As he expected, she recoiled6 shocked by the proposal to leave her father; but love is eloquent7, and he won by convincing her that the separation would be only temporary. Her father would be quick to see the great wrong his course would inflict8 upon his child, and he would not only consent to the union, but would follow and make his home with them. It was this implicit9 264 belief which made her the companion of Lieutenant Russell in the flight from the mountain settlement.
The project having been carefully planned and arranged, the preparations were more complete than those of their pursuers. They took sufficient extra clothing in the form of wraps and blankets, and enough food to last for several days. They were well mounted and had the companionship of the huge dog Timon, with his almost human intelligence.
The lieutenant’s memory of places was good, and, having a number of hours of daylight at command, he escaped the mistake of his pursuers. The turn from Dead Man’s Gulch10 was made at the right point, and they were miles on their way before their flight was discovered by Captain Dawson and his friends.
Both of the fugitives11 did not doubt they would be pursued. They knew the consuming anger that would take possession of her father, who would probably collect several companions and start after them with furious haste. He would take frightful12 vengeance13 upon the man that had dared to steal his daughter. Everything, therefore, must be done to keep beyond his reach until his wrath14 had time to cool. The intention was to make Sacramento ahead of him. At that city, the lieutenant would seek out his future father-in-law and plead his cause.
When night closed around them, they had penetrated15 265 to a distance of perhaps fifteen miles in the Sierras. It was at sunset that they passed a spot, where horses and riders, the latter on foot, had to pick their way with extreme care, while even Timon, who clung faithfully to them, showed timidity, though he had been over the place before. The sagacious brute16 knew that a mis-step on his part meant death. The passage, however, was made without mishap17, and Russell, as he helped his companion into the saddle, assured her that nothing so trying to the nerves was to be expected during the rest of the journey.
There was no fear of pursuit until after nightfall, but Russell frequently pointed18 his glass backward and scanned the trail over his whole field of vision. When the gathering19 darkness shut out everything, he had seen nothing of enemies, either white or red. He could not forget that on his previous journey, he and the captain had desperate fighting with the Indians and the same peril20 still impended21.
Nellie was eager to cover all the ground possible, while the opportunity was theirs, and the flight was pushed longer than Russell would have advised. Finally, he insisted they should stop and rest themselves and horses for the remainder of the night. The halting place was selected with much care. The animals were turned loose, where the grass was growing and a small stream wound its way toward a larger one. Then the 266 two, accompanied by Timon, pushed in among the rocks to where the final halt was made.
They were in profound darkness. The lieutenant decided22 to start a fire, and, with much difficulty, gathered a sufficiency of dried branches. They were fortunate enough to find a partial cavern23, so open in front that it would have given slight shelter in the event of a storm. When the blaze threw out its cheerful light, it served to dissipate the gloom which in spite of themselves had oppressed them with the coming of night.
They partook of food and the lieutenant’s spirits rose, for he saw nothing to prevent the full success of the dream which had inspired and thrilled him so long. His buoyancy was infectious, and he brought a smile to the beauteous countenance24 by his merry sallies, and his picture of the happy future that was close at hand.
“Your father will be angry at first,” he said; “it would be strange if he were not, but he loves you and I think has a pretty fair opinion of me. When he gains time to think over the matter, he will admit the wisdom of what we have done and we shall receive his blessing25.”
It was this assurance, more than all else, that served to lift the gloom from her. Deep as was her love for the one at her side, it would not have sufficed to draw her from her adored parent, had she believed that his resentment26 against her would last. As it was, she 267 grieved that even for a brief time, as she thought would be the case, he should hold harsh feelings toward her.
No chivalrous27 knight28 of the Crusades could have been more scrupulously29 considerate of lady intrusted to his charge than Lieutenant Russell. He would have died before offending Nellie Dawson by act, word or presumptuous30 thought. When, as the night advanced, the bright eyes began to grow drowsy31, he arranged a couch for her, saw that she was well provided with blankets and then turned to the immense dog, who had never left them and who looked as if he understood everything.
“Now, Timon, you are to stay right here,” he said, bending over and impressively shaking his finger at the animal; “you are not to venture a dozen feet from your mistress without permission. Do you understand?”
A whine32 and wagging of the tail left no doubt that the wishes of his late master were clear to him.
“You have your gun at your side,” he added, turning to Nellie; “I do not think you will have any call to use it. We have not met any Indians and your father cannot overtake us before morning. Timon will be sure to give you warning of the approach of danger, and, if your gun goes off, I shall be here in a twinkling.”
He bade her good night and departed. Enough wood had been flung on the fire to keep it going for an hour 268 or two, but long before it sank to ashes, the girl had drifted into dreamland.
The lieutenant carefully selected his own sleeping quarters. He finally fixed upon a large flat boulder33, at the rear of the cavern occupied by Timon and his charge; but, although beyond sight, he was near enough to reach the spot on the instant needed. Spreading out his blanket, he lay down upon it.
“This recalls the old days in Virginia, when mud a foot deep, with the rain dashing in our faces, was what we had for weeks at a time. This couch doesn’t equal a feather bed, but it will answer.”
The night passed without incident and it was hardly light when the young officer was astir. He visited the horses and found them cropping the grass, but he waited until Timon came to him before calling upon Nellie. She, too, had been awake for some time and they partook of their morning meal with rugged34 appetites.
She was so eager to hurry on that he lost no time in taking the road again. Neither could doubt that their pursuers were on their trail, and, with the aid of his small glass, he carefully studied the country behind them. It was not long before he made the discovery he dreaded35: four horsemen were following their footprints, and beyond them were the five Indians picking their way along the ledge36 in the opposite direction.
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The lieutenant passed the glass to his companion who scrutinized37 the party with the keenest interest.
“They must have traveled all night,” remarked her escort, while she still peered through the instrument.
“That shows how dreadfully angry father is; I hope it will not last.”
“Can you make out the members of the party?”
She studied them a minute or two more before answering:
“The one on a mule must be Vose Adams, for he is more accustomed to that sort of animal. I am sorry he is with the party.”
“Why?” asked Nellie, lowering the glass and looking at him.
“He is so familiar with the trail, that it will be hard work to outwit him; he isn’t the man to make mistakes. Did you recognize the others?”
“I cannot be sure, but I suspect they are Mr. Ruggles and Mr. Brush.”
“I have no doubt you are right,––not because I was able to identify them, but because the two are partners and your father would naturally go to them first. I do not think any one of the four has a glass, so, despite their sharp eyes, we have a big advantage in that respect.”
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“But they know the route better than we, and we are losing time.”
The course of the trail took them out of the field of vision of their pursuers. It was at the suggestion of Russell that the two turned aside from the cañon into the fissure39-like gorge40. This would have been a serious mistake, except for the plan he had in view, for it must place the pursuers in advance, the very thing which it would seem the fugitives ought if possible to prevent.
The lieutenant had believed from the first that Vose Adams, in threading his way through the mountains, traveled a good many miles more than was necessary. It was quite likely that, if he could follow a straight line, he would shorten the distance one-half. Although this was impossible, the young man, nevertheless, was convinced that by changing the route, a good many miles could be saved: and it was in his mind to do that thing.
The lieutenant’s experience in campaigning had taught him the danger of going astray, when picking his way through an unfamiliar41 country, but the little compass attached as a charm to his watch chain would help him to keep track of the variations and windings42, and he was confident of coming out right. He and Nellie were well mounted and armed, all of which being impressed upon his companion, she offered no objection to the radical43 change of plan which took them out of the cañon into the ravine that led them they knew not whither, but it was ominous44 of disaster that at the top of the fissure, when the two were leading their animals, a grievous mishap occurred. The pony45 of Nellie slipped and sprained46 his ankle so badly that he whined47 with pain and paused with his weight supported on three legs.
“That’s a bad go!” exclaimed the dismayed Russell; “it will be several days before he is able to travel.”
She examined the ankle, as best she could, trying to soothe48 the pain by passing her hand over the injured part, but it was plain that neither she nor her companion could give any help.
“Poor fellow,” she said sympathetically; “you cannot go any further; what shall be done, Fred?”
“Only one thing seems possible,––take you on my horse.”
“And what will become of Cap?”
“We must leave him behind.”
“What will happen to him?”
“Some one will pick him up, or, after his leg recovers, he may find his way back to the settlement.”
The impulsive49 girl flung her arms about the animal’s neck and touched her lips to the silken nose.
“They shall not part us, Cap,” she exclaimed with tears in her eyes.
The lieutenant watched this by-play, full of sympathy 272 for the girl, but he was in a quandary50. Prudence51 seemed to demand that everything should be sacrificed to speed by abandoning the pony. In all probability, the latter would serve as a dinner for some of the bears, wolves or other denizens52 of the mountains, who would quickly harry53 him to death. To wait where they were until the animal was able to travel rendered certain a speedy meeting with their pursuers. The woodcraft of Vose Adams would enable him to discover with slight delay the point where the fugitives had left the cañon, and he would guide his companions with the skill of one of the mountain Indians themselves.
On the other hand, the plan he had in view imposed prodigious54 work upon his own animal. Between the halting place and Sacramento were many miles of easy traveling, over which he could walk, but for long distances the beast would be compelled to carry double. In the event of close pursuit, this must prove a fatal handicap.
In his perplexity, the lieutenant again examined the hurt of the pony.
“It would be cruel to make him take a single step, but he may soon recover. I am afraid to leave him behind and to continue our flight with only my horse. You know how dangerous it is to linger, Nellie, when it is certain they are not far off–––”
She caught his arm and whispered:
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“Look at Timon! he has discovered something!”
The dog was standing55 a few paces in front of them, with his nose pointed toward the cañon. He emitted several growls56 and pricked57 up his ears in a way that left no doubt that he was angered. The lieutenant had hardly time to place himself in an attitude of defence with his Winchester, when a soft footfall was heard, and the next moment Vose Adams emerged from behind the pile of rocks and approached them.
It was proof of the guide’s woodcraft that he was able to come thus close before being detected by Timon, who advanced threateningly toward him. A word, however, from the lieutenant stayed the dog.
“Well, Vose,” said the young man, “this is unexpected.”
“We were always friends, but I can’t say that either Nellie or I am glad to meet you under the circumstances; for in truth, we have been doing all we could to prevent such a meeting.”
“Things has that look,” added Vose, standing on guard as may be said, for he was not free from misgiving59 concerning the young lieutenant whom he had managed to run down. His positive orders forbade him to assume the aggressive, but no one could forbid 274 him to defend himself, and he did not mean that this handsome officer should catch him unprepared.
“Whom have you with you?” asked Russell.
“It is all the captain can do to prevent the other two from quarrelin’ as to which shall have the first chance to shoot you.”
“Why does Captain Dawson prevent them?”
“’Cause he means to have the first chance himself.”
“How about you?” grimly asked Lieutenant Russell.
“I’m left.”
“How’s that?”
“A low down trick was played onto me; as near as I can find out, the captain comes first, Wade and the parson next and me fourth. You can see for yourself that there won’t be any chance at all left for me after them three is through.”
“It doesn’t look so,––that’s a fact. But where are the three?”
“Along the main trail, down in the kenyon.”
“Why did they not come with you?”
“I advised ’em to wait till I found out how the land laid and they won’t leave the spot till I get back.”
Lieutenant Russell gave no expression to the thought 275 that flashed upon him. Why not keep Vose Adams a prisoner? The loss of his services to the party would be irreparable, for, as it was, the present hiding place of the fugitives never would have become known to them without the help of the guide. It was a daring scheme, but there were so many objections to carrying it out, that the officer dismissed it. In truth he thought of a much better plan.
“You have told me enough, Vose, to prove that the four men––for I may as well include yourself––feel bitterer toward me than I suspected: do you think this enmity of theirs will last?”
“Not for long.”
“How long?”
“They’ll let up as soon as you’re shot.”
Lieutenant Russell could not restrain a smile at this way of putting it, while Nellie was so horrified62 that she gasped63 and stared and listened in silence.
“There can be little doubt that you are right, but I meant to ask whether you do not think the captain will moderate his anger when he is given time to think it over.”
“He has had all night to do that, and this mornin’ he was hotter if anything, than at any time since he larned what you had done.”
“When did he learn it?”
Thereupon, Vose told the facts which have already 276 been made known to the reader, the most interesting feature of which was that Adams was not an original member of the pursuing party. But, although the guide was so pronounced in his opinion of the continuance of the enmity of Captain Dawson, the lieutenant believed otherwise. He was confident that if he and Nellie could reach Sacramento before meeting the irate64 father, the latter would be open to reason, and all would turn out well.
Vose turned to the young woman.
“Nellie, do you want a little advice from me?”
“I am glad to have it at any time.”
“Howsumever, what I say is as much for the leftenant as for you, which the same is that both of you should give up this bus’ness.”
“But,” said Nellie, “you have just told us that father is so angry with Lieutenant Russell that he will shoot him the moment they meet.”
“We can fix that easy ’nough; let the leftenant stay here while you go with me; I think we can explain matters to the captain and the others so they won’t bother the leftenant.”
“And what am I to do?” asked Russell.
“Push on to Sacramento as fast as you can, for though I think I can fix it, I wouldn’t advise you to take too many chances.”
“In other words, after Nellie and I have fled from 277 the settlement and got this far on the road to safety, you urge me to give her up forever.”
“Wal, that’s lookin’ a little further ahead than I meant to, but I ’spose it amounts to that.”
“You mean well, Vose, but do you imagine that Nellie and I did not count the cost before turning our backs on New Constantinople? Don’t you suppose we knew we should be pursued and were prepared for the consequences?”
“I can’t say as to that, but it strikes me that the plan I laid before you is the only one there is.”
“Why?”
“You cannot get away from the captain and the men with him.”
“Well, there is no call for me to repeat my opinion, but I will say that the decision shall rest with Nellie herself. If she wishes to go with you I will interpose not a word of objection.”
He looked toward her as an invitation for her to speak. There was a world of affection and faith in the lustrous65 eyes, as she walked resolutely66 forward and placed herself by his side.
“Only death shall separate us!”
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收听单词发音
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1
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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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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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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devotedly
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| 专心地； 恩爱地； 忠实地； 一心一意地 | |
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vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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recoiled
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| v.畏缩( recoil的过去式和过去分词 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
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eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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inflict
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| vt.(on)把…强加给，使遭受，使承担 | |
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implicit
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| a.暗示的，含蓄的，不明晰的，绝对的 | |
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gulch
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| n.深谷，峡谷 | |
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fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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15
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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16
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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mishap
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| n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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impended
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| v.进行威胁，即将发生( impend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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chivalrous
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| adj.武士精神的；对女人彬彬有礼的 | |
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knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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scrupulously
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| adv.一丝不苟地；小心翼翼地，多顾虑地 | |
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presumptuous
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| adj.胆大妄为的，放肆的，冒昧的，冒失的 | |
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drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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whine
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| v.哀号，号哭；n.哀鸣 | |
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boulder
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| n.巨砾；卵石，圆石 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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scrutinized
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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mule
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| n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人 | |
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fissure
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| n.裂缝；裂伤 | |
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gorge
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| n.咽喉，胃，暴食，山峡；v.塞饱，狼吞虎咽地吃 | |
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41
unfamiliar
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| adj.陌生的，不熟悉的 | |
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42
windings
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| （道路、河流等）蜿蜒的，弯曲的( winding的名词复数 )； 缠绕( wind的现在分词 )； 卷绕； 转动（把手） | |
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radical
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| n.激进份子，原子团，根号；adj.根本的，激进的，彻底的 | |
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ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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pony
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| adj.小型的；n.小马 | |
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sprained
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| v.&n. 扭伤 | |
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47
whined
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| v.哀号( whine的过去式和过去分词 )；哀诉，诉怨 | |
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soothe
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| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
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49
impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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50
quandary
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| n.困惑，进迟两难之境 | |
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51
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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52
denizens
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| n.居民，住户( denizen的名词复数 ) | |
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53
harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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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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56
growls
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的第三人称单数 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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57
pricked
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| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
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tickled
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| （使）发痒( tickle的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）愉快，逗乐 | |
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misgiving
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| n.疑虑，担忧，害怕 | |
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60
wade
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| v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉 | |
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specially
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| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
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62
horrified
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| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
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gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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64
irate
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| adj.发怒的，生气 | |
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65
lustrous
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| adj.有光泽的；光辉的 | |
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66
resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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