AN unfathomable gulf1 twenty-five miles long, and twenty miles broad was produced, but long before historic times, by the falling in of caverns2 among the trachytic lavas3 of the center of the island. And these waters falling from the surrounding heights have taken possession of this vast basin. The gulf has become a lake, but it is also an abyss, and no lead-line has yet sounded its depths.
Such is the wondrous4 lake of Taupo, lying 1,250 feet above the level of the sea, and in view of an amphitheater of mountains 2,400 feet high. On the west are rocky peaks of great size; on the north lofty summits clothed with low trees; on the east a broad beach with a road track, and covered with pumice stones, which shimmer5 through the leafy screen of the bushes; on the southern side rise volcanic6 cones7 behind a forest flat. Such is the majestic8 frame that incloses this vast sheet of water whose roaring tempests rival the cyclones9 of Ocean.
The whole region boils like an immense cauldron hung over subterranean10 fires. The ground vibrates from the agitation11 of the central furnace. Hot springs filter out everywhere. The crust of the earth cracks in great rifts12 like a cake, too quickly baked.
About a quarter of a mile off, on a craggy spur of the mountain stood a “pah,” or Maori fortress13. The prisoners, whose feet and hands were liberated14, were landed one by one, and conducted into it by the warriors15. The path which led up to the intrenchment, lay across fields of “phormium” and a grove17 of beautiful trees, the “kai-kateas” with persistent18 leaves and red berries; “dracaenas australis,” the “ti-trees” of the natives, whose crown is a graceful19 counterpart of the cabbage-palm, and “huious,” which are used to give a black dye to cloth. Large doves with metallic20 sheen on their plumage, and a world of starlings with reddish carmeles, flew away at the approach of the natives.
After a rather circuitous21 walk, Glenarvan and his party arrived at the “pah.”
The fortress was defended by an outer inclosure of strong palisades, fifteen feet high; a second line of stakes; then a fence composed of osiers, with loop-holes, inclosed
V. IV. Verne the inner space, that is the plateau of the “pah,” on which were erected22 the Maori buildings, and about forty huts arranged symmetrically.
When the captives approached they were horror-struck at the sight of the heads which adorned23 the posts of the inner circle. Lady Helena and Mary Grant turned away their eyes more with disgust than with terror. These heads were those of hostile chiefs who had fallen in battle, and whose bodies had served to feed the conquerors24. The geographer25 recognized that it was so, from their eye sockets26 being hollow and deprived of eye-balls.
Glenarvan and his companions had taken in all this scene at a glance. They stood near an empty house, waiting the pleasure of the chief, and exposed to the abuse of a crowd of old crones. This troop of harpies surrounded them, shaking their fists, howling and vociferating. Some English words that escaped their coarse mouths left no doubt that they were clamoring for immediate27 vengeance28.
In the midst of all these cries and threats, Lady Helena, tranquil29 to all outward seeming, affected30 an indifference31 she was far from feeling. This courageous32 woman made heroic efforts to restrain herself, lest she should disturb Glenarvan’s coolness. Poor Mary Grant felt her heart sink within her, and John Mangles33 stood by ready to die in her behalf. His companions bore the deluge34 of invectives each according to his disposition35; the Major with utter indifference, Paganel with exasperation36 that increased every moment.
Glenarvan, to spare Lady Helena the attacks of these witches, walked straight up to Kai-Koumou, and pointing to the hideous37 group:
“Send them away,” said he.
The Maori chief stared fixedly38 at his prisoner without speaking; and then, with a nod, he silenced the noisy horde39. Glenarvan bowed, as a sign of thanks, and went slowly back to his place.
At this moment a hundred Maories were assembled in the “pah,” old men, full grown men, youths; the former were calm, but gloomy, awaiting the orders of Kai-Koumou; the others gave themselves up to the most violent sorrow, bewailing their parents and friends who had fallen in the late engagements.
Kai-Koumou was the only one of all the chiefs that obeyed the call of William Thompson, who had returned to the lake district, and he was the first to announce to his tribe the defeat of the national insurrection, beaten on the plains of the lower Waikato. Of the two hundred warriors who, under his orders, hastened to the defence of the soil, one hundred and fifty were missing on his return. Allowing for a number being made prisoners by the invaders40, how many must be lying on the field of battle, never to return to the country of their ancestors!
This was the secret of the outburst of grief with which the tribe saluted41 the arrival of Kai-Koumou. Up to that moment nothing had been known of the last defeat, and the fatal news fell on them like a thunder clap.
Among the savages42, sorrow is always manifested by physical signs; the parents and friends of deceased warriors, the women especially, lacerated their faces and shoulders with sharpened shells. The blood spurted43 out and blended with their tears. Deep wounds denoted great despair. The unhappy Maories, bleeding and excited, were hideous to look upon.
There was another serious element in their grief. Not only had they lost the relative or friend they mourned, but his bones would be missing in the family mausoleum. In the Maori religion the possession of these relics44 is regarded as indispensable to the destinies of the future life; not the perishable45 flesh, but the bones, which are collected with the greatest care, cleaned, scraped, polished, even varnished46, and then deposited in the “oudoupa,” that is the “house of glory.” These tombs are adorned with wooden statues, representing with perfect exactness the tattoo47 of the deceased. But now their tombs would be left empty, the religious rites48 would be unsolemnized, and the bones that escaped the teeth of the wild dog would whiten without burial on the field of battle.
Then the sorrowful chorus redoubled. The menaces of the women were intensified49 by the imprecations of the men against the Europeans. Abusive epithets50 were lavished51, the accompanying gestures became more violent. The howl was about to end in brutal52 action.
Kai-Koumou, fearing that he might be overpowered by the fanatics53 of his tribe, conducted his prisoners to a sacred place, on an abruptly54 raised plateau at the other end of the “pah.” This hut rested against a mound55 elevated a hundred feet above it, which formed the steep outer buttress56 of the entrenchment57. In this “Ware-Atoua,” sacred house, the priests or arikis taught the Maories about a Triune God, father, son, and bird, or spirit. The large, well constructed hut, contained the sacred and choice food which Maoui-Ranga-Rangui eats by the mouths of his priests.
In this place, and safe for the moment from the frenzied58 natives, the captives lay down on the flax mats. Lady Helena was quite exhausted59, her moral energies prostrate60, and she fell helpless into her husband’s arms.
Glenarvan pressed her to his bosom61 and said:
“Courage, my dear Helena; Heaven will not forsake62 us!”
Robert was scarcely in when he jumped on Wilson’s shoulders, and squeezed his head through a crevice63 left between the roof and the walls, from which chaplets of amulets64 were hung. From that elevation65 he could see the whole extent of the “pah,” and as far as Kai-Koumou’s house.
“They are all crowding round the chief,” said he softly. “They are throwing their arms about. . . . They are howling. . . . . Kai-Koumou is trying to speak.”
Then he was silent for a few minutes.
“Kai-Koumou is speaking. . . . The savages are quieter. . . . . They are listening. . . . .”
“Evidently,” said the Major, “this chief has a personal interest in protecting us. He wants to exchange his prisoners for some chiefs of his tribe! But will his warriors consent?”
“Yes! . . . They are listening. . . . . They have dispersed66, some are gone into their huts. . . . The others have left the intrenchment.”
“Are you sure?” said the Major.
“Yes, Mr. McNabbs,” replied Robert, “Kai-Koumou is left alone with the warriors of his canoe. . . . . Oh! one of them is coming up here. . . . .”
“Come down, Robert,” said Glenarvan.
At this moment, Lady Helena who had risen, seized her husband’s arm.
“Edward,” she said in a resolute67 tone, “neither Mary Grant nor I must fall into the hands of these savages alive!”
And so saying, she handed Glenarvan a loaded revolver.
“Fire-arm!” exclaimed Glenarvan, with flashing eyes.
“Yes! the Maories do not search their prisoners. But, Edward, this is for us, not for them.”
Glenarvan slipped the revolver under his coat; at the same moment the mat at the entrance was raised, and a native entered.
He motioned to the prisoners to follow him. Glenarvan and the rest walked across the “pah” and stopped before Kai-Koumou. He was surrounded by the principal warriors of his tribe, and among them the Maori whose canoe joined that of the Kai-Koumou at the confluence68 of Pohain-henna, on the Waikato. He was a man about forty years of age, powerfully built and of fierce and cruel aspect. His name was Kara-Tete, meaning “the irascible” in the native tongue. Kai-Koumou treated him with a certain tone of respect, and by the fineness of his tattoo, it was easy to perceive that Kara-Tete held a lofty position in the tribe, but a keen observer would have guessed the feeling of rivalry69 that existed between these two chiefs. The Major observed that the influence of Kara-Tete gave umbrage70 to Kai-Koumou. They both ruled the Waikato tribes, and were equal in authority. During this interview Kai-Koumou smiled, but his eyes betrayed a deep-seated enmity.
Kai-Koumou interrogated71 Glenarvan.
“You are English?” said he.
“Yes,” replied Glenarvan, unhesitatingly, as his nationality would facilitate the exchange.
“And your companions?” said Kai-Koumou.
“My companions are English like myself. We are shipwrecked travelers, but it may be important to state that we have taken no part in the war.”
“That matters little!” was the brutal answer of Kara-Tete. “Every Englishman is an enemy. Your people invaded our island! They robbed our fields! they burned our villages!”
“They were wrong!” said Glenarvan, quietly. “I say so, because I think it, not because I am in your power.”
“Listen,” said Kai-Koumou, “the Tohonga, the chief priest of Noui-Atoua has fallen into the hands of your brethren; he is a prisoner among the Pakekas. Our deity72 has commanded us to ransom73 him. For my own part, I would rather have torn out your heart, I would have stuck your head, and those of your companions, on the posts of that palisade. But Noui-Atoua has spoken.”
As he uttered these words, Kai-Koumou, who till now had been quite unmoved, trembled with rage, and his features expressed intense ferocity.
Then after a few minutes’ interval74 he proceeded more calmly.
“Do you think the English will exchange you for our Tohonga?”
Glenarvan hesitated, all the while watching the Maori chief.
“I do not know,” said he, after a moment of silence.
“Speak,” returned Kai-Koumou, “is your life worth that of our Tohonga?”
“No,” replied Glenarvan. “I am neither a chief nor a priest among my own people.”
Paganel, petrified75 at this reply, looked at Glenarvan in amazement76. Kai-Koumou appeared equally astonished.
“You doubt it then?” said he.
“I do not know,” replied Glenarvan.
“Your people will not accept you as an exchange for Tohonga?”
“Me alone? no,” repeated Glenarvan. “All of us perhaps they might.”
“Our Maori custom,” replied Kai-Koumou, “is head for head.”
“Offer first these ladies in exchange for your priest,” said Glenarvan, pointing to Lady Helena and Mary Grant.
Lady Helena was about to interrupt him. But the Major held her back.
“Those two ladies,” continued Glenarvan, bowing respectfully toward Lady Helena and Mary Grant, “are personages of rank in their own country.”
The warrior16 gazed coldly at his prisoner. An evil smile relaxed his lips for a moment; then he controlled himself, and in a voice of ill-concealed anger:
“Do you hope to deceive Kai-Koumou with lying words, accursed Pakeka? Can not the eyes of Kai-Koumou read hearts?”
And pointing to Lady Helena: “That is your wife?” he said.
“No! mine!” exclaimed Kara-Tete.
And then pushing his prisoners aside, he laid his hand on the shoulder of Lady Helena, who turned pale at his touch.
“Edward!” cried the unfortunate woman in terror.
Glenarvan, without a word, raised his arm, a shot! and Kara-Tete fell at his feet.
The sound brought a crowd of natives to the spot. A hundred arms were ready, and Glenarvan’s revolver was snatched from him.
Kai-Koumou glanced at Glenarvan with a curious expression: then with one hand protecting Glenarvan, with the other he waved off the crowd who were rushing on the party.
At last his voice was heard above the tumult77.
At that word the crowd stood still before Glenarvan and his companions, who for the time were preserved by a supernatural influence.
A few minutes after they were re-conducted to Ware-Atoua, which was their prison. But Robert Grant and Paganel were not with them.
收听单词发音 |
1
gulf
|
|
| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
caverns
|
|
| 大山洞，大洞穴( cavern的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
lavas
|
|
| n.（火山喷发的）熔岩( lava的名词复数 )；（熔岩冷凝后的）火山岩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
wondrous
|
|
| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
shimmer
|
|
| v./n.发微光，发闪光；微光 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
volcanic
|
|
| adj.火山的；象火山的；由火山引起的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
cones
|
|
| n.（人眼）圆锥细胞；圆锥体( cone的名词复数 )；球果；圆锥形东西；（盛冰淇淋的）锥形蛋卷筒 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
majestic
|
|
| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
cyclones
|
|
| n.气旋( cyclone的名词复数 )；旋风；飓风；暴风 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
subterranean
|
|
| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
agitation
|
|
| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
rifts
|
|
| n.裂缝( rift的名词复数 )；裂隙；分裂；不和 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
fortress
|
|
| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
liberated
|
|
| a.无拘束的，放纵的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
warriors
|
|
| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
warrior
|
|
| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
grove
|
|
| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
persistent
|
|
| adj.坚持不懈的，执意的；持续的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
graceful
|
|
| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
metallic
|
|
| adj.金属的；金属制的；含金属的；产金属的；像金属的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
circuitous
|
|
| adj.迂回的路的，迂曲的，绕行的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
ERECTED
|
|
| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
adorned
|
|
| [计]被修饰的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
conquerors
|
|
| 征服者，占领者( conqueror的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
geographer
|
|
| n.地理学者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
sockets
|
|
| n.套接字，使应用程序能够读写与收发通讯协定(protocol)与资料的程序( Socket的名词复数 )；孔( socket的名词复数 )；（电器上的）插口；托座；凹穴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
immediate
|
|
| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
vengeance
|
|
| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
tranquil
|
|
| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
affected
|
|
| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
indifference
|
|
| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
courageous
|
|
| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
mangles
|
|
| n.轧布机，轧板机，碾压机（mangle的复数形式）vt.乱砍（mangle的第三人称单数形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
deluge
|
|
| n./vt.洪水，暴雨，使泛滥 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
disposition
|
|
| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
exasperation
|
|
| n.愤慨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
hideous
|
|
| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
fixedly
|
|
| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
horde
|
|
| n.群众，一大群 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
invaders
|
|
| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
saluted
|
|
| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
savages
|
|
| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
spurted
|
|
| （液体，火焰等）喷出，（使）涌出( spurt的过去式和过去分词 )； （短暂地）加速前进，冲刺 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
relics
|
|
| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
perishable
|
|
| adj.（尤指食物）易腐的，易坏的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
varnished
|
|
| 浸渍过的，涂漆的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
tattoo
|
|
| n.纹身，(皮肤上的)刺花纹；vt.刺花纹于 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
rites
|
|
| 仪式，典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
intensified
|
|
| v.（使）增强， （使）加剧( intensify的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
epithets
|
|
| n.（表示性质、特征等的）词语( epithet的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
lavished
|
|
| v.过分给予，滥施( lavish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
brutal
|
|
| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
fanatics
|
|
| 狂热者，入迷者( fanatic的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
abruptly
|
|
| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
mound
|
|
| n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
buttress
|
|
| n.支撑物；v.支持 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
entrenchment
|
|
| n.壕沟，防御设施 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
frenzied
|
|
| a.激怒的；疯狂的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
exhausted
|
|
| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
prostrate
|
|
| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
bosom
|
|
| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
forsake
|
|
| vt.遗弃，抛弃；舍弃，放弃 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
crevice
|
|
| n.(岩石、墙等)裂缝；缺口 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
amulets
|
|
| n.护身符( amulet的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
elevation
|
|
| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
dispersed
|
|
| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
resolute
|
|
| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
confluence
|
|
| n.汇合，聚集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
rivalry
|
|
| n.竞争，竞赛，对抗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
umbrage
|
|
| n.不快；树荫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
interrogated
|
|
| v.询问( interrogate的过去式和过去分词 )；审问；（在计算机或其他机器上）查询 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
deity
|
|
| n.神，神性；被奉若神明的人(或物) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
ransom
|
|
| n.赎金，赎身；v.赎回，解救 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
interval
|
|
| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
petrified
|
|
| adj.惊呆的；目瞪口呆的v.使吓呆，使惊呆；变僵硬；使石化(petrify的过去式和过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
amazement
|
|
| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
tumult
|
|
| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
taboo
|
|
| n.禁忌，禁止接近，禁止使用；adj.禁忌的；v.禁忌，禁制，禁止 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |