Flinging up impatiently from the robes, I looked from the tent way. Some dog of the pack gave the short, sharp bark of a fox. Then, but for the crunching14 of my horses over the turf[Pg 282] some yards away, there was silence. I could hear the heavy breathing of people in near-by lodges. Up from the wooded valley came the far-off purr of a stream over stony15 bottom and the low washing sound only accentuated16 the stillness. The shrill17 cry of some lonely night-bird stabbed the atmosphere with a throb18 of pain. Again the dog snapped out a bark and again there was utter quiet.
"One chance in a thousand," said I to myself, "only one in a thousand; but I'll take it!" And I stepped from the tent. This time the wakeful dog let out a mouthful of quick barkings. Jerking off my boots—I had not yet taken to the native custom of moccasins—I dodged19 across the roadway into the exaggerated shadow of some Indian camp truckery. Here I fell flat to the ground so that no reflection should betray my movements. Then I remembered I had forgotten Louis Laplante's saddle. Rising, I dived back to the tepee for it and waited for the dogs to quiet before coming out again. That alert canine20 had set up a duet with a neighboring brute21 of like restless instincts and the two seemed to promise an endless chorus. As I live, I could have sworn that Louis Laplante laughed in his sleep at my dilemma22; but Louis was of the sort to laugh in the face of death itself. A man flew from a lodge and dealing23 out stout24 blows quickly silenced the vicious curs; but I had to let time lapse25 for the man to go to sleep before I could venture out.[Pg 283]
Once more, chirp26 of cricket, croak27 of frog and the rush of waters through the valley were the only sounds, and I darted28 across to the camp shadow. Lying flat, I began to crawl cautiously and laboriously29 towards my horses. One gave a startled snort as I approached and this set the dogs going again. I lay motionless in the grass till all was quiet and then crept gently round to the far side of my favorite horse and caught his halter strap30 lest he should whinny, or start away. I drew erect31 directly opposite his shoulders, so that I could not be seen from the lodges and unhobbling his feet, led him into the concealment32 of a group of ponies and had the saddle on in a trice. To get the horse to the rear of Miriam's tent was no easy matter. I paced my steps so deftly33 with the broncho's and let him munch34 grass so often, the most watchful Indian could not have detected a man on the far side of the horse, directing every move. Behind the Sioux lodge, the earth sloped abruptly35 away, bare and precipitous; and I left the horse below and clambered up the steep to the white wall of Miriam's tent. Once the dogs threatened to create a disturbance36, but a man quieted them, and with gratitude37 I recognized the voice of Laplante.
Three times I tapped on the canvas but there was no response. I put my arm under the tent and rapped on the ground. Why did she not signal? Was the Sioux squaw from the other lodge listening? I could hear nothing but the tossings of the child.[Pg 284]
"Miriam," I called, shoving my arm forward and feeling out blindly.
Thereupon, a woman's hand grasped mine and thrust it out, while a voice so low it might have been the night breeze, came to my ear—"We are watched."
Watched? What did it matter if we were? Had I not dared all? Must not she do the same? This was the last chance. We must not be foiled. My horse, I knew, could outrace any cayuse of the Sioux band.
"Miriam," I whispered back, lifting the canvas, "they will take you away to-morrow—my horse is here! Come! We must risk all!"
And I shoved myself bodily in under the tent wall. She was not a hand's length away, sitting with her face to the entrance of Diable's lodge, her figure rigid38 and tense with fear. In the half light I could discern the great, powerful, angular form of a giantess in the opening. 'Twas the Sioux squaw. Miriam leaned forward to cover the child with a motion intended to conceal me, and I drew quickly out.
I thought I had not been detected; but the situation was perilous40 enough, in all conscience, to inspire caution, and I was backing away, when suddenly the shadows of two men coming from opposite sides appeared on the white tent, and something sprang upon me with tigerish fury. There was the swish of an unsheathing blade, and I felt rather than saw Le Grand Diable and Louis Laplante contesting over me.[Pg 285]
"Never! He's mine, my captive! He stole my saddle! He's mine, I tell you," ground out the Frenchman, throwing off my assailant. "Keep him for the warriors41 and let him be tortured," urged Louis, snatching at the Indian's arm.
I sprang up. It was Louis, who tripped my feet from under me, and we two tumbled to the bottom of the cliff, while the Indian stood above snarling42 out something in the Sioux tongue.
"Idiot! Anglo-Saxon ox!" muttered Louis, grappling with me as we fell. "Do but act it out, or two scalps go! I no promise mine when I say I help you, bah——"
When I came to, with an aching neck and a humming in my ears, there was the gray light of a waning44 moon, and I found myself lying bound in Miriam's tent. Her child was whimpering timidly and she was hurriedly gathering45 her belongings46 into a small bundle.
"Miriam, what has happened?" I asked. Then the whole struggle and failure came back to me with an overwhelming realization47 that torture and death would be our portion.
"Try no more," she whispered, brushing past me and making as though she were gathering things where I lay. "Never try, for my sake, never try! They will torture you. I shall die soon. Only save the child! For myself, I am past[Pg 286] caring. Good-by forever!" and she dashed to the other side of the tent.
At that, with a deal of noisy mirth, in burst Laplante and the Sioux squaw.
"Ho-ho! My knight-errant has opened his eyes! Great sport for the braves, say I! Fine mouse-play for the cat, ho-ho!" and Louis looked down at me with laughing insolence48, that sent a chill through my veins49. 'Twas to save his own scalp the rascal50 was acting51 and would have me act too; but I had no wish to betray him. Striking at her captives and rudely ordering them out, the Sioux led the way and left Louis to bring up the rear.
"Leave this, lady," said Louis with an air that might have been impudence52 or gallantry; and he grabbed the bundle from Miriam's hand and threw it over his shoulder at me. This was greeted with a roar of laughter from the Sioux woman and one look of unspeakable reproach from Miriam. Whistling gaily53 and turning back to wink54 at me, the Frenchman disappeared in Diable's lodge. For my part, I was puzzled. Did Louis act from the love of acting and trickery and intrigue55? Was he befooling the daughter of L'Aigle, or me?
They tore down Diable's tepee, stringing the poles on the bronchos stolen from me and leaving Miriam's white tent with the Sioux. I saw them mount with my horses to the fore1, and they set out at a sharp trot56. From the hoof-beats, I should judge they had not gone many paces,[Pg 287] when one rider seemed to turn back, and Louis ran into the tent where I lay. I did not utter one word of pleading; but as he stooped for Miriam's bundle, he whisked out a jack-knife and my heart bounded with a great hope. I suppose, involuntarily, I must have lifted my arms to have the bonds severed58; for Laplante shook his head.
"No—mine frien'—not now—I not scalp Louis Laplante for your sake,—no, never. Use your teeth—so!" said he, laying the blade of the knife in his own teeth to show me how; and he slipped the thing into hiding under my armpits. "The warriors—they come back to-day," he warned. "You wait till we are far, then cut quick, or they do worse to you than to La Robe Noire! I leave one horse for you in the valley beyond the beaver59-dam. Tra-la, comrade, but not forget you. I pay you back yet all the same," and with a whistle, he had vanished.
I hung upon the Frenchman's words as a drowning sailor to a life-line, and heard the hoof-beats grow fainter and fainter in the distance, hardly daring to realize the fearful peril39 in which I lay. By the light at the tent opening, I knew it was daybreak. Already the Sioux were stirring in their lodges and naked urchins60 came to the entrance to hoot61 and pelt62 mud. Somehow, I got into sitting posture63, with my head bowed forward on my arms, so I could use the knife without being seen. At that, the impertinent brats64 became bolder and swarming65 into the tent began[Pg 288] poking66 sticks. I held my arm closer to my side, and felt the hard steel's pressure with a pleasure not to be marred67 by that tantalizing68 horde69. There seemed to be a gathering hubbub70 outside. Indians, squaws and children were rushing in the direction of the trail to the Mandanes. The children in my tent forgot me and dashed out with the rest. I could not doubt the cause of the clamor. This was the morning of the warriors' return; and getting the knife in my teeth, I began filing furiously at the ropes about my wrists. Man is not a rodent71; but under stress of necessity and with instruments of his own designing, he can do something to remedy his human helplessness. To the din57 of clamoring voices outside were added the shouts of approaching warriors, the galloping72 of a multitude of horses and the whining73 yells of countless74 dogs.
While all the Sioux were on the outskirts75 of the encampment, I might yet escape unobserved, but the returning braves were very near. Putting all my strength in my wrists, I burst the half-cut bonds; and the rest was easy. A slash76 of the knife and my feet were free and I had rolled down the cliff and was running with breathless haste over fallen logs, under leafy coverts78, across noisy creeks79, through the wooded valley to the beaver dam. How long, or how far, I ran in this desperate, heedless fashion, I do not know. The branches, that reached out like the bands of pursuers, caught and ripped my clothing to shreds80. I had been bootless, when I started; but my feet[Pg 289] were now bare and bleeding. A gleam of water flashed through the green foliage81. This must be the river, with the beaver-dam, and to my eager eyes, the stream already appeared muddy and sluggish82 as if obstructed83. My heart was beating with a sensation of painful, bursting blows. There was a roaring in my ears, and at every step I took, the landscape swam black before me and the trees racing84 into the back ground staggered on each side like drunken men. Then I knew that I had reached the limit of my strength and with the domed85 mud-tops of the beaver-dam in sight half a mile to the fore, I sank down to rest. The river was marshy86, weed-grown and brown; but I gulped88 down a drink and felt breath returning and the labored89 pulse easing. Not daring to pause long, I went forward at a slackened rate, knowing I must husband my strength to swim or wade90 across the river. Was it the apprehension91 of fear, or the buzzing in my ears, that suggested the faint, far-away echo of a clamoring multitude? I stopped and listened. There was no sound but the lapping of water, or rush of wind through the leaves. I went on again at hastened pace, and distinctly down the valley came echo of the Sioux war-whoop.
I was pursued. There was no mistaking that fact, and with a thrill, which I have no hesitancy in confessing was the most intense fear I have ever experienced in my life, I broke into a terrified, panic-stricken run. The river grew dark, sluggish and treacherous92-looking. By the blood[Pg 290] flowing from my feet, Indian scouts93 could track me for leagues. I looked to the river with the vague hope of running along the water bed to throw my pursuers off the trail; but the water was deep and I had not strength to swim. The beaver-dam was huddled94 close to the clay bank of the far side and on the side, where I ran, the current spread out in a flaggy marsh87. Hoping to elude95 the Sioux, I plunged96 in and floundered blindly forward. But blood trails marked the pond behind and the soft ooze97 snared98 my feet.
I was now opposite the beaver-dam and saw with horror there were branches enough floating in mid-stream to entangle99 the strongest swimmer. The shouts of my pursuers sounded nearer. They could not have known how close they were upon me, else had they ambushed101 me in silence after Indian custom, shouting only when they sighted their quarry102. The river was not tempting103 for a fagged, breathless swimmer, whose dive must be short and sorry. I had nigh counted my earthly course run, when I caught sight of a hollow, punky tree-trunk standing104 high above the bank. I could hear the swiftest runners behind splashing through the marsh bed. Now the thick willow105-bush screened me, but in a few moments they would be on my very heels. With the supernatural strength of a last desperate effort, I bounded to the empty trunk and like some hounded, treed creature, clambered up inside, digging my wounded feet into the soft, wet wood-rot and burrowing107 naked fingers through the punk of the[Pg 291] rounded sides till I was twice the height of a man above the blackened opening at the base. Then a piece of wood crumbled108 in my right hand. Daylight broke through the trunk and I found that I had grasped the edge of a rotted knot-hole.
Bracing109 my feet across beneath me like tie beams of raftered scaffolding, I craned up till my eye was on a level with the knot-hole and peered down through my lofty lookout110. Either the shouting of the Sioux warriors had ceased, which indicated they had found my tracks and knew they were close upon me, or my shelter shut out the sound of approaching foes111. I broke more bark from the hole and gained full view of the scene below.
A crested112 savage113 ran out from the tangled114 foliage of the river bank, saw the turgid settlings of the rippling115 marsh, where I had been floundering, and darted past my hiding-place with a shrill yell of triumph. Instantaneously the woods were ringing, echoing and re-echoing with the hoarse116, wild war-cries of the Sioux. Band after band burst from the leafy covert77 of forest and marsh willows117, and dashed in full pursuit after the leading Indian. Some of the braves still wore the buckskin toggery of their visit to the Mandanes; but the swiftest runners had cast off all clothing and tore forward unimpeded. The last coppery form disappeared among the trees of the river bank and the shoutings were growing fainter, when, suddenly, there was such an ominous118 calm, I knew they were foiled.[Pg 292]
Would they return to the last marks of my trail? That thought sent the blood from my head with a rush that left me dizzy, weak and shivering. I looked to the river. The floating branches turned lazily over and over to the lapping of the sluggish current, and the green slime oozing119 from the clustered beaver lodges of the far side might hide either a miry bottom, or a treacherous hole.
A naked Indian came pattering back through the brush, looking into every hollow log, under fallen trees, through clumps120 of shrub121 growth, where a man might hide, and into the swampy122 river bed. It was only a matter of time when he would reach my hiding-place. Should I wait to be smoked out of my hole, like a badger123, or a raccoon? Again I looked hopelessly to the river. A choice of deaths seemed my only fate. Torture, burning, or the cool wash of a black wave gurgling over one's head?
A broad-girthed log lay in the swamp and stretched out over mid-stream in a way that would give a quick diver at least a good, clean, clear leap. A score more savages124 had emerged from the woods and were eagerly searching, from the limbs of trees above, where I might be perched, to the black river-bed below. However much I may vacillate between two courses, once my decision is taken, I have ever been swift to act; and I slipped down the tree-trunk with the bound of a bullet through a gun-barrel, took one last look from the opening, which revealed pursuers not[Pg 293] fifty yards away, plunged through the marsh, dashed to the fallen log and made a rush to the end.
A score of brazen126 throats screeched127 out their baffled rage. There was a twanging of bow-strings. The humming of arrow flight sung about my head. I heard the crash of some savage blazing away with his old flintlock. A deep-drawn breath, and I was cleaving128 the air. Then the murky129, greenish waters splashed in my face, opened wide and closed over me.
A tangle100 of green was at the soft, muddy bottom. Something living, slippery, silky and furry130, that was neither fish, nor water snake, got between my feet; but countless arrows, I knew, were aimed and ready for me, when I came to the surface. So I held down for what seemed an interminable time, though it was only a few seconds, struck for the far shore, and presently felt the green slime of the upper water matting in my hair.
Every swimmer knows that rich, sweet, full intake131 of life-giving air after a long dive. I drew in deep, fresh breaths and tried to blink the slime from my eyes and get my bearings. There were the howlings of baffled wolves from what was now the far side of the river bank; but domed clay mounds132, mossy, floating branches and a world of willows shrubs134 were about my head. Then I knew what the furry thing among the tangle at the river bottom was, and realized that I had come up among the beaver lodges. The dam must have been an old one; for the clay houses[Pg 294] were all overgrown with moss133 and water-weeds. A perfect network of willow growth interlaced the different lodges.
I heard the splash as of a diver from the opposite side. Was it a beaver, or my Indian pursuers? Then I could distinctly make out the strokes of some one swimming and splashing about. My foes were determined135 to have me, dead, or alive. I ducked under, found shallow, soft bottom, half paddled, half waded136, a pace more shoreward, and came up with my head in utter darkness.
Where was I? I drew breath. Yes, assuredly, I was above water; but the air was fetid with heavy, animal breath and teeth snarled137 shut in my very face. Somehow, I had come up through the broken bottom of an old beaver lodge and was now in the lair138 of the living creatures. What was inside, I cannot record; for to my eyes the blackness was positively139 thick. I felt blindly out through the palpable darkness and caught tight hold of a pole, that seemed to reach from side to side. This gave me leverage140 and I hoisted141 myself upon it, bringing my crown a mighty142 sharp crack as I mounted the perch125; for the beaver lodge sloped down like an egg shell.
I must have seemed some water monster to the poor beaver; for there was a scurrying143, scampering144 and gurgling off into the river. Then my own breathing and the drip of my clothes were all that disturbed the lodge.
Time, say certain philosophers, is the measure[Pg 295] of a man's ideas marching along in uniform procession. But I hold they are wrong. Time is nothing of the sort; else had time stopped as I hung panting over the pole in the beaver lodge; for one idea and one only, beat and beat and beat to the pulsing of the blood that throbbed145 through my brain—"I am safe—I am safe—I am safe!"
How can I tell how long I hung there? To me it seemed a century. I do not even know whether I lost consciousness. I am sure I repeatedly awakened146 with a jerk back from some hazy147, far-off, oblivious148 realm, shut off even in memory from the things of this life. I am sure I tried to burrow106 my hand through the clammy moss-wall of the beaver lodge to let in fresh air; but my spirit would be suddenly rapt away to that other region. I am sure I felt the waters washing over my head and sweeping149 me away from this world to another life. Then I would lose grip of the pole and come to myself clutching at it with wild terror; and again the drowse of life's borderland would overpower me. And all the time I was saying over and over, "I am safe! I am safe!"
How many of the things called hours slipped past, I do not know. As I said before, it seemed to me a century. Whether it was mid-day, or twilight150, when I let myself down from the pole and crawled like a bedraggled water-rat to the shore, I do not know. Whether it was morning, or night, when I dragged myself under the fern-brake and fell into a death-like sleep, I do not know. When I awakened, the forest was a labyrinth[Pg 296] of shafted151 moonlight and sombre shadows. All that had happened in the past twenty-four hours came back to me with vivid reality. I remembered Laplante's promise to leave a horse for me in the valley beyond the beaver dam. With this hope in my heart I crawled cautiously down through the silent shadows of the night.
At daybreak I found Louis had made good his promise, and I was speeding on horseback towards the trail, where Little Fellow awaited me.
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1
fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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2
dispelling
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的现在分词 ) | |
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haziness
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| 有薄雾，模糊； 朦胧之性质或状态； 零能见度 | |
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4
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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5
clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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6
lodges
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| v.存放( lodge的第三人称单数 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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8
snarl
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| v.吼叫，怒骂，纠缠，混乱；n.混乱，缠结，咆哮 | |
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9
squeals
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| n.长而尖锐的叫声( squeal的名词复数 )v.长声尖叫，用长而尖锐的声音说( squeal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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ponies
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| 矮种马，小型马( pony的名词复数 )； ￡25 25 英镑 | |
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elongated
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| v.延长，加长( elongate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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14
crunching
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| v.嘎吱嘎吱地咬嚼( crunch的现在分词 )；嘎吱作响；（快速大量地）处理信息；数字捣弄 | |
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stony
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| adj.石头的，多石头的，冷酷的，无情的 | |
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accentuated
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| v.重读( accentuate的过去式和过去分词 )；使突出；使恶化；加重音符号于 | |
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shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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throb
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| v.震颤，颤动；(急速强烈地)跳动，搏动 | |
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dodged
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| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
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canine
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| adj.犬的，犬科的 | |
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brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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dilemma
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| n.困境，进退两难的局面 | |
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dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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lapse
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| n.过失，流逝，失效，抛弃信仰，间隔；vi.堕落，停止，失效，流逝；vt.使失效 | |
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chirp
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| v.(尤指鸟)唧唧喳喳的叫 | |
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croak
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| vi.嘎嘎叫，发牢骚 | |
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darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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laboriously
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| adv.艰苦地；费力地；辛勤地；（文体等）佶屈聱牙地 | |
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strap
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| n.皮带，带子；v.用带扣住，束牢；用绷带包扎 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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deftly
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| adv.灵巧地，熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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munch
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| v.用力嚼，大声咀嚼 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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41
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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42
snarling
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的现在分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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43
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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44
waning
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| adj.（月亮）渐亏的，逐渐减弱或变小的n.月亏v.衰落( wane的现在分词 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡 | |
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45
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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46
belongings
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| n.私人物品，私人财物 | |
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47
realization
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| n.实现；认识到，深刻了解 | |
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48
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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49
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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50
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
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51
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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52
impudence
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| n.厚颜无耻；冒失；无礼 | |
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53
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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54
wink
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| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
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55
intrigue
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| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
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56
trot
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| 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 | |
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57
din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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58
severed
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
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59
beaver
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| n.海狸，河狸 | |
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60
urchins
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| n.顽童( urchin的名词复数 )；淘气鬼；猬；海胆 | |
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61
hoot
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| n.鸟叫声，汽车的喇叭声； v.使汽车鸣喇叭 | |
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62
pelt
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| v.投掷，剥皮，抨击，开火 | |
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63
posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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64
brats
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| n.调皮捣蛋的孩子( brat的名词复数 ) | |
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65
swarming
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| 密集( swarm的现在分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
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66
poking
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| n. 刺，戳，袋 vt. 拨开，刺，戳 vi. 戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢 | |
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67
marred
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| adj. 被损毁, 污损的 | |
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68
tantalizing
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| adj.逗人的；惹弄人的；撩人的；煽情的v.逗弄，引诱，折磨( tantalize的现在分词 ) | |
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69
horde
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| n.群众，一大群 | |
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70
hubbub
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| n.嘈杂；骚乱 | |
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71
rodent
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| n.啮齿动物；adj.啮齿目的 | |
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72
galloping
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| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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73
whining
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| n. 抱怨，牢骚 v. 哭诉，发牢骚 | |
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74
countless
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| adj.无数的，多得不计其数的 | |
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75
outskirts
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| n.郊外，郊区 | |
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76
slash
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| vi.大幅度削减；vt.猛砍，尖锐抨击，大幅减少；n.猛砍，斜线，长切口，衣衩 | |
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77
covert
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| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
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78
coverts
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| n.隐蔽的，不公开的，秘密的( covert的名词复数 )；复羽 | |
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79
creeks
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| n.小湾( creek的名词复数 )；小港；小河；小溪 | |
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80
shreds
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| v.撕碎，切碎( shred的第三人称单数 )；用撕毁机撕毁（文件） | |
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81
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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82
sluggish
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| adj.懒惰的，迟钝的，无精打采的 | |
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83
obstructed
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| 阻塞( obstruct的过去式和过去分词 )； 堵塞； 阻碍； 阻止 | |
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84
racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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85
domed
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| adj. 圆屋顶的, 半球形的, 拱曲的 动词dome的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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86
marshy
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| adj.沼泽的 | |
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87
marsh
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| n.沼泽，湿地 | |
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88
gulped
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| v.狼吞虎咽地吃，吞咽( gulp的过去式和过去分词 )；大口地吸（气）；哽住 | |
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89
labored
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| adj.吃力的，谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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90
wade
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| v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉 | |
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91
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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92
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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93
scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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94
huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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95
elude
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| v.躲避，困惑 | |
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96
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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97
ooze
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| n.软泥，渗出物；vi.渗出，泄漏；vt.慢慢渗出，流露 | |
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98
snared
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| v.用罗网捕捉，诱陷，陷害( snare的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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99
entangle
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| vt.缠住，套住；卷入，连累 | |
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100
tangle
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| n.纠缠；缠结；混乱；v.(使)缠绕；变乱 | |
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101
ambushed
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| v.埋伏( ambush的过去式和过去分词 )；埋伏着 | |
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102
quarry
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| n.采石场；v.采石；费力地找 | |
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103
tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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104
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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105
willow
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| n.柳树 | |
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106
burrow
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| vt.挖掘(洞穴)；钻进；vi.挖洞；翻寻；n.地洞 | |
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107
burrowing
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| v.挖掘（洞穴），挖洞( burrow的现在分词 )；翻寻 | |
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108
crumbled
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| （把…）弄碎， （使）碎成细屑( crumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 衰落； 坍塌； 损坏 | |
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109
bracing
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| adj.令人振奋的 | |
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110
lookout
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| n.注意，前途，瞭望台 | |
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111
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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112
crested
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| adj.有顶饰的，有纹章的，有冠毛的v.到达山顶（或浪峰）( crest的过去式和过去分词 )；到达洪峰，达到顶点 | |
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113
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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114
tangled
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| adj. 纠缠的，紊乱的 动词tangle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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115
rippling
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| 起涟漪的，潺潺流水般声音的 | |
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116
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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117
willows
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| n.柳树( willow的名词复数 )；柳木 | |
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118
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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119
oozing
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| v.（浓液等）慢慢地冒出，渗出( ooze的现在分词 )；使（液体）缓缓流出；（浓液）渗出，慢慢流出 | |
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120
clumps
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| n.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的名词复数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声v.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的第三人称单数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声 | |
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121
shrub
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| n.灌木，灌木丛 | |
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122
swampy
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| adj.沼泽的，湿地的 | |
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123
badger
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| v.一再烦扰，一再要求，纠缠 | |
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124
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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125
perch
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| n.栖木，高位，杆；v.栖息，就位，位于 | |
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126
brazen
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| adj.厚脸皮的，无耻的，坚硬的 | |
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127
screeched
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| v.发出尖叫声( screech的过去式和过去分词 )；发出粗而刺耳的声音；高叫 | |
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128
cleaving
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| v.劈开，剁开，割开( cleave的现在分词 ) | |
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129
murky
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| adj.黑暗的，朦胧的；adv.阴暗地，混浊地；n.阴暗；昏暗 | |
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130
furry
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| adj.毛皮的；似毛皮的；毛皮制的 | |
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131
intake
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| n.吸入，纳入；进气口，入口 | |
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132
mounds
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| 土堆，土丘( mound的名词复数 )； 一大堆 | |
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133
moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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134
shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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135
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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136
waded
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| （从水、泥等）蹚，走过，跋( wade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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137
snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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138
lair
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| n.野兽的巢穴；躲藏处 | |
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139
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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140
leverage
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| n.力量，影响；杠杆作用，杠杆的力量 | |
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141
hoisted
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| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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142
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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143
scurrying
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| v.急匆匆地走( scurry的现在分词 ) | |
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144
scampering
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| v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑，惊惶奔跑( scamper的现在分词 ) | |
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145
throbbed
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| 抽痛( throb的过去式和过去分词 )； （心脏、脉搏等）跳动 | |
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146
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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147
hazy
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| adj.有薄雾的，朦胧的；不肯定的，模糊的 | |
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148
oblivious
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| adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的 | |
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149
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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150
twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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151
shafted
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| 有箭杆的，有柄的，有羽轴的 | |
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