CHAPTER XVI DISASTER

 "Well, I declare—where did you fellows drop from? Where's old sleepy-head?"

 

"Street-cars and trucks, so we meet again, eh?"

 

Nat Wingate and Kirk Talbot uttered these exclamations¹, as the two encountered Bob Somers, accompanied by Sam Randall, on the following morning.

 

"Having any further trouble with your old tub?" asked Nat.

 

"Not much," answered Bob, dryly; "don't expect to, either. It's at the bottom of Wolf River."

 

"What?—Say, where does the joke come in, Somers? I don't catch on."

 

"The 'Rambler' was set on fire and blown into bits yesterday by some mean scoundrel."

 

"Come now, what are you trying to give us?" protested Nat, incredulously, while Kirk Talbot fairly gasped³ with astonishment⁴.

 

"You don't expect me to believe a fishy⁵ yarn⁶ like that, do you?"

 

For an answer, Bob told the two Nimrods all about the destruction of the "Rambler," and their long tramp to the railroad station.

 

"Little and big fishes, if that isn't the worst I ever heard!" cried Kirk, with wide-open eyes. "Haven't you any idea who could have worked such a game on you?"

 

"Not the slightest."

 

"Christopher! Mighty⁷ tough luck, I must say," admitted Nat. "I can hardly believe it yet. Save anything, Somers?"

 

"Not enough to notice."

 

"Wow, won't your father be mad, though? Didn't you know any better than to leave the tub? Thought after we got out there was no danger, eh?"

 

Nat exhibited a trace of the sneering⁸, unpleasant manner which had largely served to keep him out of the Rambler Club.

 

"Never was more surprised in my life," declared Kirk Talbot; "can't imagine why any one should have done it. Didn't you have a scrap⁹ with anybody, or raise a shindy in that town back there?"

 

"No!"

 

"Maybe 'pa' touched off the fuse," began Nat, laughing uproariously. "Say, Somers, didn't that yellow head take a dandy slide in the water? Oh, my, I guess he was wild, eh? My stars, the funniest sight I ever saw. Ha, ha!" Then suddenly becoming serious, he added: "Suppose you'll go back home now?"

 

"No, we are going to keep right on."

 

"What for?"

 

"You know my father has some land—"

 

"Come in with our crowd, Somers. Can't you see enough mud and rocks without going off to the edge of the earth?"

 

"We can have a dandy time, hunting and fishing. Have the use of our boat, too. She'll hold ten, easily. What do you say?"

 

"That your offer is very kind, but—"

 

"Oh, say," interrupted Kirk, "what's the matter with you fellows, anyway? Thought you were going to have some fun. More sport when there's a big crowd. I'm awfully¹⁰ sorry your boat is gone, but that's only a good reason why you should join us."

 

"Which way are you going?"

 

"To where John 'Hatchet¹¹' clubbed that tame old wildcat," laughed Nat. "My eye, Hacky's a wonder when there's no one looking on."

 

"All had your backs turned, and running like mad?" inquired Sam, innocently.

 

"You guessed it, my little salt," returned Nat, with a grin. "Are you going with us, or not?"

 

"If you keep on Clair Bay, we will."

 

"And if we don't, you won't, that's it, hey? You've given us an ul-ti-ma-tum, as they say, when big words are sprung on us. All right, Somers, we'll think it over, and let you know. Come on, Kirky; Ted² may need these pills."

 

"What's the matter with Pollock?"

 

"Oh, he got sick yesterday. Ate some of Hackett's cooking. Must say it was a narrow escape. We'll see you later." And with a wave of his hand, Nat and his companion moved off.

 

"Wingate's a queer fellow," declared Bob; "we wouldn't have him in our club, yet he turns around and wants us to come in with his. It's funny; I never thought Nat was that kind of a fellow."

 

"Oh, I'll bet Wingate is up to something," said Sam; "thinks, maybe, that he is smart enough to play some trick on us. Nat will bear watching. Smooth, just like his uncle."

 

Clair Bay, while not a large town, possessed¹² several handsome buildings, but the boys found that the police station was not among the number. It stood just off a main thoroughfare. A flight of steps led up to a rather wide, but dingy-looking entrance.

 

"Glad we don't have to stay here long," observed Sam, with a grimace¹³.

 

They pushed open the door and entered. Before them was a square room, lighted by two large windows. Three benches occupied as many sides, while in one corner stood a railing and desk.

 

Within the enclosure sat an elderly, gray-haired official. He looked up as the boys entered.

 

"What can I do for you, young men?" he asked.

 

Bob Somers related his story.

 

"Humph!" muttered the official. He glanced over the rim¹⁴ of his eye-glasses at the boys, then began to question them.

 

The Ramblers had no intention of mentioning Nat Wingate and his crowd, but, under the fire of persistent¹⁵ queries¹⁶, even the fact that the Nimrods' leader had threatened them came out. Bob, however, assured the official that no suspicion could be attached to their rivals.

 

"I don't know that we can give you much hope," said the official, at the conclusion of their interview; "but we will do the best we can."

 

"Now for the post-office!" exclaimed Bob. "I'll break the news to my dad as gently as I can. I wouldn't like to see his face when he gets the letter."

 

"There's the post-office across the street," said Sam.

 

In the meantime, the two Trailers had rejoined their companions. The "Nimrod," decked with several flags, the largest of which bore the club's name in gilt¹⁷ letters, was tied up at a wharf¹⁸ near the far end of the town.

 

"Hi, there!" cried Nat, as they approached, and unmindful of the fact that several spectators were engaged in talking to his friends. "Great news—bing, bang, bust¹⁹, air full of little pieces—old canal-boat of Somers under fifty feet of the worst drinking water in Wisconsin."

 

"What's that?" asked Hackett.

 

"Bing, bang, bust! I told you; the 'Rambler' blew up. Couldn't stand the crowd that was on it any longer."

 

"What are you talking about?" demanded Hackett, impatiently.

 

"For goodness' sake, Kirk, explain. I thought I was speaking English."

 

"Their old tub was blown into the middle of next week," said Talbot, bluntly. "Some fellow who had a grudge²⁰ against 'em—"

 

"Say, is that true—blown up—sunk?" burst forth²¹ Hackett, exhibiting the greatest astonishment.

 

"Sunk?" echoed Ted Pollock, aghast.

 

"That's just what happened," said Nat; "I feel sorry for the poor duffers.—What say, Bill?"

 

This remark was addressed to a respectable-looking gentleman of about forty, who, standing²² close by, had heard the various remarks, and ventured to make an inquiry²³.

 

"I asked," said the gentleman, "about the explosion on a boat, but, if you will permit me, I would like to say that your manner of addressing people might be considerably²⁴ improved."

 

"That isn't my fault," returned Nat, who was not in the least abashed²⁵; "somebody stole the club's book on manners."

 

A howl of merriment sent the dignified²⁶ gentleman away in disgust.

 

"That was a piece of nerve, wasn't it?" said John Hackett.

 

"Frightful²⁷!" returned Nat. "Let me see, what was I saying? Oh, yes, ha, ha! I feel sorry for those chaps, but I can't help laughing. This is the way it happened."

 

Nat then related the particulars, frequently interrupted by exclamations and questions. Several loungers who crowded up also seemed to be interested in the story.

 

For some time, the Nimrods discussed the extraordinary event.

 

Suddenly Nat Wingate remarked: "Feeling any better, Ted? I got some stuff for you."

 

Young Pollock's pale face and listless manner showed that he felt far from his usual self.

 

The day before, while rambling²⁸ through the woods, the lad had come across a plant that he supposed to be an artichoke. Only Nat's fortunate arrival at that moment prevented him from eating more of the poisonous wild parsnip. As it was, Ted had been sick all day, and he vowed²⁹ never to touch any of the wild plants growing in the woods.

 

"What have you got, Nat—pills with an awful taste?" questioned Ted.

 

"There's a policeman making a bee-line this way," broke in Hackett. "Say, do you suppose that fellow who fell out of his tub back there made any kick?"

 

"Guess 'Brass³⁰ buttons' is just coming to take a look at the 'Nimrod.' Don't let a blue uniform get you scared."

 

But the policeman only glanced at the trim little motor boat.

 

"What's your name?" he demanded, addressing the leader of the Nimrods.

 

"Nat Wingate—why?"

 

"Is that your boat?"

 

"Sure, it is."

 

"Then you fellows will have to come with me," said the officer.

 

"What for?" protested Nat.

 

"Never mind, Johnny. The captain will tell you all about it. Step lively now."

 

"This is an outrage³¹!" cried Hackett, loudly.

 

"There's some mistake," faltered³² Nat.

 

"Well, I can't chin here all day," said the officer, gruffly; "I was given orders to take you in hand, and in you go."

 

"Somebody is going to pay for this," blustered³³ Hackett, angrily. "My stars, what can you want with us? We only got here this morning."

 

The officer reached forward, and grasped the slim youth's arm. "Come right along, Johnny," he commanded; "march."

 

He pushed him forward, while Hackett fairly boiled with anger. To add to the Nimrods' discomfiture³⁴, a large crowd had gathered.

 

"Just wait until my uncle hears about this," fumed³⁵ Nat; "somebody is going to catch it, I can tell you."

 

"The whole bunch pulled in," said Kirk, disconsolately³⁶. "This will be pleasant news to the folks at home."

 

The walk to the police station was decidedly unpleasant, and the Nimrods were glad when the station-house door shut them from the view of the curious crowd.

 

They soon found themselves facing the man who had received Bob Somers' complaint.

 

Names were placed on the police blotter. Then the official, resting his elbows on the desk, leaned forward, gazing sternly into Nat Wingate's face.

 

"Tell me what you know about the destruction of the 'Rambler,'" he said, sharply.

 

1 exclamations   

n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词

参考例句：

• The visitors broke into exclamations of wonder when they saw the magnificent Great Wall. 看到雄伟的长城，游客们惊叹不已。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• After the will has been read out, angry exclamations aroused. 遗嘱宣读完之后，激起一片愤怒的喊声。 来自辞典例句

2 ted   

vt.翻晒，撒，撒开

参考例句：

• The invaders gut ted the village.侵略者把村中财物洗劫一空。
• She often teds the corn when it's sunny.天好的时候她就翻晒玉米。

3 gasped   

v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要

参考例句：

• She gasped at the wonderful view. 如此美景使她惊讶得屏住了呼吸。
• People gasped with admiration at the superb skill of the gymnasts. 体操运动员的高超技艺令人赞叹。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

4 astonishment   

n.惊奇，惊异

参考例句：

• They heard him give a loud shout of astonishment.他们听见他惊奇地大叫一声。
• I was filled with astonishment at her strange action.我对她的奇怪举动不胜惊异。

5 fishy   

adj. 值得怀疑的

参考例句：

• It all sounds very fishy to me.所有这些在我听起来都很可疑。
• There was definitely something fishy going on.肯定当时有可疑的事情在进行中。

6 yarn   

n.纱，纱线，纺线；奇闻漫谈，旅行轶事

参考例句：

• I stopped to have a yarn with him.我停下来跟他聊天。
• The basic structural unit of yarn is the fiber.纤维是纱的基本结构单元。

7 mighty   

adj.强有力的；巨大的

参考例句：

• A mighty force was about to break loose.一股巨大的力量即将迸发而出。
• The mighty iceberg came into view.巨大的冰山出现在眼前。

8 sneering   

嘲笑的，轻蔑的

参考例句：

• "What are you sneering at?" “你冷笑什么？” 来自子夜部分
• The old sorceress slunk in with a sneering smile. 老女巫鬼鬼崇崇地走进来，冷冷一笑。

9 scrap   

n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废

参考例句：

• A man comes round regularly collecting scrap.有个男人定时来收废品。
• Sell that car for scrap.把那辆汽车当残品卖了吧。

10 awfully   

adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地

参考例句：

• Agriculture was awfully neglected in the past.过去农业遭到严重忽视。
• I've been feeling awfully bad about it.对这我一直感到很难受。

11 hatchet   

n.短柄小斧；v.扼杀

参考例句：

• I shall have to take a hatchet to that stump.我得用一把短柄斧来劈这树桩。
• Do not remove a fly from your friend's forehead with a hatchet.别用斧头拍打朋友额头上的苍蝇。

12 possessed   

adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的

参考例句：

• He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。
• He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。

13 grimace   

v.做鬼脸，面部歪扭

参考例句：

• The boy stole a look at his father with grimace.那男孩扮着鬼脸偷看了他父亲一眼。
• Thomas made a grimace after he had tasted the wine.托马斯尝了那葡萄酒后做了个鬼脸。

14 rim   

n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界

参考例句：

• The water was even with the rim of the basin.盆里的水与盆边平齐了。
• She looked at him over the rim of her glass.她的目光越过玻璃杯的边沿看着他。

15 persistent   

adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的

参考例句：

• Albert had a persistent headache that lasted for three days.艾伯特连续头痛了三天。
• She felt embarrassed by his persistent attentions.他不时地向她大献殷勤，使她很难为情。

16 queries   

n.问题( query的名词复数 )；疑问；询问；问号v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的第三人称单数 )；询问

参考例句：

• Our assistants will be happy to answer your queries. 我们的助理很乐意回答诸位的问题。
• Her queries were rhetorical,and best ignored. 她的质问只不过是说说而已，最好不予理睬。 来自《简明英汉词典》

17 gilt   

adj.镀金的；n.金边证券

参考例句：

• The plates have a gilt edge.这些盘子的边是镀金的。
• The rest of the money is invested in gilt.其余的钱投资于金边证券。

18 wharf   

n.码头，停泊处

参考例句：

• We fetch up at the wharf exactly on time.我们准时到达码头。
• We reached the wharf gasping for breath.我们气喘吁吁地抵达了码头。

19 bust   

vt.打破；vi.爆裂；n.半身像；胸部

参考例句：

• I dropped my camera on the pavement and bust it. 我把照相机掉在人行道上摔坏了。
• She has worked up a lump of clay into a bust.她把一块黏土精心制作成一个半身像。

20 grudge   

n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做

参考例句：

• I grudge paying so much for such inferior goods.我不愿花这么多钱买次品。
• I do not grudge him his success.我不嫉妒他的成功。

21 forth   

adv.向前；向外，往外

参考例句：

• The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。

22 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

23 inquiry   

n.打听，询问，调查，查问

参考例句：

• Many parents have been pressing for an inquiry into the problem.许多家长迫切要求调查这个问题。
• The field of inquiry has narrowed down to five persons.调查的范围已经缩小到只剩5个人了。

24 considerably   

adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上

参考例句：

• The economic situation has changed considerably.经济形势已发生了相当大的变化。
• The gap has narrowed considerably.分歧大大缩小了。

25 abashed   

adj.窘迫的，尴尬的v.使羞愧，使局促，使窘迫( abash的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He glanced at Juliet accusingly and she looked suitably abashed. 他怪罪的一瞥，朱丽叶自然显得很窘。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The girl was abashed by the laughter of her classmates. 那小姑娘因同学的哄笑而局促不安。 来自《简明英汉词典》

26 dignified   

a.可敬的，高贵的

参考例句：

• Throughout his trial he maintained a dignified silence. 在整个审讯过程中，他始终沉默以保持尊严。
• He always strikes such a dignified pose before his girlfriend. 他总是在女友面前摆出这种庄严的姿态。

27 frightful   

adj.可怕的；讨厌的

参考例句：

• How frightful to have a husband who snores!有一个发鼾声的丈夫多讨厌啊！
• We're having frightful weather these days.这几天天气坏极了。

28 rambling   

adj.[建]凌乱的，杂乱的

参考例句：

• We spent the summer rambling in Ireland. 我们花了一个夏天漫游爱尔兰。
• It was easy to get lost in the rambling house. 在布局凌乱的大房子里容易迷路。

29 vowed   

起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• He vowed quite solemnly that he would carry out his promise. 他非常庄严地发誓要实现他的诺言。
• I vowed to do more of the cooking myself. 我发誓自己要多动手做饭。

30 brass   

n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器

参考例句：

• Many of the workers play in the factory's brass band.许多工人都在工厂铜管乐队中演奏。
• Brass is formed by the fusion of copper and zinc.黄铜是通过铜和锌的熔合而成的。

31 outrage   

n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒

参考例句：

• When he heard the news he reacted with a sense of outrage.他得悉此事时义愤填膺。
• We should never forget the outrage committed by the Japanese invaders.我们永远都不应该忘记日本侵略者犯下的暴行。

32 faltered   

（嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃

参考例句：

• He faltered out a few words. 他支吾地说出了几句。
• "Er - but he has such a longhead!" the man faltered. 他不好意思似的嚅嗫着：“这孩子脑袋真长。”

33 blustered   

v.外强中干的威吓( bluster的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮；（风）呼啸；狂吹

参考例句：

• He blustered his way through the crowd. 他吆喝着挤出人群。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• The wind blustered around the house. 狂风呼啸着吹过房屋周围。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

34 discomfiture   

n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑

参考例句：

• I laughed my head off when I heard of his discomfiture. 听到别人说起他的狼狈相，我放声大笑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Without experiencing discomfiture and setbacks,one can never find truth. 不经过失败和挫折，便找不到真理。 来自《简明英汉词典》

35 fumed   

愤怒( fume的过去式和过去分词 )； 大怒； 发怒； 冒烟

参考例句：

• He fumed with rage because she did not appear. 因为她没出现，所以他大发雷霆。
• He fumed and fretted and did not know what was the matter. 他烦躁，气恼，不知是怎么回事。

36 disconsolately   

adv.悲伤地，愁闷地；哭丧着脸

参考例句：

• A dilapidated house stands disconsolately amid the rubbles. 一栋破旧的房子凄凉地耸立在断垣残壁中。 来自辞典例句
• \"I suppose you have to have some friends before you can get in,'she added, disconsolately. “我看得先有些朋友才能进这一行，\"她闷闷不乐地加了一句。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