I WAS amazed, astounded1 even, at her hardihood in sucking any possible poison out of that wound in my arm at so great a risk to her own life, if the weapon had been envenomed. And I was most profoundly touched, too. But as I had had my lesson on the ship I presumed no further; I viewed it as done out of common humanity and to preserve a life useful to her—nothing more. I dared not put any other construction upon her noble action, even in thought. Meanwhile in my turn, I took such hasty precautions for her safety as I could while I thanked her. I bade her rinse2 out her mouth thoroughly3 with a mixture of the cold water and the strong spirit of which I still had my flask4 nearly full.
By this time we had withdrawn5 to the back of the outer cave. Indeed, that was the only safe place for us, for a constant succession of weapons[297] was being thrown through the opening. We needed no further warning to keep us out of reach. Master Pimball was showing himself something of a general, too. He was keeping us away from the entrance and with the great host of men at his command he was building up the broken-down heap of stones which would presently enable them to come at us in force. At least that was what I guessed from what I had seen and what I now heard.
While my little mistress busied herself with tying up my wounded arm with strips torn from the sleeve of my shirt which I had offered for the purpose—she had wanted to make bandages out of her underwear but I stayed her—I considered what was to be done. I had four loaded pistols and therefore four lives in my hand. No man could show his head in that entrance without receiving a shot. After that I could account for a few more, perhaps, with sword, axe6, or naked fist, but in the end they would inevitably7 master me. Unfortunately, the entrance was broad enough for four or more to enter abreast8 easily.
Should I open the battle there or retreat into[298] the inner cave and wait, was the question that had to be decided9. Perhaps the latter would be the safer plan but I had a strange unwillingness10 to adopt it, for once within I feared we should never get out alive except as prisoners, so long as they held the outer cave and I could never dislodge them from it. There was not much more chance of getting out alive from the outer cave, for that matter, but still it seemed so. We could at least see the sky and the sunlight. Should we stay there or go further into the wall?
I decided upon the former course. I explained to my mistress that I would keep the outer cave as long as I could, begging her to retreat to the inner chamber12. She demurred13 at first, but when I spoke14 to her peremptorily15 at last—God forgive me—she acceded16 to my request humbly17 enough. Indeed, she saw that in this matter I could not be denied and also perhaps that I had right and prudence18 on my side. Her presence would only have embarrassed me in my fighting although I could quite understand that she wanted to fight, too. It was in her blood and she has since confessed that she never expected that we would come through the[299] conflict alive and she would fain have died by my side. But that was not to be, and so, for the once she obeyed me.
I thrust the best pistol into her hand and told her to reserve it for herself in case her capture was inevitable19, but not to pull the trigger until the last moment. And I promised her faithfully that I would not foolishly or uselessly jeopard myself but that after I had made what fight I could, I would join her if it were in any way possible.
Even then she hung in the wind awhile, seeming loath20 to go when all had been said between us. Finally she approached me, laid her hand on my arm and looked up at me. Seeing that she had previously21 decided to go and said so, I wondered what was coming now.
“Master Hampdon,” she said softly, “here we be a lone22 man and woman among these savages24 and murderers with but little chance for our lives, I take it. I am sorry that I struck you on the ship—and—you may—kiss—me—good-by.”
With that she proffered25 me her lips. I could face a thousand savages, a hundred Pimballs, without a quiver of the nerves, but at these unexpected[300] words and that wonderful condescension26, my knees fairly smote27 together before this small woman. I stood staring down at her.
“You were once over eager to take from me by force what I now offer you willingly,” she said, half turning away in a certain—shall I say disappointment?
With that I caught her to me and once again I drank the sweetness of her lips. We were bound to die and I kissed her as a man does when he loves a woman. I forgot the savages outside, the stones, the spears, the arrows streaming through the entrance, the yells and curses that came to us. I held her in my arms and without resistance. I could have held her there forever, quite willing to die in such sweet embrace. She pushed me away from her at last and I could swear that my kisses had been returned, and then with a whispered blessing28 she dropped to her knees and crawled within the adjoining cave.
