No one spoke3, but they sat pale, woebegone and staring helplessly at each other, undecided what to do.
The conductor, who was an alert official, said to Billy:
“This is where you get off; come, step lively.”
The lad rose to his feet without a word, and started down the aisle4 for the door. His companions glanced at him, and, feeling that it would not do for them to separate, also rose by common impulse and followed him out on the platform, where they stood silent and wretched until the train left.
Jimmy McGovern was the first to speak, and it was with the deepest sigh he ever drew:
“Well, boys, what’s to be done?”
“Let’s go back home,” said Billy, “and get the jewelry5 under the stump6, sell that and start over again; I guess we’ll know enough to take care of our money next time.”
“But we haven’t enough to pay our fare,” remarked Tommy.
“We can walk to Jersey7 City; we’ve got a little money, and we’ll sell a revolver there: that will take one of us to Ashton, and he can get the jewelry.”
It was a most repellent course, and they spent a half-hour in discussing it; but it really seemed that nothing else was possible, and the proceeding8 was agreed upon.
Few words were spoken as they walked down the slope from the station, made their way to the bridge a short distance below the trestle-work, and walked across to the other side. Inquiry9 showed them that they had almost thirty miles to walk to Jersey City, and since the forenoon was well advanced, they could not expect to reach their destination before the morrow.
But it was the spring of the year, the weather was mild, and they concluded they could beg something to eat. If the farmers refused them permission to sleep in their houses, they could take refuge in some barn, after the manner of ordinary tramps.
But an unexpected series of adventures was before them.
After crossing the Raritan and walking a short distance, they turned into a stretch of woods, where they sat down to discuss further what ought to be done. With the elastic10 spirits of childhood, all had rallied somewhat from the extreme depression following the discovery of the loss of their funds. The leader was especially hopeful.
“I don’t know but what it is best this happened,” said he, “for we hadn’t enough money to see us through, and one of us might have to come back after we got to Chicago, and that would have been bad.”
“But we expected to get money there,” said Jimmy.
“I don’t believe it would be as easy as we thought; now I will leave you two in New York, after we reach there, go back to Ashton, get the jewelry and bring it with me. We can sell it for two or three thousand dollars, and we’ll be fixed11.”
The others caught the infection of hope and rose to their feet, eager to reach the metropolis12 as soon as possible.
They were about to resume their journey, when they heard voices near them. Looking around, two frowzy13 men were observed walking slowly toward them. One was munching14 a sandwich, while the other had a short black pipe between his teeth.
The reader may not know that the woods, on the northern bank of the Raritan, is the spot where the numerous tramps of New Jersey have their general rendezvous15. Several hundred of these nuisances are sometimes gathered there, and they are held in great dread16 by the neighbors, for they are lazy, thievish, and lawless, and have perpetrated so many outrages17 that more than one descent has been made upon their camp by the authorities, while the law-abiding citizens have been on the point, at times, of taking severe measure against them.
Unsuspicious of the fact, the boys had approached close to the camp of the tramps.
The two tousled specimens18 caught sight of the boys at the same moment that the latter discovered them. The one munching a sandwich stopped, stared a second, and then, speaking as well as he could, with his mouth full of food, exclaimed:
“Why, Snakeroot Sam!” called the delighted Tommy Wagstaff, “if this isn’t the luckiest thing that could happen!”
“Where did you come from?” asked that worthy20, swallowing what was in his mouth, and indulging in a grin which disclosed a double row of large black teeth. His companion pulled his pipe and looked on in silence.
“Why, didn’t I tell you we was going to start for the West about this time?” asked the happy leader of the little party.
“So you did; I jotted21 it down in my notebook, but seein’ as how you didn’t give me the percise date, I couldn’t be on hand to wish you good-bye; but what are you doin’ here?”
“We’ve had bad luck,” was the disconsolate22 reply; “we’ve been robbed of all our money.”
“That’s what we’ll have to do, but we mean to take a new start.”
“How did this unfortinit misfortune come to overtake ye?”
“This is my friend, Ragged25 Jim,” said Sam, when the narrative26 was finished, “and he’s true blue.”
Ragged Jim nodded his head and grunted27, without taking the black clay pipe from between his teeth, while Snakeroot Sam munched28 his sandwich at intervals29.
“So you’ve no money with you?”
“Not a dollar,” replied Tommy.
“How ’bout your shootin’ irons?”
“They’re all right; we’ve got a good revolver.”
“Let me look at ’em; I’d like to be sure that they’re the right kind to plug redskins with.”
The boys promptly30 produced their weapons, and passed them over to Sam, who examined each in turn, and then handed a couple to his companion.
“I obsarve a watch-chain onto ye,” continued Sam; “I hope you aint so dishonorable es to carry a chain without a watch at t’other end to sorter balance it.”
“I’ve got my father’s time-piece with me,” replied Tommy, producing the fine chronometer31, and passing it to the tramp, who extended his hand for it.
Sam turned it over in his hand with the same attentive32 interest he had shown in the case of the revolvers. The single weapon he had shoved in his hip-pocket. He held the timepiece to his ear, listened to its ticking, surveyed the face, and then deliberately33 slipped it into his trousers pocket, catching34 the chain in the hole through which he had previously35 run a ten-penny nail to give his garments the right fit.
“How does that look on me?” he asked, with a grin, of his friend.
“It fits you bootiful,” replied Ragged Jim, “which the same is the case with these weapons and myself.”
“But,” said the dismayed Tommy, “that’s my watch.”
“Why, sonny, you shouldn’t tell a story; that’s wicked.”
“But it is mine; I want it.”
“Didn’t you just tell me it was your father’s?”
“Yes—but I want it.”
“Give my lovin’ respects to your governor, and tell him when I come his way I’ll stop and pass it over to him.”
With tears in his eyes, Tommy rushed forward as the tramp began moving off, and caught his arm.
“Sam, you must let me have that!”
“What! are you goin’ to commit highway robbery?” he demanded, as if frightened: “do you want it bad?”
“Of course I do, and I mean to get it.”
“All right.”
Snakeroot Sam turned about, seized the boy by the nape of his coat, and delivered a kick which sent sent him several paces and caused him to fall on his face. Then he wheeled as if to serve Jimmy and Billy in the same manner, but they eluded37 him by running out of the woods to the highway. Ragged Jim stood laughing at the scene, and Sam made again for Tommy; but he had leaped to his feet and hurried after his companions.
“By-by,” called Sam; “when you get that money call on me again and I’ll take charge of it.”
When the three came together in the road, each was crying. Tommy suffered from the pain of his ill-usage, while all were in despair. Neither could say a word to comfort the others, and they tramped wearily along, beginning to feel for the first time that their good fortune had deserted38 them at last.
Not one would confess it, but he would have given anything at command could he have been safely at home at that moment, with the deeds of the past few days wiped out and undone39 forever.
The sky, which had been sunshiny in the morning, was now overcast40, and they had not gone far when drops of rain began falling.
“We’re going to get wet,” ventured Billy Waylett.
“I don’t care,” replied Tommy, “I can’t feel any worse than I do now.”
A few minutes later a drizzling41 rain began falling, but, although they passed a house near the road, they did not stop, and kept on until their clothing was saturated42. They were cold, chilly43, and hungry, for noon had gone and all ate lightly in the morning.
“I’m tired out,” said Billy, at last; “let’s stop yonder and warm ourselves; maybe the folks will give us something to eat.”
The dwelling44 stood a little way from the road, with which it communicated by means of a lane lined on both sides with tall trees. No one was visible around it, but they turned through the broad gate and hurried through the rain, which was still falling, with its cold, dismal45 patter, every drop of which seemed to force its way through the clothing to their bodies.
About half the distance was passed when Tommy, who was slightly in advance of his companions, wheeled about and dashed for the highway again.
“There’s a dog coming!” was his exclamation46.
The others heard the threatening growl47, and descried48 an immense canine49 coming down the lane like a runaway50 steam engine.
Nothing but a hurried flight was left to them, and they ran with the desperation of despair. Billy, being the younger and shorter, was unable to keep up with the others. His dumpy legs worked fast, but he fell behind, and his terrified yells a moment later announced that the dog had overtaken him and was attending to business.
His horrified51 companions stopped to give what help they could, but the dog, having extracted a goodly piece from Billy’s garments, was satisfied to turn about and trot52 back to the house to receive the commendation of his master, who was standing53 on the porch and viewing the proceedings54 with much complacency.
An examination of Billy, who was still crying, showed that the skin had only been scratched, though his trousers had suffered frightfully. All had received such a scare that they determined56 to apply to no more houses for relief, even if the rain descended57 in torrents58 and they were starving.
And so they tramped wearily onward59 through the mud and wet, hungry and utterly60 miserable. It seemed to them that their homes were a thousand miles distant and they would never see them again.
They could not help picturing their warm, comfortable firesides, where their kind parents denied them nothing, and where they had spent so many happy days, with no thought of what they owed those loving ones whom they were treating with such ingratitude61.
Tears were in the eyes of all three, and, though they grew so weary that they could hardly drag one foot after the other, they plodded62 along until the gathering63 darkness told them night was closing in.
They had met wagons64, horsemen, and several persons on foot. From some of the last they made inquiries65 and learned that, although they had passed through several towns, they were yet south of Rahway. Their hunger became so gnawing66 that Tommy spent all their money in buying a lot of cakes, which they devoured67 with the avidity of savages68, and felt hungry when none was left to eat.
To the inquiries made of them they returned evasive answers, and when they reached any one of the numerous towns and villages between New Brunswick and the Hudson, they hurried through them and into the open country, where the people viewed them with less curiosity.
When the darkness became so deep that they could not very well see their way, it was necessary to decide where and how they were to spend the night. The drizzling rain was still falling; they were chilled to the bone, and so tired that they could hardly walk.
In the gathering gloom, they observed a barn near the highway, in which they concluded to take refuge, for it was impossible to walk farther, and no better shelter was likely to present itself.
But for the cruel reception received at the first house earlier in the afternoon, they would have asked for charity of some of the neighbors, and doubtless would have received kind treatment, for it would be unjust to describe all the people of that section as unfeeling and heartless.
Had they made their predicament known in any one of the towns, they would have been taken care of until their families could be communicated with; but they were too frightened to think of anything of that nature.
Halting a short way from the barn, Tommy cautiously advanced to make a reconnoissance. He walked timidly around it, but discovered nothing of any person, nor did he hear the growl of a watch-dog. The dwelling-house stood so far off that it was distinguished69 only by the lights twinkling from within.
When Tommy came to try the main door, however, it was locked, and he feared they were barred out. He persevered70, and with a thrill of hope found the stable-door unfastened—a piece of carelessness on the part of the owner, unless he meant to return shortly.
The lad whistled to his companions waiting in the road, and they hurried to his side. Telling them the cheering news, he let them pass in ahead of him, after which he carefully closed the door as it was before.
Then followed several minutes of groping in the dark, during which Jimmy narrowly missed receiving a dangerous kick from one of the horses, and at last the hay-mow was located. With considerable labor71 they crawled to the top, covered their shivering bodies as best they could, and, nestling close together, to secure what warmth they could, sank almost immediately into deep slumber72.
They were so utterly worn out that neither opened his eyes until the sun was above the horizon. The storm had cleared away, the air was cool, and though their bodies were stiffened73 and half-famished, they were in better spirits than when they clambered into the refuge.
When all had fully55 awakened74 and rubbed their eyes, they sat for a moment or two on the hay, considering what could be done.
“I’m so hungry,” said Billy Waylett, “that I feel as though I could eat this hay.”
“And I’ll chew some of the meal if we can’t do any better,” added Jim.
“Both of you together aint half as hungry as I am,” said Tommy, “and I’m going to the house to ask for something to eat.”
“I don’t care if they have; I’ll kill and eat him.”
“You fellers stay here,” said Tommy, “while I fix things, and then I’ll send for you; I’m bound to do something or die, for I can’t stand this any longer—”
Just then the barn door opened, and several persons entered.
“I think we’ll find them in here,” remarked one; “they couldn’t have traveled much farther.”
“We’ll take a look through that haymow.”
And the next minute the head and shoulders of a burly man rose to view, and the runaways78 were discovered.
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收听单词发音
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1
miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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3
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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aisle
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| n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道 | |
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jewelry
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| n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝 | |
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stump
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| n.残株，烟蒂，讲演台；v.砍断，蹒跚而走 | |
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jersey
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| n.运动衫 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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elastic
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| n.橡皮圈，松紧带；adj.有弹性的；灵活的 | |
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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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metropolis
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| n.首府；大城市 | |
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frowzy
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| adj.不整洁的；污秽的 | |
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munching
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| v.用力咀嚼（某物），大嚼( munch的现在分词 ) | |
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15
rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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16
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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17
outrages
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| 引起…的义愤，激怒( outrage的第三人称单数 ) | |
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18
specimens
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| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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19
bugs
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| adj.疯狂的，发疯的n.窃听器( bug的名词复数 )；病菌；虫子；[计算机]（制作软件程序所产生的意料不到的）错误 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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21
jotted
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| v.匆忙记下( jot的过去式和过去分词 )；草草记下，匆匆记下 | |
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22
disconsolate
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| adj.忧郁的，不快的 | |
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hoof
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| n.(马，牛等的)蹄 | |
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mishap
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| n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸 | |
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ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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28
munched
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| v.用力咀嚼（某物），大嚼( munch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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29
intervals
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| 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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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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chronometer
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| n.精密的计时器 | |
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32
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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33
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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36
doffing
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| n.下筒，落纱v.脱去，（尤指）脱帽( doff的现在分词 ) | |
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37
eluded
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| v.（尤指机敏地）避开( elude的过去式和过去分词 )；逃避；躲避；使达不到 | |
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38
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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undone
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| a.未做完的，未完成的 | |
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40
overcast
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| adj.阴天的，阴暗的，愁闷的；v.遮盖，（使）变暗，包边缝；n.覆盖，阴天 | |
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41
drizzling
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| 下蒙蒙细雨，下毛毛雨( drizzle的现在分词 ) | |
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42
saturated
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| a.饱和的，充满的 | |
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43
chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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44
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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45
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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46
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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47
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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48
descried
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| adj.被注意到的，被发现的，被看到的 | |
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49
canine
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| adj.犬的，犬科的 | |
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50
runaway
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| n.逃走的人，逃亡，亡命者；adj.逃亡的，逃走的 | |
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51
horrified
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| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
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52
trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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53
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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54
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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55
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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56
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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57
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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58
torrents
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| n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断 | |
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59
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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60
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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61
ingratitude
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| n.忘恩负义 | |
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62
plodded
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| 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） | |
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63
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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64
wagons
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| n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车 | |
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65
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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66
gnawing
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| a.痛苦的，折磨人的 | |
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67
devoured
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| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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70
persevered
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| v.坚忍，坚持( persevere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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71
labor
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| 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 | |
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slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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73
stiffened
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| 加强的 | |
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74
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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shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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77
rascals
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| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
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runaways
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| （轻而易举的）胜利( runaway的名词复数 ) | |
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