Before leaving the magistrate1's estancia I had made up my mind to return by the shortest route, and as quickly as possible, to Montevideo; and that morning, mounted on a well-rested horse, I covered a great deal of ground. By twelve o'clock, when I stopped to rest my horse and get some refreshment2 at a wayside pulpería, I had got over about eight leagues. This was travelling at an imprudent pace, of course; but in the Banda Orientál it is so easy to pick up a fresh horse that one becomes somewhat reckless. My journey that morning had taken me over the eastern portion of the Durazno district, and I was everywhere charmed with the beauty of the country, though it was still very dry, the grass on the higher lands being burnt to various shades of yellow and brown. Now, however, the summer heats were over, for the time was near the end of February; the temperature, without being oppressive, was deliciously warm, so that travelling on horseback was delightful3. I might fill dozens of pages with descriptions of pretty bits of country I passed that day, but must plead guilty of an unconquerable aversion to this kind of writing. After this candid4 confession5, I hope the reader will not quarrel with me for the omission6; besides, anyone who cares for these things, and knows how evanescent are the impressions left by word pictures on the mind, can sail the seas and gallop7 round the world to see them all for himself. It is not, however, every wanderer from England—I blush while saying it—who can make himself familiar with the home habits, the ways of thought and speech, of a distant people. Bid me discourse8 of lowly valley, lofty height, of barren waste, shady wood, or cooling stream where I have drunk and been refreshed; but all these places, pleasant or dreary9, must be in the kingdom called the heart.
After getting some information about the country I had to traverse from the pulpero, who told me that I would probably reach the River Yí before evening, I resumed my journey. About four o'clock in the afternoon I came to an extensive wood of thorn-trees, of which the pulpero had spoken, and, in accordance with his instructions, I skirted it on the eastern side. The trees were not large, but there was an engaging wildness about this forest, full of the musical chatter10 of birds, which tempted11 me to alight from my horse and rest for an hour in the shade. Taking the bit from his mouth to let him feed, I threw myself down on the dry grass under a clump12 of shady thorns, and for half an hour watched the sparkling sunlight falling through the foliage13 overhead, and listened to the feathered people that came about me, loudly chirping14, apparently15 curious to know what object had brought me to their haunts. Then I began to think of all the people I had recently mixed with: the angry magistrate and his fat wife—horrid woman!—and Marcos Marcó, that shabby rascal16, rose up before me to pass quickly away, and once more I was face to face with that lovely mystery Margarita. In imagination I put forth17 my hands to take hers, and drew her towards me so as to look more closely into her eyes, vainly questioning them as to their pure sapphire18 hue19. Then I imagined or dreamt that with trembling fingers I unbraided her hair to let it fall like a splendid golden mantle20 over her mean dress, and asked her how she came to possess that garment of glory. The sweet, grave, child lips smiled, but returned no answer. Then a shadowy face seemed to shape itself dimly against the green curtain of foliage, and, looking over the fair girl's shoulder, gaze sadly into my eyes. It was the face of Paquíta. Ah, sweet wife, never let the green-eyed monster trouble the peace of your heart! Know that the practical Saxon mind of your husband is puzzling itself over a purely21 scientific problem, that this surpassingly fair child interests me only because her fairness seems to upset all physiological22 laws. I was, in fact, just sinking to sleep at this moment when the shrill23 note of a trumpet24 blown close by and followed by loud shouts from several voices made me spring instantly to my feet. A storm of answering shouts came from another quarter of the wood, then followed profound silence. Presently the trumpet sounded again, making me feel very much alarmed. My first impulse was to spring on to my horse and ride away for dear life; but, on second thoughts, I concluded that it would be safer to remain concealed25 amongst the trees, as by leaving them I should only reveal myself to the robbers or rebels, or whatever they were. I bridled27 my horse so as to be ready to run, then drew him into a close thicket28 of dark-foliaged bushes and fastened him there. The silence that had fallen on the wood continued, and at last, unable to bear the suspense29 longer, I began to make my way cautiously, revolver in hand, towards the point the sounds had proceeded from. Stealing softly through the bushes and trees where they grew near together, I came at length in sight of an open piece of ground, about two or three hundred yards wide, and overgrown with grass. Near its border on one side I was amazed to see a group of about a dozen boys, their ages ranging from about ten to fifteen, all standing30 perfectly31 motionless. One of them held a trumpet in his hand, and they all wore red handkerchiefs or rags tied round their heads. Suddenly, while I crouched32 amongst the leafage watching them, a shrill note sounded from the opposite side of the open space, and another troop of boys wearing white on their heads burst from the trees and advanced with loud shouts of vivas and mueras towards the middle of the ground. Again the red heads sounded their trumpet, and went out boldly to meet the new-comers. As the two bands approached each other, each led by a big boy, who turned at intervals33 and with many wild gestures addressed his followers34, apparently to encourage them, I was amazed to see them all suddenly draw out long knives, such as the native horsemen usually wear, and rush furiously together. In a moment they were mingled35 together in a desperate fight, uttering the most horrible yells, their long weapons glittering in the sunshine as they brandished36 them about. With such fury did they fight that in a few moments all the combatants lay stretched out on the grass, excepting three boys wearing the red badges. One of these bloodthirsty young miscreants37 then snatched up the trumpet and blew a victorious39 blast, while the other two shrieked40 an accompaniment of vivas and mueras. While they were thus occupied one of the white-headed boys struggled to his feet, and, snatching up a knife, charged the three reds with desperate courage. Had I not been perfectly paralysed with amazement41 at what I had witnessed, I should then have rushed out to aid this boy in his forlorn attempt; but in an instant his three foes42 were on him and dragged him down to the ground. Two of them then held him fast by the legs and arms, the other raised his long knife, and was just about to plunge43 it in the struggling captive's breast, when, uttering a loud yell, I sprang up and rushed at them. Instantly they started up and fled screaming towards the trees in the greatest terror; and then, most wonderful thing of all, the dead boys all came to life, and, springing to their feet, fled from me after the others. This brought me to a stand, when, seeing that one of the boys limped painfully after his companions, hopping44 on one leg, I made a sudden dash and captured him before he could reach the shelter of the trees.
“Oh, señor, do not kill me!” he pleaded, bursting into tears.
“I have no wish to kill you, you unspeakable young miscreant38, but I think I ought to thrash you,” I answered, for, though greatly relieved at the turn things had taken, I was excessively annoyed at having experienced all those sensations of blood-curdling horror for nothing.
“We were only playing at Whites and Reds,” he pleaded.
I then made him sit down and tell me all about this singular game.
None of the boys lived very near, he said; some of them came a distance of several leagues, and they had selected this locality for their sports on account of its seclusion45, for they did not like to be found out. Their game was a mimic46 war of Whites and Reds, manoeuvres, surprises, skirmishes, throat-cutting, and all.
I pitied the young patriot47 at the last, for he had sprained48 his ankle badly and could scarcely walk, and so assisted him to the spot where his horse was hidden; then, having helped him to mount and given him a cigarette, for which he had the impudence49 to ask me, I laughingly bade him good-bye. I went back to look for my own horse after that, beginning to feel very much amused at the whole thing; but, alas50! my steed was gone. The young scoundrels had stolen him, to revenge themselves on me, I suppose, for disturbing them; and to relieve me from all doubt in the matter they left two bits of rag, one white and the other red, attached to the branch I had fastened the bridle26 to. For some time I wandered about the wood, and even shouted aloud in the wild hope that the young fiends were not going to carry things so far as to leave me without a horse in that solitary51 place. Nothing could I see or hear of them, however, and as it was getting late and I wasbecoming desperately52 hungry and thirsty, I resolved to go in search of some habitation.
On emerging from the forest I found the adjacent plain covered with cattle quietly grazing. Any attempt to pass through the herd53 would have been almost certain death, as these more than half-wild beasts will always take revenge on their master man when they catch him dismounted in the open. As they were coming up from the direction of the river, and were slowly grazing past the wood, I resolved to wait for them to pass on before leaving my concealment54. I sat down and tried to be patient, but the brutes55 were in no hurry, and went on skirting the wood at a snail's pace. It was about six o'clock before the last stragglers had left, and then I ventured out from my hiding-place, hungry as a wolf and afraid of being overtaken by night before finding any human habitation. I had left the trees half a mile behind me, and was walking hurriedly along towards the valley of the Yí, when, passing over a hillock, I suddenly found myself in sight of a bull resting on the grass and quietly chewing his cud. Unfortunately the brute56 saw me at the same moment and immediately stood up. He was, I think, about three or four years old, and a bull of that age is even more dangerous than an older one; for he is quite as truculent57 as the other and far more active. There was no refuge of any kind near, and I knew very well that to attempt to escape by running would only increase my danger, so after gazing at him for a few moments I assumed an easy, unconcerned manner and walked on; but he was not going to be taken in that way, and began to follow me. Then for the first, and I devoutly58 hope for the last, time in my life I was compelled to resort to the gaucho59 plan, and, casting myself face downwards60 on the earth, lay there simulating death. It is a miserable61, dangerous expedient62, but, in the circumstances I found myself, the only one offering a chance of escape from a very terrible death. In a few moments I heard his heavy tramp, then felt him sniffing63 me all over. After that he tried unsuccessfully to roll me over, in order to study my face, I suppose. It was horrible to endure the prods64 he gave me and lie still, but after a while he grew quieter, and contented65 himself by simply keeping guard over me; occasionally smelling at my head, then turning round to smell at my heels. Probably his theory was, if he had one, that I had fainted with fear at the sight of him and would recover presently, but he was not quite sure at which end of me returning life would first show itself. About once in every five or six minutes he seemed to get impatient, and then he would paw me with his heavy hoof66, uttering a low, hoarse67 moaning, spattering me with froth from his mouth; but as he showed no disposition68 to leave, I at last resolved to try a very bold experiment, for my position was becoming unendurable. I waited till the brute's head was turned from me, then worked my hand cautiously down to my revolver; but before I had quite drawn69 it, he noticed the movement and wheeled swiftly round, kicking my legs as he did so. Just as he brought his head round close to mine, I discharged the weapon in his face, and the sudden explosion so terrified him that he turned tail and fled, never pausing in his lumbering70 gallop till he was out of sight. It was a glorious victory; and though I could scarcely stand on my legs at first, so stiff and bruised71 did I feel all over, I laughed with joy, and even sent another bullet whizzing after the retreating monster, accompanying the discharge with a wild yell of triumph.
After that I proceeded without further interruption on my walk, and, had I not felt so ravenously72 hungry and so sore where the bull had trod on me or prodded73 me with his horns, the walk would have been very enjoyable, for I was now approaching the Yí. The ground grew moist and green, and flowers abounded74, many of them new to me, and so lovely and fragrant75 that in my admiration76 for them I almost forgot my pain. The sun went down, but no house appeared in sight. Over the western heavens flamed the brilliant hues77 of the afterglow, and from the long grass came the sad, monotonous78 trill of some night insect. Troops of hooded79 gulls81 flew by me on their way from their feeding grounds to the water, uttering their long, hoarse, laughter-like cries. How buoyant and happy they seemed, flying with their stomachs full to their rest; while I, dismounted and supperless, dragged painfully on like a gull80 that had been left behind with a broken wing. Presently, through the purple and saffron-hued vapours in the western sky, the evening star appeared, large and luminous82, the herald83 of swift-coming darkness; and then—weary, bruised, hungry, baffled, and despondent—I sat down to meditate84 on my forlorn position.
点击收听单词发音
1 magistrate | |
n.地方行政官,地方法官,治安官 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2 refreshment | |
n.恢复,精神爽快,提神之事物;(复数)refreshments:点心,茶点 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3 delightful | |
adj.令人高兴的,使人快乐的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4 candid | |
adj.公正的,正直的;坦率的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5 confession | |
n.自白,供认,承认 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6 omission | |
n.省略,删节;遗漏或省略的事物,冗长 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7 gallop | |
v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔;飞速发展 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8 discourse | |
n.论文,演说;谈话;话语;vi.讲述,著述 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9 dreary | |
adj.令人沮丧的,沉闷的,单调乏味的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10 chatter | |
vi./n.喋喋不休;短促尖叫;(牙齿)打战 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
11 tempted | |
v.怂恿(某人)干不正当的事;冒…的险(tempt的过去分词) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
12 clump | |
n.树丛,草丛;vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
13 foliage | |
n.叶子,树叶,簇叶 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
14 chirping | |
鸟叫,虫鸣( chirp的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
15 apparently | |
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
16 rascal | |
n.流氓;不诚实的人 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
17 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
18 sapphire | |
n.青玉,蓝宝石;adj.天蓝色的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
19 hue | |
n.色度;色调;样子 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
20 mantle | |
n.斗篷,覆罩之物,罩子;v.罩住,覆盖,脸红 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
21 purely | |
adv.纯粹地,完全地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
22 physiological | |
adj.生理学的,生理学上的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
23 shrill | |
adj.尖声的;刺耳的;v尖叫 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
24 trumpet | |
n.喇叭,喇叭声;v.吹喇叭,吹嘘 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
25 concealed | |
a.隐藏的,隐蔽的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
26 bridle | |
n.笼头,束缚;vt.抑制,约束;动怒 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
27 bridled | |
给…套龙头( bridle的过去式和过去分词 ); 控制; 昂首表示轻蔑(或怨忿等); 动怒,生气 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
28 thicket | |
n.灌木丛,树林 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
29 suspense | |
n.(对可能发生的事)紧张感,担心,挂虑 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
30 standing | |
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
31 perfectly | |
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
32 crouched | |
v.屈膝,蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
33 intervals | |
n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 );间隔时间;[数学]区间;(戏剧、电影或音乐会的)幕间休息 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
34 followers | |
追随者( follower的名词复数 ); 用户; 契据的附面; 从动件 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
35 mingled | |
混合,混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 ); 混进,与…交往[联系] | |
参考例句: |
|
|
36 brandished | |
v.挥舞( brandish的过去式和过去分词 );炫耀 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
37 miscreants | |
n.恶棍,歹徒( miscreant的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
38 miscreant | |
n.恶棍 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
39 victorious | |
adj.胜利的,得胜的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
40 shrieked | |
v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
41 amazement | |
n.惊奇,惊讶 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
42 foes | |
敌人,仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
43 plunge | |
v.跳入,(使)投入,(使)陷入;猛冲 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
44 hopping | |
n. 跳跃 动词hop的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
45 seclusion | |
n.隐遁,隔离 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
46 mimic | |
v.模仿,戏弄;n.模仿他人言行的人 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
47 patriot | |
n.爱国者,爱国主义者 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
48 sprained | |
v.&n. 扭伤 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
49 impudence | |
n.厚颜无耻;冒失;无礼 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
50 alas | |
int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
51 solitary | |
adj.孤独的,独立的,荒凉的;n.隐士 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
52 desperately | |
adv.极度渴望地,绝望地,孤注一掷地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
53 herd | |
n.兽群,牧群;vt.使集中,把…赶在一起 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
54 concealment | |
n.隐藏, 掩盖,隐瞒 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
55 brutes | |
兽( brute的名词复数 ); 畜生; 残酷无情的人; 兽性 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
56 brute | |
n.野兽,兽性 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
57 truculent | |
adj.野蛮的,粗野的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
58 devoutly | |
adv.虔诚地,虔敬地,衷心地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
59 gaucho | |
n. 牧人 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
60 downwards | |
adj./adv.向下的(地),下行的(地) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
61 miserable | |
adj.悲惨的,痛苦的;可怜的,糟糕的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
62 expedient | |
adj.有用的,有利的;n.紧急的办法,权宜之计 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
63 sniffing | |
n.探查法v.以鼻吸气,嗅,闻( sniff的现在分词 );抽鼻子(尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气);抱怨,不以为然地说 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
64 prods | |
n.刺,戳( prod的名词复数 );刺激;促使;(用手指或尖物)戳v.刺,戳( prod的第三人称单数 );刺激;促使;(用手指或尖物)戳 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
65 contented | |
adj.满意的,安心的,知足的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
66 hoof | |
n.(马,牛等的)蹄 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
67 hoarse | |
adj.嘶哑的,沙哑的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
68 disposition | |
n.性情,性格;意向,倾向;排列,部署 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
69 drawn | |
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
70 lumbering | |
n.采伐林木 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
71 bruised | |
[医]青肿的,瘀紫的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
72 ravenously | |
adv.大嚼地,饥饿地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
73 prodded | |
v.刺,戳( prod的过去式和过去分词 );刺激;促使;(用手指或尖物)戳 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
74 abounded | |
v.大量存在,充满,富于( abound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
75 fragrant | |
adj.芬香的,馥郁的,愉快的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
76 admiration | |
n.钦佩,赞美,羡慕 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
77 hues | |
色彩( hue的名词复数 ); 色调; 信仰; 观点 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
78 monotonous | |
adj.单调的,一成不变的,使人厌倦的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
79 hooded | |
adj.戴头巾的;有罩盖的;颈部因肋骨运动而膨胀的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
80 gull | |
n.鸥;受骗的人;v.欺诈 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
81 gulls | |
n.鸥( gull的名词复数 )v.欺骗某人( gull的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
82 luminous | |
adj.发光的,发亮的;光明的;明白易懂的;有启发的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
83 herald | |
vt.预示...的来临,预告,宣布,欢迎 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
84 meditate | |
v.想,考虑,(尤指宗教上的)沉思,冥想 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
欢迎访问英文小说网 |