“I hear thee babbling1 to the vale
Of sunshine and of flowers,
But unto me thou bring’st a tale
Of visionary hours.”
Wordsworth.
One discovery mentioned at the close of the preceding chapter was of great moment in the eyes of Deerslayer and his friend. In the first place, there was the danger, almost the certainty, that Hutter and Hurry would make a fresh attempt on this camp, should they awake and ascertain3 its position. Then there was the increased risk of landing to bring off Hist; and there were the general uncertainty4 and additional hazards that must follow from the circumstance that their enemies had begun to change their positions. As the Delaware was aware that the hour was near when he ought to repair to the rendezvous5, he no longer thought of trophies6 torn from his foes7, and one of the first things arranged between him and his associate was to permit the two others to sleep on, lest they should disturb the execution of their plans by substituting some of their own. The ark moved slowly, and it would have taken fully8 a quarter of an hour to reach the point, at the rate at which they were going, thus affording time for a little forethought. The Indians, in the wish to conceal9 their fire from those who were thought to be still in the castle, had placed it so near the southern side of the point as to render it extremely difficult to shut it in by the bushes, though Deerslayer varied10 the direction of the scow both to the right and to the left, in the hope of being able to effect that object.
“There’s one advantage, Judith, in finding that fire so near the water,” he said, while executing these little manoeuvres, “since it shows the Mingos believe we are in the hut, and our coming on ’em from this quarter will be an unlooked for event. But it’s lucky Harry11 March and your father are asleep, else we should have ’em prowling after scalps ag’in. Ha! there — the bushes are beginning to shut in the fire — and now it can’t be seen at all!”
Deerslayer waited a little to make certain that he had at last gained the desired position, when he gave the signal agreed on, and Chingachgook let go the grapnel and lowered the sail.
The situation in which the ark now lay had its advantages and its disadvantages. The fire had been hid by sheering towards the shore, and the latter was nearer, perhaps, than was desirable. Still, the water was known to be very deep further off in the lake, and anchoring in deep water, under the circumstances in which the party was placed, was to be avoided, if possible. It was also believed no raft could be within miles; and though the trees in the darkness appeared almost to overhang the scow, it would not be easy to get off to her without using a boat. The intense darkness that prevailed so close in with the forest, too, served as an effectual screen, and so long as care was had not to make a noise, there was little or no danger of being detected. All these things Deerslayer pointed12 out to Judith, instructing her as to the course she was to follow in the event of an alarm; for it was thought to the last degree inexpedient to arouse the sleepers13, unless it might be in the greatest emergency.
“And now, Judith, as we understand one another, it is time the Sarpent and I had taken to the canoe,” the hunter concluded. “The star has not risen yet, it’s true, but it soon must, though none of us are likely to be any the wiser for it tonight, on account of the clouds. Howsever, Hist has a ready mind, and she’s one of them that doesn’t always need to have a thing afore her, to see it. I’ll warrant you she’ll not be either two minutes or two feet out of the way, unless them jealous vagabonds, the Mingos, have taken the alarm, and put her as a stool-pigeon to catch us, or have hid her away, in order to prepare her mind for a Huron instead of a Mohican husband.”
“Deerslayer,” interrupted the girl, earnestly; “this is a most dangerous service; why do you go on it, at all?”
“Anan!— Why you know, gal14, we go to bring off Hist, the Sarpent’s betrothed15 — the maid he means to marry, as soon as we get back to the tribe.”
“That is all right for the Indian — but you do not mean to marry Hist — you are not betrothed, and why should two risk their lives and liberties, to do that which one can just as well perform?”
“Ah — now I understand you, Judith — yes, now I begin to take the idee. You think as Hist is the Sarpent’s betrothed, as they call it, and not mine, it’s altogether his affair; and as one man can paddle a canoe he ought to be left to go after his gal alone! But you forget this is our ar’n’d here on the lake, and it would not tell well to forget an ar’n’d just as the pinch came. Then, if love does count for so much with some people, particularly with young women, fri’ndship counts for something, too, with other some. I dares to say, the Delaware can paddle a canoe by himself, and can bring off Hist by himself, and perhaps he would like that quite as well, as to have me with him; but he couldn’t sarcumvent sarcumventions, or stir up an ambushment, or fight with the savages17, and get his sweetheart at the same time, as well by himself as if he had a fri’nd with him to depend on, even if that fri’nd is no better than myself. No — no — Judith, you wouldn’t desert one that counted on you, at such a moment, and you can’t, in reason, expect me to do it.”
“I fear — I believe you are right, Deerslayer, and yet I wish you were not to go! Promise me one thing, at least, and that is, not to trust yourself among the savages, or to do anything more than to save the girl. That will be enough for once, and with that you ought to be satisfied.”
“Lord bless you! gal; one would think it was Hetty that’s talking, and not the quick-witted and wonderful Judith Hutter! But fright makes the wise silly, and the strong weak. Yes, I’ve seen proofs of that, time and ag’in! Well, it’s kind and softhearted in you, Judith, to feel this consarn for a fellow creatur’, and I shall always say that you are kind and of true feelings, let them that envy your good looks tell as many idle stories of you as they may.”
“Deerslayer!” hastily said the girl, interrupting him, though nearly choked by her own emotions; “do you believe all you hear about a poor, motherless girl? Is the foul18 tongue of Hurry Harry to blast my life?”
“Not it, Judith — not it. I’ve told Hurry it wasn’t manful to backbite19 them he couldn’t win by fair means; and that even an Indian is always tender, touching20 a young woman’s good name.”
“If I had a brother, he wouldn’t dare to do it!” exclaimed Judith, with eyes flashing fire. “But, finding me without any protector but an old man, whose ears are getting to be as dull as his feelings, he has his way as he pleases!”
“Not exactly that, Judith; no, not exactly that, neither! No man, brother or stranger, would stand by and see as fair a gal as yourself hunted down, without saying a word in her behalf. Hurry’s in ‘arnest in wanting to make you his wife, and the little he does let out ag’in you, comes more from jealousy21, like, than from any thing else. Smile on him when he awakes, and squeeze his hand only half as hard as you squeezed mine a bit ago, and my life on it, the poor fellow will forget every thing but your comeliness22. Hot words don’t always come from the heart, but oftener from the stomach than anywhere else. Try him, Judith, when he awakes, and see the virtue23 of a smile.”
Deerslayer laughed, in his own manner, as he concluded, and then he intimated to the patient-looking, but really impatient Chingachgook, his readiness to proceed. As the young man entered the canoe, the girl stood immovable as stone, lost in the musings that the language and manner of the other were likely to produce. The simplicity24 of the hunter had completely put her at fault; for, in her narrow sphere, Judith was an expert manager of the other sex; though in the present instance she was far more actuated by impulses, in all she had said and done, than by calculation. We shall not deny that some of Judith’s reflections were bitter, though the sequel of the tale must be referred to, in order to explain how merited, or how keen were her sufferings.
Chingachgook and his pale-face friend set forth25 on their hazardous26 and delicate enterprise, with a coolness and method that would have done credit to men who were on their twentieth, instead of being on their first, war-path. As suited his relation to the pretty fugitive27, in whose service they were engaged, the Indian took his place in the head of the canoe; while Deerslayer guided its movements in the stern. By this arrangement, the former would be the first to land, and of course, the first to meet his mistress. The latter had taken his post without comment, but in secret influenced by the reflection that one who had so much at stake as the Indian, might not possibly guide the canoe with the same steadiness and intelligence, as another who had more command of his feelings. From the instant they left the side of the ark, the movements of the two adventurers were like the manoeuvres of highly-drilled soldiers, who, for the first time were called on to meet the enemy in the field. As yet, Chingachgook had never fired a shot in anger, and the debut29 of his companion in warfare30 is known to the reader. It is true, the Indian had been hanging about his enemy’s camp for a few hours, on his first arrival, and he had even once entered it, as related in the last chapter, but no consequences had followed either experiment. Now, it was certain that an important result was to be effected, or a mortifying31 failure was to ensue. The rescue, or the continued captivity33 of Hist, depended on the enterprise. In a word, it was virtually the maiden34 expedition of these two ambitious young forest soldiers; and while one of them set forth impelled35 by sentiments that usually carry men so far, both had all their feelings of pride and manhood enlisted36 in their success.
Instead of steering38 in a direct line to the point, then distant from the ark less than a quarter of a mile, Deerslayer laid the head of his canoe diagonally towards the centre of the lake, with a view to obtain a position from which he might approach the shore, having his enemies in his front only. The spot where Hetty had landed, and where Hist had promised to meet them, moreover, was on the upper side of the projection39 rather than on the lower; and to reach it would have required the two adventurers to double nearly the whole point, close in with the shore, had not this preliminary step been taken. So well was the necessity for this measure understood, that Chingachgook quietly paddled on, although it was adopted without consulting him, and apparently40 was taking him in a direction nearly opposite to that one might think he most wished to go. A few minutes sufficed, however, to carry the canoe the necessary distance, when both the young men ceased paddling as it were by instinctive41 consent, and the boat became stationary42. The darkness increased rather than diminished, but it was still possible, from the place where the adventurers lay, to distinguish the outlines of the mountains. In vain did the Delaware turn his head eastward43, to catch a glimpse of the promised star; for, notwithstanding the clouds broke a little near the horizon in that quarter of the heavens, the curtain continued so far drawn45 as effectually to conceal all behind it. In front, as was known by the formation of land above and behind it, lay the point, at the distance of about a thousand feet. No signs of the castle could be seen, nor could any movement in that quarter of the lake reach the ear. The latter circumstance might have been equally owing to the distance, which was several miles, or to the fact that nothing was in motion. As for the ark, though scarcely farther from the canoe than the point, it lay so completely buried in the shadows of the shore, that it would not have been visible even had there been many degrees more of light than actually existed.
The adventurers now held a conference in low voices, consulting together as to the probable time. Deerslayer thought it wanted yet some minutes to the rising of the star, while the impatience46 of the chief caused him to fancy the night further advanced, and to believe that his betrothed was already waiting his appearance on the shore. As might have been expected, the opinion of the latter prevailed, and his friend disposed himself to steer37 for the place of rendezvous. The utmost skill and precaution now became necessary in the management of the canoe. The paddles were lifted and returned to the water in a noiseless manner; and when within a hundred yards of the beach, Chingachgook took in his, altogether laying his hand on his rifle in its stead. As they got still more within the belt of darkness that girded the woods, it was seen that they were steering too far north, and the course was altered accordingly. The canoe now seemed to move by instinct, so cautious and deliberate were all its motions. Still it continued to advance, until its bows grated on the gravel47 of the beach, at the precise spot where Hetty had landed, and whence her voice had issued, the previous night, as the ark was passing. There was, as usual, a narrow strand48, but bushes fringed the woods, and in most places overhung the water.
Chingachgook stepped upon the beach, and cautiously examined it for some distance on each side of the canoe. In order to do this, he was often obliged to wade49 to his knees in the lake, but no Hist rewarded his search. When he returned, he found his friend also on the shore. They next conferred in whispers, the Indian apprehending50 that they must have mistaken the place of rendezvous. But Deerslayer thought it was probable they had mistaken the hour. While he was yet speaking, he grasped the arm of the Delaware, caused him to turn his head in the direction of the lake, and pointed towards the summits of the eastern mountains. The clouds had broken a little, apparently behind rather than above the hills, and the evening star was glittering among the branches of a pine. This was every way a flattering omen2, and the young men leaned on their rifles, listening intently for the sound of approaching footsteps. Voices they often heard, and mingled51 with them were the suppressed cries of children, and the low but sweet laugh of Indian women. As the native Americans are habitually52 cautious, and seldom break out in loud conversation, the adventurers knew by these facts that they must be very near the encampment. It was easy to perceive that there was a fire within the woods, by the manner in which some of the upper branches of the trees were illuminated54, but it was not possible, where they stood, to ascertain exactly how near it was to themselves. Once or twice, it seemed as if stragglers from around the fire were approaching the place of rendezvous; but these sounds were either altogether illusion, or those who had drawn near returned again without coming to the shore. A quarter of an hour was passed in this state of intense expectation and anxiety, when Deerslayer proposed that they should circle the point in the canoe; and by getting a position close in, where the camp could be seen, reconnoitre the Indians, and thus enable themselves to form some plausible55 conjectures56 for the non-appearance of Hist. The Delaware, however, resolutely57 refused to quit the spot, reasonably enough offering as a reason the disappointment of the girl, should she arrive in his absence. Deerslayer felt for his friend’s concern, and offered to make the circuit of the point by himself, leaving the latter concealed58 in the bushes to await the occurrence of any fortunate event that might favour his views. With this understanding, then, the parties separated.
As soon as Deerslayer was at his post again, in the stern of the canoe, he left the shore with the same precautions, and in the same noiseless manner, as he had approached it. On this occasion he did not go far from the land, the bushes affording a sufficient cover, by keeping as close in as possible. Indeed, it would not have been easy to devise any means more favourable59 to reconnoitering round an Indian camp, than those afforded by the actual state of things. The formation of the point permitted the place to be circled on three of its sides, and the progress of the boat was so noiseless as to remove any apprehensions60 from an alarm through sound. The most practised and guarded foot might stir a bunch of leaves, or snap a dried stick in the dark, but a bark canoe could be made to float over the surface of smooth water, almost with the instinctive readiness, and certainly with the noiseless movements of an aquatic61 bird.
Deerslayer had got nearly in a line between the camp and the ark before he caught a glimpse of the fire. This came upon him suddenly, and a little unexpectedly, at first causing an alarm, lest he had incautiously ventured within the circle of light it cast. But perceiving at a second glance that he was certainly safe from detection, so long as the Indians kept near the centre of the illumination, he brought the canoe to a state of rest in the most favourable position he could find, and commenced his observations.
We have written much, but in vain, concerning this extraordinary being, if the reader requires now to be told, that, untutored as he was in the learning of the world, and simple as he ever showed himself to be in all matters touching the subtleties62 of conventional taste, he was a man of strong, native, poetical63 feeling. He loved the woods for their freshness, their sublime64 solitudes65, their vastness, and the impress that they everywhere bore of the divine hand of their creator. He seldom moved through them, without pausing to dwell on some peculiar66 beauty that gave him pleasure, though seldom attempting to investigate the causes; and never did a day pass without his communing in spirit, and this, too, without the aid of forms or language, with the infinite source of all he saw, felt, and beheld67. Thus constituted, in a moral sense, and of a steadiness that no danger could appall68, or any crisis disturb, it is not surprising that the hunter felt a pleasure at looking on the scene he now beheld, that momentarily caused him to forget the object of his visit. This will more fully appear when we describe it.
The canoe lay in front of a natural vista69, not only through the bushes that lined the shore, but of the trees also, that afforded a clear view of the camp. It was by means of this same opening that the light had been first seen from the ark. In consequence of their recent change of ground, the Indians had not yet retired70 to their huts, but had been delayed by their preparations, which included lodging71 as well as food. A large fire had been made, as much to answer the purpose of torches as for the use of their simple cookery; and at this precise moment it was blazing high and bright, having recently received a large supply of dried brush. The effect was to illuminate53 the arches of the forest, and to render the whole area occupied by the camp as light as if hundreds of tapers72 were burning. Most of the toil73 had ceased, and even the hungriest child had satisfied its appetite. In a word, the time was that moment of relaxation74 and general indolence which is apt to succeed a hearty75 meal, and when the labours of the day have ended. The hunters and the fishermen had been totally successful; and food, that one great requisite76 of savage16 life, being abundant, every other care appeared to have subsided77 in the sense of enjoyment78 dependent on this all-important fact.
Deerslayer saw at a glance that many of the warriors80 were absent. His acquaintance Rivenoak, however, was present, being seated in the foreground of a picture that Salvator Rosa would have delighted to draw, his swarthy features illuminated as much by pleasure as by the torchlike flame, while he showed another of the tribe one of the elephants that had caused so much sensation among his people. A boy was looking over his shoulder, in dull curiosity, completing the group. More in the background eight or ten warriors lay half recumbent on the ground, or sat with their backs reclining against trees, so many types of indolent repose81. Their arms were near them all, sometimes leaning against the same trees as themselves, or were lying across their bodies in careless preparation. But the group that most attracted the attention of Deerslayer was that composed of the women and children. All the females appeared to be collected together, and, almost as a matter of course, their young were near them. The former laughed and chatted in their rebuked83 and quiet manner, though one who knew the habits of the people might have detected that everything was not going on in its usual train. Most of the young women seemed to be light-hearted enough; but one old hag was seated apart with a watchful84 soured aspect, which the hunter at once knew betokened85 that some duty of an unpleasant character had been assigned her by the chiefs. What that duty was, he had no means of knowing; but he felt satisfied it must be in some measure connected with her own sex, the aged28 among the women generally being chosen for such offices and no other.
As a matter of course, Deerslayer looked eagerly and anxiously for the form of Hist. She was nowhere visible though the light penetrated86 to considerable distances in all directions around the fire. Once or twice he started, as he thought he recognized her laugh; but his ears were deceived by the soft melody that is so common to the Indian female voice. At length the old woman spoke87 loud and angrily, and then he caught a glimpse of one or two dark figures in the background of trees, which turned as if obedient to the rebuke82, and walked more within the circle of the light. A young warrior79’s form first came fairly into view; then followed two youthful females, one of whom proved to be the Delaware girl. Deerslayer now comprehended it all. Hist was watched, possibly by her young companion, certainly by the old woman. The youth was probably some suitor of either her or her companion; but even his discretion88 was distrusted under the influence of his admiration89. The known vicinity of those who might be supposed to be her friends, and the arrival of a strange red man on the lake had induced more than the usual care, and the girl had not been able to slip away from those who watched her in order to keep her appointment. Deerslayer traced her uneasiness by her attempting once or twice to look up through the branches of the trees, as if endeavouring to get glimpses of the star she had herself named as the sign for meeting. All was vain, however, and after strolling about the camp a little longer, in affected90 indifference91, the two girls quitted their male escort, and took seats among their own sex. As soon as this was done, the old sentinel changed her place to one more agreeable to herself, a certain proof that she had hitherto been exclusively on watch.
Deerslayer now felt greatly at a loss how to proceed. He well knew that Chingachgook could never be persuaded to return to the ark without making some desperate effort for the recovery of his mistress, and his own generous feelings well disposed him to aid in such an undertaking92. He thought he saw the signs of an intention among the females to retire for the night; and should he remain, and the fire continue to give out its light, he might discover the particular hut or arbour under which Hist reposed93; a circumstance that would be of infinite use in their future proceedings94. Should he remain, however, much longer where he was, there was great danger that the impatience of his friend would drive him into some act of imprudence. At each instant, indeed, he expected to see the swarthy form of the Delaware appearing in the background, like the tiger prowling around the fold. Taking all things into consideration, therefore, he came to the conclusion it would be better to rejoin his friend, and endeavour to temper his impetuosity by some of his own coolness and discretion. It required but a minute or two to put this plan in execution, the canoe returning to the strand some ten or fifteen minutes after it had left it.
Contrary to his expectations, perhaps, Deerslayer found the Indian at his post, from which he had not stirred, fearful that his betrothed might arrive during his absence. A conference followed, in which Chingachgook was made acquainted with the state of things in the camp. When Hist named the point as the place of meeting, it was with the expectation of making her escape from the old position, and of repairing to a spot that she expected to find without any occupants; but the sudden change of localities had disconcerted all her plans. A much greater degree of vigilance than had been previously95 required was now necessary; and the circumstance that an aged woman was on watch also denoted some special grounds of alarm. All these considerations, and many more that will readily suggest themselves to the reader, were briefly97 discussed before the young men came to any decision. The occasion, however, being one that required acts instead of words, the course to be pursued was soon chosen.
Disposing of the canoe in such a manner that Hist must see it, should she come to the place of meeting previously to their return, the young men looked to their arms and prepared to enter the wood. The whole projection into the lake contained about two acres of land; and the part that formed the point, and on which the camp was placed, did not compose a surface of more than half that size. It was principally covered with oaks, which, as is usual in the American forests, grew to a great height without throwing out a branch, and then arched in a dense98 and rich foliage99. Beneath, except the fringe of thick bushes along the shore, there was very little underbrush; though, in consequence of their shape, the trees were closer together than is common in regions where the axe100 has been freely used, resembling tall, straight, rustic101 columns, upholding the usual canopy102 of leaves. The surface of the land was tolerably even, but it had a small rise near its centre, which divided it into a northern and southern half. On the latter, the Hurons had built their fire, profiting by the formation to conceal it from their enemies, who, it will be remembered, were supposed to be in the castle, which bore northerly. A brook103 also came brawling104 down the sides of the adjacent hills, and found its way into the lake on the southern side of the point. It had cut for itself a deep passage through some of the higher portions of the ground, and, in later days, when this spot has become subjected to the uses of civilization, by its windings105 and shaded banks, it has become no mean accessory in contributing to the beauty of the place. This brook lay west of the encampment, and its waters found their way into the great reservoir of that region on the same side, and quite near to the spot chosen for the fire. All these peculiarities106, so far as circumstances allowed, had been noted96 by Deerslayer, and explained to his friend.
The reader will understand that the little rise in the ground, that lay behind the Indian encampment, greatly favoured the secret advance of the two adventurers. It prevented the light of the fire diffusing107 itself on the ground directly in the rear, although the land fell away towards the water, so as to leave what might be termed the left, or eastern flank of the position unprotected by this covering. We have said unprotected, though that is not properly the word, since the knoll108 behind the huts and the fire offered a cover for those who were now stealthily approaching, rather than any protection to the Indians. Deerslayer did not break through the fringe of bushes immediately abreast109 of the canoe, which might have brought him too suddenly within the influence of the light, since the hillock did not extend to the water; but he followed the beach northerly until he had got nearly on the opposite side of the tongue of land, which brought him under the shelter of the low acclivity, and consequently more in the shadow.
As soon as the friends emerged from the bushes, they stopped to reconnoitre. The fire was still blazing behind the little ridge110, casting its light upward into the tops of the trees, producing an effect that was more pleasing than advantageous111. Still the glare had its uses; for, while the background was in obscurity, the foreground was in strong light; exposing the savages and concealing112 their foes. Profiting by the latter circumstance, the young men advanced cautiously towards the ridge, Deerslayer in front, for he insisted on this arrangement, lest the Delaware should be led by his feelings into some indiscretion. It required but a moment to reach the foot of the little ascent113, and then commenced the most critical part of the enterprise. Moving with exceeding caution, and trailing his rifle, both to keep its barrel out of view, and in readiness for service, the hunter put foot before foot, until he had got sufficiently114 high to overlook the summit, his own head being alone brought into the light. Chingachgook was at his side and both paused to take another close examination of the camp. In order, however, to protect themselves against any straggler in the rear, they placed their bodies against the trunk of an oak, standing44 on the side next the fire.
The view that Deerslayer now obtained of the camp was exactly the reverse of that he had perceived from the water. The dim figures which he had formerly115 discovered must have been on the summit of the ridge, a few feet in advance of the spot where he was now posted. The fire was still blazing brightly, and around it were seated on logs thirteen warriors, which accounted for all whom he had seen from the canoe. They were conversing116, with much earnestness among themselves, the image of the elephant passing from hand to hand. The first burst of savage wonder had abated117, and the question now under discussion was the probable existence, the history and the habits of so extraordinary an animal. We have not leisure to record the opinions of these rude men on a subject so consonant118 to their lives and experience; but little is hazarded in saying that they were quite as plausible, and far more ingenious, than half the conjectures that precede the demonstrations119 of science. However much they may have been at fault as to their conclusions and inferences, it is certain that they discussed the questions with a zealous120 and most undivided attention. For the time being all else was forgotten, and our adventurers could not have approached at a more fortunate instant.
The females were collected near each other, much as Deerslayer had last seen them, nearly in a line between the place where he now stood and the fire. The distance from the oak against which the young men leaned and the warriors was about thirty yards; the women may have been half that number of yards nigher. The latter, indeed, were so near as to make the utmost circumspection121, as to motion and noise, indispensable. Although they conversed122 in their low, soft voices it was possible, in the profound stillness of the woods, even to catch passages of the discourse123; and the light-hearted laugh that escaped the girls might occasionally have reached the canoe. Deerslayer felt the tremolo that passed through the frame of his friend when the latter first caught the sweet sounds that issued from the plump, pretty lips of Hist. He even laid a hand on the shoulder of the Indian, as a sort of admonition to command himself. As the conversation grew more earnest, each leaned forward to listen.
“The Hurons have more curious beasts than that,” said one of the girls, contemptuously, for, like the men, they conversed of the elephant and his qualities. “The Delawares will think this creature wonderful, but tomorrow no Huron tongue will talk of it. Our young men will find him if the animals dare to come near our wigwams!”
This was, in fact, addressed to Wah-ta-Wah, though she who spoke uttered her words with an assumed diffidence and humility124 that prevented her looking at the other.
“The Delawares are so far from letting such creatures come into their country,” returned Hist, “that no one has even seen their images there! Their young men would frighten away the images as well as the beasts.”
“The Delaware young men!— the nation is women — even the deer walk when they hear their hunters coming! Who has ever heard the name of a young Delaware warrior?”
This was said in good-humour, and with a laugh; but it was also said bitingly. That Hist so felt it, was apparent by the spirit betrayed in her answer.
“Who has ever heard the name of a young Delaware?” she repeated earnestly. “Tamenund, himself, though now as old as the pines on the hill, or as the eagles in the air, was once young; his name was heard from the great salt lake to the sweet waters of the west. What is the family of Uncas? Where is another as great, though the pale-faces have ploughed up its grates, and trodden on its bones? Do the eagles fly as high, is the deer as swift or the panther as brave? Is there no young warrior of that race? Let the Huron maidens125 open their eyes wider, and they may see one called Chingachgook, who is as stately as a young ash, and as tough as the hickory.”
As the girl used her figurative language and told her companions to “open their eyes, and they would see” the Delaware, Deerslayer thrust his fingers into the sides of his friend, and indulged in a fit of his hearty, benevolent126 laughter. The other smiled; but the language of the speaker was too flattering, and the tones of her voice too sweet for him to be led away by any accidental coincidence, however ludicrous. The speech of Hist produced a retort, and the dispute, though conducted in good-humour, and without any of the coarse violence of tone and gesture that often impairs127 the charms of the sex in what is called civilized128 life, grew warm and slightly clamorous129. In the midst of this scene, the Delaware caused his friend to stoop, so as completely to conceal himself, and then he made a noise so closely resembling the little chirrup of the smallest species of the American squirrel, that Deerslayer himself, though he had heard the imitation a hundred times, actually thought it came from one of the little animals skipping about over his head. The sound is so familiar in the woods, that none of the Hurons paid it the least attention. Hist, however, instantly ceased talking, and sat motionless. Still she had sufficient self-command to abstain130 from turning her head. She had heard the signal by which her lover so often called her from the wigwam to the stolen interview, and it came over her senses and her heart, as the serenade affects the maiden in the land of song.
From that moment, Chingachgook felt certain that his presence was known. This was effecting much, and he could now hope for a bolder line of conduct on the part of his mistress than she might dare to adopt under an uncertainty of his situation. It left no doubt of her endeavouring to aid him in his effort to release her. Deerslayer arose as soon as the signal was given, and though he had never held that sweet communion which is known only to lovers, he was not slow to detect the great change that had come over the manner of the girl. She still affected to dispute, though it was no longer with spirit and ingenuity131, but what she said was uttered more as a lure32 to draw her antagonists132 on to an easy conquest, than with any hopes of succeeding herself. Once or twice, it is true, her native readiness suggested a retort, or an argument that raised a laugh, and gave her a momentary133 advantage; but these little sallies, the offspring of mother-wit, served the better to conceal her real feelings, and to give to the triumph of the other party a more natural air than it might have possessed134 without them. At length the disputants became wearied, and they rose in a body as if about to separate. It was now that Hist, for the first time, ventured to turn her face in the direction whence the signal had come. In doing this, her movements were natural, but guarded, and she stretched her arm and yawned, as if overcome with a desire to sleep. The chirrup was again heard, and the girl felt satisfied as to the position of her lover, though the strong light in which she herself was placed, and the comparative darkness in which the adventurers stood, prevented her from seeing their heads, the only portions of their forms that appeared above the ridge at all. The tree against which they were posted had a dark shadow cast upon it by the intervention135 of an enormous pine that grew between it and the fire, a circumstance which alone would have rendered objects within its cloud invisible at any distance. This Deerslayer well knew, and it was one of the reasons why he had selected this particular tree.
The moment was near when it became necessary for Hist to act. She was to sleep in a small hut, or bower136, that had been built near where she stood, and her companion was the aged hag already mentioned. Once within the hut, with this sleepless137 old woman stretched across the entrance, as was her nightly practice, the hope of escape was nearly destroyed, and she might at any moment be summoned to her bed. Luckily, at this instant one of the warriors called to the old woman by name, and bade her bring him water to drink. There was a delicious spring on the northern side of the point, and the hag took a gourd138 from a branch and, summoning Hist to her side, she moved towards the summit of the ridge, intending to descend139 and cross the point to the natural fountain. All this was seen and understood by the adventurers, and they fell back into the obscurity, concealing their persons by trees, until the two females had passed them. In walking, Hist was held tightly by the hand. As she moved by the tree that hid Chingachgook and his friend the former felt for his tomahawk, with the intention to bury it in the brain of the woman. But the other saw the hazard of such a measure, since a single scream might bring all the warriors upon them, and he was averse140 to the act on considerations of humanity. His hand, therefore, prevented the blow. Still as the two moved past, the chirrup was repeated, and the Huron woman stopped and faced the tree whence the sounds seemed to proceed, standing, at the moment, within six feet of her enemies. She expressed her surprise that a squirrel should be in motion at so late an hour, and said it boded141 evil. Hist answered that she had heard the same squirrel three times within the last twenty minutes, and that she supposed it was waiting to obtain some of the crumbs142 left from the late supper. This explanation appeared satisfactory, and they moved towards the spring, the men following stealthily and closely. The gourd was filled, and the old woman was hurrying back, her hand still grasping the wrist of the girl, when she was suddenly seized so violently by the throat as to cause her to release her captive, and to prevent her making any other sound than a sort of gurgling, suffocating143 noise. The Serpent passed his arm round the waist of his mistress and dashed through the bushes with her, on the north side of the point. Here he immediately turned along the beach and ran towards the canoe. A more direct course could have been taken, but it might have led to a discovery of the place of embarking144.
Deerslayer kept playing on the throat of the old woman like the keys of an organ, occasionally allowing her to breathe, and then compressing his fingers again nearly to strangling. The brief intervals145 for breath, however, were well improved, and the hag succeeded in letting out a screech146 or two that served to alarm the camp. The tramp of the warriors, as they sprang from the fire, was plainly audible, and at the next moment three or four of them appeared on the top of the ridge, drawn against the background of light, resembling the dim shadows of the phantasmagoria. It was now quite time for the hunter to retreat. Tripping up the heels of his captive, and giving her throat a parting squeeze, quite as much in resentment147 at her indomitable efforts to sound the alarm as from any policy, he left her on her back, and moved towards the bushes, his rifle at a poise148, and his head over his shoulders, like a lion at bay.
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1
babbling
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| n.胡说，婴儿发出的咿哑声adj.胡说的v.喋喋不休( babble的现在分词 )；作潺潺声（如流水）；含糊不清地说话；泄漏秘密 | |
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omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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trophies
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| n.（为竞赛获胜者颁发的）奖品( trophy的名词复数 )；奖杯；（尤指狩猎或战争中获得的）纪念品；（用于比赛或赛跑名称）奖 | |
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foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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harry
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| vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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sleepers
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| n.卧铺（通常以复数形式出现）；卧车( sleeper的名词复数 )；轨枕；睡觉（呈某种状态）的人；小耳环 | |
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gal
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| n.姑娘，少女 | |
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betrothed
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| n. 已订婚者 动词betroth的过去式和过去分词 | |
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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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savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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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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backbite
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| v.背后诽谤 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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comeliness
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| n. 清秀, 美丽, 合宜 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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debut
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| n.首次演出，初次露面 | |
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warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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mortifying
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| adj.抑制的，苦修的v.使受辱( mortify的现在分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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lure
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| n.吸引人的东西，诱惑物；vt.引诱，吸引 | |
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captivity
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| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
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maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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enlisted
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| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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steer
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| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
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steering
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| n.操舵装置 | |
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39
projection
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| n.发射，计划，突出部分 | |
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40
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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41
instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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42
stationary
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| adj.固定的，静止不动的 | |
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43
eastward
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| adv.向东；adj.向东的；n.东方，东部 | |
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44
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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45
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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46
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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gravel
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| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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48
strand
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| vt.使（船）搁浅，使（某人）困于（某地） | |
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49
wade
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| v.跋涉，涉水；n.跋涉 | |
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50
apprehending
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| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的现在分词 )； 理解 | |
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51
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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52
habitually
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| ad.习惯地，通常地 | |
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53
illuminate
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| vt.照亮，照明；用灯光装饰；说明，阐释 | |
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54
illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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55
plausible
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| adj.似真实的，似乎有理的，似乎可信的 | |
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56
conjectures
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| 推测，猜想( conjecture的名词复数 ) | |
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57
resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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58
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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59
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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60
apprehensions
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| 疑惧 | |
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61
aquatic
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| adj.水生的，水栖的 | |
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62
subtleties
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| 细微( subtlety的名词复数 )； 精细； 巧妙； 细微的差别等 | |
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63
poetical
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| adj.似诗人的；诗一般的；韵文的；富有诗意的 | |
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64
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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65
solitudes
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| n.独居( solitude的名词复数 )；孤独；荒僻的地方；人迹罕至的地方 | |
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66
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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67
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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68
appall
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| vt.使惊骇，使大吃一惊 | |
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69
vista
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| n.远景，深景，展望，回想 | |
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70
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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71
lodging
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| n.寄宿，住所；(大学生的)校外宿舍 | |
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72
tapers
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| （长形物体的）逐渐变窄( taper的名词复数 )； 微弱的光； 极细的蜡烛 | |
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73
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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74
relaxation
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| n.松弛，放松；休息；消遣；娱乐 | |
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75
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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76
requisite
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| adj.需要的，必不可少的；n.必需品 | |
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77
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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78
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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79
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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80
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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81
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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82
rebuke
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| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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83
rebuked
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| 责难或指责( rebuke的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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84
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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85
betokened
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| v.预示，表示( betoken的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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86
penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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87
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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88
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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89
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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90
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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91
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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92
undertaking
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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93
reposed
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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97
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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99
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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100
axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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102
canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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103
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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brawling
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| n.争吵，喧嚷 | |
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windings
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| （道路、河流等）蜿蜒的，弯曲的( winding的名词复数 )； 缠绕( wind的现在分词 )； 卷绕； 转动（把手） | |
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106
peculiarities
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| n. 特质, 特性, 怪癖, 古怪 | |
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107
diffusing
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| （使光）模糊，漫射，漫散( diffuse的现在分词 )； （使）扩散； （使）弥漫； （使）传播 | |
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108
knoll
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| n.小山，小丘 | |
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109
abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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111
advantageous
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| adj.有利的；有帮助的 | |
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112
concealing
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的现在分词 ) | |
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113
ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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114
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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115
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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116
conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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117
abated
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| 减少( abate的过去式和过去分词 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼） | |
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118
consonant
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| n.辅音；adj.[音]符合的 | |
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119
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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120
zealous
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| adj.狂热的，热心的 | |
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121
circumspection
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| n.细心，慎重 | |
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122
conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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123
discourse
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| n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述 | |
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124
humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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125
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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impairs
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| v.损害，削弱( impair的第三人称单数 ) | |
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128
civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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129
clamorous
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| adj.吵闹的，喧哗的 | |
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130
abstain
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| v.自制，戒绝，弃权，避免 | |
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131
ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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132
antagonists
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| 对立[对抗] 者，对手，敌手( antagonist的名词复数 )； 对抗肌； 对抗药 | |
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133
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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134
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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135
intervention
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| n.介入，干涉，干预 | |
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136
bower
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| n.凉亭，树荫下凉快之处；闺房；v.荫蔽 | |
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137
sleepless
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| adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的 | |
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138
gourd
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| n.葫芦 | |
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139
descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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140
averse
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| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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141
boded
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| v.预示，预告，预言( bode的过去式和过去分词 )；等待，停留( bide的过去分词 )；居住；（过去式用bided）等待 | |
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142
crumbs
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| int. (表示惊讶)哎呀 n. 碎屑 名词crumb的复数形式 | |
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143
suffocating
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| a.使人窒息的 | |
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144
embarking
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| 乘船( embark的现在分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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145
intervals
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| 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 | |
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146
screech
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| n./v.尖叫；(发出)刺耳的声音 | |
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147
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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148
poise
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| vt./vi. 平衡，保持平衡；n.泰然自若，自信 | |
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