I could have fought the world, thereafter, for her kisses intoxicated29 me like wine. Yet even then I did not delude30 myself. I felt that on her part at least, it was a farewell kiss such as[301] two true devoted31 comrades might give to each other in the face of death. I said to myself that to her the pressure of my lips had only been as the salute32 of an ancient gladiator about to die was to the Cæsar who watched the struggle. To me—well I blessed her even for that crowning mercy.
With a pistol in each hand and the third upon a rock close at hand I waited. I had not long to wait. There was a sudden fiercer rain of arrows and spears, some of which struck at my feet or by my side. I gathered up a sheaf of them and laid them at hand beside the pistol on the rock.
The next instant two tremendous savages and a white man appeared in the entrance. The shot was easy, the target fine. I couldn’t miss. The first bullet went into the brain of Master Glibby, the next tore off the head of the leading chief. Reserving the third pistol, I seized a spear and drove it through the throat of the other savage23. I shouted with triumph, and Mistress Lucy has since confessed to me that, kneeling down and peering through the opening, contrary to my explicit33 order which was for her to seek safe cover,[302] she saw all and that my call of victory was the sweetest sound she had ever heard.
I thought we had done, but they were an indomitable lot, those South Sea islanders, and they were well urged. Four others took their places at once, spears in hands, which they threw at me. I dodged34 them with some difficulty and let fly the third pistol. They came crowding this time and the bullet from the heavy weapon accounted for two others, but the survivors35 had gained a footing, and the shelf behind them was suddenly filled with lifting heads and climbing men.
I clubbed my weapons and hurled36 them one after another fair and square into the mass. One man went down with a broken skull37. The rush was checked, they gave back a little. I cast spears and arrows at them but now the shield men had come up and they caught the missiles on their shields. The front rank wavered and perhaps if they had been unsupported, they might have been driven below, but the crowd behind would not let them retire. Slowly they began to move toward me.
I doubt not I was a terrible figure, for I had whipped out my cutlass by this time and stood[303] at bay. I had forgotten for the moment all else but the lust38 of the conflict and in another second I had flung myself upon them in a fury. It was my mistress who recalled me to myself.
With that I dropped down and made a spring for the opening. I had waited too long. The leading man would have pinned me to the earth with his spear. The entrance was wide fortunately, and Mistress Lucy would see through the part I did not block with my huge bulk. Again disregarding entirely40 my instructions, she fired the last pistol at that nearest man. He went down like a ninepin, both legs broken, which gave me time to gain the inner chamber and stand upright. I was bleeding for I had been cut here and there, but was otherwise all right.
“That shot saved my life,” I cried panting, “you should have kept it for yourself.”
“Good,” I exclaimed, proud of her prowess and her resolution.
[304]They gave us no time for further speech for urged by what promises of reward, what passionate42 hatred43, what bestial44 desire, I know not, they came on. The narrow entrance was suddenly black with the islanders who thrust their spears at us. Fortunately my mistress had moved aside and was out of range, but I was perilously45 near being cut down. Mistress Lucy had the sword which I had thrust into her hand, and I the great axe which I had cast into the inner cave ahead of me.
Those outside were even less able to see than we and perhaps they thought we had withdrawn, or been driven back, for they crept forward with assurance.
While I had lived in the gardener’s lodge11 at Wilberforce Castle, I had got to be quite an axe-man. I brought down the heavy weapon on the first head, striking with just enough force to kill and yet leave me able to recover myself without delay, and when three heads had been knocked that way in rapid succession with no more damage to me than a trifling46 spear cut on the ankle, the battle stopped for a moment. I laughed.
[305]“Come on, you dogs!” I shouted, “I can play at that game until you are more tired of it than I.”
I spoke without thought, however, for those outside the opening drew back the bodies by their legs and thus cleared the entrance. I judged that the outer cave, which was large and spacious47, was now filled with men. They were shouting and gesticulating in great excitement. But none made any effort to enter. Finally, I heard a human voice speaking English. It was Pimball.
“Master Hampdon?” he cried.
“Speak not to me, murdering villain,” I answered.
“Now this is madness,” he shouted. “You are trapped like rats; we have only to wall up the entrance or build a fire in front of it an’ you will both die.”
