Another Providential Deliverance from the Effects of the Smuggler1’s Ingenious Conjecture2.
During these deliberations, the wine merchant, with a view to make a parade of his superior parts and breeding, as well as to pave the way for a match at backgammon, made a tender of his snuff-box to our adventurer, and asked, in bad French, how he travelled from Paris. This question produced a series of interrogations concerning the place of Ferdinand’s abode3 in that city, and his business in England, so that he was fain to practise the science of defence, and answered with such ambiguity4, as aroused the suspicion of the smuggler, who began to believe our hero had some very cogent5 reason for evading6 his curiosity; he immediately set his reflection at work, and, after various conjectures8, fixed9 upon Fathom10’s being the Young Pretender. Big with this supposition, he eyed him with the most earnest attention, comparing his features with those of the Chevalier’s portrait which he had seen in France, and though the faces were as unlike as any two human faces could be, found the resemblance so striking as to dispel11 all his doubts, and persuade him to introduce the stranger to some justice on the road; a step by which he would not only manifest his zeal12 for the Protestant succession, but also acquire the splendid reward proposed by parliament to any person who should apprehend13 that famous adventurer.
These ideas intoxicated14 the brain of this man to such a pitch of enthusiasm, that he actually believed himself in possession of the thirty thousand pounds, and amused his fancy with a variety of magnificent projects to be executed by means of that acquisition, until his reverie was interrupted by the halting of the coach at the inn where the passengers used to eat their breakfasts. Waked as he was from the dream of happiness, it had made such impression upon his mind, that, seeing Fathom rise up with an intention to alight, he took it for granted his design was to escape, and seizing him by the collar, called aloud for assistance in the King’s name.
Our hero, whose sagacity and presence of mind very often supplied the place of courage, instead of being terrified at this assault, which might have disturbed the tranquillity15 of an ordinary villain16, was so perfectly17 master of every circumstance of his own situation, as to know at once that the aggressor could not possibly have the least cause of complaint against him; and therefore, imputing18 this violence either to madness or mistake, very deliberately19 suffered himself to be made prisoner by the people of the house, who ran to the coach door in obedience20 to the summons of the wine merchant. The rest of the company were struck dumb with surprise and consternation21 at this sudden adventure; and the quaker, dreading22 some fell resistance on the side of the outlandish man, unpinned the other coach door in the twinkling of an eye, and trundled himself into the mud for safety. The others, seeing the temper and resignation of the prisoner, soon recovered their recollection, and began to inquire into the cause of his arrest, upon which, the captor, whose teeth chattered23 with terror and impatience24, gave them to understand that he was a state criminal, and demanded their help in conveying him to justice.
Luckily for both parties, there happened to be at the inn a company of squires25 just returned from the death of a leash27 of hares, which they had ordered to be dressed for dinner, and among these gentlemen was one of the quorum28, to whom the accuser had immediate7 recourse, marching before the captive, who walked very peaceably between the landlord and one of his waiters, and followed by a crowd of spectators, some of whom had secured the faithful Maurice, who in his behaviour closely imitated the deliberation of his master. In this order did the procession advance to the apartment in which the magistrate29, with his fellows of the chase, sat smoking his morning pipe over a tankard of strong ale, and the smuggler being directed to the right person, “May it please your worship,” said he, “I have brought this foreigner before you, on a violent suspicion of his being a proclaimed outlaw30; and I desire, before these witnesses, that my title may be made good to the reward that shall become due upon his conviction.”
“Friend,” replied the justice, “I know nothing of you or your titles; but this I know, if you have any information to give in, you must come to my house when I am at home, and proceed in a lawful31 way, that is, d’ye mind me, if you swear as how this here person is an outlaw; then if so be as he has nothing to say to the contrary, my clerk shall make out a mittimus, and so to jail with him till next ‘size.” “But, sir,” answered the impeacher, “this is a case that admits of no delay; the person I have apprehended32 is a prisoner of consequence to the state.” “How, fellor!” cried the magistrate, interrupting him, “is there any person of more consequence than one of his Majesty33’s justices of the peace, who is besides a considerable member of the landed interest! D’ye know, sirrah, who you are talking to? If you don’t go about your business, I believe I shall lay you by the heels.”
The smuggler, fearing his prize would escape through the ignorance, pride, and obstinacy34 of this country justice, approached his worship, and in a whisper which was overheard by all the company, assured him he had indubitable reason to believe the foreigner was no other than the Pretender’s eldest35 son. At mention of this formidable name, every individual of the audience started, with signs of terror and amazement36. The justice dropped his pipe, recoiled37 upon his chair, and, looking most ridiculously aghast, exclaimed, “Seize him, in the name of God and his Majesty King George! Has he got no secret arms about him!”
Fathom being thus informed of the suspicion under which he stood, could not help smiling at the eagerness with which the spectators flew upon him, and suffered himself to be searched with great composure, well knowing they would find no moveables about his person, but such as upon examination would turn to his account; he therefore very calmly presented to the magistrate his purse, and a small box that contained his jewels, and in the French language desired they might be preserved from the hands of the mob. This request was interpreted by the accuser, who, at the same time, laid claim to the booty. The justice took charge of the deposit, and one of his neighbours having undertaken the office of clerk, he proceeded to the examination of the culprit, whose papers were by this time laid on the table before him. “Stranger,” said he, “you stand charged with being son of the Pretender to these realms; what have you to say in your own defence?” Our hero assured him, in the French language, that he was falsely impeached38, and demanded justice on the accuser, who, without the least reason, had made such a malicious39 attack upon the life and honour of an innocent gentleman.
The smuggler, instead of acting40 the part of a faithful interpreter, told his worship, that the prisoner’s answer was no more than a simple denial, which every felon41 would make who had nothing else to plead in his own behalf, and that this alone was a strong presumption42 of his guilt43, because, if he was not really the person they suspected him to be, the thing would speak for itself, for, if he was not the Young Pretender, who then was he? This argument had great weight with the justice, who, assuming a very important aspect, observed, “Very true, friend, if you are not the Pretender, in the name of God, who are you? One may see with half an eye that he is no better than a promiscuous44 fellow.”
Ferdinand now began to repent45 of having pretended ignorance of the English language, as he found himself at the mercy of a rascal46, who put a false gloss47 upon all his words, and addressed himself to the audience successively in French, High Dutch, Italian, and Hungarian Latin, desiring to know if any person present understood any of these tongues, that his answers might be honestly explained to the bench. But he might have accosted48 them in Chinese with the same success: there was not one person present tolerably versed49 in his mother-tongue, much less acquainted with any foreign language, except the wine merchant, who, incensed50 at this appeal, which he considered as an affront51 to his integrity, gave the judge to understand, that the delinquent52, instead of speaking to the purpose, contumaciously53 insulted his authority in sundry54 foreign lingos55, which he apprehended was an additional proof of his being the Chevalier’s son, inasmuch as no person would take the pains to learn such a variety of gibberish, except with some sinister56 intent.
This annotation57 was not lost upon the squire26, who was too jealous of the honour of his office to overlook such a flagrant instance of contempt. His eyes glistened58, his cheeks were inflated59 with rage. “The case is plain,” said he; “having nothing of signification to offer in his own favour, he grows refractory60, and abuses the court in his base Roman Catholic jargon61; but I’ll let you know, for all you pretend to be a prince, you are no better than an outlawed62 vagrant63, and I’ll show you what a thing you are when you come in composition with an English justice, like me, who have more than once extinguished myself in the service of my country. As nothing else accrues64, your purse, black box, and papers shall be sealed up before witnesses, and sent by express to one of his Majesty’s secretaries of state; and, as for yourself, I will apply to the military at Canterbury, for a guard to conduct you to London.”
This was a very unwelcome declaration to our adventurer, who was on the point of haranguing65 the justice and spectators in their own language, when he was relieved from the necessity of taking that step by the interposition of a young nobleman just arrived at the inn, who, being informed of this strange examination, entered the court, and, at first sight of the prisoner, assured the justice he was imposed upon; for that he himself had often seen the Young Pretender in Paris, and that there was no kind of resemblance between that adventurer and the person now before him. The accuser was not a little mortified66 at his lordship’s affirmation, which met with all due regard from the bench, though the magistrate took notice, that, granting the prisoner was not the Young Chevalier himself, it was highly probable he was an emissary of that house, as he could give no satisfactory account of himself, and was possessed67 of things of such value as no honest man could expose to the accidents of the road.
Fathom, having thus found an interpreter, who signified to him, in the French tongue, the doubts of the justice, told his lordship, that he was a gentleman of a noble house in Germany, who, for certain reasons, had come abroad incognito68, with a view to see the world; and that, although the letters they had seized would prove the truth of that assertion, he should be loth to expose his private concerns to the knowledge of strangers, if he could possibly be released without that mortification69. The young nobleman explained his desire to the court; but, his own curiosity being interested, observed, at the same time, that the justice could not be said to have discharged the duties of his station, until he should have examined every circumstance relating to the prisoner. Upon which remonstrance70, he was requested by the bench to peruse71 the papers, and accordingly communicated the substance of one letter to this effect:—
“MY DEAR SON,— Though I am far from approving the rash step you have taken in withdrawing yourself from your father’s house, in order to avoid an engagement which would have been equally honourable72 and advantageous73 to your family, I cannot so far suppress my affection, as to bear the thought of your undergoing those hardships which, for your disobedience, you deserve to suffer. I have therefore, without the knowledge of your father, sent the bearer to attend you in your peregrinations; his fidelity74 you know hath been tried in a long course of service, and I have entrusted75 to his care, for your use, a purse of two hundred ducats, and a box of jewels to the value of twice that sum, which, though not sufficient to support an equipage suitable to your birth, will, at least for some time, preserve you from the importunities of want. When you are dutiful enough to explain your designs and situation, you may expect further indulgence from your tender and disconsolate76 mother,—
COUNTESS OF FATHOM.”
This letter, which, as well as the others, our hero had forged for the purpose, effectually answered his intent, in throwing dust in the eyes and understanding of the spectators, who now regarded the prisoner with looks of respectful remorse77, as a man of quality who had been falsely accused. His lordship, to make a parade of his own politeness and importance, assured the bench, he was no stranger to the family of the Fathoms78, and, with a compliment, gave Ferdinand to understand he had formerly79 seen him at Versailles. There being no longer room for suspicion, the justice ordered our adventurer to be set at liberty, and even invited him to be seated, with an apology for the rude manner in which he had been treated, owing to the misinformation of the accuser, who was threatened with the stocks, for his malice80 and presumption.
But this was not the only triumph our hero obtained over the wine merchant. Maurice was no sooner unfettered, than, advancing into the middle of the room, “My lord,” said he, addressing himself in French to his master’s deliverer, “since you have been so generous as to protect a noble stranger from the danger of such a false accusation81, I hope you will still lay an additional obligation upon the Count, by retorting the vengeance82 of the law upon his perfidious83 accuser, whom I know to be a trader in those articles of merchandise which are prohibited by the ordinances84 of this nation. I have seen him lately at Boulogne, and am perfectly well acquainted with some persons who have supplied him with French lace and embroidery85; and, as a proof of what I allege86, I desire you will order him and this barber, who is his understrapper, to be examined on the spot.”
This charge, which was immediately explained to the bench, yielded extraordinary satisfaction to the spectators, one of whom, being an officer of the customs, forthwith began to exercise his function upon the unlucky perruquier, who, being stripped of his upper garments, and even of his shirt, appeared like the mummy of an Egyptian king, most curiously87 rolled up in bandages of rich figured gold shalloon, that covered the skirts of four embroidered88 waistcoats. The merchant, seeing his expectation so unhappily reversed, made an effort to retire with a most rueful aspect, but was prevented by the officer, who demanded the interposition of the civil power, that he might undergo the same examination to which the other had been subjected. He was accordingly rifled without loss of time, and the inquiry89 proved well worth the care of him who made it; for a considerable booty of the same sort of merchandise was found in his boots, breeches, hat, and between the buckram and lining90 of his surtout. Yet, not contented91 with this prize, the experienced spoiler proceeded to search his baggage, and, perceiving a false bottom in his portmanteau, detected beneath it a valuable accession to the plunder92 he had already obtained.
收听单词发音 |
1
smuggler
|
|
| n.走私者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
conjecture
|
|
| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
abode
|
|
| n.住处，住所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
ambiguity
|
|
| n.模棱两可；意义不明确 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
cogent
|
|
| adj.强有力的，有说服力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
evading
|
|
| 逃避( evade的现在分词 )； 避开； 回避； 想不出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
immediate
|
|
| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
conjectures
|
|
| 推测，猜想( conjecture的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
fathom
|
|
| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
dispel
|
|
| vt.驱走，驱散，消除 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
zeal
|
|
| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
apprehend
|
|
| vt.理解，领悟，逮捕，拘捕，忧虑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
intoxicated
|
|
| 喝醉的，极其兴奋的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
tranquillity
|
|
| n. 平静, 安静 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
villain
|
|
| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
perfectly
|
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
imputing
|
|
| v.把（错误等）归咎于( impute的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
19
deliberately
|
|
| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
obedience
|
|
| n.服从，顺从 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
consternation
|
|
| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
dreading
|
|
| v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
chattered
|
|
| （人）喋喋不休( chatter的过去式 )； 唠叨； （牙齿）打战； （机器）震颤 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
impatience
|
|
| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
squires
|
|
| n.地主，乡绅( squire的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
squire
|
|
| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
leash
|
|
| n.牵狗的皮带，束缚；v.用皮带系住 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
quorum
|
|
| n.法定人数 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
magistrate
|
|
| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
outlaw
|
|
| n.歹徒，亡命之徒；vt.宣布…为不合法 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
lawful
|
|
| adj.法律许可的，守法的，合法的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
apprehended
|
|
| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 )； 理解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
majesty
|
|
| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
obstinacy
|
|
| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
eldest
|
|
| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
amazement
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
recoiled
|
|
| v.畏缩( recoil的过去式和过去分词 )；退缩；报应；返回 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
impeached
|
|
| v.控告（某人）犯罪( impeach的过去式和过去分词 )；弹劾；对（某事物）怀疑；提出异议 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
malicious
|
|
| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
acting
|
|
| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
felon
|
|
| n.重罪犯；adj.残忍的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
presumption
|
|
| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
guilt
|
|
| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
promiscuous
|
|
| adj.杂乱的，随便的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
repent
|
|
| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
rascal
|
|
| n.流氓；不诚实的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
gloss
|
|
| n.光泽，光滑；虚饰；注释；vt.加光泽于；掩饰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
accosted
|
|
| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
versed
|
|
| adj. 精通，熟练 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
incensed
|
|
| 盛怒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
affront
|
|
| n./v.侮辱，触怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
delinquent
|
|
| adj.犯法的，有过失的；n.违法者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
contumaciously
|
|
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
54
sundry
|
|
| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
lingos
|
|
| n.听不懂的话（指方言、术语等），隐语，外语( lingo的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
56
sinister
|
|
| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
annotation
|
|
| n.注解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
glistened
|
|
| v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
inflated
|
|
| adj.（价格）飞涨的；（通货）膨胀的；言过其实的；充了气的v.使充气（于轮胎、气球等）( inflate的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）膨胀；（使）通货膨胀；物价上涨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
refractory
|
|
| adj.倔强的，难驾驭的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
jargon
|
|
| n.术语，行话 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
outlawed
|
|
| 宣布…为不合法（outlaw的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
vagrant
|
|
| n.流浪者，游民；adj.流浪的，漂泊不定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
accrues
|
|
| v.增加( accrue的第三人称单数 )；（通过自然增长）产生；获得；（使钱款、债务）积累 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
haranguing
|
|
| v.高谈阔论( harangue的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
mortified
|
|
| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
possessed
|
|
| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
incognito
|
|
| adv.匿名地；n.隐姓埋名；adj.化装的，用假名的，隐匿姓名身份的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
mortification
|
|
| n.耻辱，屈辱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
remonstrance
|
|
| n抗议，抱怨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
peruse
|
|
| v.细读，精读 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
honourable
|
|
| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
advantageous
|
|
| adj.有利的；有帮助的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
fidelity
|
|
| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
entrusted
|
|
| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
disconsolate
|
|
| adj.忧郁的，不快的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
remorse
|
|
| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
fathoms
|
|
| 英寻( fathom的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
formerly
|
|
| adv.从前，以前 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
malice
|
|
| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
accusation
|
|
| n.控告，指责，谴责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
vengeance
|
|
| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
perfidious
|
|
| adj.不忠的，背信弃义的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
ordinances
|
|
| n.条例，法令( ordinance的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
embroidery
|
|
| n.绣花，刺绣；绣制品 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
allege
|
|
| vt.宣称，申述，主张，断言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
curiously
|
|
| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
embroidered
|
|
| adj．绣花的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
inquiry
|
|
| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
lining
|
|
| n.衬里，衬料 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
contented
|
|
| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
plunder
|
|
| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |