"I bring you, O-Tar, Jeddak of Manator, U-Kal of Manataj," he cried in a loud voice that might be heard by as many as possible, "victor over the Orange in the second of the Jeddak's Games of the four hundred and thirty-third year of O-Tar, and the slave woman Tara and the slave woman Lan-O that you may bestow4 these, the stakes, upon U-Kal."
As he spoke5, a little, wrinkled, old man peered over the rail of the enclosure down upon the three who stood directly behind The Keeper, and strained his weak and watery6 eyes in an effort to satisfy the curiosity of old age in a matter of no particular import, for what were two slaves and a common warrior7 from Manataj to any who sat with O-Tar the jeddak?
"U-Kal of Manataj," said O-Tar, "you have deserved the stakes. Seldom have we looked upon more noble swordplay. And you tire of Manataj there be always here in the city of Manator a place for you in The Jeddak's Guard."
While the jeddak was speaking the little, old man, failing clearly to discern the features of the Black Chief, reached into his pocket-pouch and drew forth8 a pair of thick-lensed spectacles, which he placed upon his nose. For a moment he scrutinized9 Gahan closely, then he leaped to his feet and addressing O-Tar pointed10 a shaking finger at Gahan. As he rose Tara of Helium clutched the Black Chief's arm.
"Turan!" she whispered. "It is I-Gos, whom I thought to have slain11 in the pits of O-Tar. It is I-Gos and he recognizes you and will—"
But what I-Gos would do was already transpiring12. In his falsetto voice he fairly screamed: "It is the slave Turan who stole the woman Tara from your throne room, O-Tar. He desecrated13 the dead chief I-Mal and wears his harness now!"
Instantly all was pandemonium14. Warriors16 drew their swords and leaped to their feet. Gahan's victorious players rushed forward in a body, sweeping17 The Keeper of the Towers from his feet. Val Dor and Floran threw open the gates beneath the royal enclosure, opening the tunnel that led to the avenue in the city beyond the Towers. Gahan, surrounded by his men, drew Tara and Lan-O into the passageway, and at a rapid pace the party sought to reach the opposite end of the tunnel before their escape could be cut off. They were successful and when they emerged into the city the sun had set and darkness had come, relieved only by an antiquated18 and ineffective lighting19 system, which cast but a pale glow over the shadowy streets.
Now it was that Tara of Helium guessed why the Black Chief had drawn20 out his duel21 with U-Dor and realized that he might have slain his man at almost any moment he had elected. The whole plan that Gahan had whispered to his players before the game was thoroughly22 understood. They were to make their way to The Gate of Enemies and there offer their services to U-Thor, the great Jed of Manatos. The fact that most of them were Gatholians and that Gahan could lead rescuers to the pit where A-Kor, the son of U-Thor's wife, was confined, convinced the Jed of Gathol that they would meet with no rebuff at the hands of U-Thor. But even should he refuse them, still were they bound together to go on toward freedom, if necessary cutting their way through the forces of U-Thor at The Gate of Enemies—twenty men against a small army; but of such stuff are the warriors of Barsoom.
They had covered a considerable distance along the almost deserted23 avenue before signs of pursuit developed and then there came upon them suddenly from behind a dozen warriors mounted on thoats—a detachment, evidently, from The Jeddak's Guard. Instantly the avenue was a pandemonium of clashing blades, cursing warriors, and squealing24 thoats. In the first onslaught life blood was spilled upon both sides. Two of Gahan's men went down, and upon the enemies' side three riderless thoats attested25 at least a portion of their casualties.
Gahan was engaged with a fellow who appeared to have been selected to account for him only, since he rode straight for him and sought to cut him down without giving the slightest heed26 to several who slashed27 at him as he passed them. The Gatholian, practiced in the art of combating a mounted warrior from the ground, sought to reach the left side of the fellow's thoat a little to the rider's rear, the only position in which he would have any advantage over his antagonist28, or rather the position that would most greatly reduce the advantage of the mounted man, and, similarly, the Manatorian strove to thwart29 his design. And so the guardsman wheeled and turned his vicious, angry mount while Gahan leaped in and out in an effort to reach the coveted30 vantage point, but always seeking some other opening in his foe's defense31.
And while they jockeyed for position a rider swept swiftly past them. As he passed behind Gahan the latter heard a cry of alarm.
"Turan, they have me!" came to his ears in the voice of Tara of Helium.
A quick glance across his shoulder showed him the galloping33 thoatman in the act of dragging Tara to the withers34 of the beast, and then, with the fury of a demon15, Gahan of Gathol leaped for his own man, dragged him from his mount and as he fell smote35 his head from his shoulders with a single cut of his keen sword. Scarce had the body touched the pavement when the Gatholian was upon the back of the dead warrior's mount, and galloping swiftly down the avenue after the diminishing figures of Tara and her abductor, the sounds of the fight waning36 in the distance as he pursued his quarry37 along the avenue that passes the palace of O-Tar and leads to The Gate of Enemies.
Gahan's mount, carrying but a single rider, gained upon that of the Manatorian, so that as they neared the palace Gahan was scarce a hundred yards behind, and now, to his consternation38, he saw the fellow turn into the great entrance-way. For a moment only was he halted by the guards and then he disappeared within. Gahan was almost upon him then, but evidently he had warned the guards, for they leaped out to intercept39 the Gatholian. But no! the fellow could not have known that he was pursued, since he had not seen Gahan seize a mount, nor would he have thought that pursuit would come so soon. If he had passed then, so could Gahan pass, for did he not wear the trappings of a Manatorian? The Gatholian thought quickly, and stopping his thoat called to the guardsmen to let him pass, "In the name of O-Tar!" They hesitated a moment.
"To whom would you deliver it?" asked the padwar of the guard.
"Saw you not him who just entered?" cried Gahan, and without waiting for a reply urged his thoat straight past them into the palace, and while they were deliberating what was best to be done, it was too late to do anything—which is not unusual.
Along the marble corridors Gahan guided his thoat, and because he had gone that way before, rather than because he knew which way Tara had been taken, he followed the runways and passed through the chambers42 that led to the throne room of O-Tar. On the second level he met a slave.
"Which way went he who carried the woman before him?" he asked.
The slave pointed toward a nearby runway that led to the third level and Gahan dashed rapidly on in pursuit. At the same moment a thoatman, riding at a furious pace, approached the palace and halted his mount at the gate.
"Saw you aught of a warrior pursuing one who carried a woman before him on his thoat?" he shouted to the guard.
"He but just passed in," replied the padwar, "saying that he was O-Tar's messenger."
"He lied," cried the newcomer. "He was Turan, the slave, who stole the woman from the throne room two days since. Arouse the palace! He must be seized, and alive if possible. It is O-Tar's command."
Instantly warriors were dispatched to search for the Gatholian and warn the inmates43 of the palace to do likewise. Owing to the games there were comparatively few retainers in the great building, but those whom they found were immediately enlisted44 in the search, so that presently at least fifty warriors were seeking through the countless45 chambers and corridors of the palace of O-Tar.
As Gahan's thoat bore him to the third Level the man glimpsed the hind2 quarters of another thoat disappearing at the turn of a corridor far ahead. Urging his own animal forward he raced swiftly in pursuit and making the turn discovered only an empty corridor ahead. Along this he hurried to discover near its farther end a runway to the fourth level, which he followed upward. Here he saw that he had gained upon his quarry who was just turning through a doorway46 fifty yards ahead. As Gahan reached the opening he saw that the warrior had dismounted and was dragging Tara toward a small door on the opposite side of the chamber41. At the same instant the clank of harness to his rear caused him to cast a glance behind where, along the corridor he had just traversed, he saw three warriors approaching on foot at a run. Leaping from his thoat Gahan sprang into the chamber where Tara was struggling to free herself from the grasp of her captor, slammed the door behind him, shot the great bolt into its seat, and drawing his sword crossed the room at a run to engage the Manatorian. The fellow, thus menaced, called aloud to Gahan to halt, at the same time thrusting Tara at arm's length and threatening her heart with the point of his short-sword.
"Stay!" he cried, "or the woman dies, for such is the command of O-Tar, rather than that she again fall into your hands."
Gahan stopped. But a few feet separated him from Tara and her captor, yet he was helpless to aid her. Slowly the warrior backed toward the open doorway behind him, dragging Tara with him. The girl struggled and fought, but the warrior was a powerful man and having seized her by the harness from behind was able to hold her in a position of helplessness.
"Save me, Turan!" she cried. "Let them not drag me to a fate worse than death. Better that I die now while my eyes behold47 a brave friend than later, fighting alone among enemies in defense of my honor."
He took a step nearer. The warrior made a threatening gesture with his sword close to the soft, smooth skin of the princess, and Gahan halted.
"I cannot, Tara of Helium," he cried. "Think not ill of me that I am weak—that I cannot see you die. Too great is my love for you, daughter of Helium."
The Manatorian warrior, a derisive48 grin upon his lips, backed steadily49 away. He had almost reached the doorway when Gahan saw another warrior in the chamber toward which Tara was being borne—a fellow who moved silently, almost stealthily, across the marble floor as he approached Tara's captor from behind. In his right hand he grasped a long-sword.
"Two to one," thought Gahan, and a grim smile touched his lips, for he had no doubt that once they had Tara safely in the adjoining chamber the two would set upon him. If he could not save her, he could at least die for her.
And then, suddenly, Gahan's eyes fastened with amazement50 upon the figure of the warrior behind the grinning fellow who held Tara and was forcing her to the doorway. He saw the newcomer step almost within arm's reach of the other. He saw him stop, an expression of malevolent51 hatred52 upon his features. He saw the great sword swing through the arc of a great circle, gathering53 swift and terrific momentum54 from its own weight backed by the brawn55 of the steel thews that guided it; he saw it pass through the feathered skull56 of the Manatorian, splitting his sardonic57 grin in twain, and open him to the middle of his breast bone.
As the dead hand relaxed its grasp upon Tara's wrist the girl leaped forward, without a backward glance, to Gahan's side. His left arm encircled her, nor did she draw away, as with ready sword the Gatholian awaited Fate's next decree. Before them Tara's deliverer was wiping the blood from his sword upon the hair of his victim. He was evidently a Manatorian, his trappings those of the Jeddak's Guard, and so his act was inexplicable58 to Gahan and to Tara. Presently he sheathed59 his sword and approached them.
"When a man chooses to hide his identity behind an assumed name," he said, looking straight into Gahan's eyes, "whatever friend pierces the deception60 were no friend if he divulged61 the other's secret."
He paused as though awaiting a reply.
"Your integrity has perceived and your lips voiced an unalterable truth," replied Gahan, whose mind was filled with wonder if the implication could by any possibility be true—that this Manatorian had guessed his identity.
"We are thus agreed," continued the other, "and I may tell you that though I am here known as A-Sor, my real name is Tasor." He paused and watched Gahan's face intently for any sign of the effect of this knowledge and was rewarded with a quick, though guarded expression of recognition.
Tasor! Friend of his youth. The son of that great Gatholian noble who had given his life so gloriously, however futilely62, in an attempt to defend Gahan's sire from the daggers63 of the assassins. Tasor an under-padwar in the guard of O-Tar, Jeddak of Manator! It was inconceivable—and yet it was he; there could be no doubt of it. "Tasor," Gahan repeated aloud. "But it is no Manatorian name." The statement was half interrogatory, for Gahan's curiosity was aroused. He would know how his friend and loyal subject had become a Manatorian. Long years had passed since Tasor had disappeared as mysteriously as the Princess Haja and many other of Gahan's subjects. The Jed of Gathol had long supposed him dead.
"No," replied Tasor, "nor is it a Manatorian name. Come, while I search for a hiding place for you in some forgotten chamber in one of the untenanted portions of the palace, and as we go I will tell you briefly65 how Tasor the Gatholian became A-Sor the Manatorian.
"It befell that as I rode with a dozen of my warriors along the western border of Gathol searching for zitidars that had strayed from my herds66, we were set upon and surrounded by a great company of Manatorians. They overpowered us, though not before half our number was slain and the balance helpless from wounds. And so I was brought a prisoner to Manataj, a distant city of Manator, and there sold into slavery. A woman bought me—a princess of Manataj whose wealth and position were unequaled in the city of her birth. She loved me and when her husband discovered her infatuation she beseeched me to slay67 him, and when I refused she hired another to do it. Then she married me; but none would have aught to do with her in Manataj, for they suspected her guilty knowledge of her husband's murder. And so we set out from Manataj for Manatos accompanied by a great caravan68 bearing all her worldly goods and jewels and precious metals, and on the way she caused the rumor69 to be spread that she and I had died. Then we came to Manator instead, she taking a new name and I the name A-Sor, that we might not be traced through our names. With her great wealth she bought me a post in The Jeddak's Guard and none knows that I am not a Manatorian, for she is dead. She was beautiful, but she was a devil."
"And you never sought to return to your native city?" asked Gahan.
"Never has the hope been absent from my heart, or my mind empty of a plan," replied Tasor. "I dream of it by day and by night, but always must I return to the same conclusion—that there can be but a single means for escape. I must wait until Fortune favors me with a place in a raiding party to Gathol. Then, once within the boundaries of my own country, they shall see me no more."
"Perhaps your opportunity lies already within your grasp," said Gahan, "has not your fealty70 to your own Jed been undermined by years of association with the men of Manator." The statement was half challenge.
"And my Jed stood before me now," cried Tasor, "and my avowal71 could be made without violating his confidence, I should cast my sword at his feet and beg the high privilege of dying for him as my sire died for his sire."
There could be no doubt of his sincerity72 nor any that he was cognizant of Gahan's identity. The Jed of Gathol smiled. "And if your Jed were here there is little doubt but that he would command you to devote your talents and your prowess to the rescue of the Princess Tara of Helium," he said, meaningly. "And he possessed73 the knowledge I have gained during my captivity74 he would say to you, 'Go, Tasor, to the pit where A-kor, son of Haja of Gathol, is confined and set him free and with him arouse the slaves from Gathol and march to The Gate of Enemies and offer your services to U-Thor of Manataj, who is wed32 to Haja of Gathol, and ask of him in return that he attack the palace of O-Tar and rescue Tara of Helium and when that thing is accomplished75 that he free the slaves of Gathol and furnish them with the arms and the means to return to their own country.' That, Tasor of Gathol, is what Gahan your Jed would demand of you."
"And that, Turan the slave, is what I shall bend my every effort to accomplish after I have found a safe refuge for Tara of Helium and her panthan," replied Tasor.
Gahan's glance carried to Tasor an intimation of his Jed's gratification and filled him with a chivalrous76 determination to do the thing required of him, or die, for he considered that he had received from the lips of his beloved ruler a commission that placed upon his shoulders a responsibility that encompassed77 not alone the life of Gahan and Tara but the welfare, perhaps the whole future, of Gathol. And so he hastened them onward78 through the musty corridors of the old palace where the dust of ages lay undisturbed upon the marble tiles. Now and again he tried a door until he found one that was unlocked. Opening it he ushered79 them into a chamber, heavy with dust. Crumbling80 silks and furs adorned81 the walls, with ancient weapons, and great paintings whose colors were toned by age to wondrous82 softness.
"This be as good as any place," he said. "No one comes here. Never have I been here before, so I know no more of the other chambers than you; but this one, at least, I can find again when I bring you food and drink. O-Mai the Cruel occupied this portion of the palace during his reign83, five thousand years before O-Tar. In one of these apartments he was found dead, his face contorted in an expression of fear so horrible that it drove to madness those who looked upon it; yet there was no mark of violence upon him. Since then the quarters of O-Mai have been shunned84 for the legends have it that the ghosts of Corphals pursue the spirit of the wicked Jeddak nightly through these chambers, shrieking85 and moaning as they go. But," he added, as though to reassure86 himself as well as his companions, "such things may not be countenanced87 by the culture of Gathol or Helium."
Gahan laughed. "And if all who looked upon him were driven mad, who then was there to perform the last rites88 or prepare the body of the Jeddak for them?"
"There was none," replied Tasor. "Where they found him they left him and there to this very day his mouldering89 bones lie hid in some forgotten chamber of this forbidden suite90."
Tasor left them then assuring them that he would seek the first opportunity to speak with A-Kor, and upon the following day he would bring them food and drink.*
* Those who have read John Carter's description of the Green Martians in A Princess of Mars will recall that these strange people could exist for considerable periods of time without food or water, and to a lesser91 degree is the same true of all Martians.
After Tasor had gone Tara turned to Gahan and approaching laid a hand upon his arm. "So swiftly have events transpired92 since I recognized you beneath your disguise," she said, "that I have had no opportunity to assure you of my gratitude93 and the high esteem94 that your valor95 has won for you in my consideration. Let me now acknowledge my indebtedness; and if promises be not vain from one whose life and liberty are in grave jeopardy96, accept my assurance of the great reward that awaits you at the hand of my father in Helium."
"I desire no reward," he replied, "other than the happiness of knowing that the woman I love is happy."
For an instant the eyes of Tara of Helium blazed as she drew herself haughtily97 to her full height, and then they softened98 and her attitude relaxed as she shook her head sadly.
"I have it not in my heart to reprimand you, Turan," she said, "however great your fault, for you have been an honorable and a loyal friend to Tara of Helium; but you must not say what my ears must not hear."
"You mean," he asked, "that the ears of a Princess must not listen to words of love from a panthan?"
"It is not that, Turan," she replied; "but rather that I may not in honor listen to words of love from another than him to whom I am betrothed—a fellow countryman, Djor Kantos."
"You mean, Tara of Helium," he cried, "that were it not for that you would—"
"Stop!" she commanded. "You have no right to assume aught else than my lips testify."
"The eyes are ofttimes more eloquent99 than the lips, Tara," he replied; "and in yours I have read that which is neither hatred nor contempt for Turan the panthan, and my heart tells me that your lips bore false witness when they cried in anger: 'I hate you!'"
"I do not hate you, Turan, nor yet may I love you," said the girl, simply.
"When I broke my way out from the chamber of I-Gos I was indeed upon the verge100 of believing that you did hate me," he said, "for only hatred, it seemed to me, could account for the fact that you had gone without making an effort to liberate101 me; but presently both my heart and my judgment102 told me that Tara of Helium could not have deserted a companion in distress103, and though I still am in ignorance of the facts I know that it was beyond your power to aid me."
"It was indeed," said the girl. "Scarce had I-Gos fallen at the bite of my dagger64 than I heard the approach of warriors. I ran then to hide until they had passed, thinking to return and liberate you; but in seeking to elude104 the party I had heard I ran full into the arms of another. They questioned me as to your whereabouts, and I told them that you had gone ahead and that I was following you and thus I led them from you."
"I knew," was Gahan's only comment, but his heart was glad with elation105, as a lover's must be who has heard from the lips of his divinity an avowal of interest and loyalty106, however little tinged107 by a suggestion of warmer regard it may be. To be abused, even, by the mistress of one's heart is better than to be ignored.
As the two conversed108 in the ill-lit chamber, the dim bulbs of which were encrusted with the accumulated dust of centuries, a bent109 and withered110 figure traversed slowly the gloomy corridors without, his weak and watery eyes peering through thick lenses at the signs of passage written upon the dusty floor.
点击收听单词发音
1 victorious | |
adj.胜利的,得胜的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2 hind | |
adj.后面的,后部的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3 egress | |
n.出去;出口 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4 bestow | |
v.把…赠与,把…授予;花费 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5 spoke | |
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6 watery | |
adj.有水的,水汪汪的;湿的,湿润的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7 warrior | |
n.勇士,武士,斗士 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8 forth | |
adv.向前;向外,往外 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9 scrutinized | |
v.仔细检查,详审( scrutinize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10 pointed | |
adj.尖的,直截了当的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
11 slain | |
杀死,宰杀,杀戮( slay的过去分词 ); (slay的过去分词) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
12 transpiring | |
(事实,秘密等)被人知道( transpire的现在分词 ); 泄露; 显露; 发生 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
13 desecrated | |
毁坏或亵渎( desecrate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
14 pandemonium | |
n.喧嚣,大混乱 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
15 demon | |
n.魔鬼,恶魔 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
16 warriors | |
武士,勇士,战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
17 sweeping | |
adj.范围广大的,一扫无遗的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
18 antiquated | |
adj.陈旧的,过时的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
19 lighting | |
n.照明,光线的明暗,舞台灯光 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
20 drawn | |
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
21 duel | |
n./v.决斗;(双方的)斗争 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
22 thoroughly | |
adv.完全地,彻底地,十足地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
23 deserted | |
adj.荒芜的,荒废的,无人的,被遗弃的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
24 squealing | |
v.长声尖叫,用长而尖锐的声音说( squeal的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
25 attested | |
adj.经检验证明无病的,经检验证明无菌的v.证明( attest的过去式和过去分词 );证实;声称…属实;使宣誓 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
26 heed | |
v.注意,留意;n.注意,留心 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
27 slashed | |
v.挥砍( slash的过去式和过去分词 );鞭打;割破;削减 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
28 antagonist | |
n.敌人,对抗者,对手 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
29 thwart | |
v.阻挠,妨碍,反对;adj.横(断的) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
30 coveted | |
adj.令人垂涎的;垂涎的,梦寐以求的v.贪求,觊觎(covet的过去分词);垂涎;贪图 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
31 defense | |
n.防御,保卫;[pl.]防务工事;辩护,答辩 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
32 wed | |
v.娶,嫁,与…结婚 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
33 galloping | |
adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
34 withers | |
马肩隆 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
35 smote | |
v.猛打,重击,打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
36 waning | |
adj.(月亮)渐亏的,逐渐减弱或变小的n.月亏v.衰落( wane的现在分词 );(月)亏;变小;变暗淡 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
37 quarry | |
n.采石场;v.采石;费力地找 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
38 consternation | |
n.大为吃惊,惊骇 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
39 intercept | |
vt.拦截,截住,截击 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
40 parley | |
n.谈判 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
41 chamber | |
n.房间,寝室;会议厅;议院;会所 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
42 chambers | |
n.房间( chamber的名词复数 );(议会的)议院;卧室;会议厅 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
43 inmates | |
n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
44 enlisted | |
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) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
45 countless | |
adj.无数的,多得不计其数的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
46 doorway | |
n.门口,(喻)入门;门路,途径 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
47 behold | |
v.看,注视,看到 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
48 derisive | |
adj.嘲弄的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
49 steadily | |
adv.稳定地;不变地;持续地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
50 amazement | |
n.惊奇,惊讶 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
51 malevolent | |
adj.有恶意的,恶毒的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
52 hatred | |
n.憎恶,憎恨,仇恨 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
53 gathering | |
n.集会,聚会,聚集 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
54 momentum | |
n.动力,冲力,势头;动量 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
55 brawn | |
n.体力 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
56 skull | |
n.头骨;颅骨 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
57 sardonic | |
adj.嘲笑的,冷笑的,讥讽的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
58 inexplicable | |
adj.无法解释的,难理解的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
59 sheathed | |
adj.雕塑像下半身包在鞘中的;覆盖的;铠装的;装鞘了的v.将(刀、剑等)插入鞘( sheathe的过去式和过去分词 );包,覆盖 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
60 deception | |
n.欺骗,欺诈;骗局,诡计 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
61 divulged | |
v.吐露,泄露( divulge的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
62 futilely | |
futile(无用的)的变形; 干 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
63 daggers | |
匕首,短剑( dagger的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
64 dagger | |
n.匕首,短剑,剑号 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
65 briefly | |
adv.简单地,简短地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
66 herds | |
兽群( herd的名词复数 ); 牧群; 人群; 群众 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
67 slay | |
v.杀死,宰杀,杀戮 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
68 caravan | |
n.大蓬车;活动房屋 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
69 rumor | |
n.谣言,谣传,传说 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
70 fealty | |
n.忠贞,忠节 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
71 avowal | |
n.公开宣称,坦白承认 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
72 sincerity | |
n.真诚,诚意;真实 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
73 possessed | |
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
74 captivity | |
n.囚禁;被俘;束缚 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
75 accomplished | |
adj.有才艺的;有造诣的;达到了的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
76 chivalrous | |
adj.武士精神的;对女人彬彬有礼的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
77 encompassed | |
v.围绕( encompass的过去式和过去分词 );包围;包含;包括 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
78 onward | |
adj.向前的,前进的;adv.向前,前进,在先 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
79 ushered | |
v.引,领,陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
80 crumbling | |
adj.摇摇欲坠的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
81 adorned | |
[计]被修饰的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
82 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: |
|
|
83 reign | |
n.统治时期,统治,支配,盛行;v.占优势 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
84 shunned | |
v.避开,回避,避免( shun的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
85 shrieking | |
v.尖叫( shriek的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
86 reassure | |
v.使放心,使消除疑虑 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
87 countenanced | |
v.支持,赞同,批准( countenance的过去式 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
88 rites | |
仪式,典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
89 mouldering | |
v.腐朽( moulder的现在分词 );腐烂,崩塌 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
90 suite | |
n.一套(家具);套房;随从人员 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
91 lesser | |
adj.次要的,较小的;adv.较小地,较少地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
92 transpired | |
(事实,秘密等)被人知道( transpire的过去式和过去分词 ); 泄露; 显露; 发生 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
93 gratitude | |
adj.感激,感谢 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
94 esteem | |
n.尊敬,尊重;vt.尊重,敬重;把…看作 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
95 valor | |
n.勇气,英勇 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
96 jeopardy | |
n.危险;危难 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
97 haughtily | |
adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
98 softened | |
(使)变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 ); 缓解打击; 缓和; 安慰 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
99 eloquent | |
adj.雄辩的,口才流利的;明白显示出的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
100 verge | |
n.边,边缘;v.接近,濒临 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
101 liberate | |
v.解放,使获得自由,释出,放出;vt.解放,使获自由 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
102 judgment | |
n.审判;判断力,识别力,看法,意见 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
103 distress | |
n.苦恼,痛苦,不舒适;不幸;vt.使悲痛 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
104 elude | |
v.躲避,困惑 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
105 elation | |
n.兴高采烈,洋洋得意 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
106 loyalty | |
n.忠诚,忠心 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
107 tinged | |
v.(使)发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
108 conversed | |
v.交谈,谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
109 bent | |
n.爱好,癖好;adj.弯的;决心的,一心的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
110 withered | |
adj. 枯萎的,干瘪的,(人身体的部分器官)因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
欢迎访问英文小说网 |