I renounce1 your defiance2; if you parley3 so roughly I’ll barricade4 my gates against you. Do you see yon bay window? Storm, I care not, serving the good Duke of Norfolk
Merry Devil of Edmonton.
Julia Mannering to Matilda Marchmont
‘I rise from a sick-bed, my dearest Matilda, to communicate the strange and frightful5 scenes which have just passed. Alas6! how little we ought to jest with futurity! I closed my letter to you in high spirits, with some flippant remarks on your taste for the romantic and extraordinary in fictitious7 narrative8. How little I expected to have had such events to record in the course of a few days! And to witness scenes of terror, or to contemplate9 them in description, is as different, my dearest Matilda, as to bend over the brink10 of a precipice11 holding by the frail12 tenure13 of a half — rooted shrub14, or to admire the same precipice as represented in the landscape of Salvator. But I will not anticipate my narrative.
‘The first part of my story is frightful enough, though it had nothing to interest my feelings. You must know that this country is particularly favourable15 to the commerce of a set of desperate men from the Isle16 of Man, which is nearly opposite. These smugglers are numerous, resolute18, and formidable, and have at different times become the dread19 of the neighbourhood when any one has interfered20 with their contraband21 trade. The local magistrates22, from timidity or worse motives23, have become shy of acting24 against them, and impunity25 has rendered them equally daring and desperate. With all this my father, a stranger in the land, and invested with no official authority, had, one would think, nothing to do. But it must be owned that, as he himself expresses it, he was born when Mars was lord of his ascendant, and that strife26 and bloodshed find him out in circumstances and situations the most retired27 and pacific.
‘About eleven o’clock on last Tuesday morning, while Hazlewood and my father were proposing to walk to a little lake about three miles’ distance, for the purpose of shooting wild ducks, and while Lucy and I were busied with arranging our plan of work and study for the day, we were alarmed by the sound of horses’ feet advancing very fast up the avenue. The ground was hardened by a severe frost, which made the clatter30 of the hoofs31 sound yet louder and sharper. In a moment two or three men, armed, mounted, and each leading a spare horse loaded with packages, appeared on the lawn, and, without keeping upon the road, which makes a small sweep, pushed right across for the door of the house. Their appearance was in the utmost degree hurried and disordered, and they frequently looked back like men who apprehended32 a close and deadly pursuit. My father and Hazlewood hurried to the front door to demand who they were, and what was their business. They were revenue officers, they stated, who had seized these horses, loaded with contraband articles, at a place about three miles off. But the smugglers had been reinforced, and were now pursuing them with the avowed33 purpose of recovering the goods, and putting to death the officers who had presumed to do their duty. The men said that, their horses being loaded, and the pursuers gaining ground upon them, they had fled to Woodbourne, conceiving that, as my father had served the King, he would not refuse to protect the servants of government when threatened to be murdered in the discharge of their duty.
‘My father, to whom, in his enthusiastic feelings of military loyalty34, even a dog would be of importance if he came in the King’s name, gave prompt orders for securing the goods in the hall, arming the servants, and defending the house in case it should be necessary. Hazlewood seconded him with great spirit, and even the strange animal they call Sampson stalked out of his den29, and seized upon a fowling-piece which my father had laid aside to take what they call a rifle-gun, with which they shoot tigers, etc., in the East. The piece went off in the awkward hands of the poor parson, and very nearly shot one of the excisemen. At this unexpected and involuntary explosion of his weapon, the Dominie (such is his nickname) exclaimed, “Prodigious!” which is his usual ejaculation when astonished. But no power could force the man to part with his discharged piece, so they were content to let him retain it, with the precaution of trusting him with no ammunition35. This (excepting the alarm occasioned by the report) escaped my notice at the time, you may easily believe; but, in talking over the scene afterwards, Hazlewood made us very merry with the Dominie’s ignorant but zealous36 valour.
‘When my father had got everything into proper order for defence, and his people stationed at the windows with their firearms, he wanted to order us out of danger — into the cellar, I believe — but we could not be prevailed upon to stir. Though terrified to death, I have so much of his own spirit that I would look upon the peril37 which threatens us rather than hear it rage around me without knowing its nature or its progress. Lucy, looking as pale as a marble statue, and keeping her eyes fixed38 on Hazlewood, seemed not even to hear the prayers with which he conjured39 her to leave the front of the house. But in truth, unless the hall-door should be forced, we were in little danger; the windows being almost blocked up with cushions and pillows, and, what the Dominie most lamented40, with folio volumes, brought hastily from the library, leaving only spaces through which the defenders41 might fire upon the assailants.
‘My father had now made his dispositions43, and we sat in breathless expectation in the darkened apartment, the men remaining all silent upon their posts, in anxious contemplation probably of the approaching danger. My father, who was quite at home in such a scene, walked from one to another and reiterated44 his orders that no one should presume to fire until he gave the word. Hazlewood, who seemed to catch courage from his eye, acted as his aid-de — camp, and displayed the utmost alertness in bearing his directions from one place to another, and seeing them properly carried into execution. Our force, with the strangers included, might amount to about twelve men.
‘At length the silence of this awful period of expectation was broken by a sound which at a distance was like the rushing of a stream of water, but as it approached we distinguished45 the thick — beating clang of a number of horses advancing very fast. I had arranged a loophole for myself, from which I could see the approach of the enemy. The noise increased and came nearer, and at length thirty horsemen and more rushed at once upon the lawn. You never saw such horrid46 wretches47! Notwithstanding the severity of the season, they were most of them stripped to their shirts and trowsers, with silk handkerchiefs knotted about their heads, and all well armed with carbines, pistols, and cutlasses. I, who am a soldier’s daughter, and accustomed to see war from my infancy48, was never so terrified in my life as by the savage49 appearance of these ruffians, their horses reeking50 with the speed at which they had ridden, and their furious exclamations51 of rage and disappointment when they saw themselves baulked of their prey52. They paused, however, when they saw the preparations made to receive them, and appeared to hold a moment’s consultation53 among themselves. At length one of the party, his face blackened with gunpowder54 by way of disguise, came forward with a white handkerchief on the end of his carbine, and asked to speak with Colonel Mannering. My father, to my infinite terror, threw open a window near which he was posted, and demanded what he wanted. “We want our goods, which we have been robbed of by these sharks,” said the fellow; “and our lieutenant55 bids me say that, if they are delivered, we’ll go off for this bout28 without clearing scores with the rascals56 who took them; but if not, we’ll burn the house, and have the heart’s blood of every one in it,” — a threat which he repeated more than once, graced by a fresh variety of imprecations, and the most horrid denunciations that cruelty could suggest.
‘“And which is your lieutenant?” said my father in reply.
‘“That gentleman on the grey horse,” said the miscreant57, “with the red handkerchief bound about his brow.”
‘“Then be pleased to tell that gentleman that, if he and the scoundrels who are with him do not ride off the lawn this instant, I will fire upon them without ceremony.” So saying, my father shut the window and broke short the conference.
‘The fellow no sooner regained58 his troop than, with a loud hurra, or rather a savage yell, they fired a volley against our garrison59. The glass of the windows was shattered in every direction, but the precautions already noticed saved the party within from suffering. Three such volleys were fired without a shot being returned from within. My father then observed them getting hatchets60 and crows, probably to assail42 the hall-door, and called aloud, “Let none fire but Hazlewood and me; Hazlewood, mark the ambassador.” He himself aimed at the man on the grey horse, who fell on receiving his shot. Hazlewood was equally successful. He shot the spokesman, who had dismounted and was advancing with an axe61 in his hand. Their fall discouraged the rest, who began to turn round their horses; and a few shots fired at them soon sent them off, bearing along with them their slain62 or wounded companions. We could not observe that they suffered any farther loss. Shortly after their retreat a party of soldiers made their appearance, to my infinite relief. These men were quartered at a village some miles distant, and had marched on the first rumour63 of the skirmish. A part of them escorted the terrified revenue officers and their seizure64 to a neighbouring seaport65 as a place of safety, and at my earnest request two or three files remained with us for that and the following day, for the security of the house from the vengeance66 of these banditti.
‘Such, dearest Matilda, was my first alarm. I must not forget to add that the ruffians left, at a cottage on the roadside, the man whose face was blackened with powder, apparently67 because he was unable to bear transportation. He died in about half an hour after. On examining the corpse68, it proved to be that of a profligate69 boor70 in the neighbourhood, a person notorious as a poacher and smuggler17. We received many messages of congratulation from the neighbouring families, and it was generally allowed that a few such instances of spirited resistance would greatly check the presumption71 of these lawless men. My father distributed rewards among his servants, and praised Hazlewood’s courage and coolness to the skies. Lucy and I came in for a share of his applause, because we had stood fire with firmness, and had not disturbed him with screams or expostulations. As for the Dominie, my father took an opportunity of begging to exchange snuff-boxes with him. The honest gentleman was much flattered with the proposal, and extolled72 the beauty of his new snuff-box excessively. “It looked,” he said, “as well as if it were real gold from Ophir.” Indeed, it would be odd if it should not, being formed in fact of that very metal; but, to do this honest creature justice, I believe the knowledge of its real value would not enhance his sense of my father’s kindness, supposing it, as he does, to be pinchbeck gilded73. He has had a hard task replacing the folios which were used in the barricade, smoothing out the creases74 and dog’s-ears, and repairing the other disasters they have sustained during their service in the fortification. He brought us some pieces of lead and bullets which these ponderous75 tomes had intercepted76 during the action, and which he had extracted with great care; and, were I in spirits, I could give you a comic account of his astonishment77 at the apathy78 with which we heard of the wounds and mutilation suffered by Thomas Aquinas or the venerable Chrysostom. But I am not in spirits, and I have yet another and a more interesting incident to communicate. I feel, however, so much fatigued79 with my present exertion80 that I cannot resume the pen till to-morrow. I will detain this letter notwithstanding, that you may not feel any anxiety upon account of your own
‘Julia Mannering.’
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1
renounce
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| v.放弃；拒绝承认，宣布与…断绝关系 | |
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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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barricade
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| n.路障，栅栏，障碍；vt.设路障挡住 | |
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frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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fictitious
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| adj.虚构的，假设的；空头的 | |
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narrative
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| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
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contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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precipice
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| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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frail
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| adj.身体虚弱的；易损坏的 | |
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tenure
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| n.终身职位；任期；(土地)保有权，保有期 | |
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shrub
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| n.灌木，灌木丛 | |
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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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isle
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| n.小岛，岛 | |
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smuggler
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| n.走私者 | |
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resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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contraband
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| n.违禁品，走私品 | |
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magistrates
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| 地方法官，治安官( magistrate的名词复数 ) | |
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23
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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impunity
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| n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除 | |
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strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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bout
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| n.侵袭，发作；一次(阵，回)；拳击等比赛 | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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30
clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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apprehended
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| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 )； 理解 | |
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avowed
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| adj.公开声明的，承认的v.公开声明，承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
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loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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zealous
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| adj.狂热的，热心的 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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conjured
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| 用魔术变出( conjure的过去式和过去分词 )； 祈求，恳求； 变戏法； （变魔术般地） 使…出现 | |
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40
lamented
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| adj.被哀悼的，令人遗憾的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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41
defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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assail
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| v.猛烈攻击，抨击，痛斥 | |
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43
dispositions
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| 安排( disposition的名词复数 )； 倾向； （财产、金钱的）处置； 气质 | |
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44
reiterated
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| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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45
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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46
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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48
infancy
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| n.婴儿期；幼年期；初期 | |
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49
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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50
reeking
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| v.发出浓烈的臭气( reek的现在分词 )；散发臭气；发出难闻的气味 (of sth)；明显带有（令人不快或生疑的跡象） | |
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51
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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52
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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53
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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54
gunpowder
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| n.火药 | |
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55
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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56
rascals
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| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
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miscreant
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| n.恶棍 | |
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58
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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60
hatchets
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| n.短柄小斧( hatchet的名词复数 )；恶毒攻击；诽谤；休战 | |
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axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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62
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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63
rumour
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| n.谣言，谣传，传闻 | |
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seizure
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| n.没收；占有；抵押 | |
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seaport
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| n.海港，港口，港市 | |
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vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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profligate
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| adj.行为不检的；n.放荡的人，浪子，肆意挥霍者 | |
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boor
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| n.举止粗野的人；乡下佬 | |
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presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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extolled
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| v.赞颂，赞扬，赞美( extol的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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gilded
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| a.镀金的，富有的 | |
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creases
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| （使…）起折痕，弄皱( crease的第三人称单数 )； （皮肤）皱起，使起皱纹 | |
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ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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intercepted
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| 拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 )； 截住； 截击； 拦阻 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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apathy
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| n.漠不关心，无动于衷；冷淡 | |
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fatigued
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| adj. 疲乏的 | |
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exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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