In the first place, the engagement was in no sense a battle, but merely a raid. The number of troops engaged was, perhaps, one-fifth of the generous total ascribed by the historians, and as a military manoeuver it served no purpose whatsoever8. That the Cubans delivered a spirited attack there is no denying. As a matter of fact, the engagement was characterized by an abandon, by a lack of caution, truly sensational9, the reason being that the Insurrectos were half starved and stormed the town much as hungry hoboes attack a lunch-counter. Nevertheless, since the affair had a direct bearing upon the fortunes of several people connected with this story, it is, perhaps, worth relating.
The Baths of St. Anthony consisted of a sulphur spring which for many years had been held in high regard by gouty and rheumatic Camagueyans; around this spring a village had arisen which boasted rather better shops than the ordinary country town. It was this fact which had induced the gallant and obliging Colonel Lopez to attack it, for, as he explained to his American friends, if any place outside of Habana was likely to contain pickles10, jam, sardines11, candy, tooth-powder, and such other delicacies12 as appeared necessary to the contentment of a visiting American lady, San Antonio de los Banos was the one. Colonel Lopez did not believe in half measures: once he had determined13 to prove his devotion to Norine Evans, he would have sacrificed himself and the flower of his command; he would have wasted his last precious three-pound shell in breaching14 the walls of San Antonio de los Banos rather than fail. But as a matter of fact the village had no walls and it was defended only by a couple of blockhouses. Therefore the colonel left his artillery15 behind.
Perhaps its name was the most impressive thing about San Antonio de los Banos. Its streets were narrow and steep and stony16, and its flinty little plaza17 was flanked by stores of the customary sort, the fronts of which were open so that mounted customers from the country might ride in to make their purchases. Crowning two commanding eminences18 just outside the village limits were the loopholed fortinas, where for months past the Spanish garrison had been dozing19.
Lopez and his troop approached the town in the early morning. As they deployed20 for the attack the colonel issued private instructions to certain members of his command.
"O'Reilly, you and Senor Branch will enter one grocery-store after another. You will purchase that jam, those sardines, and whatever else you think Miss Evans would like. Captain Judson, you and Major Ramos will go to the apothecary-shop—I understand there is a very good one—and look for tooth-powder and candy and the like, I shall see that the streets are cleared, then I shall endeavor to discover some pickles; but as God is my judge, I doubt if there is such a thing this side of Habana."
Leslie Branch, whose temper had not improved with the long night ride, inquired, caustically21: "Do you expect us to buy the groceries? Well, I'm broke, and so is O'Reilly."
"Have you no money?" asked the colonel, vastly surprised.
"I haven't tipped my hat to a dollar since I quit newspaper work.
What's more, I want to do a little shopping for myself."
O'Reilly agreed: "If you don't give us some change, Colonel, we'll have to open a charge account in your name."
"Carmaba!" muttered Lopez. "I intended to borrow from you gentlemen.
Well, never mind—we'll commandeer what we wish in the name of the
Republic."
Lopez's attack proved a complete surprise, both to the citizens and to the garrison of the town. The rebel bugle22 gave the first warning of what was afoot, and before the Castilian troops who were loitering off duty could regain23 their quarters, before the citizens could take cover or the shopkeepers close and bar their heavy wooden shutters24, two hundred ragged25 horsemen were yelling down the streets.
There followed a typical Cuban engagement—ten shouts to one shot. There was a mad charge on the heels of the scurrying26 populace, a scattering27 pop-pop of rifles, cheers, cries, shrieks28 of defiance29 and far-flung insults directed at the fortinas.
Bugles30 blew on the hilltops; the defenders31 armed themselves and began to fire into the village. But since the Insurrectos were now well sheltered by the houses and only a portion of certain streets could be raked from the forts, the Spanish bullets did no harm. Obedient to orders, a number of Lopez's men dismounted and took positions whence they could guard against a sally, thus leaving the rest of the command free to raid the stores. In the outskirts32 of the town Mausers spoke33, the dust leaped, and leaden messengers whined34 through the air.
As locusts35 settle upon a standing36 crop, so did the army of liberators descend37 upon the shops of San Antonio de los Banos. It was great fun, great excitement, while it lasted, for the town was distracted and its citizens had neither time nor inclination38 to resist. Some of the shop-keepers, indeed, to prove their loyalty39, openly welcomed the invaders40. Others, however, lacking time to close up, fled incontinently, leaving their goods unguarded.
O'Reilly, with Branch and Jacket close at his heels, whirled his horse into the first bodega he came to. The store was stocked with general merchandise, but its owner, evidently a Spaniard, did not tarry to set a price upon any of it. As the three horsemen came clattering41 in at the front he went flying out at the rear, and, although O'Reilly called reassuringly42 after him, his only answer was the slamming of a back door, followed by swiftly diminishing cries of fright. Plainly, that rush of ragged men, those shots, those ferocious43 shouts from the plaza, were too much for the peaceful shopkeeper and his family, and they had taken refuge in some neighbor's garden.
There was no time to waste. Johnnie dismounted and, walking to the shelves where some imported canned goods were displayed, he began to select those delicacies for which he had been sent. The devoted44 Jacket was at his side. The little Cuban exercised no restraint; he seized whatever was most handy, meanwhile cursing ferociously45, as befitted a bloodthirsty bandit. Boys are natural robbers, and at this opportunity for loot Jacket's soul flamed savagely46 and he swept the shelves bare as he went.
"Hey, Leslie! Get something to carry this stuff in," O'Reilly directed over his shoulder. Receiving only a muttered reply, he turned to find that his fellow-countryman had cut down a string of perhaps two dozen large straw sombreros and was attempting to select one that fitted his head.
"Oh, look!" Branch murmured. "Forty dollars' worth of lids, but—all too small. They must have been made on the head of a cane47."
"Take the whole string, but get us something to wrap up this grub in.
Hurry!"
Spurred by O'Reilly's tone and by a lively rattle48 of rifle-shots outside, Leslie disappeared into the living-quarters at the back of the store. A moment later he emerged with a huge armful of bedclothes, evidently snatched at random49. Trailing behind him, like a bridal veil, was a mosquito-net, which in his haste he had torn from its fastenings.
I'll sleep comfortable after this."
From somewhere came the faint smothered51 wailing53 of a baby—eloquent testimony54 of the precipitate55 haste with which the terrified storekeeper and his wife had fled. Dumping his burden of sheets, blankets, and brilliantly colored cotton quilts upon the floor, Branch selected two of the stoutest56 and began to knot the corners together.
He had scarcely finished when Judson reined58 in at the door and called to O'Reilly: "We've cleaned out the drugstore. Better get a move on you, for we may have to run any minute. I've just heard about some Cuban prisoners in the calaboose. Gimme a hand and we'll let 'em out."
"Sure!" O'Reilly quickly remounted, meanwhile directing Jacket to load the canned goods upon his horse and ride for the open country. He looked back a few moments later, to see his asistente emerge from the bodega perched between two queer-looking improvised59 saddlebags bulging60 with plunder61. The pony62 was overloaded63, but in obedience64 to the frantic65 urgings of its barelegged rider it managed to break into a shambling trot66. Branch reappeared, too, looping the eight-foot string of straw hats to his saddle-horn, and balancing before him the remainder of the bedding, done up in a gaudy67 quilt.
Sharing in the general consternation68 at the attack, the jail guards had disappeared, leaving Lopez's men free to break into the prison. When O'Reilly joined them the work was well under way. The municipal building of San Antonio was a thick-walled structure with iron-barred windows and stout57 doors; but the latter soon gave way, and the attackers poured in. Seizing whatever implements69 they could find, Judson and O'Reilly went from cell to cell, battering70, prying71, smashing, leaving their comrades to rescue the inmates72. This jail was a poor affair. It could scarcely be dignified73 by the name of a prison; nevertheless, true prison conditions prevailed in it and it was evidently conducted in typically Spanish fashion. The corridors were dark and odorous, the cells unspeakably foul74; O'Reilly and Judson saw, heard, smelled enough to convince them that no matter how guilty the prisoners might be they had been amply punished for their crimes.
This, too, was swift work. The building echoed to rushing, yelling men, while outside a fitful accompaniment of gun-shots urged the rescuers to greater haste. While the Americans smashed lock after lock, their comrades dragged the astonished inmates from their kennels75, hustled76 them into the street, and took them up behind their saddles.
The raid was over, "retreat" was sounding, when Judson and O'Reilly ran out of the prison, remounted, and joined their comrades, who were streaming back toward the plaza.
"Whew!" Judson wiped the sweat out of his eyes. "No chance to ask these fellows what they were in for."
"No need to ask them," said Johnnie. "A month in there would be too much for a murderer."
"The druggist said most of 'em are just patriots, and every holiday the
Spaniards shoot one or two. There's no cock-fighting, so it's the only
Sunday amusement they have. Did you notice that sick guy?"
"Yes."
"He looked to me like he was plain starved. Our fellows had to carry him."
"Yes, sir, and a lot more."
"Good! But I failed. Pickles? Caramba! Nobody here ever heard of one!"
"Did we lose any men?" Judson asked.
"Not one. But Ramos was badly cut."
"So? Then he got to close quarters with some Spaniard?"
"Oh no!" The colonel grinned. "He was in too great a hurry and broke open a show-case with his fist."
The retreating Cubans still maintained their uproar79, discharging their rifles into the air, shrieking80 defiance at their invisible foes81, and voicing insulting invitations to combat. This ferocity, however, served only to terrify further the civil population and to close the shutters of San Antonio the tighter. Meanwhile, the loyal troops remained safely in their blockhouses, pouring a steady fire into the town. And despite this admirable display of courage the visitors showed a deep respect for their enemies' markmanship, taking advantage of whatever shelter there was.
Leslie Branch, of course, proved the solitary82 exception; as usual, he exposed himself recklessly and rode the middle of the streets, regardless of those sudden explosions of dust beneath his horse's feet or those unexpected showers of plaster from above.
He had spent his time assiduously ransacking83 the deserted84 shops, and in addition to his huge bundle of bedding and his long string of straw hats he now possessed85 a miscellaneous assortment86 of plunder, in which were a bolt of calico, a pair of shoes, a collection of cooking-utensils, an umbrella, and—strangest of all—a large gilt-framed mirror. The safety of these articles seemed to concern him far more than his own. Spying O'Reilly, he shouted:
"Say! What's the Spanish word for 'clothing-store'? I need a new suit."
"Don't be an idiot!" Johnnie yelled at him. "Keep under cover."
But Branch only shook his head. "They couldn't hit anything," he cried.
The next instant, as if to punctuate87 his remark, a spent bullet smashed the mirror and sprinkled the speaker with particles of glass. It was only by a miracle that he escaped injury. Branch reined in his horse, examined the wreck88, then with a petulant89 exclamation90 cast the useless frame away.
The sick man's bravado92 roused in O'Reilly a feeling of mingled93 resentment94 and apprehension95, but further warning would obviously be a waste of breath. Nevertheless, being a little too tender-hearted to follow Judson's nonchalant example and ride on, O'Reilly held in his horse, meanwhile keeping an anxious eye upon his friend.
The latter was in no hurry; he jogged along leisurely96, evidently on the lookout97 for an opportunity to replenish4 his wardrobe. Truth to say, this needed replenishing—Leslie resembled a scarecrow clad in a suit of soiled pajamas98. But by this time most of the shops had their shutters up. When the last one had been left behind O'Reilly spurred his horse into a gallop77, relieved to know that the worst was over.
The raiders had approached San Antonio de los Banos across the fields at the rear, but Colonel Lopez led their retreat by way of the camino real which followed the riverbank. This road for a short distance was exposed to the fire from one fort; then it was sheltered by a bit of rising ground.
O'Reilly, among the last to cross the zone of fire, was just congratulating himself upon the fortunate outcome of the skirmish when he saw Colonel Lopez ride to the crest99 of a knoll100, rise in his stirrups and, lifting his cupped hands to his lips, direct a loud shout back toward the town. Lopez was followed by several of his men, who likewise began to yell and to wave their arms excitedly.
Johnnie turned to discover that Leslie Branch had lagged far behind, and now, as if to cap his fantastic performances, had dismounted and was descending101 the river-bank to a place where a large washing had been spread upon the stones to dry. He was quite exposed, and a spiteful crackle from the nearest blockhouse showed that the Spaniards were determined to bring him down. Mauser bullets ricocheted among the rocks—even from this distance their sharp explosions were audible—others broke the surface of the stream into little geysers, as if a school of fish were leaping.
While Johnnie looked on in breathless apprehension Branch appropriated several suits that promised to fit him; then he climbed up the bank, remounted his horse, and ambled102 slowly out of range.
Now this was precisely103 the sort of harebrained exploit which delights a Cuban audience. When Leslie rejoined his comrades, therefore, he was greeted with shouts and cheers.
"Caramba! He would risk his life for a clean shirt. … There's a fellow for you! He enjoys the hum of these Spanish bees! … Bravo! Tell us what the bullets said to you," they cried, crowding around him in an admiring circle.
O'Reilly, unable to contain himself, burst forth104 in a rage: "You infernal fool! Do you want to be shot robbing a clothes-line?"
"Rats!" ejaculated Leslie, sourly. "I TOLD you I had to have some clothes."
"Lopez ought to court-martial you. What are you going to do with that junk, now that you have it? You can't take it with you on the march."
"You wait and see," said the other. "I'm going to be comfortable, if—" He paused, with a peculiar105, startled expression on his face. "Did you hear anything?" he queried106 after a moment. "No. What?"
"Oh, nothing." The two men rode on in silence for a time, then Leslie said: "Queer thing happened back there while those Romeos were popping at me. I heard a baby crying."
"A baby?"
"Sure. I suppose it was the washerwoman's kid. When we flushed her she probably vamped out and left it in the grass. Anyhow, it let up an awful holler."
Jacket and the other loot-laden soldiers had been sent on ahead, together with those troopers who were sharing mounts with the rescued prisoners; they were now waiting perhaps two miles from town for their companions to overtake them. As the column came up and halted, O'Reilly addressed a remark to Leslie Branch, but in the middle of it the faint, unmistakable complaint of a child came to his ears.
"Listen!" he exclaimed. "What on earth—"
"I've been hearing it right along," Branch said. "I—I thought I had the willies."
The nearest riders abruptly107 ceased their chatter108; they questioned one another mutely, doubting their own ears. Again came that thin, muffled109 wail52, whereupon O'Reilly cried in astonishment110:
"Leslie! Why, it—it's in YOUR BUNDLE!" He pointed111 to the formless roll of bedding which hung from his friend's saddle-horn.
"G'wan! You're crazy!" Branch slipped to the ground, seized the bundle in his arms, and bore it to the roadside. With shaking hands he tugged112 at the knotted corners of the comforter. "Pure imagination!" he muttered, testily113. "There's nothing in here but bedclothes. I just grabbed an armful—" The last word ended in a yell. Leslie sprang into the air as if his exploring fingers had encountered a coiled serpent. "Oh, my God!" He poised114 as if upon the point of flight. "Johnnie! Look! It's ALIVE!"
"What's alive? What is it?"
With a sudden desperate courage Branch bent115 forward and spread out the bedding. There, exposed to the bulging eyes of the onlookers116, was a very tiny, very brown baby. It was a young baby; it was quite naked. Its eyes, exposed to the sudden glare of the morning sun, closed tightly; one small hand all but lost itself in the wide, toothless cavity that served as a mouth. Its ten ridiculous toes curled and uncurled in a most amazing fashion.
"Oh, my God!" Branch repeated, aghast. "It's just b-born! Its eyes aren't open."
The Cubans, who had momentarily been stricken dumb with amazement117, suddenly broke into voluble speech. The clamor served to attract Colonel Lopez, who was riding past.
"What's the matter here?" he demanded, forcing his horse through the ring which had formed about El Demonio and his bundle. One startled look and the colonel flung himself out of his saddle. "Whose baby is that?" he demanded.
"I—I—Why, it's mine. I mean, I—" Branch's eyes were glued upon the child in horrified118 fascination119. He choked and stammered120 and waved his hands impotently.
"Come, come! Speak up! What does this mean?" Lopez's voice grew stern.
"She must have be-been asleep. I just grabbed—You know. I—" Branch's face became suddenly stricken. "Look out!" he shouted, hoarsely122. "She's going to cry, or something."
He was right; the baby showed every sign of a firm determination to voice her indignation at the outrage123 she had suffered. Her hand stole out of her mouth, her fists closed, her face puckered124 ominously125. Lopez stooped, wrapped her in a sheet, then took her awkwardly in his arms. He bent a blazing glance upon the kidnapper126, but he had no chance to speak before the storm of wailings broke.
News of Leslie's exploit was spreading. Men were shouting and gesticulating to their comrades to come and see El Demonio's spoils. There was a great chattering127 and crowding and no little smothered laughter. Meanwhile, Colonel Lopez was using every desperate device to soothe128 the infant, but without success. At last he strode up to Leslie and extended his burden.
"Here," he said, harshly, "she's yours. I surrender her."
Leslie drew back. "No, you don't! I wouldn't touch her for a thousand dollars!" he cried.
But Lopez was firm. He spoke in a tone of command: "Do as I tell you. Take her. A fine outrage, to steal a baby! What are we going to do with her? We can't send her back—the town is crazy. I've no doubt I shall hear from this."
In spite of Leslie's choking protests, in spite of his feeble resistance, Lopez pressed the noisy stranger into his arms, then turned to his men and directed them to be off.
Branch remained motionless. He was stupefied; he held the baby gingerly, not daring to put it down, dreading129 to keep it; his eyes were rolling, he began to perspire130 freely. Stretching a timid, detaining hand toward Lopez, he inquired, huskily, "What shall I do with her?"
"God knows. I don't," snapped the officer. "I shall have to think, but meanwhile I hold you responsible for her. Come now, we must be going."
Leslie swallowed hard; his face became overspread with a sicklier pallor. "What'll I do—when she gets HUNGRY?"
Lopez could not restrain a smile. "You should have thought about that, compadre. Well, I know where there is a milk cow not three leagues from here. I'll send a man to borrow it from the owner and drive it to our camp. Or perhaps"—his handsome face hardened again—"perhaps you would prefer to take this child back where you found it?"
"No—I—Oh, they'd tear me limb from limb!"
"Exactly."
Branch turned his head from side to side in desperation. He wet his lips. "It's the youngest one I ever had anything to do with. Maybe it isn't used to cow's milk," he ventured.
"Unfortunately that is the only kind I can offer it. Take care of it until I find some way of notifying its people."
O'Reilly had looked on at his friend's embarrassment131 with malicious132 enjoyment133, but, realizing that Branch would undoubtedly134 try to foist135 upon him the responsibility of caring for the baby, he slipped away and rode over to where Captain Judson was engaged in making a litter upon which to carry the sick prisoner they had rescued from the jail. When he had apprised136 the artilleryman of what Branch had found in his roll of purloined137 bedding the latter smiled broadly.
"Serves him right," Judson chuckled138. "We'll make him sit up nights with it. Maybe it'll improve his disposition139." More seriously he explained: "This chap here is all in. I'm afraid we aren't going to get him through."
Following Judson's glance, O'Reilly beheld140 an emaciated141 figure lying in the shade of a near-by guava-bush. The man was clad in filthy142 rags, his face was dirty and overgrown with a month's beard; a pair of restless eyes stared unblinkingly at the brazen143 sky. His lips were moving; from them issued a steady patter of words, but otherwise he showed no sign of life.
"You said he was starving." Johnnie dismounted and lent Judson a hand with his task.
"Then we'd better look after him ourselves. These Cubans are mighty145 careless, you know. We can swing him between our horses, and—"
Judson looked up to discover that Johnnie was poised rigidly146, his mouth open, his hands halted in midair. The sick man's voice had risen, and O'Reilly, with a peculiar expression of amazement upon his face, was straining his ears to hear what he said.
"Eh? What's the matter?" Judson inquired.
For a moment O'Reilly remained frozen in his attitude, then without a word he strode to the sufferer. He bent forward, staring into the vacant, upturned face. A cry burst from his throat, a cry that was like a sob147, and, kneeling, he gathered the frail148, filthy figure into his arms.
"ESTEBAN!" he cried. "ESTEBAN! This is O'Reilly. O'Rail-ye! Don't you know me? O'Reilly, your friend, your brother! For God's sake, tell me what they've done to you! Look at me, Esteban! Look at me! LOOK AT ME! Oh, ESTEBAN!"
Such eagerness, such thankfulness, such passionate149 pity were in his friend's hoarse121 voice that Judson drew closer. He noticed that the faintest flame of reason flickered150 for an instant in the sick man's hollow eyes; then they began to rove again, and the same rustling151 whisper recommenced. Judson had heard something of O'Reilly's story; he had heard mention of Esteban and Rosa Varona; he stood, therefore, in silent wonderment, listening to the incoherent words that poured from his friend's lips. O'Reilly held the boy tenderly in his arms; tears rolled down his cheeks as he implored152 Esteban to hear and to heed153 him.
"TRY to hear me! TRY!" There was fierce agony in the cry. "Where is
Rosa? … Rosa? … You're safe now; you can tell me. … You're safe
with O'Reilly. … I came back … I came back for you and Rosa. …
Where is she? … Is she—dead?"
Other men were assembling now. The column was ready to move, but Judson signaled to Colonel Lopez and made known the identity of the sick stranger. The colonel came forward swiftly and laid a hand upon O'Reilly's shoulder, saying:
"So! You were right, after all. Esteban Varona didn't die. God must have sent us to San Antonio to deliver him."
"He's sick, SICK!" O'Reilly said, huskily. "Those Spaniards! Look what they've done to him." His voice changed. He cried, fiercely: "Well, I'm late again. I'm always just a little bit too late. He'll die before he can tell me—"
"Wait! Take hold of yourself. We'll do all that can be done to save him. Now come, we must be going, or all San Antonio will be upon us."
O'Reilly roused. "Put him in my arms," he ordered. "I'll carry him to camp myself."
But Lopez shook his head, saying, gently: "It's a long march, and the litter would be better for him. Thank Heaven we have an angel of mercy awaiting us, and she will know how to make him well."
When the troop resumed its retreat Esteban Varona lay suspended upon a swinging bed between O'Reilly's and Judson's horses. Although they carried him as carefully as they could throughout that long hot journey, he never ceased his babbling154 and never awoke to his surroundings.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
patriots
|
|
| 爱国者，爱国主义者( patriot的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
gallant
|
|
| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
garrison
|
|
| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
replenish
|
|
| vt.补充；(把…)装满；(再)填满 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
replenished
|
|
| 补充( replenish的过去式和过去分词 )； 重新装满 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
retired
|
|
| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
uncommon
|
|
| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
whatsoever
|
|
| adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
sensational
|
|
| adj.使人感动的，非常好的，轰动的，耸人听闻的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
pickles
|
|
| n.腌菜( pickle的名词复数 )；处于困境；遇到麻烦；菜酱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
sardines
|
|
| n. 沙丁鱼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
delicacies
|
|
| n.棘手( delicacy的名词复数 )；精致；精美的食物；周到 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
breaching
|
|
| 攻破( breach的过去式 )； 破坏，违反 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
artillery
|
|
| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
stony
|
|
| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
plaza
|
|
| n.广场，市场 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
eminences
|
|
| 卓越( eminence的名词复数 )； 著名； 高地； 山丘 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
dozing
|
|
| v.打瞌睡,假寐 n.瞌睡 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
deployed
|
|
| （尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
caustically
|
|
| adv.刻薄地；挖苦地；尖刻地；讥刺地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
bugle
|
|
| n.军号，号角，喇叭；v.吹号，吹号召集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
regain
|
|
| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
shutters
|
|
| 百叶窗( shutter的名词复数 )； （照相机的）快门 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
ragged
|
|
| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
scurrying
|
|
| v.急匆匆地走( scurry的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
scattering
|
|
| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
shrieks
|
|
| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
defiance
|
|
| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
bugles
|
|
| 妙脆角，一种类似薯片但做成尖角或喇叭状的零食； 号角( bugle的名词复数 )； 喇叭； 匍匐筋骨草； （装饰女服用的）柱状玻璃（或塑料）小珠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
defenders
|
|
| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
outskirts
|
|
| n.郊外，郊区 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
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： |
|
|
|
|
34
whined
|
|
| v.哀号( whine的过去式和过去分词 )；哀诉，诉怨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
locusts
|
|
| n.蝗虫( locust的名词复数 )；贪吃的人；破坏者；槐树 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
descend
|
|
| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
inclination
|
|
| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
loyalty
|
|
| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
invaders
|
|
| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
clattering
|
|
| 发出咔哒声（clatter的现在分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
reassuringly
|
|
| ad.安心，可靠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
ferocious
|
|
| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
devoted
|
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
ferociously
|
|
| 野蛮地，残忍地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
savagely
|
|
| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
cane
|
|
| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
rattle
|
|
| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
random
|
|
| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
exulted
|
|
| 狂喜，欢跃( exult的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
smothered
|
|
| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
wail
|
|
| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
wailing
|
|
| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
testimony
|
|
| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
precipitate
|
|
| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
stoutest
|
|
| 粗壮的( stout的最高级 )； 结实的； 坚固的； 坚定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
reined
|
|
| 勒缰绳使（马）停步( rein的过去式和过去分词 )； 驾驭； 严格控制； 加强管理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
improvised
|
|
| a.即席而作的,即兴的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
bulging
|
|
| 膨胀； 凸出（部）； 打气； 折皱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
plunder
|
|
| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
pony
|
|
| adj.小型的；n.小马 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
overloaded
|
|
| a.超载的，超负荷的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
obedience
|
|
| n.服从，顺从 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
frantic
|
|
| adj.狂乱的，错乱的，激昂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
trot
|
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
gaudy
|
|
| adj.华而不实的；俗丽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
consternation
|
|
| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
implements
|
|
| n.工具( implement的名词复数 )；家具；手段；[法律]履行（契约等）v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 )；执行；贯彻；使生效 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
battering
|
|
| n.用坏，损坏v.连续猛击( batter的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
prying
|
|
| adj.爱打听的v.打听，刺探（他人的私事）( pry的现在分词 )；撬开 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
inmates
|
|
| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
dignified
|
|
| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
foul
|
|
| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
kennels
|
|
| n.主人外出时的小动物寄养处，养狗场；狗窝( kennel的名词复数 )；养狗场 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
hustled
|
|
| 催促（hustle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
gallop
|
|
| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
galloped
|
|
| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
uproar
|
|
| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
shrieking
|
|
| v.尖叫( shriek的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
foes
|
|
| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
solitary
|
|
| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
ransacking
|
|
| v.彻底搜查( ransack的现在分词 )；抢劫，掠夺 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
possessed
|
|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
assortment
|
|
| n.分类，各色俱备之物，聚集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
punctuate
|
|
| vt.加标点于；不时打断 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
wreck
|
|
| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
petulant
|
|
| adj.性急的，暴躁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
exclamation
|
|
| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
growled
|
|
| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
bravado
|
|
| n.虚张声势，故作勇敢，逞能 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
mingled
|
|
| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
resentment
|
|
| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
apprehension
|
|
| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
leisurely
|
|
| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
lookout
|
|
| n.注意，前途，瞭望台 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
pajamas
|
|
| n.睡衣裤 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
crest
|
|
| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
knoll
|
|
| n.小山，小丘 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
descending
|
|
| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
ambled
|
|
| v.（马）缓行( amble的过去式和过去分词 )；从容地走，漫步 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
precisely
|
|
| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
forth
|
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
peculiar
|
|
| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
queried
|
|
| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
abruptly
|
|
| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
chatter
|
|
| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
muffled
|
|
| 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） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
astonishment
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
tugged
|
|
| v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
testily
|
|
| adv. 易怒地, 暴躁地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
poised
|
|
| a.摆好姿势不动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
bent
|
|
| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
116
onlookers
|
|
| n.旁观者，观看者( onlooker的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
117
amazement
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
118
horrified
|
|
| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
119
fascination
|
|
| n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
120
stammered
|
|
| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
121
hoarse
|
|
| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
122
hoarsely
|
|
| adv.嘶哑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
123
outrage
|
|
| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
124
puckered
|
|
| v.（使某物）起褶子或皱纹( pucker的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
125
ominously
|
|
| adv.恶兆地，不吉利地；预示地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
126
kidnapper
|
|
| n.绑架者，拐骗者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
127
chattering
|
|
| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
128
soothe
|
|
| v.安慰；使平静；使减轻；缓和；奉承 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
129
dreading
|
|
| v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
130
perspire
|
|
| vi.出汗，流汗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
131
embarrassment
|
|
| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
132
malicious
|
|
| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
133
enjoyment
|
|
| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
134
undoubtedly
|
|
| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
135
foist
|
|
| vt.把…强塞给，骗卖给 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
136
apprised
|
|
| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
137
purloined
|
|
| v.偷窃( purloin的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
138
chuckled
|
|
| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
139
disposition
|
|
| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
140
beheld
|
|
| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
141
emaciated
|
|
| adj.衰弱的，消瘦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
142
filthy
|
|
| adj.卑劣的；恶劣的，肮脏的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
143
brazen
|
|
| adj.厚脸皮的，无耻的，坚硬的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
144
dungeon
|
|
| n.地牢，土牢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
145
mighty
|
|
| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
146
rigidly
|
|
| adv.刻板地，僵化地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
147
sob
|
|
| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
148
frail
|
|
| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
149
passionate
|
|
| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
150
flickered
|
|
| （通常指灯光）闪烁，摇曳( flicker的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
151
rustling
|
|
| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
152
implored
|
|
| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
153
heed
|
|
| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
154
babbling
|
|
| n.胡说，婴儿发出的咿哑声adj.胡说的v.喋喋不休( babble的现在分词 )；作潺潺声（如流水）；含糊不清地说话；泄漏秘密 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |