CHAPTER XIV A BEACON LIGHT

"Ten days ago—ten, mind you, since poor Howard Fenton was carried into the canyon," said Sam Randall, softly.

 

He and Tom Clifton were seated on the porch of Rickham House. The night was very dark, and several starlike points of light indicated the village.

 

Tom Clifton tilted¹ his chair back against the wall.

 

"Maybe it won't make Bob Somers and the rest of them feel badly," he remarked, reflectively.

 

"It couldn't fail to. Wonder if anything has been heard from Mr. Fenton?"

 

"Walter Brown says not. Very funny how he disappeared right after the accident."

 

"Certainly is—and never told any one where he was going. Left a lot of stuff at the hotel, too."

 

"Perhaps he's off in the mountains somewhere," suggested Tom. "The searching party never found a trace of either Howard or the 'Dauntless.'"

 

"A terrible thing—indeed it was."

 

For a while the boys lapsed² into gloomy silence.

 

Presently Sam rose to his feet and peered earnestly in the direction of the islands.

 

"Hello!" he exclaimed. "Tom, do you see anything?"

 

"Of course I do. A light—a light on Promontory³. Now what in the dickens can that be?"

 

A tiny spot of light, seemingly suspended in the air, had suddenly appeared in view, steadily⁴ growing brighter until it looked like a blazing beacon⁵.

 

"Maybe the old log cabin is afire. I'll bet that's just what it is," said Sam. "Christopher, where's the field-glass?"

 

He darted⁶ inside, and presently returned.

 

"I can't make it out," he said, finally, in a perplexed⁷ tone. "Here, Tom, take a squint⁸."

 

But the younger member of the Rambler Club shook his head.

 

"By jinks, I give it up, Sam," he remarked, slowly. "Mighty⁹ funny—I never saw a light there before. Shouldn't wonder if some camper is living in the old shack¹⁰."

 

"Huh! And I suppose he's making a pot of coffee."

 

Tom laughed.

 

"Must be a good-sized blaze to make all that light," he admitted. "Let's take a run over to-morrow, and find out."

 

"I've got a better scheme than that, Tommy. Why not go out a bit on the lake now?"

 

"Now?" echoed Tom, in astonishment¹¹.

 

"Sure! It's a dandy night—not too much breeze. It will be lots of fun, cruising around. Come ahead."

 

"I'm not so anxious, Sam. It's blacker than a stack of black cats out there. I'd rather stay on the porch."

 

"Oh, pshaw, Tommy! Be a sport. With a lantern to keep us company, there's nothing to be afraid of."

 

"Oh, suffering catfish¹²! Who said anything about being afraid, Sam Randall?" exclaimed Tom, flaring¹³ up. "Sure we'll go." He settled his cap firmly on his head, and then, with another glance at the distant beacon, rose to his feet.

 

In a few minutes the Ramblers were at the wharf¹⁴. The water looked very black, and it seemed so silent and lonely that Tom, despite his words, felt many misgivings¹⁵ as he stepped aboard the "Speedy."

 

Sam lighted a lantern; then the sail was run up, and within a quarter of an hour they were well on their way toward the far end of the lake.

 

"It's burning brighter than ever, Tommy, so I guess it ain't the old shack," observed Sam; "but what in thunder do they want such a whopping big bonfire for?"

 

"Might be 'Little Bill' and his pals¹⁶ having some fun."

 

"Perhaps. This is bully¹⁷ sport, eh?"

 

Soon the thickly-wooded shore of Hemlock¹⁸ Island began to separate itself from the lake, and the lofty crags of Promontory rose dimly against the star-studded sky.

 

At the proper time, Sam Randall skilfully¹⁹ brought the "Speedy" about, and they prepared to enter the channel.

 

Just as the sharp turn was being made, the sound of oars²⁰ reached their ears.

 

"H'm, some of the night-picnickers, now, perhaps," muttered Sam.

 

He half arose, in order to get a better view, and at that instant a rowboat shot out of the passageway directly across their bow. A collision seemed inevitable²¹.

 

The Ramblers gave a lusty shout; Sam swung the helm hard down, and the sail rattled²² to the deck in a jiffy, but despite these efforts, the sailboat struck the other a glancing blow near the stern.

 

The occupant of the rowboat, however, had used his oars skilfully, and escaped being thrown into the water by a narrow margin²³. The two craft grated past each other, and quickly came to a stop. Then the oarsman, with a couple of strokes, drew up alongside the "Speedy."

 

As the rays of the lantern shot across his face, the boys were profoundly astonished to recognize Mr. Fenton.

 

"I suppose I must plead guilty to having made a blunder," said the latter, after replying to the boys' salutations; "but surely the last thing I expected was to encounter a boat. I must thank you for having handled yours so nicely that I was spared a wetting."

 

"Good thing there isn't much wind," was Sam Randall's response. Then he added, abruptly²⁴, "We saw a light on top of the bluff²⁵, Mr. Fenton, and thought it would be a good idea to cruise around a bit to see if we could find out what it was."

 

"Not remarkable²⁶, then, that we should run across each other."

 

"Suppose you saw the bonfire? It's been making quite an illumination."

 

Mr. Fenton did not answer for a moment, and when he spoke²⁷ his voice betrayed some embarrassment²⁸.

 

"Yes, Sam, I noticed it," he said. "But, really, it's about time that I got back to the hotel. It's quite a long pull, and——"

 

"Oh, we couldn't let you row, Mr. Fenton," interrupted Sam, quickly. "We'll tow you back."

 

"Of course," put in Tom, wondering at the oarsman's courage in venturing out at night in a small boat and on such dangerous waters.

 

As if divining his thoughts, Mr. Fenton said, "It's safe enough if one hugs the shore of Hemlock Island for some distance. That makes the way a bit longer, but really, boys, I don't feel that I ought to put you to the trouble."

 

"No trouble at all," asserted Sam. He stooped down and passed over the painter. Mr. Fenton thanked him quietly, and made it fast to his boat.

 

As there was very little wind in the passageway, it was necessary to use a pair of oars in bringing the "Speedy" about. Mr. Fenton clambered over the side, and the return trip began.

 

When they were well out in the lake again, the Ramblers looked curiously²⁹ toward the top of the cliff, but the mysterious light had entirely³⁰ vanished.

 

With natural delicacy³¹, neither Sam nor Tom touched upon the recent happening, nor did Mr. Fenton himself mention it. They landed him at the hotel wharf, then set sail for Rickham House.

 

"Tom," remarked Sam, slowly, when they were out of hearing, "what do you make of this adventure? Doesn't it seem kind o' queer that Mr. Fenton should be near Promontory Island at this time of night?"

 

"Well, rather. And he didn't seem to care to talk about that bonfire."

 

"No—I can't make head or tail out of it, Tommy."

 

"Perhaps the place where his son used to go has a sort of attraction for him," said Tom, hesitatingly. "I've heard of people like that, and——"

 

"But it doesn't explain the light."

 

"No!"

 

"How long do you suppose he's been back at the hotel?"

 

"Can't guess. Why didn't you think to ask him?"

 

"Why didn't you?"

 

"Well, his manner kind of rattled me," said Tom. "Never knew him to be so cold and stiff."

 

"You wouldn't expect him to be like he was, would you?"

 

"No! I guess not. The shock must have been terrible."

 

"What do you think about that bonfire, anyway?"

 

"Give it up."

 

Early next morning, the "Speedy" was again headed for Promontory, and, aided by a strong breeze, reached it in a short time.

 

Almost immediately the boys were scrambling³² up the cliff. They arrived at the top much out of breath, very dusty, and also very eager.

 

Sitting in front of the cabin was a short, stout³³ man with a full beard whom neither had ever seen before. He was calmly smoking a pipe.

 

Both boys immediately noticed a great pile of charred³⁴ sticks—remains of the huge bonfire of the night before.

 

At the sight of visitors, the man jumped to his feet.

 

"Well, well," he said, gruffly; "in a powerful big hurry, boys, ain't ye? Wait till you get yer breath." He waved his hand and reseated himself. "Ever been up here before?"

 

"Sure," answered Sam; "and it's the first time we ever met anybody. Hello! The cabin's fixed³⁵ up in great shape, eh, Tommy? New door and window, besides a whole lot of patching."

 

He looked inquiringly at the stout man. "Should think you'd find it lonesome and dull up here."

 

The other knocked the ashes out of his pipe.

 

"Sometimes, boy," he responded, slowly, "but I don't git bothered much by people that have questions to ask. Now I suppose you're as curious as most people, and are a-wonderin' who the old codger is."

 

He paused, and refilled his pipe.

 

"Well, I'm Neil Prescott, at nobody's service."

 

The boys grinned, and introduced themselves. Then Sam began to tell Mr. Prescott how they had seen the light of his fire the night before.

 

"Well, what of it?" asked the stout man, gruffly.

 

"Nothing," said Sam, somewhat surprised. "Only I thought——"

 

"A power of things, no doubt, an' all of 'em wrong."

 

"You didn't need a blaze like that to cook by, did you?"

 

"Well, well! That's a good one. I was just a-tryin' ter find out what the village looked like."

 

"And I guess you came pretty near doing it," said Sam, with a grin. "If you had piled on a bit more wood, we wouldn't have run into Mr. Fenton's boat."

 

"Eh—what? Run into Mr. Fenton's boat?" gasped³⁶ Mr. Prescott, half rising from his seat. "Say that ag'in."

 

"Then you know him?" broke in Tom Clifton, abruptly.

 

"Did I say anything about knowin' 'im? Did yer hear me utter any words to the effect that I knew him, eh?"

 

Mr. Prescott brought out an enormous bandana handkerchief, and mopped his perspiring³⁷ forehead.

 

"If you boys ain't quizzers from Quizzerville—well, this Mr. What-you-may-call-him wasn't hurt, was he?"

 

"Not so you could notice it," said Sam, flippantly. "Going to stay here long, Mr. Prescott?"

 

"Mebbe—mebbe not. If you hev time ter wait, I'll write out the story of me life an' give it ter you. Where did you come from, an' what are you doin' out here?"

 

A grim smile played over Mr. Prescott's features. He began to speak rapidly, and more gruffly than ever.

 

"Answerin' questions ain't sich fun as askin' 'em, eh? 'Tain't well ter mind other people's business, lads. Did yer ever think of that?"

 

And, well satisfied with this home thrust, Mr. Neil Prescott laughed gruffly.

 

He soon became quite pleasant, however, and entertained his visitors with several stories. But not a word of information did he volunteer about himself. When they took their leave, Sam and Tom's curiosity, instead of being satisfied, was aroused to a greater degree than ever.

 

"He doesn't belong to the village," said Sam, positively³⁸, "and isn't any hunter—you can bet on that. Wonder where in the dickens he came from? Say—did you notice the big box of provisions he had inside?"

 

"Yes—and the whole place was cleaned up as nice as you please. Any one could tell that he knows Mr. Fenton, too. Wonder why he tried to bluff us off."

 

"It's kind of mysterious, Tommy—and I hate mysteries. You and I, old chap, will have to clear this thing up. Neil Prescott isn't staying in that cabin for the fun of the thing. No, sir," and Sam shook his head with conviction.

 

That night there was no sign of life from the solitary³⁹ occupant of Promontory Island, but late on the evening following the strange beacon burned even more brightly than before.

 

1 tilted   

v. 倾斜的

参考例句：

• Suddenly the boat tilted to one side. 小船突然倾向一侧。
• She tilted her chin at him defiantly. 她向他翘起下巴表示挑衅。

2 lapsed   

adj.流失的，堕落的v.退步( lapse的过去式和过去分词 )；陷入；倒退；丧失

参考例句：

• He had lapsed into unconsciousness. 他陷入了昏迷状态。
• He soon lapsed into his previous bad habits. 他很快陷入以前的恶习中去。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 promontory   

n.海角；岬

参考例句：

• Genius is a promontory jutting out of the infinite.天才是茫茫大地突出的岬角。
• On the map that promontory looks like a nose,naughtily turned up.从地图上面，那个海角就像一只调皮地翘起来的鼻子。

4 steadily   

adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地

参考例句：

• The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
• Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。

5 beacon   

n.烽火，（警告用的）闪火灯，灯塔

参考例句：

• The blink of beacon could be seen for miles.灯塔的光亮在数英里之外都能看见。
• The only light over the deep black sea was the blink shone from the beacon.黑黢黢的海面上唯一的光明就只有灯塔上闪现的亮光了。

6 darted   

v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔

参考例句：

• The lizard darted out its tongue at the insect. 蜥蜴伸出舌头去吃小昆虫。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The old man was displeased and darted an angry look at me. 老人不高兴了，瞪了我一眼。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 perplexed   

adj.不知所措的

参考例句：

• The farmer felt the cow,went away,returned,sorely perplexed,always afraid of being cheated.那农民摸摸那头牛，走了又回来，犹豫不决，总怕上当受骗。
• The child was perplexed by the intricate plot of the story.这孩子被那头绪纷繁的故事弄得迷惑不解。

8 squint   

v. 使变斜视眼, 斜视, 眯眼看, 偏移, 窥视; n. 斜视, 斜孔小窗; adj. 斜视的, 斜的

参考例句：

• A squint can sometimes be corrected by an eyepatch. 斜视有时候可以通过戴眼罩来纠正。
• The sun was shinning straight in her eyes which made her squint. 太阳直射着她的眼睛,使她眯起了眼睛。

9 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。

10 shack   

adj.简陋的小屋，窝棚

参考例句：

• He had to sit down five times before he reached his shack.在走到他的茅棚以前，他不得不坐在地上歇了五次。
• The boys made a shack out of the old boards in the backyard.男孩们在后院用旧木板盖起一间小木屋。

11 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。

12 catfish   

n.鲶鱼

参考例句：

• Huge catfish are skinned and dressed by hand.用手剥去巨鲇的皮并剖洗干净。
• We gigged for catfish off the pier.我们在码头以鱼叉叉鲶鱼。

13 flaring   

a.火焰摇曳的，过份艳丽的

参考例句：

• A vulgar flaring paper adorned the walls. 墙壁上装饰着廉价的花纸。
• Goebbels was flaring up at me. 戈塔尔当时已对我面呈愠色。

14 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。

15 misgivings   

n.疑虑，担忧，害怕；疑虑，担心，恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 )；疑惧

参考例句：

• I had grave misgivings about making the trip. 对于这次旅行我有过极大的顾虑。
• Don't be overtaken by misgivings and fear. Just go full stream ahead! 不要瞻前顾后， 畏首畏尾。甩开膀子干吧！ 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

16 pals   

n.朋友( pal的名词复数 )；老兄；小子；（对男子的不友好的称呼）家伙

参考例句：

• We've been pals for years. 我们是多年的哥们儿了。
• CD 8 positive cells remarkably increased in PALS and RP(P CD8+细胞在再生脾PALS和RP内均明显增加(P 来自互联网

17 bully   

n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮

参考例句：

• A bully is always a coward.暴汉常是懦夫。
• The boy gave the bully a pelt on the back with a pebble.那男孩用石子掷击小流氓的背脊。

18 hemlock   

n.毒胡萝卜，铁杉

参考例句：

• He was condemned to drink a cup of hemlock.判处他喝一杯毒汁。
• Here is a beech by the side of a hemlock,with three pines at hand.这儿有株山毛榉和一株铁杉长在一起，旁边还有三株松树。

19 skilfully   

adv. (美skillfully)熟练地

参考例句：

• Hall skilfully weaves the historical research into a gripping narrative. 霍尔巧妙地把历史研究揉进了扣人心弦的故事叙述。
• Enthusiasm alone won't do. You've got to work skilfully. 不能光靠傻劲儿，得找窍门。

20 oars   

n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• He pulled as hard as he could on the oars. 他拼命地划桨。
• The sailors are bending to the oars. 水手们在拼命地划桨。 来自《简明英汉词典》

21 inevitable   

adj.不可避免的，必然发生的

参考例句：

• Mary was wearing her inevitable large hat.玛丽戴着她总是戴的那顶大帽子。
• The defeat had inevitable consequences for British policy.战败对英国政策不可避免地产生了影响。

22 rattled   

慌乱的，恼火的

参考例句：

• The truck jolted and rattled over the rough ground. 卡车嘎吱嘎吱地在凹凸不平的地面上颠簸而行。
• Every time a bus went past, the windows rattled. 每逢公共汽车经过这里，窗户都格格作响。

23 margin   

n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘

参考例句：

• We allowed a margin of 20 minutes in catching the train.我们有20分钟的余地赶火车。
• The village is situated at the margin of a forest.村子位于森林的边缘。

24 abruptly   

adv.突然地，出其不意地

参考例句：

• He gestured abruptly for Virginia to get in the car.他粗鲁地示意弗吉尼亚上车。
• I was abruptly notified that a half-hour speech was expected of me.我突然被通知要讲半个小时的话。

25 bluff   

v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗

参考例句：

• His threats are merely bluff.他的威胁仅仅是虚张声势。
• John is a deep card.No one can bluff him easily.约翰是个机灵鬼。谁也不容易欺骗他。

26 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

27 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：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

28 embarrassment   

n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫

参考例句：

• She could have died away with embarrassment.她窘迫得要死。
• Coughing at a concert can be a real embarrassment.在音乐会上咳嗽真会使人难堪。

29 curiously   

adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地

参考例句：

• He looked curiously at the people.他好奇地看着那些人。
• He took long stealthy strides. His hands were curiously cold.他迈着悄没声息的大步。他的双手出奇地冷。

30 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

31 delicacy   

n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴

参考例句：

• We admired the delicacy of the craftsmanship.我们佩服工艺师精巧的手艺。
• He sensed the delicacy of the situation.他感觉到了形势的微妙。

32 scrambling   

v.快速爬行( scramble的现在分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞

参考例句：

• Scrambling up her hair, she darted out of the house. 她匆忙扎起头发，冲出房去。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• She is scrambling eggs. 她正在炒蛋。 来自《简明英汉词典》

33   

参考例句：

34 charred   

v.把…烧成炭( char的过去式)；烧焦

参考例句：

• the charred remains of a burnt-out car 被烧焦的轿车残骸
• The intensity of the explosion is recorded on the charred tree trunks. 那些烧焦的树干表明爆炸的强烈。 来自《简明英汉词典》

35 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

36 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》

37 perspiring   

v.出汗，流汗( perspire的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• He had been working hard and was perspiring profusely. 他一直在努力干活，身上大汗淋漓的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• So they "went it lively," panting and perspiring with the work. 于是他们就“痛痛快快地比一比”了，结果比得两个人气喘吁吁、汗流浃背。 来自英汉文学 - 汤姆历险

38 positively   

adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实

参考例句：

• She was positively glowing with happiness.她满脸幸福。
• The weather was positively poisonous.这天气着实讨厌。

39 solitary   

adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士

参考例句：

• I am rather fond of a solitary stroll in the country.我颇喜欢在乡间独自徜徉。
• The castle rises in solitary splendour on the fringe of the desert.这座城堡巍然耸立在沙漠的边际，显得十分壮美。