Here the trail of Dejah Thoris' abductors led along the mountains' base, across steep and rugged6 ravines, by the side of appalling7 precipices8, and sometimes out into the valley, where we found fighting aplenty with the members of the various tribes that make up the population of this vale of hopelessness.
But through it all we came at last to where the way led up a narrow gorge9 that grew steeper and more impracticable at every step until before us loomed10 a mighty11 fortress12 buried beneath the side of an overhanging cliff.
Here was the secret hiding place of Matai Shang, Father of Therns. Here, surrounded by a handful of the faithful, the hekkador of the ancient faith, who had once been served by millions of vassals13 and dependents, dispensed14 the spiritual words among the half dozen nations of Barsoom that still clung tenaciously15 to their false and discredited16 religion.
Darkness was just falling as we came in sight of the seemingly impregnable walls of this mountain stronghold, and lest we be seen I drew back with Woola behind a jutting17 granite18 promontory19, into a clump20 of the hardy21, purple scrub that thrives upon the barren sides of Otz.
Here we lay until the quick transition from daylight to darkness had passed. Then I crept out to approach the fortress walls in search of a way within.
Either through carelessness or over-confidence in the supposed inaccessibility22 of their hiding place, the triple-barred gate stood ajar. Beyond were a handful of guards, laughing and talking over one of their incomprehensible Barsoomian games.
I saw that none of the guardsmen had been of the party that accompanied Thurid and Matai Shang; and so, relying entirely23 upon my disguise, I walked boldly through the gateway24 and up to the thern guard.
The men stopped their game and looked up at me, but there was no sign of suspicion. Similarly they looked at Woola, growling25 at my heel.
"Kaor!" I said in true Martian greeting, and the warriors27 arose and saluted28 me. "I have but just found my way hither from the Golden Cliffs," I continued, "and seek audience with the hekkador, Matai Shang, Father of Therns. Where may he be found?"
"Follow me," said one of the guard, and, turning, led me across the outer courtyard toward a second buttressed29 wall.
Why the apparent ease with which I seemingly deceived them did not rouse my suspicions I know not, unless it was that my mind was still so full of that fleeting31 glimpse of my beloved princess that there was room in it for naught32 else. Be that as it may, the fact is that I marched buoyantly behind my guide straight into the jaws33 of death.
Afterward34 I learned that thern spies had been aware of my coming for hours before I reached the hidden fortress.
The gate had been purposely left ajar to tempt35 me on. The guards had been schooled well in their part of the conspiracy36; and I, more like a schoolboy than a seasoned warrior26, ran headlong into the trap.
At the far side of the outer court a narrow door let into the angle made by one of the buttresses37 with the wall. Here my guide produced a key and opened the way within; then, stepping back, he motioned me to enter.
"Matai Shang is in the temple court beyond," he said; and as Woola and I passed through, the fellow closed the door quickly upon us.
The nasty laugh that came to my ears through the heavy planking of the door after the lock clicked was my first intimation that all was not as it should be.
I found myself in a small, circular chamber38 within the buttress30. Before me a door opened, presumably, upon the inner court beyond. For a moment I hesitated, all my suspicions now suddenly, though tardily39, aroused; then, with a shrug40 of my shoulders, I opened the door and stepped out into the glare of torches that lighted the inner court.
Directly opposite me a massive tower rose to a height of three hundred feet. It was of the strangely beautiful modern Barsoomian style of architecture, its entire surface hand carved in bold relief with intricate and fanciful designs. Thirty feet above the courtyard and overlooking it was a broad balcony, and there, indeed, was Matai Shang, and with him were Thurid and Phaidor, Thuvia, and Dejah Thoris—the last two heavily ironed. A handful of thern warriors stood just behind the little party.
As I entered the enclosure the eyes of those in the balcony were full upon me.
An ugly smile distorted the cruel lips of Matai Shang. Thurid hurled41 a taunt42 at me and placed a familiar hand upon the shoulder of my princess. Like a tigress she turned upon him, striking the beast a heavy blow with the manacles upon her wrist.
He would have struck back had not Matai Shang interfered43, and then I saw that the two men were not over-friendly; for the manner of the thern was arrogant44 and domineering as he made it plain to the First Born that the Princess of Helium was the personal property of the Father of Therns. And Thurid's bearing toward the ancient hekkador savored45 not at all of liking46 or respect.
"Earth man," he cried, "you have earned a more ignoble49 death than now lies within our weakened power to inflict50 upon you; but that the death you die tonight may be doubly bitter, know you that when you have passed, your widow becomes the wife of Matai Shang, Hekkador of the Holy Therns, for a Martian year.
"At the end of that time, as you know, she shall be discarded, as is the law among us, but not, as is usual, to lead a quiet and honored life as high priestess of some hallowed shrine51. Instead, Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, shall become the plaything of my lieutenants—perhaps of thy most hated enemy, Thurid, the black dator."
As he ceased speaking he awaited in silence evidently for some outbreak of rage upon my part—something that would have added to the spice of his revenge. But I did not give him the satisfaction that he craved53.
Instead, I did the one thing of all others that might rouse his anger and increase his hatred54 of me; for I knew that if I died Dejah Thoris, too, would find a way to die before they could heap further tortures or indignities55 upon her.
Of all the holy of holies which the thern venerates56 and worships none is more revered57 than the yellow wig58 which covers his bald pate59, and next thereto comes the circlet of gold and the great diadem60, whose scintillant61 rays mark the attainment62 of the Tenth Cycle.
And, knowing this, I removed the wig and circlet from my head, tossing them carelessly upon the flagging of the court. Then I wiped my feet upon the yellow tresses; and as a groan63 of rage arose from the balcony I spat64 full upon the holy diadem.
Matai Shang went livid with anger, but upon the lips of Thurid I could see a grim smile of amusement, for to him these things were not holy; so, lest he should derive65 too much amusement from my act, I cried: "And thus did I with the holies of Issus, Goddess of Life Eternal, ere I threw Issus herself to the mob that once had worshiped her, to be torn to pieces in her own temple."
That put an end to Thurid's grinning, for he had been high in the favor of Issus.
"Let us have an end to this blaspheming!" he cried, turning to the Father of Therns.
Matai Shang rose and, leaning over the edge of the balcony, gave voice to the weird66 call that I had heard from the lips of the priests upon the tiny balcony upon the face of the Golden Cliffs overlooking the Valley Dor, when, in times past, they called the fearsome white apes and the hideous67 plant men to the feast of victims floating down the broad bosom68 of the mysterious Iss toward the silian-infested waters of the Lost Sea of Korus. "Let loose the death!" he cried, and immediately a dozen doors in the base of the tower swung open, and a dozen grim and terrible banths sprang into the arena69.
This was not the first time that I had faced the ferocious70 Barsoomian lion, but never had I been pitted, single-handed, against a full dozen of them. Even with the assistance of the fierce Woola, there could be but a single outcome to so unequal a struggle.
For a moment the beasts hesitated beneath the brilliant glare of the torches; but presently their eyes, becoming accustomed to the light, fell upon Woola and me, and with bristling71 manes and deep-throated roars they advanced, lashing72 their tawny73 sides with their powerful tails.
In the brief interval74 of life that was left me I shot a last, parting glance toward my Dejah Thoris. Her beautiful face was set in an expression of horror; and as my eyes met hers she extended both arms toward me as, struggling with the guards who now held her, she endeavored to cast herself from the balcony into the pit beneath, that she might share my death with me. Then, as the banths were about to close upon me, she turned and buried her dear face in her arms.
Suddenly my attention was drawn75 toward Thuvia of Ptarth. The beautiful girl was leaning far over the edge of the balcony, her eyes bright with excitement.
In another instant the banths would be upon me, but I could not force my gaze from the features of the red girl, for I knew that her expression meant anything but the enjoyment76 of the grim tragedy that would so soon be enacted77 below her; there was some deeper, hidden meaning which I sought to solve.
For an instant I thought of relying on my earthly muscles and agility78 to escape the banths and reach the balcony, which I could easily have done, but I could not bring myself to desert the faithful Woola and leave him to die alone beneath the cruel fangs79 of the hungry banths; that is not the way upon Barsoom, nor was it ever the way of John Carter.
Then the secret of Thuvia's excitement became apparent as from her lips there issued the purring sound I had heard once before; that time that, within the Golden Cliffs, she called the fierce banths about her and led them as a shepherdess might lead her flock of meek80 and harmless sheep.
At the first note of that soothing81 sound the banths halted in their tracks, and every fierce head went high as the beasts sought the origin of the familiar call. Presently they discovered the red girl in the balcony above them, and, turning, roared out their recognition and their greeting.
Guards sprang to drag Thuvia away, but ere they had succeeded she had hurled a volley of commands at the listening brutes82, and as one they turned and marched back into their dens83.
"You need not fear them now, John Carter!" cried Thuvia, before they could silence her. "Those banths will never harm you now, nor Woola, either."
It was all I cared to know. There was naught to keep me from that balcony now, and with a long, running leap I sprang far aloft until my hands grasped its lowest sill.
In an instant all was wild confusion. Matai Shang shrank back. Thurid sprang forward with drawn sword to cut me down.
Again Dejah Thoris wielded84 her heavy irons and fought him back. Then Matai Shang grasped her about the waist and dragged her away through a door leading within the tower.
For an instant Thurid hesitated, and then, as though fearing that the Father of Therns would escape him with the Princess of Helium, he, too, dashed from the balcony in their wake.
Phaidor alone retained her presence of mind. Two of the guards she ordered to bear away Thuvia of Ptarth; the others she commanded to remain and prevent me from following. Then she turned toward me.
"John Carter," she cried, "for the last time I offer you the love of Phaidor, daughter of the Holy Hekkador. Accept and your princess shall be returned to the court of her grandfather, and you shall live in peace and happiness. Refuse and the fate that my father has threatened shall fall upon Dejah Thoris.
"You cannot save her now, for by this time they have reached a place where even you may not follow. Refuse and naught can save you; for, though the way to the last stronghold of the Holy Therns was made easy for you, the way hence hath been made impossible. What say you?"
"You knew my answer, Phaidor," I replied, "before ever you spoke85. Make way," I cried to the guards, "for John Carter, Prince of Helium, would pass!"
With that I leaped over the low baluster that surrounded the balcony, and with drawn long-sword faced my enemies.
There were three of them; but Phaidor must have guessed what the outcome of the battle would be, for she turned and fled from the balcony the moment she saw that I would have none of her proposition.
The three guardsmen did not wait for my attack. Instead, they rushed me—the three of them simultaneously86; and it was that which gave me an advantage, for they fouled87 one another in the narrow precincts of the balcony, so that the foremost of them stumbled full upon my blade at the first onslaught.
The red stain upon my point roused to its full the old blood-lust of the fighting man that has ever been so strong within my breast, so that my blade flew through the air with a swiftness and deadly accuracy that threw the two remaining therns into wild despair.
When at last the sharp steel found the heart of one of them the other turned to flee, and, guessing that his steps would lead him along the way taken by those I sought, I let him keep ever far enough ahead to think that he was safely escaping my sword.
Through several inner chambers88 he raced until he came to a spiral runway. Up this he dashed, I in close pursuit. At the upper end we came out into a small chamber, the walls of which were blank except for a single window overlooking the slopes of Otz and the Valley of Lost Souls beyond.
Here the fellow tore frantically89 at what appeared to be but a piece of the blank wall opposite the single window. In an instant I guessed that it was a secret exit from the room, and so I paused that he might have an opportunity to negotiate it, for I cared nothing to take the life of this poor servitor—all I craved was a clear road in pursuit of Dejah Thoris, my long-lost princess.
But, try as he would, the panel would yield neither to cunning nor force, so that eventually he gave it up and turned to face me.
"Go thy way, Thern," I said to him, pointing toward the entrance to the runway up which we had but just come. "I have no quarrel with you, nor do I crave52 your life. Go!"
For answer he sprang upon me with his sword, and so suddenly, at that, that I was like to have gone down before his first rush. So there was nothing for it but to give him what he sought, and that as quickly as might be, that I might not be delayed too long in this chamber while Matai Shang and Thurid made way with Dejah Thoris and Thuvia of Ptarth.
The fellow was a clever swordsman—resourceful and extremely tricky90. In fact, he seemed never to have heard that there existed such a thing as a code of honor, for he repeatedly outraged91 a dozen Barsoomian fighting customs that an honorable man would rather die than ignore.
He even went so far as to snatch his holy wig from his head and throw it in my face, so as to blind me for a moment while he thrust at my unprotected breast.
When he thrust, however, I was not there, for I had fought with therns before; and while none had ever resorted to precisely92 that same expedient93, I knew them to be the least honorable and most treacherous94 fighters upon Mars, and so was ever on the alert for some new and devilish subterfuge95 when I was engaged with one of their race.
But at length he overdid96 the thing; for, drawing his shortsword, he hurled it, javelinwise, at my body, at the same instant rushing upon me with his long-sword. A single sweeping97 circle of my own blade caught the flying weapon and hurled it clattering98 against the far wall, and then, as I sidestepped my antagonist99's impetuous rush, I let him have my point full in the stomach as he hurtled by.
Clear to the hilt my weapon passed through his body, and with a frightful100 shriek101 he sank to the floor, dead.
Halting only for the brief instant that was required to wrench102 my sword from the carcass of my late antagonist, I sprang across the chamber to the blank wall beyond, through which the thern had attempted to pass. Here I sought for the secret of its lock, but all to no avail.
In despair I tried to force the thing, but the cold, unyielding stone might well have laughed at my futile103, puny104 endeavors. In fact, I could have sworn that I caught the faint suggestion of taunting105 laughter from beyond the baffling panel.
In disgust I desisted from my useless efforts and stepped to the chamber's single window.
The slopes of Otz and the distant Valley of Lost Souls held nothing to compel my interest then; but, towering far above me, the tower's carved wall riveted107 my keenest attention.
Somewhere within that massive pile was Dejah Thoris. Above me I could see windows. There, possibly, lay the only way by which I could reach her. The risk was great, but not too great when the fate of a world's most wondrous108 woman was at stake.
I glanced below. A hundred feet beneath lay jagged granite boulders109 at the brink110 of a frightful chasm111 upon which the tower abutted112; and if not upon the boulders, then at the chasm's bottom, lay death, should a foot slip but once, or clutching fingers loose their hold for the fraction of an instant.
But there was no other way and with a shrug, which I must admit was half shudder113, I stepped to the window's outer sill and began my perilous114 ascent115.
To my dismay I found that, unlike the ornamentation upon most Heliumetic structures, the edges of the carvings116 were quite generally rounded, so that at best my every hold was most precarious117.
Fifty feet above me commenced a series of projecting cylindrical118 stones some six inches in diameter. These apparently119 circled the tower at six-foot intervals120, in bands six feet apart; and as each stone cylinder121 protruded122 some four or five inches beyond the surface of the other ornamentation, they presented a comparatively easy mode of ascent could I but reach them.
Laboriously123 I climbed toward them by way of some windows which lay below them, for I hoped that I might find ingress to the tower through one of these, and thence an easier avenue along which to prosecute124 my search.
At times so slight was my hold upon the rounded surfaces of the carving's edges that a sneeze, a cough, or even a slight gust106 of wind would have dislodged me and sent me hurtling to the depths below.
But finally I reached a point where my fingers could just clutch the sill of the lowest window, and I was on the point of breathing a sigh of relief when the sound of voices came to me from above through the open window.
"He can never solve the secret of that lock." The voice was Matai Shang's. "Let us proceed to the hangar above that we may be far to the south before he finds another way—should that be possible."
"All things seem possible to that vile125 calot," replied another voice, which I recognized as Thurid's.
"Then let us haste," said Matai Shang. "But to be doubly sure, I will leave two who shall patrol this runway. Later they may follow us upon another flier—overtaking us at Kaol."
My upstretched fingers never reached the window's sill. At the first sound of the voices I drew back my hand and clung there to my perilous perch126, flattened127 against the perpendicular128 wall, scarce daring to breathe.
What a horrible position, indeed, in which to be discovered by Thurid! He had but to lean from the window to push me with his sword's point into eternity129.
Presently the sound of the voices became fainter, and once again I took up my hazardous130 ascent, now more difficult, since more circuitous131, for I must climb so as to avoid the windows.
Matai Shang's reference to the hangar and the fliers indicated that my destination lay nothing short of the roof of the tower, and toward this seemingly distant goal I set my face.
The most difficult and dangerous part of the journey was accomplished132 at last, and it was with relief that I felt my fingers close about the lowest of the stone cylinders133.
It is true that these projections134 were too far apart to make the balance of the ascent anything of a sinecure135, but I at least had always within my reach a point of safety to which I might cling in case of accident.
Some ten feet below the roof, the wall inclined slightly inward possibly a foot in the last ten feet, and here the climbing was indeed immeasurably easier, so that my fingers soon clutched the eaves.
As I drew my eyes above the level of the tower's top I saw a flier all but ready to rise.
Upon her deck were Matai Shang, Phaidor, Dejah Thoris, Thuvia of Ptarth, and a few thern warriors, while near her was Thurid in the act of clambering aboard.
He was not ten paces from me, facing in the opposite direction; and what cruel freak of fate should have caused him to turn about just as my eyes topped the roof's edge I may not even guess.
But turn he did; and when his eyes met mine his wicked face lighted with a malignant136 smile as he leaped toward me, where I was hastening to scramble137 to the secure footing of the roof.
Dejah Thoris must have seen me at the same instant, for she screamed a useless warning just as Thurid's foot, swinging in a mighty kick, landed full in my face.
Like a felled ox, I reeled and tumbled backward over the tower's side.
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1
narrate
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| v.讲，叙述 | |
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monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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labyrinth
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| n.迷宫；难解的事物；迷路 | |
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devious
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| adj.不坦率的，狡猾的；迂回的，曲折的 | |
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purgatory
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| n.炼狱；苦难；adj.净化的，清洗的 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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precipices
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| n.悬崖，峭壁( precipice的名词复数 ) | |
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gorge
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| n.咽喉，胃，暴食，山峡；v.塞饱，狼吞虎咽地吃 | |
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loomed
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| v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的过去式和过去分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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vassals
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| n.奴仆( vassal的名词复数 )；（封建时代）诸侯；从属者；下属 | |
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dispensed
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| v.分配( dispense的过去式和过去分词 )；施与；配（药） | |
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tenaciously
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| 坚持地 | |
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discredited
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| 不足信的，不名誉的 | |
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jutting
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| v.（使）突出( jut的现在分词 )；伸出；（从…）突出；高出 | |
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granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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promontory
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| n.海角；岬 | |
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clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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hardy
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| adj.勇敢的，果断的，吃苦的；耐寒的 | |
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inaccessibility
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| n. 难接近, 难达到, 难达成 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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gateway
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growling
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| n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼 | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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buttressed
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| v.用扶壁支撑，加固( buttress的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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buttress
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| n.支撑物；v.支持 | |
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fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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tempt
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| vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣 | |
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conspiracy
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| n.阴谋，密谋，共谋 | |
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buttresses
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| n.扶壁，扶垛( buttress的名词复数 )v.用扶壁支撑，加固( buttress的第三人称单数 ) | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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tardily
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| adv.缓慢 | |
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shrug
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| v.耸肩(表示怀疑、冷漠、不知等) | |
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hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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taunt
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| n.辱骂，嘲弄；v.嘲弄 | |
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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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arrogant
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| adj.傲慢的，自大的 | |
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savored
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| v.意味，带有…的性质( savor的过去式和过去分词 )；给…加调味品；使有风味；品尝 | |
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liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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altercation
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| n.争吵，争论 | |
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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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49
ignoble
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| adj.不光彩的，卑鄙的；可耻的 | |
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50
inflict
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| vt.(on)把…强加给，使遭受，使承担 | |
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51
shrine
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| n.圣地，神龛，庙；v.将...置于神龛内，把...奉为神圣 | |
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52
crave
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| vt.渴望得到，迫切需要，恳求，请求 | |
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53
craved
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| 渴望，热望( crave的过去式 )； 恳求，请求 | |
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54
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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55
indignities
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| n.侮辱，轻蔑( indignity的名词复数 ) | |
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56
venerates
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| 敬重（某人或某事物），崇敬( venerate的第三人称单数 ) | |
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57
revered
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| v.崇敬，尊崇，敬畏( revere的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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58
wig
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| n.假发 | |
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59
pate
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| n.头顶；光顶 | |
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60
diadem
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| n.王冠，冕 | |
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61
scintillant
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| adj.产生火花的，闪烁（耀）的 | |
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62
attainment
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| n.达到，到达；［常pl.］成就，造诣 | |
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63
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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64
spat
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| n.口角，掌击；v.发出呼噜呼噜声 | |
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65
derive
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| v.取得；导出；引申；来自；源自；出自 | |
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66
weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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67
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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68
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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69
arena
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| n.竞技场，运动场所；竞争场所，舞台 | |
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70
ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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71
bristling
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| a.竖立的 | |
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72
lashing
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| n.鞭打；痛斥；大量；许多v.鞭打( lash的现在分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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73
tawny
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| adj.茶色的，黄褐色的；n.黄褐色 | |
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74
interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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75
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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76
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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77
enacted
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| 制定（法律），通过（法案）( enact的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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78
agility
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| n.敏捷，活泼 | |
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79
fangs
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| n.（尤指狗和狼的）长而尖的牙( fang的名词复数 )；（蛇的）毒牙；罐座 | |
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80
meek
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| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
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81
soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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82
brutes
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| 兽( brute的名词复数 )； 畜生； 残酷无情的人； 兽性 | |
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83
dens
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| n.牙齿，齿状部分；兽窝( den的名词复数 )；窝点；休息室；书斋 | |
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84
wielded
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| 手持着使用（武器、工具等）( wield的过去式和过去分词 )； 具有； 运用（权力）； 施加（影响） | |
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85
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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86
simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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87
fouled
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| v.使污秽( foul的过去式和过去分词 )；弄脏；击球出界；（通常用废物）弄脏 | |
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88
chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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89
frantically
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| ad.发狂地, 发疯地 | |
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90
tricky
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| adj.狡猾的，奸诈的；(工作等)棘手的，微妙的 | |
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91
outraged
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| a.震惊的，义愤填膺的 | |
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92
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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93
expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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94
treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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95
subterfuge
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| n.诡计；藉口 | |
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96
overdid
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| v.做得过分( overdo的过去式 )；太夸张；把…煮得太久；（工作等）过度 | |
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97
sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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98
clattering
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| 发出咔哒声（clatter的现在分词形式） | |
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99
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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100
frightful
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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101
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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102
wrench
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| v.猛拧；挣脱；使扭伤；n.扳手；痛苦，难受 | |
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103
futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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104
puny
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| adj.微不足道的，弱小的 | |
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105
taunting
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| 嘲讽( taunt的现在分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落 | |
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106
gust
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| n.阵风，突然一阵（雨、烟等），（感情的）迸发 | |
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107
riveted
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| 铆接( rivet的过去式和过去分词 )； 把…固定住； 吸引； 引起某人的注意 | |
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108
wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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109
boulders
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| n.卵石( boulder的名词复数 )；巨砾；（受水或天气侵蚀而成的）巨石；漂砾 | |
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110
brink
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| n.(悬崖、河流等的)边缘，边沿 | |
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111
chasm
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| n.深坑，断层，裂口，大分岐，利害冲突 | |
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112
abutted
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| v.（与…）邻接( abut的过去式和过去分词 )；（与…）毗连；接触；倚靠 | |
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113
shudder
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| v.战粟，震动，剧烈地摇晃；n.战粟，抖动 | |
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114
perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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115
ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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116
carvings
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| n.雕刻( carving的名词复数 )；雕刻术；雕刻品；雕刻物 | |
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117
precarious
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| adj.不安定的，靠不住的；根据不足的 | |
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118
cylindrical
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| adj.圆筒形的 | |
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119
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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120
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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121
cylinder
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| n.圆筒，柱(面)，汽缸 | |
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122
protruded
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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123
laboriously
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| adv.艰苦地；费力地；辛勤地；（文体等）佶屈聱牙地 | |
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124
prosecute
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| vt.告发；进行；vi.告发，起诉，作检察官 | |
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125
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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126
perch
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| n.栖木，高位，杆；v.栖息，就位，位于 | |
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127
flattened
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| [医]（水）平扁的，弄平的 | |
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128
perpendicular
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| adj.垂直的，直立的；n.垂直线，垂直的位置 | |
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129
eternity
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| n.不朽，来世；永恒，无穷 | |
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130
hazardous
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| adj.(有)危险的，冒险的；碰运气的 | |
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131
circuitous
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| adj.迂回的路的，迂曲的，绕行的 | |
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132
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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133
cylinders
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| n.圆筒( cylinder的名词复数 )；圆柱；汽缸；（尤指用作容器的）圆筒状物 | |
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134
projections
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| 预测( projection的名词复数 )； 投影； 投掷； 突起物 | |
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135
sinecure
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| n.闲差事，挂名职务 | |
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136
malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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137
scramble
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| v.爬行，攀爬，杂乱蔓延，碎片，片段，废料 | |
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