There are men whose wits are quick as light, and whose muscles have been so tempered and hardened by years of exercise that they are like those of a wild animal. Of such was John Gale18; but with all his intelligence he was very slow at reading, hence he chose to spend his evenings with his pipe and his thoughts, rather than with a book, as lonesome men are supposed to do. He did with little sleep, and many nights he sat alone till Alluna and Necia would be awakened19 by his heavy step as he went to his bed. That he was a man who could really think, and that his thoughts were engrossing20, no one doubted who saw him sitting enthralled21 at such a time, for he neither rocked, nor talked, nor moved a muscle hour after hour, and only his eyes were alive. To-night the spell was on him again, and he sat bulked up in his chair, rocklike and immovable.
From the open door of the next room he could hear Necia and the little ones. She had made them ready for bed, and was telling them the tale of the snow-bird's spot.
"So when all the other birds had failed," he heard her say, "the little snowbird asked for a chance to try. He flew and flew, and just before he came to the edge of the world where the two Old Women lived he pulled out all of his feathers. When he came to them he said:"
"'I am very cold. May I warm myself at your fire?'"
"They saw how little and naked he was, and how he shivered, so they did not throw sticks at him, but allowed him to creep close. He watched his chance, and when they were not looking he picked up a red-hot coal in his beak22 and flew back home with it as fast as ever he could—and that is how fire came to the Indian people."
"Of course the coal was hot, and it burned his throat till a drop of blood came through, so ever since that day the snowbird has had a red spot on his throat."
The two children spoke23 out in their mother's tongue, clamoring for the story of the Good Beaver24 who saved the hunter's life, and she began, this time in the language of the Yukon people, while Gale listened to the low music of her voice, muffled25 and broken by the log partition.
His squaw came in, her arrival unannounced except by the scuff26 of her moccasins, and seated herself against the wall. She did not use a chair, of which there were several, but crouched27 upon a bear-skin, her knees beneath her chin, her toes a trifle drawn28 together. She sat thus for a long time, while Necia continued her stories and put the little ones to bed. Soon the girl came to say good-night.
John Gale had never kissed his daughter, and, as it was not a custom of her mother's race, she never missed the caresses29. On rare occasions the old man romped30 with the little ones and took them in his arms and acted as other fathers act, but he had never done these things with her. When she had gone he spoke without moving.
"She'll never marry Poleon Doret."
"Why?" inquired Alluna.
"He ain't her kind."
"Poleon is a good man."
"None better. But she'll marry some—some white man."
"Poleon is white," the squaw declared.
"He is and he ain't. I mean she'll marry an 'outside' man. He ain't good enough, and—well, he ain't her kind." Alluna's grunt31 of indignation was a sufficient answer to this, but he resumed, jerking his head in the direction of the barracks. "She's been talking a lot with this—this soldier."
"Him good man, too, I guess," said the wife.
"The hell he is!" cried the trader, fiercely. "He don't mean any good to her."
"Him got a woman, eh?" said the other.
"No, no! I reckon he's single all right, but you don't understand. He's different from us people. He's—he's—" Gale paused, at a loss for words to convey his meaning. "Well, he ain't the kind that would marry a half-breed."
Alluna pondered this cryptic32 remark unsuccessfully, and was still seeking its solution when her lord continued:
"If she really got to loving him it would be bad for all of us."
Evidently Alluna read some hidden meaning back of these words, for she spoke quickly, but in her own tongue now, as she was accustomed to do when excited or alarmed.
"Then this thing must cease at once. The risk is too great. Better that you kill him before it is too late."'
"Hardly that," said the trader.
"Think of the little ones and of me," the squaw insisted, and, encouraged by his silence, continued: "Why not? Soon the nights will grow dark. The river runs swiftly, and it never gives up its dead. I can do it if you dare not. No one would suspect me."
Gale rose and laid his big hand firmly on her shoulder.
"Don't talk like that. There has been too much blood let already. We'll allow things to run along a bit as they are. There's time enough to worry."
He rose, but instead of going to his room he strode out of the house and walked northward33 up the trail, passing through the town and out of sight. Alluna sat huddled34 up in the doorway35, her shawl drawn close about her head, and waited for him until the late sun—which at this time of year revolves37 in a great circle overhead—dipped down below the distant mountains for the midnight hour, then rolled slanting38 out again a few points farther north, to begin its long journey anew; but he did not return. At last she crept stiffly in-doors, like an old and weary woman, the look of fright still staring in her eyes.
About nine o'clock the next morning a faint and long-drawn cry came from the farthest limits of the little camp. An instant later it was echoed closer, and then a dog began to howl. Before its voice had died away another took it up sadly, and within three breaths, from tip and down the half-mile of scanty39 water-front, came the cry of "Steam-bo-o-a-t!" Cabin doors opened and men came out, glanced up the stream and echoed the call, while from sleepy nooks and sun-warmed roofs wolf-dogs arose, yawning and stretching. Those who had slept late dressed as they hurried towards the landing-place, joining in the plaint, till men and malamutes united in the shrill40, slow cry.
Down-stream came the faint-sighing whoof-whoof of a steamer, and then out from behind the bend she burst, running on the swift spring current with the speed of a deer. She blew hoarsely41 before the tardy42 ones had reached the bank, and when abreast43 of the town her bell clanged, the patter of her great wheel ceased, she reversed her engines and swung gracefully44 till her bow was up against the current, then ploughed back, inching in slowly until, with much shouting and the sound of many gongs, she slid her nose quietly into the bank beneath the trading-post and was made fast. Her cabin-deck was lined with passengers, most of whom were bound for the "outside," although still clad in mackinaw and overalls45. They all gazed silently at the hundred men of Flambeau, who stared back at them till the gang-plank46 was placed, when they came ashore47 to stretch their legs. One of them, however, made sufficient noise to make up for the silence of the others. Before the steamer had grounded he appeared among the Siwash deck-hands, his head and shoulders towering above them, his white teeth gleaming from a face as dark as theirs, shouting to his friends ashore and pantomiming his delight to the two Gale children who had come with Alluna to welcome him.
"Who's dose beeg, tall people w'at stan' 'longside of you, Miz Gale?" he called to her; then, shading his eyes elaborately, he cried, in a great voice: "Wall! wal! I b'lieve dat's M'sieu Jean an' Mam'selle Mollee. Ba Gar! Dey get so beeg w'ile I'm gone I don' know dem no more!"
The youthful Gales48 wriggled49 at this delicious flattery and dug their tiny moccasined toes into the sand. Molly courtesied nervously50 and continuously as she clung to her mother, and the boy showed a gap where two front teeth had been and was now filled by a very pink tongue.
"Wen you goin' stop grow, anyhow, you two, eh?" continued the Frenchman, and then, in a tone of sadness: "If I t'ink you ack lak' dis, I don' buy all dese present. Dese t'ing ain' no good for ole folks. I guess I'll t'row dem away." He made as if to heave a bundle that he carried into the river, whereupon the children shrieked51 at him so shrilly52 that he laughed long and incontinently at the success of his sally.
Lieutenant53 Burrell had come with the others, for the arrival of a steamboat called for the presence of every soul in camp, and, spying Necia in the outskirts54 of the crowd, he took his place beside her. He felt constrained55, after what had happened on the previous evening, but she seemed to have forgotten the episode, and greeted him with her usual frankness. Even had she remembered it, there was nothing he could say in explanation or in apology. He had lain awake for hours thinking of her, and had fallen asleep with her still in his mind, for the revelation of her blood had come as a shock to him, the full force of which he could not appreciate until he had given himself time to think of it calmly.
He had sprung from a race of Slave-holders, from a land where birth and breed are more than any other thing, where a drop of impure56 blood effects an ineradicable stain; therefore the thought of this girl's ignoble57 parentage was so repugnant to him that the more he pondered it the more pitiful it seemed, the more monstrous58. Lying awake and thinking of her in the stillness of his quarters, it had seemed a very unfortunate and a very terrible thing. During his morning duties the vision of her had been fresh before him again, and his constant contemplation of the matter had wrought59 a change in his attitude towards the girl, of which he was uncomfortably conscious and which he was glad to see she did not perceive.
"There are some of the lucky men from El Dorado Creek," she informed him, pointing out certain people on the deck. "They are going out to the States to get something to eat. They say that nothing like those mines have ever been heard of in the world. I wish father had gone up last year when the news came."
"Why didn't he?" asked the Lieutenant. "Surely he must have been among the first to learn of it."
"Yes. 'Stick' George sent him word a year ago last fall, when he made the first discovery, but for some reason father wouldn't go."
The men were pouring off the boat now, and through the crowd came the tall Frenchman, bearing in the hollow of each arm a child who clasped a bundle to its breast. His eyes grew brighter at sight of Necia, and he broke into a flood of patois60; they fairly bombarded each other with quick questions and fragmentary answers till she remembered her companion, who had fallen back a pace and was studying the newcomer, whereupon she turned.
"Oh, I forgot my manners. Lieutenant Burrell, this is Napoleon Doret—our Poleon!" she added, with proud emphasis.
Doret checked his volubility and stared at the soldier, whom he appeared to see for the first time. The little brown people in his arms stared likewise, and it seemed to Burrell that a certain distrust was in each of the three pairs of eyes, only in those of the man there was no shyness. Instead, the Canadian looked him over gravely from head to heel, seeming to note each point of the unfamiliar61 attire62; then he inquired, without removing his glance:
"Were'bouts you live, eh?"
"I live at the post yonder," said the Lieutenant.
"Wat biznesse you work at?"
"I am a soldier."
"Wat for you come 'ere? Dere's nobody fightin' roun' dis place."
"The Lieutenant has been stationed here, foolish," said Necia. "Come up to the store quick and tell me what it's like at Dawson." With a farewell nod to Burrell, she went off with Doret, whose speech was immediately released again.
In spite of the man's unfriendliness, Burrell watched him with admiration63. There were no heels to his tufted fur boots, and yet he stood a good six feet two, as straight as a pine sapling, and it needed no second glance to tell of what metal he was made. His spirit showed in his whole body, in the set of his head, and, above all, in his dark, warm face, which glowed with eagerness when he talked, and that was ever—when he was not singing.
"I never see so many people since I lef Quebec," he was saying. "She's jus' lak' beeg city—mus' be t'ree, four t'ousan' people. Every day some more dey come, an' all night dey dance an' sing an' drink w'iskee. Ba gosh, dat's fine place!"
"Are there lots of white women?" asked the girl.
"Yes, two, t'ree hondred. Mos' of dem is work in dance-halls. Dere's one fine gal17 I see, name' Marie Bourgette. I tell you 'bout36 her by-an'-by."
"Oh, Poleon, you're in love!" cried Necia.
"No, siree!" he denied. "Dere's none of dem gal look half so purty lak' you." He would have said more, but spying the trader at the entrance of the store, he went to him, straightway launching into the details of their commercial enterprise, which, happily, had been most successful. Before they could finish, the crowd from the boat began to drift in, some of them buying drinks at the bar and others making purchases of tobacco and so forth64, but for the main part merely idling about curiously65.
Among the merchandise of the Post there were for sale a scanty assortment66 of fire-arms, cheap shot-guns, and a Winchester or two, displayed in a rack behind the counter in a manner to attract the eye of such native hunters as might need them, and with the rest hung a pair of Colt's revolvers. One of the new arrivals, who had separated from the others at the front, now called to Gale:
"Are those Colts for sale? Mine was stolen the other day." Evidently he was accustomed to Yukon prices, for he showed no surprise at the figure the trader named, but took the guns and tested each of them, whereupon the old man knew that here was no "Cheechako," as tenderfeet are known in the North, although the man's garb67 had deceived him at first glance. The stranger balanced the weapons, one in either hand, then he did the "double roll" neatly68, following which he executed a move that Gale had not witnessed for many years. He extended one of the guns, butt69 foremost, as if surrendering it, the action being free and open, save for the fact that his forefinger70 was crooked71 and thrust through the trigger-guard; then, with the slightest jerk of the wrist, the gun spun72 about, the handle jumped into his palm, and instantly there was a click as his thumb flipped73 the hammer. It was the old "road-agent spin," which Gale as a boy had practised hours at a time; but that this man was in earnest he showed by glancing upward sharply when the trader laughed.
"This one hangs all right," he said; "give me a box of cartridges74."
He emptied his gold-sack in payment for the gun and ammunition75, then remarked: "That pretty nearly cleans me. If I had the price I'd take them both."
Gale wondered what need induced this fellow to spend his last few dollars on a fire-arm, but he said nothing until the man had loosened the bottom buttons of his vest and slipped the weapon inside the band of his trousers, concealing76 its handle beneath the edge of his waistcoat. Then he inquired:
"Bound for the outside?"
"No. I'm locating here."
"There ain't much doing in this camp; it's a pretty poor place," he said, guardedly.
"I'll put in with you, from its looks," agreed the other. "It's got too many soldiers to be worth a damn." He snarled78 this bitterly, with a peculiar79 leering lift of his lip, as if his words tasted badly.
"Most of the boys are going up-river," said Gale.
"Well, those hills look as if they had gold in them," said the stranger, pointing vaguely80. "I'm going to prospect81."
Gale knew instinctively82 that the fellow was lying, for his hands were not those of a miner; but there was nothing to be said. His judgment83 was verified, however, when Poleon drew him aside later and said:
"You know dat feller?"
"No."
"He's bad man."
"How do you know?"
"She's leave Dawson damn queeck. Dose Mounted Police t'row 'im on de boat jus' before we lef." Then he told a story that he had heard. The man, it seemed, had left Skagway between two suns, upon the disruption of Soapy Smith's band of desperadoes, and had made for the interior, but had been intercepted84 at the Pass by two members of the Citizens' Committee who came upon him suddenly. Pretending to yield, he had executed some unexpected coup85 as he delivered his gun, for both men fell, shot through the body. No one knew just what it was he did, nor cared to question him overmuch. The next heard of him was at Lake Bennett, over the line, where the Mounted Police recognized him and sent him on. They marked him well, however, and passed him on from post to post as they had driven others whose records were known; but he had lost himself in the confusion at Dawson for a few weeks, until the scarlet-coated riders searched him out, disarmed86 him, and forced him sullenly87 aboard this steamer. The offscourings of the Canadian frontier were drifting back into their native country to settle.
Old Man Gale cared little for this, for he had spent his life among such men, but as he watched the fellow a scheme outlined itself in his head. Evidently the man dared not go farther down the river, for there was nothing save Indian camps and a Mission or two this side of St. Michael's, and at that point there was a court and many soldiers, where one was liable to meet the penalty of past misdeeds, hence he was probably resolved to stop here, and, judging by his record, he was a man of settled convictions. Continued persecution89 is wont90 to stir certain natures to such reckless desperation that interference is dangerous, and Gale, recalling his sullen88 look and ill-concealed contempt for the soldiers, put the stranger down as a man of this type. Furthermore, he had been impressed by the fellow's remarkable91 dexterity92 of wrist.
The trader stepped to the door, and, seeing Burrell on the deck of the steamer, went down towards him. It was a long chance, but the stakes were big and worth the risk. He had thought much during the night previous—in fact, for many hours—and the morning had found him still undecided, wherefore he took this course.
"Necia tells me that you aim to keep law and order here," he began, abruptly93, having drawn the young man aside.
"Those are my instructions," said Burrell, "but they are so vague—"
"Well! This camp is bigger than it was an hour ago, and it 'ain't improved any in the growth. Yonder goes the new citizen." He pointed94 to the stranger, who had returned to the steamer for his baggage and was descending95 the gang-plank beneath them, a valise in each hand. "He's a thief and a murderer, and we don't want him here. Now, it's up to you."
"I don't understand," said the Lieutenant, whereupon the trader told him Doret's tale. "You and your men were sent here to keep things peaceable," he concluded, "and I reckon when a man is too tough for the Canuck police he is tough enough for you to tackle. There ain't a lock and key in the camp, and we ain't had a killing96 or a stealing in ten years. We'd like to keep it that way."
"Well—you see—I know nothing of that shooting affray, so I doubt if my authority would permit me to interfere," the soldier mused97, half to himself.
"I allowed you were to use your own judgment," said the elder man.
"So I am, I suppose. There is one chance, Mr. Gale. If you'll back me up I'll send him on down to St. Michael's. That is the most I can do."
The Lieutenant outlined his plan, and as he went on the trader nodded approval.
The young man gazed back at him so squarely, his eyes were so pleasant and friendly, his whole person breathed such straight-up honesty and freshness, that shame arose in the old man, and he had hard shift to keep his glance from wavering. Without forethought he answered, impulsively98:
"He's desperate and he's dangerous. I sold him a '45' just now." He was about to tell him where the man wore it, and to add a word concerning his dexterity with the gun, when the very fearless deliberation of the youth deterred99 him. On second thought, Gale yielded to an impulse to wait and see how Meade Burrell would act under fire. If the soldier emerged scathless, it would give him a line on his character; if he did not—well, that would be even better. The sight of his blue and brass100 awoke in the elder man dread101 and cowardice102, emotions he had never experienced before. Anyhow, he owed it to himself, to Necia, and to the others to find out what kind of man this soldier was.
The crowd was coming back to the steamer, which had discharged her few bundles of freight, and there was no one inside the log post as they entered except Doret and the stranger, who had deposited his baggage at the rear and was talking with the Frenchman at the bar. At sight of the Lieutenant he became silent, and turned carelessly, although with a distrustful stare. Burrell wasted no time.
"Are you going to locate here?" he began.
"Yes."
"I notice you go skeleton-rigged," the soldier continued, indicating the man's baggage. "Pretty small outfit103 for a miner, isn't it?"
"It's plenty for me."
"Have you enough money to buy your season's grub?"
"I guess that's my business."
"Pardon me, it is my business also."
"What is this—a hold-up?" The man laughed harshly, at the same time swinging around till he faced his questioner. Gale noted104 that his right hand now hung directly over the spot where his suspenders buttoned on the right side. The trader moved aside and took up a position at some distance.
"My orders are to see that all new-comers either have an outfit or are able to buy one," said Burrell. "Those that are not equipped properly are to be sent down-river to St. Michael's, where there is plenty of everything and where they will be taken care of by the government. Mr. Gale has only sufficient provisions to winter the men already in this district."
"I can take care of myself," said the man, angrily, "whether I'm broke or not, and I don't want any of your interference." He shot a quick glance at Poleon Doret, but the Frenchman's face was like wood, and his hand still held the neck of the whiskey bottle he had set out for the stranger before the others entered. Gale leaned against the opposite counter, his countenance105 inert106 but for the eyes, which were fixed107 upon the Lieutenant.
"Come," said the officer, peremptorily108, "I have heard all about you, and you are not the kind of citizen we want here, but if you have enough money for an outfit I can't send you away. If you haven't—"
"I'm broke," said the man, but at the note in his voice Poleon Doret's muscles tightened109, and Burrell, who also read a sinister110 message in the tone, slid his heavy service revolver from its holster beneath his coat.
He had never done this thing before, and it galled111 him. He had never drawn a weapon on a man, and this playing at policeman became suddenly most repugnant, stirring in him the uncomfortable feeling that he was doing a mean thing, and not only a mean thing, but one of which he ought to be heartily112 ashamed. He felt decidedly amateurish113, especially when he saw that the man apparently114 intended no resistance and made no move. However, he was in for it now, and must end as he had begun.
"Give me your gun," he said; "I'll unload it and give it back to you at the gang-plank."
"All right, you've got the upper hand," said the man through lips that had gone white. Drawing his weapon from beneath his vest, he presented it to the officer, butt foremost, hammer underneath. The cylinder115 reposed116 naturally in the palm of his hand, and the tip of his forefinger was thrust through the trigger-guard.
Burrell lowered the barrel of his revolver and put out his left hand for the other's weapon. Suddenly the man's wrist jerked, the soldier saw a blue flicker117 of sunlight on the steel as it whirled, saw the arm of Poleon Doret fling itself across the bar with the speed of a striking serpent, heard a smash of breaking glass, felt the shock of a concussion118, and the spatter of some liquid in his face. Then he saw the man's revolver on the floor half-way across the room, saw fragments of glass with it, and saw the fellow step backward, snatching at the fingers of his right hand. A smell of powder-smoke and rank whiskey was in the air.
There are times when a man's hand will act more swiftly than his tongue. Napoleon Doret had seen the manner of the stranger's surrender of his gun, and, realizing too late what it meant, had acted. At the very instant of the fellow's treachery, Doret struck with his bottle just in time to knock the weapon from his hand, but not in time to prevent its discharge. The bullet was lodged119 in the wall a foot from where Gale stood. As the stranger staggered back, the Frenchman vaulted120 the bar, but, though swift as a cat, the soldier, who had also leaped, was before him. Aiming a sweeping121 downward blow with his Colt, Burrell clipped the Skagway man just above the ear, and he reeled; then as he fell the officer struck wickedly again at his opponent's skull122, but Doret seized him by the arm.
"Ba Gar, don't kill 'im twice!"
Burrell wrenched123 his arm free and turned on Doret a face that remained long in the Frenchman's memory, a face suffused124 with fury and convulsed like that of a sprinter125 at the finish of a race. The two men stared at each other over the fallen figure for a brief moment, until the soldier gained mastery of himself and sheathed126 his weapon, when Poleon smiled.
"I spoil' a quart of good w'iskee on you. Dat's wort' five dollar."
The Lieutenant wiped the liquor from his face.
"Quick work, Doret," he said. "I owe you one."
Gale's face was hidden as he bent127 over the prostrate128 man, fingering a long and ragged129 cut which laid the fellow's scalp open from back of the ear to the temple, but he mumbled130 something unintelligible131.
"Is he hurt badly?"
"No, you chipped him too low," said the trader. "I told you he was bad."
"He's goin' have nice birt'-mark, anyhow," said Doret, going back of the bar for some water. They revived the man, then bound up his injury hastily, and as the steamer cast off they led him to the bank and passed his grip-sacks to a roustabout. He said no word as he walked unsteadily up the plank, but turned and stared malignantly132 at them from the deck; then, as the craft swung outward into the stream, he grinned through the trickle133 of blood that stole down from beneath his wide hat, if the convulsive grimace134 he made could be termed a grin, and cried:
"I'd like to introduce myself, for I'm coming back to winter with you, Lieutenant! My name is Runnion." And until the steamer was hidden behind the bend below they saw him standing135 there gazing back at them fixedly136.
As Burrell left the two men at the store, he gave his hand frankly137 to the French-Canadian, and said, while his cheeks flushed:
"I want to thank you for saving me from my own awkwardness."
Doret became even more embarrassed than the Lieutenant at this show of gratitude138, and grunted139 churlishly. But when the young man had gone he turned to Gale, who had watched them silently, and said:
"He's nice young feller, ole man. Sapre! Wen he's mad his eye got so red lak' my ondershirt."
But the trader made no reply.
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1
sprawling
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| adj.蔓生的，不规则地伸展的v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的现在分词 )；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
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2
dozed
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| v.打盹儿，打瞌睡( doze的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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3
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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4
snugly
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| adv.紧贴地；贴身地；暖和舒适地；安适地 | |
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5
underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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6
moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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7
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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8
grooved
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| v.沟( groove的过去式和过去分词 )；槽；老一套；（某种）音乐节奏 | |
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9
seasoning
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| n.调味；调味料；增添趣味之物 | |
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10
penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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11
axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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12
swap
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| n.交换；vt.交换，用...作交易 | |
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13
caribou
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| n.北美驯鹿 | |
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14
bounty
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| n.慷慨的赠予物，奖金；慷慨，大方；施与 | |
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15
honked
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| v.（使）发出雁叫似的声音，鸣（喇叭），按（喇叭）( honk的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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16
salmon
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| n.鲑，大马哈鱼，橙红色的 | |
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17
gal
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| n.姑娘，少女 | |
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18
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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19
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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engrossing
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| adj.使人全神贯注的，引人入胜的v.使全神贯注( engross的现在分词 ) | |
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enthralled
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| 迷住，吸引住( enthrall的过去式和过去分词 )； 使感到非常愉快 | |
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beak
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| n.鸟嘴，茶壶嘴，钩形鼻 | |
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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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24
beaver
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| n.海狸，河狸 | |
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muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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scuff
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| v. 拖着脚走；磨损 | |
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crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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caresses
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| 爱抚，抚摸( caress的名词复数 ) | |
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romped
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| v.嬉笑玩闹( romp的过去式和过去分词 )；（尤指在赛跑或竞选等中）轻易获胜 | |
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31
grunt
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| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
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32
cryptic
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| adj.秘密的，神秘的，含义模糊的 | |
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33
northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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34
huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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35
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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36
bout
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| n.侵袭，发作；一次(阵，回)；拳击等比赛 | |
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37
revolves
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| v.（使）旋转( revolve的第三人称单数 )；细想 | |
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38
slanting
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| 倾斜的，歪斜的 | |
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39
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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40
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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41
hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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42
tardy
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| adj.缓慢的，迟缓的 | |
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43
abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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44
gracefully
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| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
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45
overalls
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| n.（复）工装裤；长罩衣 | |
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46
plank
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| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
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47
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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48
gales
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| 龙猫 | |
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49
wriggled
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| v.扭动，蠕动，蜿蜒行进( wriggle的过去式和过去分词 )；（使身体某一部位）扭动；耍滑不做，逃避（应做的事等） | |
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50
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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51
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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52
shrilly
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| 尖声的； 光亮的，耀眼的 | |
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53
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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54
outskirts
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| n.郊外，郊区 | |
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55
constrained
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| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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56
impure
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| adj.不纯净的，不洁的；不道德的，下流的 | |
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57
ignoble
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| adj.不光彩的，卑鄙的；可耻的 | |
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58
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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59
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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60
patois
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| n.方言；混合语 | |
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61
unfamiliar
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| adj.陌生的，不熟悉的 | |
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62
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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63
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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64
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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65
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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66
assortment
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| n.分类，各色俱备之物，聚集 | |
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67
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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68
neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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69
butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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70
forefinger
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| n.食指 | |
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71
crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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72
spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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73
flipped
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| 轻弹( flip的过去式和过去分词 )； 按（开关）； 快速翻转； 急挥 | |
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74
cartridges
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| 子弹( cartridge的名词复数 )； （打印机的）墨盒； 录音带盒； （唱机的）唱头 | |
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75
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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76
concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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77
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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78
snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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79
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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80
vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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81
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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82
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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83
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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84
intercepted
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| 拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 )； 截住； 截击； 拦阻 | |
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85
coup
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| n.政变；突然而成功的行动 | |
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86
disarmed
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| v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒 | |
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87
sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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88
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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89
persecution
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| n. 迫害,烦扰 | |
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90
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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91
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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92
dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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93
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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94
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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95
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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96
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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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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98
impulsively
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| adv.冲动地 | |
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99
deterred
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| v.阻止，制止( deter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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100
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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101
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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102
cowardice
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| n.胆小，怯懦 | |
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103
outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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104
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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105
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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106
inert
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| adj.无活动能力的，惰性的；迟钝的 | |
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107
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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108
peremptorily
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| adv.紧急地，不容分说地，专横地 | |
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109
tightened
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| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
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110
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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111
galled
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| v.使…擦痛( gall的过去式和过去分词 )；擦伤；烦扰；侮辱 | |
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112
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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113
amateurish
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| n.业余爱好的，不熟练的 | |
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114
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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115
cylinder
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| n.圆筒，柱(面)，汽缸 | |
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116
reposed
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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117
flicker
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| vi./n.闪烁，摇曳，闪现 | |
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118
concussion
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| n.脑震荡；震动 | |
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119
lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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120
vaulted
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| adj.拱状的 | |
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121
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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122
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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123
wrenched
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| v.（猛力地）扭( wrench的过去式和过去分词 )；扭伤；使感到痛苦；使悲痛 | |
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124
suffused
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| v.（指颜色、水气等）弥漫于，布满( suffuse的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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125
sprinter
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| n.短跑运动员，短距离全速奔跑者 | |
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126
sheathed
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| adj.雕塑像下半身包在鞘中的；覆盖的；铠装的；装鞘了的v.将（刀、剑等）插入鞘( sheathe的过去式和过去分词 )；包，覆盖 | |
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127
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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128
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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129
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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130
mumbled
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| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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131
unintelligible
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| adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的 | |
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132
malignantly
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| 怀恶意地； 恶毒地； 有害地； 恶性地 | |
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133
trickle
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| vi.淌，滴，流出，慢慢移动，逐渐消散 | |
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134
grimace
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| v.做鬼脸，面部歪扭 | |
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135
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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136
fixedly
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| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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137
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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138
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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139
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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