IN spite of her premature1 departure, the Alerte was well found for her work. Everything that Trevorrick and Pengelly could provide had been placed on board, or had been arranged for at the earliest possible opportunity. Yet Trevorrick smiled grimly when he reflected that here was a modern pirate vessel2 proceeding3 to sea absolutely unarmed with the exception of a service revolver and fifty rounds of ammunition4.
Pengelly, whose acquaintance with Falmouth Harbour and the river Fal was extensive, conned5 the ship from the bows, transmitting his orders to the quartermaster at the above-water steering7 apparatus8. Trevorrick, in peaked cap, bridge coat and rubber boots, tramped up and down the temporary structure amidships. He was feeling rather anxious, not on account of his recently adopted profession, but as to whether the Alerte would clear St. Anthony Point without either grounding or being challenged by the Falmouth Customs officials. He was one of those devil-may-care fellows who never hesitate to take risks and face the consequences provided they have had a run for their money. Ignominious9 capture at this early stage of the proceedings10 would be the limit of bitter disappointment.
Slowly the Alerte smelt11 her way down the intricate channel of Polkyll Creek12. Once her rounded bilge scraped the mud, but without losing way she dragged over the slippery obstruction13. Ahead lay the dark, tree-clad hills of the right bank of the Fal.
"Hard-a-starboard!" shouted Pengelly, supplementing these instructions by ordering the port engine to "go astern."
Even then, under the opposing action of the twin propellers14 the Alerte described a fairly wide turning circle. It was only by a hand's-breadth that she avoided running her nose against the opposite bank.
The dense17 wooded ground echoed and re-echoed to the explosions of the supposedly muffled18 exhausts. If this noise continued, Trevorrick realised that all attempt to disguise the means of propulsion of the Alerte was at an end. As far as he could judge, the distinctive19 sounds would be audible from Green Bank to St. Mawes.
Gradually the river opened out. Mylor Creek bore broad on the starboard beam. Now unchecked by the lofty and narrow banks the noise of the exhausts sensibly diminished, while the rising breeze, hitherto masked by the trees, served still further to stifle20 the oral evidence of the presence of the mysterious craft.
Then, like a galaxy21 of stars, the lights of the shipping22 and the town of Falmouth opened out. For the next three miles would be the critical part of the run. At any moment the tricoloured lamp of one of the Customs' launches might be seen bearing down upon the outgoing "tramp."
Now the gauntlet was all but run. Ahead loomed24 the rugged25 outlines of St. Anthony and Pendennis, with the narrow channel between them, still further contracted by the dangerous Black Rock.
"Ahoy! What ship is that?" hailed a voice out of the darkness. Unseen and unheard, a motor launch had swept alongside the pirate vessel's port quarter.
"Alerte of London!" shouted Trevorrick.
"Light."
"Where are you bound?"
"Truro for Plymouth."
"All right. Heave us a line. I'll see your papers."
"Ay, ay," replied Trevorrick.
His ready brain was working. If things came to the worst, the Customs' launch could be stove in by the simple expedient27 of dropping a pig of iron into her. He might even take the crew prisoners; but, he reflected, there was no likelihood of obtaining a ransom28 for them. They would merely be useless mouths to feed.
"Ease down!" bawled the imperious voice.
"Ay, ay," responded Trevorrick, but made no move towards putting the order into execution.
"Stand-by!" he bawled, brandishing29 a coil of rope.
The bowman of the launch caught the flake30 of the coil and took a turn. Directly the rope tautened, Trevorrick cut it. The launch dropped astern, until under extra throttle31 she again ran alongside.
It was a gain of a couple of minutes. By this time the Alerte was lifting to the fairly heavy rollers coming in from the English Channel. With her additional top-hamper she was rolling pretty heavily.
But by this time the Customs' boatmen had thought better of it. Boarding an outward-bound vessel was not such an imperative32 duty as examining one "come foreign." It wasn't worth the risk of having their boat stove-in and finding themselves in the ditch on a cold November night. A breaking sea sweeping34 clean over the canopy35 decided36 the question.
Without a word, the motor-launch's helm was put hard over. Listing dangerously, she flung about and disappeared into the darkness.
Thoughtfully, Trevorrick put a stopper round a piece of pig-iron lying in the scuppers.
St. Anthony Light blinked knowingly away on the Alerte's port quarter.
"Well?" inquired Pengelly, stamping aft. He had put Marchant on duty in the eyes of the ship, since there was now plenty of sea-room.
"We'll submerge off Helford," decided Trevorrick. "Wind's off the land. It'll give the crew a chance to exercise. Get the hands to stand by with the mast-lowering tackles."
Twenty minutes later the Alerte, with masts and funnel37 lowered, slowed down a couple of miles due east of Mawnan Chair. A cast of the lead gave sufficient depth.
"Hands to diving stations!" roared Trevorrick, his words recalling incidents of long-past days when under better auspices38 he had held command of a submarine flying the white ensign.
Quickly the crew disappeared below. Giving a final glance round, Trevorrick followed Pengelly through the hatchway, which closed after them with a metallic39 clang.
The throb40 of the Diesel41 engines ceased. The silence was profound, broken only by the top of the wavelets against the outer plating of the hull42.
The electric lights gleamed upon the grave faces of the crew. With two exceptions they were new to submarine work. They had excuse to feel jumpy, but the sight of their cool and composed skipper gave them a certain amount of confidence.
A gurgling noise announced that the buoyancy tanks were being flooded. Slowly the disc of the depth indicator43 began to move. Once it started it never faltered44 until it stopped at eleven fathoms45.
The Alerte was resting on the bed of Falmouth Bay.
"All shipshape and Bristol fashion, my lads!" exclaimed Trevorrick, turning away from the control station and drawing off his leather gauntlets. "No anchor watch to keep. We're as snug46 as fleas47 in a rug."
The men trooped for'ard for supper. Trevorrick and Pengelly retired48 to the diminutive49 wardroom amidships, where a repast was already spread upon the teak swing-table.
"To-morrow," remarked Trevorrick, in the course of the meal, "To-morrow, Tom Trevorrick ceases to exist as such. Henceforward I am Captain Cain—'every man's hand against mine,' you know."
"Then you're letting the hands know early?"
Trevorrick nodded.
"And what am I, then?" continued Pengelly. "Captain what?"
"Captain Nothing," he replied. "There won't be two captains aboard this hooker. You can put that in your pipe and smoke it."
"But we're on equal terms?"
"From a financial point of view, yes," agreed Trevorrick. "But mark you, I'm in sole command. There's no getting away from that: not an earthly. You, Pengelly, are second in command; to be consulted as and when I think fit. You are to carry out my orders unquestioningly. Have you got that? Good; then don't forget it."
Then, having delivered his ultimatum51, Trevorrick's mood changed. He went on with his interrupted repast, chatting on topics that had no bearing upon the subject of the great enterprise.
"Has Chamfer recovered his senses yet?"
Pengelly shook his head.
"I haven't given him a thought," he replied.
The captain stretched out his hand and pressed a push. For'ard a bell tinkled53 shrilly54. One of the crew, tapping upon the door, entered.
"See if Jones is stirring," ordered Trevorrick, glancing at the clock on the bulkhead, which showed that it was twenty minutes past one in the morning. "If he is, bring him along."
In less than a couple of minutes the man returned, followed by the luckless Jasper Chamfer. The Admiralty inspector55 looked and probably felt an utter wreck56. The after-effects of the anaesthetic, coupled with the confined atmosphere of his cell, would have capsized many a man of tougher fibre.
"Stand there," ordered Trevorrick curtly57, at the same time motioning to the seaman58 to make himself scarce. "Unaccustomed surroundings, eh?"
"Where am I?" inquired Chamfer tremulously.
"As near as I can say, you're between ten and eleven fathoms beneath the surface of Falmouth Bay," announced his captor grimly. "But I haven't brought you here to ask me questions. I want information from you and—I'm—going—to—get—it."
He paused to let his words sink in.
"It was my duty."
"That's your affair. Now, tell me. I understand you're worth about thirty thousand pounds. Is that so? Well, I won't inquire, I'll assume. They say 'silence means consent.' That thirty thousand is an encumbrance60. Already you're self-supporting, drawing a fat salary and doing precious little to earn it—doing it mightily61 badly, I might add. You'll have to disgorge: some of it, at least. How is that sum invested?"
Chamfer shook his head.
"Disobliging blighter," commented the captain. "Very well, then. There's nothing more to be said at present. You'll go back to your cell. Tomorrow you will look upon the sun for the last time." Without giving the Admiralty official another look, Trevorrick touched the bell.
"Remove Jones," he ordered.
"By Jove, man!" ejaculated Pengelly, after Chamfer had been taken away; "he would have told. I could see it on his face."
"I didn't look," was the unconcerned response. "To-morrow he'll be as docile64 as a dove. And while I'm about it," he added, "in future you will drop that tone of familiarity you've been in the habit of using. Remember, as your captain I am entitled to the word 'sir.'... You'd better turn in now, Pengelly."
Pengelly got up and went out without a word. The door had hardly closed when the captain recalled him.
"Good-night, Pengelly."
"Good-night, sir!"
"Nothing like putting it across the prevaricating65 blighter," soliloquised Trevorrick. "Without proper respect all discipline goes by the board."
Pengelly, in his cabin, was indulging in different views.
"If the swine thinks he's going to ride the high horse with me, he's mistaken," he muttered. "I'll do him properly when I get the chance."
The night passed uneventfully. At four bells the hands were roused and breakfast served out, every one being given a liberal tot of rum. The meal over and the "traps" cleared away and the mess-deck being cleaned up (Trevorrick was "dead nuts" on routine), the men were mustered66 in the fore33-compartment that previously67 served as the bow torpedo68-room and air-flask chamber69. To them came Trevorrick, rigged out in pea-jacket, gold braided cap, muffler, flannel70 trousers, and sea-boots. At his right hip6 was a holster, the flap of which was unfastened to display the butt71 of a revolver.
"Men!" he began. "Circumstances are against us; luck isn't! That swine of an Admiralty inspector has to be held responsible. He has 'blown the gaff.' Taking advantage of the confidence I placed in him, he has betrayed the secret of the Posidon's cargo to the Admiralty. I understand a dockyard lighter63 with a diving party is already over the position of the ingots. That being so, our original plans are a wash-out. But little difficulties of that description, annoying though they be, don't daunt72 me. Since Jones has caused the trouble, Jones must pay.
"I'm going to take strong measures. I haven't the faintest doubt that they will attain73 the desired end. To be brief, I intend to squeeze him to the extent of £20,000. Of that sum, Mr. Pengelly and myself each take £5,000. The remainder—£10,000—will be divided between the hands in proportion to the wages you were receiving while in the employ of Trevorrick, Pengelly, and Co. I have not yet worked out each man's share, but on a rough calculation it varies between £300 and £400 apiece, which is considerably74 in excess of the sum originally offered in connection with the proposed, but now abandoned, salvage75 operations. Later on, I have other attractive propositions to bring forward, but for the present I'll say no more."
It might be owing to the strong spirit, it might be the vision of sudden and easily gotten wealth. Be that as it may, the captain's speech roused the men to boisterous76 enthusiasm.
Trevorrick left them to discuss matters.
"I said they'd eat out of my hand, Pengelly," he remarked. "One word from me and they'd cut the throats of the first crew of foreigners we came across. Not that that is my intention," he added.
As dawn was breaking, the Alerte was brought to the surface. Masts and funnel were set up, the motors started ahead at a modest five knots, a course was shaped to the S.S.E. which would take her well clear of the Cornish coast.
When twenty miles out in the Channel, Trevorrick swept the horizon with his binoculars77. Save for a large oil tanker78 well away beyond the Lizard79, there was nothing in sight—which was precisely80 what Trevorrick had wanted.
"Clear lower deck!" was the order.
Up tumbled the hands. Under the captain's directions a plank81 was brought out and placed with his heel resting on the deck amidships, and its outer end projecting five feet beyond the low bulwarks82.
"Fall in on your respective sides—port and starboard watch," shouted Trevorrick. "When Jones comes on deck howl at him. Put the wind up him for all you're worth. I'm not going to carry my threat into execution. It won't be necessary, and he's not worth it.... Bring up the prisoner."
A combined yell like the howling of a pack of wolves greeted the trembling Jasper Chamfer. With quivering steps he was led to the foot of the slightly inclined plank. Here his eyes were bandaged and his arms lashed83 behind his back.
Trevorrick held up his hand for silence.
"Now," began the captain in clear, measured tones, addressing the captive. "I will state our terms whereby you may gain your life and, under certain restrictions86, your liberty. If within thirty seconds from the termination of my proposal you still refuse a perfectly87 reasonable demand—there's the plank. You will sign an order on your bankers, authorising them to pay the person named in your letter of advice the sum of £20,000. Having done that, you will be placed on board a vessel bound foreign, you giving the undertaking88 that you will not reveal your identity nor attempt to cancel your bond within the period of four months. Remember that, if you do, your life will not be worth a red cent. We belong to a powerful and widely scattered89 society, having agents in the principal ports all over the world. Conform to the conditions and you will be free to return at the expiration90 of the time limit mentioned. Refuse and your fate rests with you."
In dead silence, Trevorrick pulled out his watch. The blindfolded91 man could hear the deliberate ticking of the timepiece.
"Ten seconds," announced Trevorrick.... "Twenty seconds, ten more to go. Stand by, you men...."
"I agree!" almost shrieked92 the tortured man, and with a groan93 he pitched forward. Trevorrick caught him as he fell.
"The twenty thousand's ours, lads!" he announced. "Pipe down. Take him below."
The assembled crew broke ranks and were about to disperse94, when Trevorrick swung round on his heel.
"Stand fast!" he ordered.
Months, nay95 years, cannot destroy the deeply-rooted sense of discipline of the ex-naval man. Smartly the ununiformed crew pulled themselves together and waited immovable, while two of their number "struck" the unconscious Chamfer down below, lowering him through what was originally the fore torpedo hatch.
"Men!" exclaimed Trevorrick. "We may just as well understand each other. Already you have seen how I deal with those who thwart96 my purpose, especially when that purpose is to the advantage of those in my employ and under my command. You all know, only too well, what it is to be up against Fate. So do I. Since the chance of earning an honest living is denied us—honest according to the ideas of a certain class of society that has never to study the question of existence from our standpoint—there remains97 another alternative. You know the saying: 'Heaven helps those who help themselves.' I mean to act upon that, on the firm belief that Providence98 will see us through. We've made an excellent start. You will naturally feel inclined to ask: How shall we help ourselves on future occasions? Already we have broken the law and incurred99 severe penalties by kidnapping a citizen of the realm and a government official to boot. All of us, remember."
He paused in order to let his words sink in.
"May as well be 'ung for a sheep as a lamb, sir," exclaimed one of the men.
"That's the spirit," said Trevorrick. "Exactly what I expected. Well, my lads, it's my intention to arm this old hooker. Already arrangements have been completed to that end. Then we'll stop the first likely Dago or Hun ship we fall in with and see what we can do to ease their pockets. Mind you, I'm not going to run needless risks. I have your interests as well as my own at stake. It's going to be a short cruise but a busy one. When we pay off there will be no doubt that each of you will have sufficient money to buy a comfortable pub and live the rest of your lives in simple luxury and ease. Think what you can do with, say, three thousand of the best to play with—probably more. Now then: any questions?"
Questions came; slowly at first, then rapidly. Trevorrick dealt with each at length, replying so suavely101 and convincingly, that his listeners were metaphorically102 lifted off their feet. They were not inquiries103 respecting the proposed methods by which they were to acquire wealth, nor did the questioners seem to trouble themselves over the possible consequences of their lawlessness. The subject that weighed most heavily on their minds was: how were they to obtain guarantees that their shares would actually reach them?
"Exactly the sort of question I should expect from an intelligent body of men," replied Trevorrick. "Naturally you look ahead. Your horizon isn't six inches from your eyes. But you can see perfectly well that it would be impracticable to run ashore104 a cargo of booty valued, say, at fifteen thousand and divide it up like a sirloin of beef. We have to employ an agent—a middleman. One is already engaged—a thoroughly105 trustworthy Penzance man—and you know the word of a Penzance man is his bond. He will take off our loot and dispose of it. The profits of each transaction will be immediately apportioned106. Each of you can either have his share posted to any address he cares to give, or it can remain with the agent till called for in person. In the case of cash and jewellery, we will, if thought necessary, make the division on board."
"S'posin' some of us loses the number of our mess, sir?" asked a burly ex-stoker, "wot 'appens?"
"You lose it, I suppose," replied Trevorrick. "We will all do sooner or later. It will be all the same a hundred years hence."
Several of the hands laughed at their skipper's feeble joke.
"But I know what you mean," he continued. "In bygone days, pirates used to regard the death of one of their number as a sort of windfall. It enhanced the value of the survivors107' shares. I have no intention of following that precedent108. Every member of the crew can nominate a next-of-kin in the event of his losing his life—which I am anxious to avoid."
"You mentioned pirates, sir," remarked the bo'sun. "I take it we're to sail under the skull109 and crossbones?"
"Now you come to mention it, Mr. Barnard, I really think we are," replied Trevorrick lightly. "But there's still time if there's any white-livered blighter who wants to back out. Now, my lads!" he continued in ringing tones, "all those who do not wish to carry on on my terms—two paces step forward—March!"
Not a man moved as directed. Two or three shuffled112 and lowered their eyes under the stern gaze of the self-declared pirate captain. Possibly they would have taken advantage of the offer had it not been that the fear of ridicule113 was stronger than their inclination114 to keep within the law.
Trevorrick's smile had given place to a look of grim determination. His shaggy eyebrows115 met in a continuous straight line; his aggressive jaw116 shot forward.
"That's settled, my lads!" he exclaimed. "Now, there's something more to remember. I am the captain of this craft. My orders you'll carry out smartly, at the double, and unquestioningly. If they're not, there'll be trouble—but there won't. In the future, you—and others—will know me as Captain Cain. Mr. Pengelly here is second in command; Mr. Barnard is bos'un, and Mr. Marchant, gunner. These, under me, are your officers and must be treated with respect due to their rank. I insist upon perfect discipline, which alone will enable us to win through. If any man has a grievance117 against another, there must be no quarrelling. He must report the circumstances to me and abide118 by my decision.... Mr. Marchant, before the men are piped down, serve out a tot of rum apiece and drink success to the Alerte and all who sail in her."
For the last hour the motors had been stopped. There was no immediate85 hurry to reach the rendezvous119, and Captain Cain was too prudent120 a man to use up oil in aimlessly cruising up-Channel. Unless another craft came within sight the Alerte could drift; but the pirate skipper realised the risk of his vessel wallowing in the long swell121 without carrying way. That would be in itself sufficient to excite the curiosity of any passing shipping.
Presently, after a prolonged examination of the horizon, Captain Cain went below to his cabin, leaving Pengelly in charge of the deck. For certain reasons, the skipper did not desire the presence of his lieutenant122.
He touched the bell and, on a man entering to inquire his pleasure, ordered Jones to be brought to him.
The wretched Jasper Chamfer, looking ill and horribly scared, was brusquely shown into Captain Cain's cabin.
"Good-morning," was the captain's greeting, as genial123 as if he were dealing124 with Chamfer in his capacity of Admiralty inspector.
"Good-morning," replied Chamfer, almost automatically. He was too bewildered to grasp the significance of his captor's irony125.
"Sorry to trouble you," continued Captain Cain, "but there are a few formalities to be observed in the carrying out of our agreement. That twenty thousand: is it in shares?"
"Government Four per Cents., redeemable126 in 1931," replied Chamfer. "Also Six per Cents. Royal Mail."
"Deposited with whom?"
"My bankers, Trevannion Brothers, Plymouth."
"Manager a friend of yours?"
"I know him fairly well."
"Good," commented Captain Cain. "Here are paper, pen and ink. First write out an order transferring twenty thousand pounds to my account—Thomas Trevorrick—payable to my bankers, Messrs. Grabaul, Yewgett and Co., Truro."
For some minutes there was silence in the cabin. Somewhere for'ard a gramophone was blaring out that popular ditty: "Then he knew he'd parted."
Without a word, Chamfer handed over the order. The captain read it carefully.
"Ever heard that story about the Harley Street specialist, Mr. Chamfer?" he inquired. "Two of the brigands127 met in Oxford128 Street. Said one, 'How much did you charge So-and-so for that operation?' 'Seventy-eight pounds fifteen and sixpence,' was the reply. 'Extraordinary amount,' commented the other. 'Whatever made you fix that sum?' The specialist laughed. 'I made him show me his pass-book,' he replied. Well, I'm not asking to see yours, Mr. Chamfer, nor am I lifting all your little pile. At the same time, I want to make sure of what I have got, so just write a friendly little covering letter to the manager of your bank."
"What shall I say?" asked the victim wearily.
"Gracious, man! Haven't you any imagination? Perhaps that qualification isn't required of Admiralty Civil Servants. Tell him you've been unexpectedly ordered a sea voyage by your medical adviser129, and that before you go you must make certain adjustments in your finances.... That's right. I presume you won't require a receipt?"
"What are you going to do with me now?" asked Jasper Chamfer, tremulously.
"What I told you before," replied the pirate, with a grin. "A voyage to Jamaica or Pernambuco will do you a world of good. Broaden your outlook on life, Chamfer; enlarge your mental horizon. But, remember, for the next four months your name's Jones. One hint to the contrary and, by Jove! your number's up. 'Nough said!"
Placing both documents in his pocket-book, Captain Cain turned to go on deck.
"You can amuse yourself as you like," he remarked. "You've got the run of the ship. There's nothing to be afraid of provided you hold your tongue."
It was blowing freshly from the west'ard when Captain Cain rejoined his lieutenant. The Alerte, with a trysail bent130 to keep her steady, was steering S.E. by S. making about one knot. Well away to the east'ard a beaten-down trail of smoke betokened131 the presence of some sort of steam vessel. To the south'ard half a dozen tanned sails indicated the position of one of the Cornish fishing fleets making for home.
"Got it, sir?" inquired Pengelly. By this time the "sir" came with no noticeable hesitation132, though the utterance133 caused the man to curse inwardly every time he had occasion to address his self-constituted superior officer.
"Yes," replied Captain Cain. "He parted like a lamb. I've an order for the twenty thousand. I'll have that transferred to Saldanha at Bahia. Useful man, Saldanha."
Late that afternoon, and after the sun had set beneath the misty134 waters of the English Channel, the Alerte, with smoke pouring from her funnel, rolled and lurched past Rame Head, rounded Penlee Point and brought up in the sheltered waters of Cawsand Bay. There was no attempt made to conceal135 her presence. An anchor-lamp shone brightly from the forestay. To all appearances she was just an ordinary tramp that had brought up outside Plymouth Breakwater while awaiting orders, and thus saving harbour dues which she would have incurred had she entered the Catwater.
"I'm going on the beach, Mr. Pengelly," announced the skipper, loud enough for the watch on deck to hear. "Send a boat for me at ten-thirty."
"Ay, ay, sir," replied the second in command, following up by ordering one of the boats to be lowered.
Ten minutes later Captain Cain, in shore-going rig, landed on the sandy beach at Cawsand. A few fishermen were lolling about in the narrow streets of the village. A member of the Coast Preventive Force was talking to the village policeman. Both glanced at the stranger, merely by force of habit. It was not unusual for people to come ashore at Cawsand.
"Can you tell me the nearest way to Plymouth?" asked Captain Cain of the modern substitute of the old coastguardman, not because he did not know, but to give the man an opportunity of questioning him.
Captain Cain was a good walker. In quick time he covered the distance between Cawsand and Cremyll, crossed by means of the ferry to Devonport, and hastened along union Street. Here he posted two missives: one in Chamfer's handwriting, addressed to the local bank (that would bear the Plymouth postmark, which was no small advantage); the other to his own bankers, instructing them that on the receipt of securities to the extent of twenty thousand pounds they were to sell out and transfer the proceeds to the firm of Señor Paquita, Calle Rancagua, Copuapo, Chile.
"Guess that fool Pengelly would look a bit sick if he knew," soliloquised Captain Cain, as he turned to retrace136 his steps. "It's all in the game. If I don't look after Number One, who else will?"
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premature
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| adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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conned
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| adj.被骗了v.指挥操舵( conn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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hip
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| n.臀部，髋；屋脊 | |
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steering
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apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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ignominious
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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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smelt
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| v.熔解，熔炼；n.银白鱼，胡瓜鱼 | |
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creek
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obstruction
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| n.阻塞，堵塞；障碍物 | |
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propellers
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bawled
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| v.大叫，大喊( bawl的过去式和过去分词 )；放声大哭；大声叫出；叫卖（货物） | |
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navigating
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| v.给（船舶、飞机等）引航，导航( navigate的现在分词 )；（从海上、空中等）横越；横渡；飞跃 | |
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dense
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muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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distinctive
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stifle
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| vt.使窒息；闷死；扼杀；抑止，阻止 | |
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21
galaxy
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| n.星系；银河系；一群(杰出或著名的人物) | |
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22
shipping
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| n.船运（发货，运输，乘船） | |
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23
buoy
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| n.浮标；救生圈；v.支持，鼓励 | |
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24
loomed
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| v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的过去式和过去分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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25
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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26
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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27
expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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28
ransom
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| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
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29
brandishing
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| v.挥舞( brandish的现在分词 )；炫耀 | |
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30
flake
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| v.使成薄片；雪片般落下；n.薄片 | |
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31
throttle
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| n.节流阀，节气阀，喉咙；v.扼喉咙，使窒息，压 | |
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32
imperative
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| n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的 | |
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33
fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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34
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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35
canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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36
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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37
funnel
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| n.漏斗；烟囱；v.汇集 | |
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38
auspices
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| n.资助，赞助 | |
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39
metallic
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| adj.金属的；金属制的；含金属的；产金属的；像金属的 | |
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40
throb
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| v.震颤，颤动；(急速强烈地)跳动，搏动 | |
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41
diesel
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| n.柴油发动机，内燃机 | |
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42
hull
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| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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43
indicator
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| n.指标；指示物，指示者；指示器 | |
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44
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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45
fathoms
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| 英寻( fathom的名词复数 ) | |
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46
snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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47
fleas
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| n.跳蚤( flea的名词复数 )；爱财如命；没好气地（拒绝某人的要求） | |
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48
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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49
diminutive
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| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
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50
fixedly
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| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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51
ultimatum
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| n.最后通牒 | |
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52
casually
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| adv.漠不关心地，无动于衷地，不负责任地 | |
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53
tinkled
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| （使）发出丁当声，（使）发铃铃声( tinkle的过去式和过去分词 )； 叮当响着发出，铃铃响着报出 | |
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54
shrilly
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| 尖声的； 光亮的，耀眼的 | |
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55
inspector
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| n.检查员，监察员，视察员 | |
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56
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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57
curtly
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| adv.简短地 | |
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58
seaman
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| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
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59
poked
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| v.伸出( poke的过去式和过去分词 )；戳出；拨弄；与（某人）性交 | |
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60
encumbrance
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| n.妨碍物，累赘 | |
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61
mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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62
belied
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| v.掩饰( belie的过去式和过去分词 )；证明（或显示）…为虚假；辜负；就…扯谎 | |
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63
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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64
docile
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| adj.驯服的，易控制的，容易教的 | |
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65
prevaricating
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| v.支吾( prevaricate的现在分词 )；搪塞；说谎 | |
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66
mustered
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| v.集合，召集，集结（尤指部队）( muster的过去式和过去分词 )；（自他人处）搜集某事物；聚集；激发 | |
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67
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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68
torpedo
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| n.水雷，地雷；v.用鱼雷破坏 | |
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69
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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70
flannel
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| n.法兰绒；法兰绒衣服 | |
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71
butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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72
daunt
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| vt.使胆怯，使气馁 | |
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73
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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74
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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75
salvage
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| v.救助，营救，援救；n.救助，营救 | |
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76
boisterous
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| adj.喧闹的，欢闹的 | |
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77
binoculars
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| n.双筒望远镜 | |
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78
tanker
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| n.油轮 | |
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79
lizard
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| n.蜥蜴，壁虎 | |
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80
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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81
plank
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| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
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82
bulwarks
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| n.堡垒( bulwark的名词复数 )；保障；支柱；舷墙 | |
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83
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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84
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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85
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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86
restrictions
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| 约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则） | |
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87
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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88
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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89
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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90
expiration
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| n.终结，期满，呼气，呼出物 | |
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91
blindfolded
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| v.（尤指用布）挡住（某人）的视线( blindfold的过去式 )；蒙住（某人）的眼睛；使不理解；蒙骗 | |
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92
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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93
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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94
disperse
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| vi.使分散；使消失；vt.分散；驱散 | |
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95
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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96
thwart
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| v.阻挠，妨碍，反对；adj.横(断的) | |
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97
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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98
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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99
incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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100
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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101
suavely
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102
metaphorically
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| adv. 用比喻地 | |
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103
inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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104
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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105
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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106
apportioned
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| vt.分摊，分配（apportion的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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107
survivors
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| 幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 ) | |
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108
precedent
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| n.先例，前例；惯例；adj.在前的，在先的 | |
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109
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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110
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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111
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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112
shuffled
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| v.洗（纸牌）( shuffle的过去式和过去分词 )；拖着脚步走；粗心地做；摆脱尘世的烦恼 | |
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113
ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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114
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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115
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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116
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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117
grievance
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| n.怨愤，气恼，委屈 | |
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118
abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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119
rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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120
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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121
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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122
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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123
genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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124
dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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125
irony
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| n.反语，冷嘲；具有讽刺意味的事，嘲弄 | |
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126
redeemable
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| 可赎回的，可补救的 | |
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127
brigands
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| n.土匪，强盗( brigand的名词复数 ) | |
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128
Oxford
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| n.牛津（英国城市） | |
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129
adviser
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| n.劝告者，顾问 | |
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130
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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131
betokened
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| v.预示，表示( betoken的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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132
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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133
utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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134
misty
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| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
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135
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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136
retrace
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| v.折回；追溯，探源 | |
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