“It is a thousand times better to die so,” I answered shortly, “than to live with craven men like you.”
“You are a fool,” he exclaimed.
He dropped down on his knees as he spoke and I could see his face in the opening but too[306] far away for me to swing my axe. If it were my last effort I was determined48 that I would get him, and so I waited.
“Don’t lose the sword,” I cried to my lady across the chamber where her white face stared at me out of the dimness.
“I shall not,” she answered undauntedly.
Then I lifted the axe and waited for Master Pimball and his men to come on, but he had a better plan. Bullets and powder they had in plenty and he knew from the fact that I had thrown my pistols at them that I had none left. With a deafening49 roar a storm of bullets from a dozen weapons swept the cave. I leaped back. I had to, or I should have been shot where I stood. Of the way thus opened they took instant advantage and under cover of a second volley they sought to enter. Well, it was all up, all I could do was to leap upon them as they rose and—
But that moment the solid rock beneath my feet began to sway. It was as if I had been instantly translated to the deck of a tossing ship. I stood rooted to the spot trying to maintain a balance. Pimball had lifted himself upon one[307] knee and was almost clear of the entrance, but he too stopped, appalled50. A sickening feeling of apprehension51 that all the savages on earth would not have inspired came over me. My mistress screamed faintly. The natives outside broke into terror stricken shouts and cries, an oath burst from the lips of the leader of the mutineers.
The earthquake shook that rocky island like a baby’s cradle. A great mass of rock over the entrance fell. With another roar like to the first the cliff was riven in every direction. The noise outside ceased. The men with Pimball were ground to death. Upon his legs lay fifty feet of broken rock. Darkness, total and absolute, succeeded the dim light. I remember realizing that the attack had failed and then something struck me. Down upon the wet, still quivering sand I fell and knew no more.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
astounded
|
|
| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
rinse
|
|
| v.用清水漂洗，用清水冲洗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
thoroughly
|
|
| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
flask
|
|
| n.瓶，火药筒，砂箱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
withdrawn
|
|
| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
axe
|
|
| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
inevitably
|
|
| adv.不可避免地；必然发生地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
abreast
|
|
| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
unwillingness
|
|
| n. 不愿意，不情愿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
lodge
|
|
| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
chamber
|
|
| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
demurred
|
|
| v.表示异议，反对( demur的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
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： |
|
|
|
|
15
peremptorily
|
|
| adv.紧急地，不容分说地，专横地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
acceded
|
|
| v.（正式）加入( accede的过去式和过去分词 )；答应；（通过财产的添附而）增加；开始任职 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
humbly
|
|
| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
prudence
|
|
| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
inevitable
|
|
| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
loath
|
|
| adj.不愿意的；勉强的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
previously
|
|
| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
lone
|
|
| adj.孤寂的，单独的；唯一的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
savage
|
|
| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
savages
|
|
| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
proffered
|
|
| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
condescension
|
|
| n.自以为高人一等，贬低(别人) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
smote
|
|
| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
blessing
|
|
| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
intoxicated
|
|
| 喝醉的，极其兴奋的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
delude
|
|
| vt.欺骗；哄骗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
devoted
|
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
salute
|
|
| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
explicit
|
|
| adj.详述的，明确的；坦率的；显然的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
dodged
|
|
| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
survivors
|
|
| 幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
hurled
|
|
| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
skull
|
|
| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
lust
|
|
| n.性(淫)欲；渴(欲)望；vi.对…有强烈的欲望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
shrieked
|
|
| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
naught
|
|
| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
passionate
|
|
| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
hatred
|
|
| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
bestial
|
|
| adj.残忍的；野蛮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
perilously
|
|
| adv.充满危险地，危机四伏地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
trifling
|
|
| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
spacious
|
|
| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
deafening
|
|
| adj. 振耳欲聋的, 极喧闹的 动词deafen的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
appalled
|
|
| v.使惊骇，使充满恐惧( appall的过去式和过去分词)adj.惊骇的；丧胆的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
apprehension
|
|
| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
peals
|
|
| n.（声音大而持续或重复的）洪亮的响声( peal的名词复数 )；隆隆声；洪亮的钟声；钟乐v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |