This roused the Frenchman to vehement7 denial. He swore by the name of his patron saint that he knew nothing of the black fox and had had no part in the theft. He declared that he didn't even know that a black fox had been seen in the Hollow, and as for the assault on Sparrer, he was as innocent as a new-born babe. Then Alec told him the story of the killing8 of the fox and the murderous attack by the Indian, concluding by stating his belief that the latter had hidden the skin and intended to desert his companion at the first opportunity and thus avoid having to share his ill-gotten gains.
Pierre's face grew black with ill suppressed rage, not, as his captors well knew, at the dastardly crime, but at the evident intention of his partner to "double-cross" him. Alec artfully pointed10 out the serious situation in which he, Pierre, was; if turned over to the officers of the law he would undoubtedly11 have to face the charge of being accessory to the Indian's crime. He wound up with the suggestion that if Pierre would endeavor to help them recover the skin they would in return be content to allow him to get out of the country. If he refused they would hold him and turn him over to the authorities.
It did not take Pierre long to make up his mind. He saw clearly that he had nothing to gain by refusing, and everything to lose. Moreover the spirit of revenge was strong within him. After a few minutes of hesitation12 he sullenly13 agreed to do whatever was required of him.
"Tell him," said Pat, "that he is to go out there and demand of that skulking14 redskin that he come out and surrender. Tell him to make it clear that the camp is surrounded and the jig15 is up; that we're going to get him anyway, dead or alive, and we don't much care which. Tell him that he is not to go nearer than ten yards to the cabin, that we've got him covered, and if he makes any break it will be his last one."
Alec translated this and Pierre nodded. Then he walked forward through the thicket16 into the open, at Alec's command coming to a halt some thirty feet from the cabin door, where he hailed the Indian in the latter's own tongue. There was a muffled17 reply and after some delay the cabin door was opened a crack and a rifle barrel thrust through. Then followed a heated parley18 in the Indian tongue, of which Alec understood enough to gather the substance.
"He's laying it on thick," he chuckled19. "Says that the sheriff and deputies are here and have got the camp surrounded, and that unless he comes out they'll shoot him on sight. The Injun has passed him the lie. He's mockin' Pierre for being caught by a couple of make-believe trappers—ye ken3 that's you and me, Pat—and a lot of infants. He says he hasn't got the black fox and disna know anything about it. Pierre is giving him a beautiful tongue-lashing and calling him everything bad this side of purgatory20. 'Tis a shame ye dinna understand a little of the lingo21, Pat. Ha! The red says he'll shoot on sight and is warning Pierre to get back before he takes a pot shot at him, and by the saints I believe he means it!"
As a matter of fact at this point they saw the rifle barrel raised. Pierre abruptly22 turned and without once looking back rejoined the two men in the thicket. He was in a towering rage and spat23 out French invectives at a rate to defy description. He reported the result of his mission, stating his opinion that the Indian could hold out indefinitely, as there was a plentiful24 supply of grub in the cabin and enough fire-wood to keep him from freezing for longer than his besiegers would care to stay.
"Will he shoot, do you think, if we rush the cabin?" asked Pat meditatively25.
As if in reply the rifle at the cabin door spat fire and a bullet whistled through the thicket so close to Pat that instinctively26 he ducked. He had carelessly exposed himself to the view of the outlaw27. Almost instantly Alec's rifle replied and a splinter flew from the door-frame.
The door still remained open a crack, evidently to allow the inmate29 to observe what was going on in front, the only vulnerable point of attack, there being no windows in the cabin. Pat worked around to a point where he could put a bullet through this crack by way of warning and his shot was followed by the closing of the door.
"Ut remoinds me," said he with a comical grimace30 as he slipped into the brogue, "av the first skunk31 I iver caught. 'Twas in a box trap, and having got the little baste32 in the trap I didn't know how in the mischief33 to get him out."
Meanwhile the three boys had obediently remained at their posts. They had witnessed the parley and the shooting, but just what it all meant and what the results were they could only guess. They were a-shake with excitement, and fairly ached with curiosity. Shortly after the last shot Pat joined them and briefly34 explained what had happened, and the present situation.
"There's only one thing we can do now," said he, "and that is to smoke the old fox out. This is where you fellows, or one of you, anyway, will have a chance to take a hand. The snow is banked clear to the roof here at the back and it will be no trick at all for one of you to steal down there to the chimney. He's got a fire there now, but the minute he suspects what is up he'll put that out. We've got to give him something he can't put out. I've got on an old sweater that's about worn out. A couple of you can slip around down where we passed those cedars35 and strip off enough bark and that hanging moss36 to stuff it out so that you can make a ball of it, and stuff it down the chimney with a pole so that it will stick half-way. On top of that you can drop some rolls of lighted birch bark and have ready the thickest fir boughs37 you can find to clap on top of the chimney. Walt, you better tend to putting the stuff down the chimney, and mind you work fast. And don't lean over it. When he finds what is up he's likely to try a pot shot up the chimney in the hope of blowing the stuff out. If you have good heavy boughs on top he can't do it. Alec and I will watch the front to get him when he comes out. Have plenty of bark and get it going well before you toss the rolls in. As long as you don't get over the chimney and keep off the roof there will be no danger. The roof is of bark, and he may take a chance shot up through it, so work from the drift on this end."
Hal and Sparrer went after the moss, while Upton made a trip over to a clump38 of birches and stripped off the bark. Then with his belt axe39 he cut a number of fir boughs. By the time the others returned he had the bark and boughs ready and had prepared a stick with which to push down the moss-filled sweater. If he should push this too far it would drop down into the fireplace. On the other hand he wanted to get it far enough down so that the flames from the bark would not immediately fire the fir boughs on top. Breaking through the snow-crust he mixed snow with the moss and also rolled the sweater in snow. The boys had brought more moss than was needed for stuffing the sweater and this Upton also mixed with snow and placed in a loose mass at the foot of the chimney.
When all was ready he had Hal and Sparrer each light a couple of the birch rolls ready to hand to him. As soon as these were going he stuffed the sweater down the chimney, pushing it down with the stick as far as he dared. Then seizing the burning bark rolls he tossed them down on top, crammed40 the loose moss in, and clapped the fir boughs over all. On top of the latter he tossed some snow. Meanwhile Pat had created a diversion in front of the cabin by shouting threats of what they would do to the redskin if he didn't come out and surrender.
Upton had worked quickly and was through before the outlaw fully9 sensed what was up. At first he evidently thought that they had merely covered the top of the chimney to smoke him out with his own fire, and a hissing41 sound which came up to them through the chimney proclaimed the quenching42 of this with water. Then discovering that the smoke was increasing instead of decreasing he did exactly what Pat had foreseen—attempted to blow the chimney clear by firing his rifle up it. However he only succeeded in setting fire to the sweater from underneath43 and this, because of its nature, merely smouldered. It was now merely a question of whether the sweater and moss would burn and drop before the smoke in the cabin became too dense44 for a human being to live in it.
Birch bark, as every Boy Scout45 knows, is one of the most inflammable of materials. It burns like fat, and also like fat it throws off a thick smoke. This was working up now in little puffs46 through the fir boughs, but the great bulk of it must be pouring into the cabin, for Upton had taken care in stuffing the sweater down not to wholly block the passage. Now and then a little tongue of flame licked up through the fir boughs and was promptly47 extinguished with a handful of snow. The snow-damp moss shoved down on top of the bark was adding to the smoke, and from the sounds in the cabin it was clear that the occupant was in difficulties.
Presently Sparrer called attention to smoke pouring up at the front end of the cabin. The door had been set ajar to let out the smoke. Almost immediately there was a shot from the thicket where Pat was hiding, followed by a second shot, and then the bang of the door as it was once more shut. But it did not remain closed long. No human being could long survive in such an atmosphere as now prevailed in the little cabin. This time the door was flung wide open and in the midst of the cloud of smoke that poured out the Indian staggered forth48, gasping49 and choking.
Pat at once stepped from hiding, covering the outlaw with his rifle. But for this there was no real need. Until he should get some pure air into his lungs he was quite helpless. He threw himself down in the snow and gasped50 weakly. A sorrier looking spectacle could hardly be imagined. His eyes were inflamed51, blood-red. His face and clothing were smeared52 with soot53 and ashes. One cheek was bleeding from a wound, made, as it afterward54 appeared, by a splinter torn off from the door-frame by one of Pat's bullets. Alec wasted no time in securing the prisoner's hands behind him and then deftly55 searched him for hidden weapons, finding nothing but a knife. That reminded him of the knife Pierre had tossed at his feet when he was captured at the spring, and he sent Sparrer to get it.
As soon as the capture was made the three boys had rushed forward, forgetting that they were under orders to remain at their posts until signaled. Somewhat sternly but with a twinkle in his eyes that belied56 the severity of his voice Pat now reminded them of this and ordered Upton back to clear the boughs from the top of the chimney. By this time the sweater had burned through and the whole mass had dropped into the fireplace, where it continued to burn, the smoke rolling out of the open door in a dense cloud. With the removal of the boughs from the top of the chimney a draft was reëstablished and the smoke sought its natural outlet57. It was some time, however, before the interior of the cabin could be examined with any comfort, and Pat took advantage of this to quiz the Indian.
So far as results were obtained he might as well have talked to a wooden post. The redskin stolidly58 refused to answer questions. When confronted with Sparrer he denied ever having seen him before, much to that young man's disgust. He steadfastly60 denied all knowledge of the black fox and refused to admit that he ever had been in Smugglers' Hollow.
At last Pat gave up in disgust. The cabin had sufficiently61 cleared of smoke by this time to permit of a search being made. Leaving Alec to stand guard over the prisoners Pat and the three boys entered and began their investigations62. Two rifles stood inside the door, and these Pat emptied of cartridges63 and stood them outside against the end of the cabin. Then without ceremony he pulled the bedding from the two low bunks64 and tossed it out on the snow. This was followed by everything else the cabin contained until it was stripped bare. Under the two bunks they found part of the object of their search, many cased furs. There were marten, mink65, fisher, a couple of otter66, three red fox, two lynx and a number of muskrat67, a pile that altogether represented a tidy sum from a trapper's point of view. But the black fox was not among them.
Pat glowered68 at the prisoners savagely69 as he noted70 that some of the skins had been carelessly handled and therefore would not bring what they would had they been properly treated. Then he resumed his search of the cabin. The only thing further in the way of skins were two tightly rolled deer-hides freshly taken from the animals, one being that of a fawn71.
"Do you mind what I told you had happened at the deer yard?" growled Pat as he tossed the skins out of the door.
Convinced at last that the skin of the black fox was not in the camp they regretfully gave up the search there and emerged from the cabin. Alec read the disappointment and chagrin72 in their faces. So, too, did Big Pierre, who had been awaiting the result of their search with ill-concealed impatience73. He had scarcely looked at his partner since the latter had been captured. Now he turned and spoke rapidly in French to Alec.
"He says," explained the latter, "that if the Injun really has got the skin he has hidden it outside somewhere, and that if we'll agree to let him go he'll help us hunt for it. He says that it is probably in a hollow tree somewhere near, but swears that he doesn't know where. He thinks that the Injun meant to wait until he, Pierre, was away from camp and then get it and light out."
"I shouldn't wonder if he's right, at that," exclaimed Hal. "What do you think of the proposition, Pat?"
"He may be right enough about the Injun, but I wouldn't trust him the length av me nose," Pat growled. "Let me talk a bit more to the Injun."
He strode up in front of the captive and shook a brawny74 fist beneath his nose. "We've got you, and we're going to turn you over to the sheriff unless you come across mighty75 quick with that skin," he thundered. Then dropping into simple speech that the Indian could not misunderstand he continued, "You kill deer out of season; skins prove it." He pointed to the bundle of fresh hides. "You steal much fur; Big Pierre say so if we let him go." Alec translated and Pierre nodded. The Indian glanced at his late partner and saw the nod. A vindictive76 look swept across his face and left it as expressionless as before.
"You try to kill white boy. He go to court and swear. Injun go to prison for long time, years and years. Black fox only thing can save Injun."
The Indian appeared to consider the triple indictment77, but no hint of what was passing in his mind appeared in his face. It was as stolid59 and expressionless as ever. At length he spoke.
"You give Injun gun and all his things and let go if he tell something?" he inquired.
"We'll see about it," Pat growled.
"No promise, Injun no tell," was the prompt response.
It was Pat's turn to consider. Finally he made up his mind. "Listen, Alec," said he. "You tell Pierre that we'll give them their guns, but no cartridges; that we'll let them take their personal belongings78 and as much grub as they can carry and let them go on condition that they will admit having stolen those skins from our traps, that they will agree to get out of these parts and never come back, and that the Indian shows us where the fox is. Otherwise we'll take them to camp and hold them prisoners while one of us goes out for the sheriff. Tell him to tell the Injun."
Alec turned to Pierre and spoke rapidly. The latter interjected a question now and then and when Alec had finished made a brief reply. "He says," Alec explained, "that he agrees, though he thinks we ought to let them have some cartridges. He admits the stealing of the furs, but still protests that he wasn't in on the fox affair and wants to know if we'll let him go in case the Injun refuses to come across."
"Tell him yes," replied Pat.
This Alec did, and Pierre at once turned to the Indian and addressed him in his own tongue. Alec picked up enough to know that Pierre was putting the case in its strongest light and dwelling79 on the length of time in prison likely to follow conviction. When he finished the Indian turned to Pat.
"You come," he said simply, and turned toward the woods.
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1
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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patois
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| n.方言；混合语 | |
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ken
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| n.视野，知识领域 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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accomplice
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| n.从犯，帮凶，同谋 | |
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vehement
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| adj.感情强烈的；热烈的；(人)有强烈感情的 | |
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killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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skulking
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| v.潜伏，偷偷摸摸地走动，鬼鬼祟祟地活动( skulk的现在分词 ) | |
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jig
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| n.快步舞（曲）；v.上下晃动；用夹具辅助加工；蹦蹦跳跳 | |
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thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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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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parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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purgatory
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| n.炼狱；苦难；adj.净化的，清洗的 | |
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lingo
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| n.语言不知所云，外国话，隐语 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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spat
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| n.口角，掌击；v.发出呼噜呼噜声 | |
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plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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meditatively
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| adv.冥想地 | |
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instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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outlaw
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| n.歹徒，亡命之徒；vt.宣布…为不合法 | |
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28
growled
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| 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 | |
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inmate
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| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
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grimace
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| v.做鬼脸，面部歪扭 | |
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skunk
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| n.臭鼬，黄鼠狼；v.使惨败，使得零分；烂醉如泥 | |
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32
baste
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| v.殴打，公开责骂 | |
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mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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cedars
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| 雪松，西洋杉( cedar的名词复数 ) | |
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moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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37
boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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40
crammed
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| adj.塞满的，挤满的；大口地吃；快速贪婪地吃v.把…塞满；填入；临时抱佛脚( cram的过去式) | |
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41
hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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42
quenching
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| 淬火，熄 | |
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43
underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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44
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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45
scout
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| n.童子军，侦察员；v.侦察，搜索 | |
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46
puffs
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| n.吸( puff的名词复数 )；（烟斗或香烟的）一吸；一缕（烟、蒸汽等）；（呼吸或风的）呼v.使喷出( puff的第三人称单数 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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47
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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48
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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49
gasping
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| adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
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50
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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51
inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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52
smeared
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| 弄脏； 玷污； 涂抹； 擦上 | |
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53
soot
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| n.煤烟，烟尘；vt.熏以煤烟 | |
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54
afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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55
deftly
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| adv.灵巧地，熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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56
belied
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| v.掩饰( belie的过去式和过去分词 )；证明（或显示）…为虚假；辜负；就…扯谎 | |
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57
outlet
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| n.出口/路；销路；批发商店；通风口；发泄 | |
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58
stolidly
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| adv.迟钝地，神经麻木地 | |
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stolid
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| adj.无动于衷的，感情麻木的 | |
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steadfastly
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| adv.踏实地，不变地；岿然；坚定不渝 | |
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61
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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62
investigations
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| （正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究 | |
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63
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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64
bunks
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| n.（车、船等倚壁而设的）铺位( bunk的名词复数 )；空话，废话v.（车、船等倚壁而设的）铺位( bunk的第三人称单数 )；空话，废话 | |
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65
mink
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| n.貂，貂皮 | |
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otter
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| n.水獭 | |
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muskrat
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| n.麝香鼠 | |
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68
glowered
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| v.怒视( glower的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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fawn
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| n.未满周岁的小鹿；v.巴结，奉承 | |
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chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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brawny
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| adj.强壮的 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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vindictive
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| adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的 | |
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indictment
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| n.起诉；诉状 | |
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belongings
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| n.私人物品，私人财物 | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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