Chapter 16 A New Acquaintance

 After supper the two travelers emerged from, the cabin and stretched themselves out under the trees once more. Bradley produced a clay pipe, filled the bowl with tobacco, and began to smoke.

 

'It's a pity you don't smoke, Ben,' he said, his face expressing the satisfaction he felt.

 

'Would you advise me to, Jake?' questioned our hero.

 

'No, Ben; I guess you're better off without it; but there's nothing makes me feel so good as a smoke after a good supper.'

 

'I feel comfortable without it, Jake.'

 

'Then let well enough alone. I wonder whether our sweet-tempered hostess is goin' to give us a bed to-night. Not that it matters much. I'd rather have a good supper, and sleep under the trees, than have the best bed in Californy without the supper.'

 

Here their attention was drawn¹ to a man who was leisurely² approaching. He was dressed roughly in a red shirt, trousers tucked in his boots, and a hat with a broad flapping brim. As he strode along, his revolver and bowie-knife were carelessly exposed. His complexion³ was dark; he wore an abundant beard, and whatever he might be, he looked like a desperado, whom one would not care to meet on a dark night, unless well armed and on the alert.

 

He stopped short when he caught sight of the two travelers.

 

'Who are you?' he asked abruptly⁴.

 

'We're bound for the mines,' answered Bradley. 'Your good lady, if so be as you live there--indicating the cabin-has just provided us with a capital supper.'

 

The newcomer glanced toward the door of the cabin, at which the woman now made her appearance.

 

'Givin' you some supper, eh? I hope she's saved some for me.'

 

'Yes, Jack⁵,' said his wife, in a conciliatory tone; 'there's plenty for you. These strangers offered to pay well for supper and lodging⁶, and I thought you wouldn't object. I gave them the supper, but I wouldn't say anything about the lodging until you came.'

 

'Well, stir round, old gal⁷, and get me something to eat, for I'm dead hungry.'

 

'Supper is ready now, Jack.'

 

The man entered his cabin, and the next twenty minutes were consumed in repairing the ravages⁸ of hunger.

 

'How do you like his looks, Jake?' asked Ben, in a low voice.

 

'He's just the sort of man I'd expect to find in a State prison,' answered Bradley. 'That man's a rascal⁹, if looks mean anything.'

 

'I'll tell you what he reminds me of, Jake. Did you ever read ' Oliver Twist'?'

 

'All of a Twist? That's a queer name. What is it?'

 

'It's a story by Dickens. He describes a brutal¹⁰ villain¹¹, named Bill Sykes, who murders his wife.'

 

'This chap looks as if he wouldn't mind doing it. His wife's afraid of him, though half an hour ago I would have said she wasn't afraid of anything.'

 

'That's so. They seem pretty well matched.'

 

Presently the master of the cabin came out. It was not easy for his harsh features to look amiable¹², but his manner was no longer offensive. He even seemed inclined to be social.

 

'Traveled fur to-day?' he inquired.

 

'About thirty miles, as near as I can guess,' said Bradley.

 

'Is that your boy?'

 

'No, he's no kin¹³ to me. We're travelin' together-that's all.'

 

'Goin' to the mines?'

 

'We are goin' to Murphy's.'

 

'Come from 'Frisco?'

 

'Yes.'

 

The proprietor¹⁴ of the cabin at this reply fixed¹⁵ his eyes reflectively upon Ben and his companion.

 

'I'd like to know what he's thinkin' about,' said Bradley to himself. 'Somehow I mistrust him. A man with that face can't help bein' a scoundrel.'

 

'Don't you find it lonely livin' out here?' he asked.

 

Jack Carter shrugged¹⁶ his shoulders.

 

'I don't care for company,' he said. 'As long as me and the old woman get enough to eat, our own company's good enough for us.'

 

'Are there any mines near-by?' asked Bradley.

 

'Not very.'

 

'What inducement can he have to live out here in the wilderness¹⁷?' thought Bradley. 'If he were workin' a mine now, I could understand. How does he make a livin', I wonder?'

 

'Have you lived here long?' he asked.

 

'Quite a while.'

 

It was clear that Jack did not care to answer definitely, and was disposed to give as little information as possible about himself.

 

It was yet early when the two travelers felt an inclination¹⁸ to sleep. They had had a hard day's tramp, and wished to be stirring early the next day. As yet, however, they were uncertain whether they would be permitted to sleep in the cabin. Bradley resolved to put the question to the man.

 

'If you haven't got room for us to sleep,' he said, 'Ben and I will camp out, as we have done before.'

 

'The old woman's makin' up a bed for you,' said Jack. 'We don't keep a hotel, but we've got room for you two.'

 

'Thank you.'

 

'Wait here, and I'll see if the bed's ready.'

 

He entered the cabin, probably to consult with his wife.

 

'I don't know why it is, Ben,' said Bradley, in a low voice, 'but I mistrust that man.'

 

'Don't you think it safe to sleep here?' asked Ben gravely.

 

'I think if we are prudent¹⁹ we shall keep a careful watch over our host and hostess; they may mean us harm.'

 

'What motive²⁰ would they have for harming us, Jake?'

 

'To get possession of our money. There's a gang of robbers hereabouts, who make their livin' by stopping stages, and lyin' in wait for solitary²¹ travelers, and I strongly suspect that this man is one of them.'

 

'Do you judge from his looks?'

 

'Not wholly, but I can't think of any other motive he can have for livin' in this out-of-the-way place. There are no mines near, and the huntin' wouldn't pay him. I may be mistaken, but that's what I think.'

 

'What shall we do?' asked Ben, a little startled by his companion's suggestion.

 

'That's more than I can tell you, Ben.'

 

'We might camp out.'

 

'And be surprised in our sleep. No, we shall be as safe in the cabin as outside. Besides, I may be wrong. But, hush²²! here comes our agreeable friend.'

 

Jack Carter had in his hand a bottle and a tin mug.

 

'Strangers,' said he, 'Jack Carter's a poor man, but he's not so poor that he can't offer a glass of wine to a friend.'

 

As he spoke²³, he poured out a liberal mug of wine and offered it to Bradley.

 

Our friend Bradley was not a member of a temperance society, and he could not resist the temptation. His conscience smote²⁴ him when he thought of the suspicions he had cherished, and there was a sudden revulsion.

 

'After all,' thought he, 'Jack Carter is a good fellow. He don't look it, to be sure, but a man can't help his looks What is it the poet says, 'A man may smile and be a villain still.' Jack's a rough customer, but he's treatin' Ben and me tiptop.'

 

'I drink your health, Jack,' he said cordially. 'You've treated Ben and me like gentlemen, and we're glad to know you. You're the right sort.'

 

And he drained the mug.

 

Jack Carter filled it again, and passed it to Ben.

 

'Take a drink, boy,' he said. 'It will make you feel good.'

 

'No, thank you,' said Ben politely.

 

'What's the matter?' asked Jack, frowning. 'Why won't you drink?'

 

'I never drink,' answered Ben. 'I promised my father I wouldn't, and I can't break my word.'

 

'This wine is weak. It wouldn't hurt a baby.'

 

'I would rather not drink,' said Ben.

 

'Ain't you goin' a little too fur, Ben?' remonstrated²⁵ Bradley. 'Your father meant rum and whisky and sich. He wouldn't mind wine.'

 

'Yes, he would,' said Ben, resolutely²⁶. 'I had an uncle who died a drunkard, and it was that that made my father so particular. I promised him faithfully, and now that he's dead, I can't break my work to him.'

 

'The boy's right, Jack,' said Bradley. 'It won't hurt you and me, but if he don't want to drink, we won't press him.'

 

'It's blasted nonsense!' exclaimed Jack angrily. 'The boy's puttin' on airs, that's what's the matter.'

 

'He's a good boy,' said Bradley. 'You don't know him as well as I do.'

 

'Jest as you say,' muttered Jack, in a dissatisfied tone. 'If you want to go to bed now, you can.'

 

'I'm ready, for one,' said Bradley, rising with, alacrity²⁷. 'I'm powerful sleepy.' 'Come in, then.' They followed their host into the cabin. 

1 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

2 leisurely   

adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的

参考例句：

• We walked in a leisurely manner,looking in all the windows.我们慢悠悠地走着，看遍所有的橱窗。
• He had a leisurely breakfast and drove cheerfully to work.他从容的吃了早餐，高兴的开车去工作。

3 complexion   

n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格

参考例句：

• Red does not suit with her complexion.红色与她的肤色不协调。
• Her resignation puts a different complexion on things.她一辞职局面就全变了。

4 abruptly   

adv.突然地，出其不意地

参考例句：

• He gestured abruptly for Virginia to get in the car.他粗鲁地示意弗吉尼亚上车。
• I was abruptly notified that a half-hour speech was expected of me.我突然被通知要讲半个小时的话。

5 jack   

n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克

参考例句：

• I am looking for the headphone jack.我正在找寻头戴式耳机插孔。
• He lifted the car with a jack to change the flat tyre.他用千斤顶把车顶起来换下瘪轮胎。

6 lodging   

n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍

参考例句：

• The bill is inclusive of the food and lodging. 账单包括吃、住费用。
• Where can you find lodging for the night? 你今晚在哪里借宿?

7 gal   

n.姑娘，少女

参考例句：

• We decided to go with the gal from Merrill.我们决定和那个从梅里尔来的女孩合作。
• What's the name of the gal? 这个妞叫什么？

8 ravages   

劫掠后的残迹，破坏的结果，毁坏后的残迹

参考例句：

• the ravages of war 战争造成的灾难
• It is hard for anyone to escape from the ravages of time. 任何人都很难逃避时间的摧残。

9 rascal   

n.流氓；不诚实的人

参考例句：

• If he had done otherwise,I should have thought him a rascal.如果他不这样做，我就认为他是个恶棍。
• The rascal was frightened into holding his tongue.这坏蛋吓得不敢往下说了。

10 brutal   

adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的

参考例句：

• She has to face the brutal reality.她不得不去面对冷酷的现实。
• They're brutal people behind their civilised veneer.他们表面上温文有礼，骨子里却是野蛮残忍。

11 villain   

n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因

参考例句：

• He was cast as the villain in the play.他在戏里扮演反面角色。
• The man who played the villain acted very well.扮演恶棍的那个男演员演得很好。

12 amiable   

adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的

参考例句：

• She was a very kind and amiable old woman.她是个善良和气的老太太。
• We have a very amiable companionship.我们之间存在一种友好的关系。

13 kin   

n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的

参考例句：

• He comes of good kin.他出身好。
• She has gone to live with her husband's kin.她住到丈夫的亲戚家里去了。

14 proprietor   

n.所有人；业主；经营者

参考例句：

• The proprietor was an old acquaintance of his.业主是他的一位旧相识。
• The proprietor of the corner grocery was a strange thing in my life.拐角杂货店店主是我生活中的一个怪物。

15 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

16 shrugged   

vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• Sam shrugged and said nothing. 萨姆耸耸肩膀，什么也没说。
• She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. 她耸耸肩，装出一副无所谓的样子。 来自《简明英汉词典》

17 wilderness   

n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠

参考例句：

• She drove the herd of cattle through the wilderness.她赶着牛群穿过荒野。
• Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。

18 inclination   

n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好

参考例句：

• She greeted us with a slight inclination of the head.她微微点头向我们致意。
• I did not feel the slightest inclination to hurry.我没有丝毫着急的意思。

19 prudent   

adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的

参考例句：

• A prudent traveller never disparages his own country.聪明的旅行者从不贬低自己的国家。
• You must school yourself to be modest and prudent.你要学会谦虚谨慎。

20 motive   

n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的

参考例句：

• The police could not find a motive for the murder.警察不能找到谋杀的动机。
• He had some motive in telling this fable.他讲这寓言故事是有用意的。

21 solitary   

adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士

参考例句：

• I am rather fond of a solitary stroll in the country.我颇喜欢在乡间独自徜徉。
• The castle rises in solitary splendour on the fringe of the desert.这座城堡巍然耸立在沙漠的边际，显得十分壮美。

22 hush   

int.嘘，别出声；n.沉默，静寂；v.使安静

参考例句：

• A hush fell over the onlookers.旁观者们突然静了下来。
• Do hush up the scandal!不要把这丑事声张出去！

23 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：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

24 smote   

v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 )

参考例句：

• Figuratively, he could not kiss the hand that smote him. 打个比方说，他是不能认敌为友。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
• \"Whom Pearl smote down and uprooted, most unmercifully.\" 珠儿会毫不留情地将这些\"儿童\"踩倒，再连根拔起。 来自英汉 - 翻译样例 - 文学

25 remonstrated   

v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫

参考例句：

• They remonstrated with the official about the decision. 他们就这一决定向这位官员提出了抗议。
• We remonstrated against the ill-treatment of prisoners of war. 我们对虐待战俘之事提出抗议。 来自辞典例句

26 resolutely   

adj.坚决地，果断地

参考例句：

• He resolutely adhered to what he had said at the meeting. 他坚持他在会上所说的话。
• He grumbles at his lot instead of resolutely facing his difficulties. 他不是果敢地去面对困难，而是抱怨自己运气不佳。

27 alacrity   

n.敏捷，轻快，乐意

参考例句：

• Although the man was very old,he still moved with alacrity.他虽然很老，动作仍很敏捷。
• He accepted my invitation with alacrity.他欣然接受我的邀请。