
| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
sneer
|
|
| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
alleged
|
|
| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
emanating
|
|
| v.从…处传出，传出( emanate的现在分词 )；产生，表现，显示 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
shrugs
|
|
| n.耸肩（以表示冷淡，怀疑等）( shrug的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
sundry
|
|
| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
intimidate
|
|
| vt.恐吓，威胁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
placating
|
|
| v.安抚，抚慰，使平静( placate的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
yoke
|
|
| n.轭；支配；v.给...上轭，连接，使成配偶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
gathering
|
|
| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
mules
|
|
| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
thump
|
|
| v.重击，砰然地响；n.重击，重击声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
spat
|
|
| n.口角，掌击；v.发出呼噜呼噜声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
inevitable
|
|
| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
dart
|
|
| v.猛冲，投掷；n.飞镖，猛冲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
itching
|
|
| adj.贪得的，痒的，渴望的v.发痒( itch的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
chagrin
|
|
| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
omen
|
|
| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
insolence
|
|
| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
nonchalance
|
|
| n.冷淡，漠不关心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
desperately
|
|
| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
interfere
|
|
| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
fracas
|
|
| n.打架；吵闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
jeering
|
|
| adj.嘲弄的，揶揄的v.嘲笑( jeer的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
scoffed
|
|
| 嘲笑，嘲弄( scoff的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
dodge
|
|
| v.闪开，躲开，避开；n.妙计，诡计 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
vowed
|
|
| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
defense
|
|
| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
soothed
|
|
| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
killer
|
|
| n.杀人者，杀人犯，杀手，屠杀者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
hull
|
|
| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
cogitated
|
|
| v.认真思考，深思熟虑( cogitate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
114
besought
|
|
| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
antagonism
|
|
| n.对抗，敌对，对立 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
tugged
|
|
| v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
scurvy
|
|
| adj.下流的，卑鄙的，无礼的；n.坏血病 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
faltered
|
|
| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
foisted
|
|
| 强迫接受，把…强加于( foist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
zest
|
|
| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
spoke
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
frankly
|
|
| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
jot
|
|
| n.少量；vi.草草记下；vt.匆匆写下 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
reiterated
|
|
| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
naught
|
|
| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
annoyance
|
|
| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
poised
|
|
| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
prating
|
|
| v.（古时用语）唠叨，啰唆( prate的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
meddle
|
|
| v.干预，干涉，插手 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
bluster
|
|
| v.猛刮；怒冲冲的说；n.吓唬，怒号；狂风声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
intercepted
|
|
| 拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 )； 截住； 截击； 拦阻 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
entreated
|
|
| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
tightened
|
|
| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
ordained
|
|
| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
purged
|
|
| 清除（政敌等）( purge的过去式和过去分词 )； 涤除（罪恶等）； 净化（心灵、风气等）； 消除（错事等）的不良影响 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
salvation
|
|
| n.（尤指基督）救世，超度，拯救，解困 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
bishops
|
|
| （基督教某些教派管辖大教区的）主教( bishop的名词复数 )； （国际象棋的）象 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
intrude
|
|
| vi.闯入；侵入；打扰，侵扰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
flout
|
|
| v./n.嘲弄，愚弄，轻视 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
sleek
|
|
| adj.光滑的，井然有序的；v.使光滑，梳拢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
conned
|
|
| adj.被骗了v.指挥操舵( conn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
incentive
|
|
| n.刺激；动力；鼓励；诱因；动机 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
sordid
|
|
| adj.肮脏的，不干净的，卑鄙的，暗淡的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
prosaic
|
|
| adj.单调的，无趣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
mused
|
|
| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
148
yarn
|
|
| n.纱，纱线，纺线；奇闻漫谈，旅行轶事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
149
contentious
|
|
| adj.好辩的，善争吵的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
150
harping
|
|
| n.反复述说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |