One Quarrel is Compromised, and Another Decided1 by Unusual Arms.
Among other topics of conversation that were discussed at this genial2 meeting, Sir Mungo’s scheme was brought upon the carpet by his majesty3, who was graciously pleased to ask how his subscription4 filled? To this interrogation the knight5 answered, that he met with great opposition6 from a spirit of levity7 and self-conceit, which seemed to prevail in this generation, but that no difficulties should discourage him from persevering8 in his duty; and he trusted in God, that, in a very little time, he should be able to confute and overthrow9 the false philosophy of the moderns, and to restore the writings of Moses to that pre-eminence and veneration10 which is due to an inspired author. He spoke11 of the immortal12 Newton with infinite contempt, and undertook to extract from the Pentateuch a system of chronology which would ascertain13 the progress of time since the fourth day of the creation to the present hour, with such exactness, that not one vibration14 of a pendulum15 should be lost; nay16, he affirmed that the perfection of all arts and sciences might be attained17 by studying these secret memoirs18, and that he himself did not despair of learning from them the art of transmuting19 baser metals into gold.
The chevalier, though he did not pretend to contradict these assertions, was too much attached to his own religion to acquiesce20 in the knight’s project of converting the Jews and the Gentiles to the Protestant heresy21, which, he said, God Almighty22 would never suffer to triumph over the interests of his own Holy Catholic Church. This objection produced abundance of altercation23 between two very unequal disputants; and the Frenchman, finding himself puzzled by the learning of his antagonist24, had recourse to the argumentum ad hominem, by laying his hand upon his sword, and declaring that he was ready to lose the last drop of his blood in opposition to such a damnable scheme.
Sir Mungo, though in all appearance reduced to the last stage of animal existence, no sooner heard this epithet25 applied26 to his plan, than his eyes gleamed like lightning, he sprung from his seat with the agility27 of a grasshopper28, and, darting29 himself out at the door like an arrow from a bow, reappeared in a moment with a long rusty30 weapon, which might have been shown among a collection of rarities as the sword of Guy Earl of Warwick. This implement31 he brandished32 over the chevalier’s head with the dexterity33 of an old prize-fighter, exclaiming, in the French language, “Thou art a profane34 wretch35 marked out for the vengeance36 of Heaven, whose unworthy minister I am, and here thou shalt fall by the sword of the Lord and of Gideon.”
The chevalier, unterrified by this dreadful salutation, desired he would accompany him to a more convenient place; and the world might have been deprived of one or both these knights-errant, had not General Macleaver, at the desire of his majesty, interposed, and found means to bring matters to an accommodation.
In the afternoon the society was visited by the major’s cousin and her daughters, who no sooner appeared than they were recognised by our adventurer, and his acquaintance with them renewed in such a manner as alarmed the delicacy37 of Captain Minikin, who in the evening repaired to the Count’s apartment, and with a formal physiognomy, accosted38 him in these words: “Sir, I beg pardon for this intrusion, but I come to consult you about an affair in which my honour is concerned; and a soldier without honour, you know, is no better than a body without a soul. I have always admired that speech of Hotspur in the first part of Henry the Fourth:
By Heaven, methinks it were an easy leap,
To pluck bright honour from the pale-fac’d moon;
Or dive into the bottom of the deep,
Where fathom39-line could never touch the ground,
And pluck up drowned honour by the locks —
“There is a boldness and ease in the expression, and the images are very picturesque40. But, without any further preamble41, pray, sir, give me leave to ask how long you have been acquainted with those ladies who drank tea with us this afternoon. You’ll forgive the question, sir, when I tell you that Major Macleaver introduced Mrs. Minikin to them as to ladies of character, and, I don’t know how, sir, I have a sort of presentiment42 that my wife has been imposed upon. Perhaps I may be mistaken, and God grant I may. But there was a je ne sais quoi in their behaviour to-day, which begins to alarm my suspicion. Sir, I have nothing but my reputation to depend upon, and I hope you will excuse me, when I earnestly beg to know what rank they maintain in life.”
Fathom, without minding the consequence, told him, with a simper, that he knew them to be very good-natured ladies, who devoted43 themselves to the happiness of mankind. This explanation had no sooner escaped from his lips, than the captain’s face began to glow with indignation, his eyes seemed bursting from their spheres, he swelled44 to twice his natural dimensions, and, raising himself on his tiptoes, pronounced, in a strain that emulated45 thunder, “Blood! sir, you seem to make very light of the matter, but it is no joke to me, I’ll assure you, and Macleaver shall see that I am not to be affronted46 with impunity48. Sir, I shall take it as a singular favour if you will be the bearer of a billet to him, which I shall write in three words; nay, sir, you must give me leave to insist upon it, as you are the only gentleman of our mess whom I can intrust with an affair of this nature.”
Fathom, rather than run the risk of disobliging such a punctilious49 warrior50, after having in vain attempted to dissuade51 him from his purpose, undertook to carry the challenge, which was immediately penned in these words:
“SIR,— You have violated my honour in imposing52 upon Mrs. Minikin your pretended cousins as ladies of virtue53 and reputation. I therefore demand such satisfaction as a soldier ought to receive, and expect you will adjust with my friend Count Fathom the terms upon which you shall be met by the much injured GOLIAH MINIKIN.”
This morceau being sealed and directed, was forthwith carried by our adventurer to the lodgings54 of the major, who had by this time retired55 to rest, but hearing the Count’s voice, he got up and opened the door in cuerpo, to the astonishment56 of Ferdinand, who had never before seen such an Herculean figure. He made an apology for receiving the Count in his birthday suit, to which he said he was reduced by the heat of his constitution, though he might have assigned a more adequate cause, by owning that his shirt was in the hands of his washerwoman; then shrouding57 himself in a blanket, desired to know what had procured58 him the honour of such an extraordinary visit. He read the letter with great composure, like a man accustomed to such intercourse59; then addressing himself to the bearer, “I will be after diverting the gentleman,” said he, “in any manner he shall think proper; but, by Jesus, this is no place for such amusements, because, as you well know, my dear Count, if both should be killed by the chance of war, neither of us will be able to escape, and after the breath is out of his body, he will make but a sorry excuse to his family and friends. But that is no concern of mine, and therefore I am ready to please him in his own way.”
Fathom approved of his remarks, which he reinforced with sundry60 considerations, to the same purpose, and begged the assistance of the major’s advice, in finding some expedient61 to terminate the affair without bloodshed, that no troublesome consequences might ensue either to him or to his antagonist, who, in spite of this overstraining formality, seemed to be a person of worth and good-nature. “With all my heart,” said the generous Hibernian, “I have a great regard for the little man, and my own character is not to seek at this time of day. I have served a long apprenticeship62 to fighting, as this same carcase can testify, and if he compels me to run him through the body, by my shoul, I shall do it in a friendly manner.”
So saying, he threw aside the blanket, and displayed scars and seams innumerable upon his body, which appeared like an old patched leathern doublet. “I remember,” proceeded this champion, “when I was a slave at Algiers, Murphy Macmorris and I happened to have some difference in the bagnio, upon which he bade me turn out. ‘Arra, for what?’ said I; ‘here are no weapons that a gentleman can use, and you would not be such a negro as to box like an English carman.’ After he had puzzled himself for some time, he proposed that we should retire into a corner, and funk one another with brimstone, till one of us should give out. Accordingly we crammed63 half a dozen tobacco pipes with sulphur, and, setting foot to foot, began to smoke, and kept a constant fire, until Macmorris dropped down; then I threw away my pipe, and taking poor Murphy in my arms, ‘What, are you dead?’ said I; ‘if you are dead, speak.’ ‘No, by Jesus!’ cried he, ‘I an’t dead, but I’m speechless.’ So he owned I had obtained the victory, and we were as good friends as ever. Now, if Mr. Minikin thinks proper to put the affair upon the same issue, I will smoke a pipe of brimstone with him to-morrow morning, and if I cry out first, I will be after asking pardon for this supposed affront47.”
Fathom could not help laughing at the proposal, to which, however, he objected on account of Minikin’s delicate constitution, which might suffer more detriment64 from breathing in an atmosphere of sulphur than from the discharge of a pistol, or the thrust of a small sword. He therefore suggested another expedient in lieu of the sulphur, namely, the gum called assafatida, which, though abundantly nauseous, could have no effect upon the infirm texture65 of the lieutenant’s lungs. This hint being relished66 by the major, our adventurer returned to his principal, and having repeated the other’s arguments against the use of mortal instruments, described the succedaneum which he had concerted with Macleaver. The captain at first believed the scheme was calculated for subjecting him to the ridicule67 of his fellow-prisoners, and began to storm with great violence; but, by the assurances and address of Fathom, he was at length reconciled to the plan, and preparations were made on each side for this duel68, which was actually smoked next day, about noon, in a small closet, detached from the challenger’s apartment, and within hearing of his majesty, and all his court, assembled as witnesses and umpires of the contest.
The combatants, being locked up together, began to ply69 their engines with great fury, and it was not long before Captain Minikin perceived he had a manifest advantage over his antagonist. For his organs were familiarised to the effluvia of this drug, which he had frequently used in the course of an hypochondriac disorder70; whereas Macleaver, who was a stranger to all sorts of medicine, by his wry71 faces and attempts to puke, expressed the utmost abhorrence72 of the smell that invaded his nostrils73. Nevertheless, resolved to hold out to the last extremity74, he continued in action until the closet was filled with such an intolerable vapour as discomposed the whole economy of his entrails, and compelled him to disgorge his breakfast in the face of his opponent, whose nerves were so disconcerted by this disagreeable and unforeseen discharge, that he fell back into his chair in a swoon, and the major bellowed75 aloud for assistance. The door being opened, he ran directly to the window, to inhale76 the fresh air, while the captain, recovering from his fit, complained of Macleaver’s unfair proceeding77, and demanded justice of the arbitrators, who decided in his favour; and the major being prevailed upon to ask pardon for having introduced Mrs. Minikin to women of rotten reputation, the parties were reconciled to each other, and peace and concord78 re-established in the mess.
Fathom acquired universal applause for his discreet79 and humane80 conduct upon this occasion; and that same afternoon had an opportunity of seeing the lady in whose cause he had exerted himself. He was presented to her as the husband’s particular friend, and when she understood how much she was indebted to his care and concern for the captain’s safety, she treated him with uncommon81 marks of distinction; and he found her a genteel, well-bred woman, not without a good deal of personal charms, and a well-cultivated understanding.
收听单词发音 |
1
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
genial
|
|
| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
majesty
|
|
| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
subscription
|
|
| n.预订，预订费，亲笔签名，调配法，下标（处方） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
knight
|
|
| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
opposition
|
|
| n.反对，敌对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
levity
|
|
| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
persevering
|
|
| a.坚忍不拔的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
overthrow
|
|
| v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
veneration
|
|
| n.尊敬，崇拜 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
immortal
|
|
| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
ascertain
|
|
| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
vibration
|
|
| n.颤动，振动；摆动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
pendulum
|
|
| n.摆，钟摆 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
nay
|
|
| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
attained
|
|
| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
memoirs
|
|
| n.回忆录；回忆录传( mem,自oir的名词复数) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
transmuting
|
|
| v.使变形，使变质，把…变成…( transmute的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
acquiesce
|
|
| vi.默许，顺从，同意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
heresy
|
|
| n.异端邪说；异教 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
almighty
|
|
| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
altercation
|
|
| n.争吵，争论 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
antagonist
|
|
| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
epithet
|
|
| n.（用于褒贬人物等的）表述形容词，修饰语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
applied
|
|
| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
agility
|
|
| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
grasshopper
|
|
| n.蚱蜢，蝗虫，蚂蚱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
darting
|
|
| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
rusty
|
|
| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
implement
|
|
| n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
brandished
|
|
| v.挥舞( brandish的过去式和过去分词 )；炫耀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
dexterity
|
|
| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
profane
|
|
| adj.亵神的，亵渎的；vt.亵渎，玷污 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
wretch
|
|
| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
vengeance
|
|
| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
delicacy
|
|
| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
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： |
|
|
|
|
39
fathom
|
|
| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
picturesque
|
|
| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
preamble
|
|
| n.前言；序文 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
presentiment
|
|
| n.预感，预觉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
devoted
|
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
swelled
|
|
| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
emulated
|
|
| v.与…竞争( emulate的过去式和过去分词 )；努力赶上；计算机程序等仿真；模仿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
affronted
|
|
| adj.被侮辱的，被冒犯的v.勇敢地面对( affront的过去式和过去分词 )；相遇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
affront
|
|
| n./v.侮辱，触怒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
impunity
|
|
| n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
punctilious
|
|
| adj.谨慎的，谨小慎微的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
warrior
|
|
| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
dissuade
|
|
| v.劝阻，阻止 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
imposing
|
|
| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
virtue
|
|
| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
lodgings
|
|
| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
retired
|
|
| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
astonishment
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
shrouding
|
|
| n.覆盖v.隐瞒( shroud的现在分词 )；保密 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
procured
|
|
| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
intercourse
|
|
| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
sundry
|
|
| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
expedient
|
|
| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
apprenticeship
|
|
| n.学徒身份；学徒期 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
crammed
|
|
| adj.塞满的，挤满的；大口地吃；快速贪婪地吃v.把…塞满；填入；临时抱佛脚( cram的过去式) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
detriment
|
|
| n.损害；损害物，造成损害的根源 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
texture
|
|
| n.(织物)质地；(材料)构造；结构；肌理 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
relished
|
|
| v.欣赏( relish的过去式和过去分词 )；从…获得乐趣；渴望 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
ridicule
|
|
| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
duel
|
|
| n./v.决斗；(双方的)斗争 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
ply
|
|
| v.(搬运工等)等候顾客，弯曲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
disorder
|
|
| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
wry
|
|
| adj.讽刺的；扭曲的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
abhorrence
|
|
| n.憎恶；可憎恶的事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
nostrils
|
|
| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
extremity
|
|
| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
bellowed
|
|
| v.发出吼叫声，咆哮（尤指因痛苦）( bellow的过去式和过去分词 )；（愤怒地）说出（某事），大叫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
inhale
|
|
| v.吸入(气体等)，吸(烟) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
proceeding
|
|
| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
concord
|
|
| n.和谐；协调 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
discreet
|
|
| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
humane
|
|
| adj.人道的，富有同情心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
uncommon
|
|
| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |