With the first streak1 of dawn, as was their wont2, all the islanders were astir, and their first thoughts were for the rescued ones. The news soon spread throughout the community that the two men had awakened3, mightily4 refreshed, and that one of them could speak a few words of English. All ordinary tasks were neglected, and practically the whole village flocked to the house where they, the rescued ones, had been sheltered for the night. And there they saw their guests gaunt, wild-eyed and scared-looking, holding quite a levee, and one endeavouring to explain how they came to be there.
It was a difficult task, for his English was of the feeblest and his pronunciation of the words he did know so extraordinary that it required many repetitions of even the simplest phrases and great patience on the part of the listeners to gather the sense of what he said. At last, however, they learned that these two were the sole survivors5 of ten men, who, after killing6 two of their guardians7, had escaped from New Caledonia, the French convict island. Four weeks had elapsed since they had seen the last of that awful place of their imprisonment8, four weeks of such horror that the scanty9 words of English possessed10 by the spokesman could only give the barest outline of them. But quite enough was told to satisfy them that such an experience[Pg 61] savoured of that place of torment12 of which they never spoke11 but in whispers, and they wondered much whether the men who had succumbed13 early in the struggle were not the more fortunate. And gradually, as they grew more and more accustomed to the curious speech of the man who was trying to explain, they learned of doings within the narrow compass of that boat adrift helplessly upon the great lone14 sea that made their flesh crawl upon their bones, which made them involuntarily shrink from the narrator, whose utter unconcern as he told in baldest words the story of his adventures, fascinated them while it frightened them. For none of them had ever realized such a depth of callous16 depravity as was now manifested before them.
Only the sacred laws of hospitality, nowhere more firmly held to and observed than here where everything was held in common, as became the primitive17 Christianity of the people, restrained them from isolating18 the strangers as if they were suffering from frightful19 disease both contagious20 and infectious. Occasionally a gentle attempt to show their disapproval21 of the foul22 terms used by the narrator in telling his story was made, but quite in vain, for it is a lamentable23 fact that picking up a language colloquially24, as one does among the workers of the world, it is always the vilenesses of the language which are first acquired, because they are most frequently used, and by some devilish twist of memory they are always the expressions which stick.
However, the older men among the islanders met and determined26 that, God helping27 them, this new and bad element of evil must not be permitted to spread among the younger folk, and the word was passed quietly around that while the strangers[Pg 62] were to be treated with every courtesy and kindness, they were not to be associated with indiscriminately; intercourse28 with them was to be confined to a very small body of the older men, all of whom had known something of the evil of the world without, and were all unlikely to be affected29 now by anything they might hear, however vile25.
Nevertheless, it was felt throughout the settlement that there had come into their peaceful midst an appalling30 danger, and the subject came into their prayers continually. The strangers, having made a rapid recovery, swaggered about the little settlement as if they were the lords of it, rather enjoying the whole-hearted terror of them evinced by the younger folk, and yet cursing vigorously what they were pleased to call the inhospitable way in which they were being treated. By this time the islanders had discovered that they were harbouring two criminals of the blackest dye, men from whom the least vestige31 of goodness was absent, whose thoughts were only evil, and that continually. Worse still, it seemed as if the island was likely to be cursed with their presence for an indefinite time, for upon the suggestion that they would be able to leave by the first ship that called at the island the two desperadoes avowed32 with awful words that they were not going to risk their liberty in any ship whatever. They were quite contented33, they said, in their present position, and proposed to marry and settle down.
What that prospect34 meant to the islanders can hardly be realized unless the readers have entered into the spirit of this happy community. The advent15 of a couple of man-eating tigers in some peaceful, lonely village here in England could not cause as much terror, because sportsmen would[Pg 63] speedily be forthcoming who would slay35 the beasts, and these human beasts, though far more dangerous than tigers, could not be destroyed in the same manner. And day by day those patient, peaceful people watched and waited and prayed, yet feared what they could not help feeling was the approaching tragedy.
It is not too much to say that the whole course of life in that lovely island home was embittered36 by the presence of these two degenerate37 children of French civilization, who prated38 and bragged39 of their superiority to all law, and being Anarchists40 and free, professing41 indeed much the same principles that some of our legislators do to-day, although the latter are hardly prepared as yet to carry those principles to their logical conclusion.
Deliverance from this terrible incubus42 came in dramatic fashion. By some means, during an extra busy time, the two miscreants43 had escaped from the almost ceaseless watchfulness44 of those set apart for that purpose. And as they were always planning evil of a certain kind, and were only waiting fitting opportunity to carry out those plans, they seized this, to them, favourable45 chance to attempt a crime which I will not hint at. It happened that at this very time C. B. had been up the mountain side after honey, having some days before located a hive. He was heavily burdened with spoil, and having tramped a good many miles was feeling healthily weary, when he heard a piercing shriek46. It was the first time in his life that he had ever heard such a sound, but it focussed all his fears and apprehensions47, and for one moment paralyzed all his energies.
Then the brave blood surged back from his heart, he dropped his burden and plunged48 furiously in the[Pg 64] direction of the sound, actuated by he could not tell what terrible thoughts. A stifled49 scream spurred him on, like a buffalo50 he crashed through all obstacles, arriving presently in the open of a little glade51 amidst the thick boscage to find his sister, his darling Jenny, four years younger than himself, faintly struggling in the grasp of the two ex-convicts. He was transformed for the moment into a savage52, and leapt upon the nearest with a yell that would have quite become one of his dusky ancestors. The wretch53 upon whom he fell, taken by surprise, had no chance at all, for C. B. snatched him up as one does a filthy54 rag and hurled55 him with tremendous force against a tree hole, which he struck with a dull crash and fell limp and motionless.
The other scoundrel, letting go the trembling girl, rushed off into the bush, but C. B., full of fury, plunged after him, caught him in a dozen strides, and battered56 him with fists and feet in so furious a manner that in a very short time he was reduced to a helpless lump of inanimate flesh. Then C. B. desisted, panting, but beginning to feel compunction for the fury he had been led into, as well as fear that he had killed one or both of the wretches57. But I am truly thankful to say that such a feeling was only momentary58, justification59 of himself as being bound to act in the way he did or be unfit to live quickly succeeded, and he drew himself up again to the full stature60 of his grand young manhood. And then he thought of his poor young sister; but she, as soon as she was released from her savage assailants, had fled with the swiftness of an antelope61 to the settlement, nor stayed until she had found a group of men, to whom she told her story.
So as C. B. was puzzling himself as to how he should secure his prisoners—for, of course, he so[Pg 65] regarded them—three stalwart men, one of whom was his father, came crashing through the undergrowth and greeted him warmly. He said little but pointed62 to the evidence of his prowess. Both of the villains63 were just recovering from the shocks they had received, and were looking almost as if they had been dragged along under a harrow. They were very subdued64, and regarded C. B. with a great deal of respect, making no attempt at resistance as they were led away toward the village.
By this time the news of the affair had spread, and the whole community were gathering65 with looks of horror and consternation66 at the two wretches who had thus repaid, or attempted to repay, the loving-kindness to which they owed life and health. But little was said, and that only in whispers, as the prisoners were led to the house of the old patriarch who was at once minister and dispenser of law, the latter function indeed being quite a sinecure67 among this people whose love of righteousness was inbred and fostered in every imaginable way.
Arriving there, they were consigned68 to as near a substitute for a prison as the island afforded, a strongly built outhouse, their hurts being attended to and food and drink supplied them. Then they were left under guard, being informed that any attempt on their part to break loose would be followed immediately by their being tied up, for as they had chosen to behave as wild beasts, they must look to be treated as dangerous, and every precaution taken against them. Thoroughly69 cowed for the time by the rough handling they had received, the only argument they could understand, they attempted no protest against their confinement70, but sullenly71 accepted what was given them and done for them like men accustomed to bow submissively to the[Pg 66] inevitable72. And thus they were left to themselves, the guard keeping close watch outside.
Meanwhile the conduct of C. B. came under strong discussion. No one attempted to suggest that he had acted wrongly, for all were agreed that it was a matter of deepest thankfulness to God that he had arrived so opportunely73 and acted as promptly74 as he had done, and yet there was something disquieting75, not merely to the community, but to himself, in the fact that he had given way to such an outburst of savagery76. And all felt how terrible a thing it would have been if he had slain77 either or both of the villains, as he would most likely have done had he carried a weapon. He attempted no justification, showed no repentance78 for his action, but frankly79 admitted that he was horrified80 to find that he had so much of the savage in him. And strange as it may seem, though all looked upon him as quite a hero, it is no less true that with their admiration81 was mingled82 another feeling which they could not conceal83, a feeling which made them hold themselves slightly aloof84 from him and the sense of which cut him to the quick.
This, added to his previous unrest of spirit, decided85 him in his half-formed idea of leaving the island at the first opportunity and seeing the world. There was just a trace of bitterness in the thought that his resolution should have been fixed86 by an event of which he could not but feel proud, and could not help thinking should have made all his acquaintances proud of him too. But there it was, and no amount of meditation87 or self-examination would avail to alter it. So at the earliest opportunity when he was alone with his parents he told them of his resolve. For a few minutes neither[Pg 67] spoke, and then his still beautiful mother broke the silence, saying—
“Have you consulted the Lord about it, dear boy?”
“Yes, mother,” he replied truly, “but I have not asked for any guidance in the matter, for I feel, I have long felt, led to go. And I don’t believe that such a strong inclination88 as I have towards something that certainly is not wrong can be of the evil one. Besides it is not my own pleasure I am seeking, neither am I tired of my lovely home, but—well, I must go, that’s all.”
Thereafter his father and mother regarded the matter as settled, only mother like, Grace hoped that it might be a long time before an opportunity came—she wanted to keep her boy as long as possible. But it fell out that only a fortnight afterwards an extraordinary event for the islanders occurred: two vessels89 arrived off the landing place in one day and hove-to, one the British war-vessel Thetis, and the other the American whale-ship Eliza Adams, of New Bedford. Joyfully90 the boats’ crews sprang into their craft and pulled out to the vessels, one visiting the man-o’-war to convey the respects of the whole community to the representative of the country they loved so well, and the other, steered92 by C. B., to the whale-ship to inquire after their wants.
As soon as Philip, who was in charge of the first boat, had climbed on board and had saluted93 the deck, he inquired for the captain, and first, in time-honoured fashion, begged him to consider the resources of the island at his disposal and to do them the honour of paying them a visit to the shore in their boat. The captain having gravely accepted the latter invitation and declared his intention of[Pg 68] paying for whatever produce they might supply, Philip informed him that they had a favour to ask which they earnestly hoped he would see his way to grant, and then proceeded to tell him the story of their undesirable94 visitors, assuring him that the peace of the island had been destroyed since their arrival, and that now matters were worse than ever, since the miscreants must needs be watched day and night lest they should escape and do some fiendish deed in revenge, adding that on their own showing they were capable of any villainy. The captain listened patiently, and as soon as Philip had done talking replied in cheery tones—
“Make your mind easy, Mr. Adams; it’s not only a pleasure to grant your request to take these scoundrels off your hands, but my duty. I have been officially warned of their escape by the authorities and told to look out for them, and I shall be only too glad to rid you of them.”
Philip thanked the captain and requested the loan of a couple of pairs of handcuffs, saying that he would not put the captain to the trouble of sending a boat for them but would bring them off. The captain immediately assented96, and in five minutes’ time the boat was flying shoreward with the captain and two of his officers seated in the stern sheets, quite glad of the opportunity afforded them of visiting this wonderful little community whose fame as a model settlement had spread all over the English-speaking world.
But the joy of the islanders who can depict97, when Philip told them of their approaching deliverance from the misery98 under which they had laboured. Do not think them selfish or unmindful of their obligations to their fellow-men because they were[Pg 69] glad to get rid of these undesirables99. Had the latter been amenable100 to kindness or at all to be influenced by goodness so palpably manifested towards them, things would have been quite different. Every effort had been made, more by practice even than precept101, to soften102 those flinty natures, but all such attempts had been met by the most brutal103 and hideous104 language as well as threats, of diabolical105 revenge if ever the chance came. It delighted those foul creatures to see the islanders wince106 at the awful words and blanch107 at what they were by no means inclined to regard empty threats, although it was happily impossible for them to realize fully91 the significance of some of the worst of them.
Most of the islanders were on the strand108 ready to welcome the captain of the Thetis when he stepped ashore109, and he and his officers were reverentially borne off to the magistrate’s house, and offered the best that the island afforded in the way of refreshments110. On the way thither111 the news flew from lip to lip that they were to be freed from the prisoners, and the air resounded112 with songs of thanksgiving. Being a man of prompt action, Captain Thurston, as soon as he was comfortably installed at the magistrate’s, asked for the two prisoners to be brought before him, and as soon as the handcuffs had been put upon them his wish was obeyed.
When they were brought he addressed them in French, but was answered by a flood of foulest113 abuse, language that made even his tanned cheek flush and his hand seek the sword at his side. But he quickly mastered his rising temper and ordered them to be taken away and held in readiness for carrying on board. Turning to his host, he said quietly—
[Pg 70]
“I think you are to be congratulated in that you have escaped serious injury at the hands of these ruffians, for I don’t think they would hesitate to commit any crime that lay within their power if the fit seized them.”
To which the dear old man made answer—
“We have never ceased thanking God for that He saved us from such a calamity114 as that would have been, and we have now the answer to our prayers that He would send a British man-o’-war to take them away from our midst lest our vigilance should relax and they break out among us like two ravening115 wolves in a flock of sheep.”
But we must return to C. B. on his separate mission to the whaler. As he swung his boat around and came alongside of her in true whaling fashion he was conscious that all hands were watching him, from the four pairs of keen eyes at the mastheads to the captain on top of the little monkey poop. But he was well trained and in no way shy, so he swung himself on board, being met by the mate and greeted cordially. All hands were gathered in the waist, separate, of course, according to their station, and admiring glances were cast upon their magnificent young visitor, who towered nearly a head and shoulders over the tallest man there. His simple garb116 of shirt and trousers, the former buttonless and with sleeves cut off above the elbow, and the latter rolled up to the knees, set off his splendid proportions to the best advantage, while his noble head, bare save for clustering curls, and with a face of rare open beauty, apparently117 fascinated every one there.
The mate in particular was almost stupefied, but pulled himself together quickly, saying—
“Come aft, young man, an’ see th’ capt’n;[Pg 71] we’re in want of fresh provisions, an’ we hope that there war canoe won’t scoff118 the hull119 amount befo’ we can get a look in.”
C. B. turned on him a dazzling smile, showing two perfect rows of teeth as white as curd120 and remarked—
“That isn’t our fashion, sir. Whatever we have to dispose of, be sure you shall have your share of it. I will guarantee that.”
The mate muttered something which sounded like “Sure enough white man, any way;” and, confronted with the skipper, introduced the visitor.
Captain Taber was a man whose aspect alone was sufficient to win confidence from any one not absolutely beyond the pale. He was one of the grand old Quaker type who dare do anything but lie or cheat, inflexibly121 just but tenderly merciful also where mercy was not a cruelty. You could not look into those deep grey eyes and mistrust him, the firm curves of the closely shut mouth and the huge benevolent122 nose spelt good man in characters that those who ran might read. He wore the old typical Yankee beard with clean shaven upper lip, and his garb was a long grey coat and broad-brimmed grey felt hat. Grasping his visitor firmly by the hand, he said, “Welcome, young man, aboard th’ Eliza Adams. I’m glad to see you, and indeed it isn’t every day one’s eyes light upon so fine a specimen123 o’ mankind as you be. Now what ha’ ye got to trade? We’re in want of fresh provisions of all kinds if you can make the price to suit us.”
“If you have ever been here before or to Pitcairn, captain,” replied C. B., “you’ll know that dollars mean nothing to us. Clothing, dress material, tools and books, are our chief need, and we are[Pg 72] always prepared to deal liberally with everybody or not at all. We may not be able to supply you as amply as we would like to-day because of the arrival of the warship124, but as I told your mate, we shall show the strictest impartiality125 in dividing what we have to sell.”
For a moment the captain gazed at C. B. in silence, and then turning to his mate, said—
“Say, Mr. Winsloe, it ain’t often you find the contents match the casket, is it? But here’s a feller ez handsom’ as a statoo, an’ talkin’ like an angel. Well, he’s a phenomenon.” Then, turning to C. B., the old man said—
“Excuse me, I forgot my manners; you see we don’t come across men like you every day.”
C. B. smiled shyly and answered, “It’s all right, sir, I was hardly noticing. In fact, I was just then thinking of asking you whether by any chance you might have a vacancy126 aboard for a boat-steerer?” The skipper’s face was a study as he stood transfixed with astonishment127 and then burst into a roar of happy laughter, while the big tears ran down his russet cheeks. When at last he recovered his breath he gasped—
“Well, now, if that don’t beat all. Ben short of a harponeer goin’ on three months since poor Diego got chawed up, and here’s one ready made for us, that is if he can handle an iron like he can a steer-oar. Can ye now by any happy chance?” he inquired almost wistfully of the young man.
“If you’ll let me try, sir, with one of the irons in the waist-boat I’ll show you,” replied C. B.
The skipper nodded assent95, and C. B., shouting to one of his boat’s crew to throw him up the baling gourd128, sprang into the waist-boat with it, and when he had bent129 on a lance warp130 or short line to a[Pg 73] harpoon131 he flung the gourd well away from the ship into the sea. Then poising132 the heavy weapon he balanced himself for a moment, a perfect model for a sculptor133, and hurled it at the tiny object. The harpoon described a regular parabola and fell, splitting the gourd in half, while an involuntary cheer went up from the crew.
“That’s as good as I want,” muttered the skipper, and then aloud to C. B.: “Had any experience on whale?”
“Oh yes, sir,” brightly responded the young man, “we do considerable whaling here. In fact, we’ve got about thirty barrels of humpback oil here now; we’d be glad to trade with you if we can come to terms.”
“All right,” returned the captain, “we’ll talk about that later; the thing now is to get you. Half the cruise is over, that is I can engage you for about two years at the fiftieth lay and three hundred dollars a ton for sperm134 oil, market price for black. An’ if you’re willin’, I’ll put you on the articles now.”
“I came principally for that purpose,” replied C. B. with sincerity135, and within ten minutes he was enrolled136 as captain’s boat-steerer of the ship Eliza Adams, presently cruising for sperm whales in the Pacific Ocean with some twenty-two months of her voyage to serve.
I cannot say that C. B. felt excited or uplifted at this accomplishment137 of his desires, but he certainly felt that satisfaction which arises from the banishment138 of uncertainty139, and with a contented face he took his position in his boat again ready to pilot the skipper in, who was lowering his own boat. A very few words sufficed to convey to his friends in the boat the news of his step, but they were enough to reduce the warm-hearted fellows to[Pg 74] tears. For the departure of any one from that happy community, where all were related and where all were friends, was looked upon by everybody in the nature of a personal bereavement140, and indeed was considered much more serious than death, because when any one died those remaining really believed that the departed one had entered into a far happier state of life than could be possible on earth, and that sorrow for them was unnatural141 and wrong.
But no word was spoken as they sped towards the beach, the seasoned hands in the skipper’s boat straining every nerve to keep up with them. A bit of skilful142 piloting was needed, but the skipper was an old hand at surf boating, and handled his boat with consummate143 skill. And as soon as she touched the beach there were twenty willing hands ready to grab her and run her up until the wave receded144, when all hands jumped out and assisted to drag her high and dry.
In five minutes the news had spread to every member of the community that C. B. was going away, and great were the lamentations. Indeed, it was fortunate that the captain of the Thetis demanded their attention as he had to hurry away, as that took the edge off somewhat. C. B.’s boat with a fresh crew was requisitioned to carry off the huge load of fresh fruit, meat and vegetables that had been collected, while the captain with the two desperadoes would go off in a boat free from a hampering145 load of provisions. Glad as they were to get rid of the terrible creatures that had worried them so long, and also that they had been of service to a man-o’-war, there were few of the usual demonstrations146 as the boats pushed off, for their hearts were very heavy at the loss of C. B., in spite of all they had felt lately.
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1
streak
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| n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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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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mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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survivors
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| 幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 ) | |
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killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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guardians
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| 监护人( guardian的名词复数 )； 保护者，维护者 | |
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imprisonment
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| n.关押，监禁，坐牢 | |
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scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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spoke
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| 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 | |
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torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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succumbed
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| 不再抵抗（诱惑、疾病、攻击等）( succumb的过去式和过去分词 )； 屈从； 被压垮； 死 | |
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lone
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| adj.孤寂的，单独的；唯一的 | |
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advent
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| n.(重要事件等的)到来，来临 | |
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callous
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| adj.无情的，冷淡的，硬结的，起老茧的 | |
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primitive
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| adj.原始的；简单的；n.原(始)人，原始事物 | |
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isolating
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| adj.孤立的，绝缘的v.使隔离( isolate的现在分词 )；将…剔出（以便看清和单独处理）；使（某物质、细胞等）分离；使离析 | |
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frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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contagious
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| adj.传染性的，有感染力的 | |
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disapproval
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| n.反对，不赞成 | |
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foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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lamentable
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| adj.令人惋惜的，悔恨的 | |
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colloquially
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| adv.用白话，用通俗语 | |
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vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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intercourse
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| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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vestige
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| n.痕迹，遗迹，残余 | |
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avowed
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| adj.公开声明的，承认的v.公开声明，承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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35
slay
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| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
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36
embittered
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| v.使怨恨，激怒( embitter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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37
degenerate
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| v.退步，堕落；adj.退步的，堕落的；n.堕落者 | |
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38
prated
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| v.（古时用语）唠叨，啰唆( prate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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39
bragged
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| v.自夸，吹嘘( brag的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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40
anarchists
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| 无政府主义者( anarchist的名词复数 ) | |
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41
professing
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| 声称( profess的现在分词 )； 宣称； 公开表明； 信奉 | |
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42
incubus
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| n.负担；恶梦 | |
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43
miscreants
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| n.恶棍，歹徒( miscreant的名词复数 ) | |
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44
watchfulness
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| 警惕，留心； 警觉（性） | |
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45
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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46
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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47
apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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48
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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49
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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50
buffalo
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| n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛 | |
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51
glade
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| n.林间空地，一片表面有草的沼泽低地 | |
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52
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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53
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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54
filthy
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| adj.卑劣的；恶劣的，肮脏的 | |
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55
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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56
battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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57
wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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58
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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59
justification
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| n.正当的理由；辩解的理由 | |
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60
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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61
antelope
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| n.羚羊；羚羊皮 | |
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62
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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63
villains
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| n.恶棍( villain的名词复数 )；罪犯；（小说、戏剧等中的）反面人物；淘气鬼 | |
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64
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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65
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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66
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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67
sinecure
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| n.闲差事，挂名职务 | |
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68
consigned
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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69
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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70
confinement
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| n.幽禁，拘留，监禁；分娩；限制，局限 | |
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71
sullenly
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| 不高兴地，绷着脸，忧郁地 | |
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72
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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73
opportunely
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| adv.恰好地，适时地 | |
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74
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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75
disquieting
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| adj.令人不安的，令人不平静的v.使不安，使忧虑，使烦恼( disquiet的现在分词 ) | |
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76
savagery
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| n.野性 | |
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77
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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78
repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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79
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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80
horrified
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| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
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81
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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82
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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83
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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84
aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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85
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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86
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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87
meditation
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| n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录 | |
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88
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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89
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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90
joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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91
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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92
steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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93
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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94
undesirable
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| adj.不受欢迎的，不良的，不合意的，讨厌的；n.不受欢迎的人，不良分子 | |
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95
assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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96
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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97
depict
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| vt.描画，描绘；描写，描述 | |
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98
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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99
undesirables
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| 不受欢迎的人，不良分子( undesirable的名词复数 ) | |
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100
amenable
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| adj.经得起检验的；顺从的；对负有义务的 | |
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101
precept
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| n.戒律；格言 | |
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102
soften
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| v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和 | |
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103
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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104
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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105
diabolical
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| adj.恶魔似的，凶暴的 | |
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106
wince
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| n.畏缩，退避，（因痛苦，苦恼等)面部肌肉抽动；v.畏缩，退缩，退避 | |
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107
blanch
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| v.漂白；使变白；使(植物)不见日光而变白 | |
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108
strand
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| vt.使（船）搁浅，使（某人）困于（某地） | |
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109
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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110
refreshments
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| n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
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111
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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112
resounded
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| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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113
foulest
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| adj.恶劣的( foul的最高级 )；邪恶的；难闻的；下流的 | |
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114
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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115
ravening
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| a.贪婪而饥饿的 | |
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116
garb
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| n.服装，装束 | |
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117
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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118
scoff
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| n.嘲笑，笑柄，愚弄；v.嘲笑，嘲弄，愚弄，狼吞虎咽 | |
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119
hull
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| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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120
curd
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| n.凝乳；凝乳状物 | |
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121
inflexibly
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| adv.不屈曲地，不屈地 | |
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122
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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123
specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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124
warship
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| n.军舰，战舰 | |
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125
impartiality
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| n. 公平, 无私, 不偏 | |
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126
vacancy
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| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
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127
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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128
gourd
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| n.葫芦 | |
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129
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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130
warp
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| vt.弄歪，使翘曲，使不正常，歪曲，使有偏见 | |
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131
harpoon
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| n.鱼叉；vt.用鱼叉叉，用鱼叉捕获 | |
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132
poising
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| 使平衡( poise的现在分词 )； 保持（某种姿势）； 抓紧； 使稳定 | |
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133
sculptor
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| n.雕刻家，雕刻家 | |
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134
sperm
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| n.精子，精液 | |
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135
sincerity
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| n.真诚，诚意；真实 | |
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136
enrolled
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| adj.入学登记了的v.[亦作enrol]( enroll的过去式和过去分词 )；登记，招收，使入伍（或入会、入学等），参加，成为成员；记入名册；卷起，包起 | |
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137
accomplishment
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| n.完成，成就，（pl.）造诣，技能 | |
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138
banishment
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| n.放逐，驱逐 | |
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139
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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140
bereavement
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| n.亲人丧亡，丧失亲人，丧亲之痛 | |
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141
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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142
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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143
consummate
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| adj.完美的；v.成婚；使完美 [反]baffle | |
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144
receded
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的过去式和过去分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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145
hampering
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| 妨碍，束缚，限制( hamper的现在分词 ) | |
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146
demonstrations
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| 证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威 | |
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