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首页 » 英文科幻小说 » 气球上的五星期 Five Weeks in a Balloon » Chapter 35
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Chapter 35
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What happened to Joe.--The Island of the Biddiomahs.--The Adoration1 shown him.--The Island that sank.--The Shores of the Lake.--The Tree of the Serpents.--The Foot-Tramp.--Terrible Suffering.--Mosquitoes and Ants.--Hunger.--The Victoria seen.--She disappears.--The Swamp. --One Last Despairing Cry.

What had become of Joe, while his master was thus vainly seeking for him?

When he had dashed headlong into the lake, his first movement on coming to the surface was to raise his eyes and look upward. He saw the Victoria already risen far above the water, still rapidly ascending2 and growing smaller and smaller. It was soon caught in a rapid current and disappeared to the northward3. His master--both his friends were saved!

"How lucky it was," thought he, "that I had that idea to throw myself out into the lake! Mr. Kennedy would soon have jumped at it, and he would not have hesitated to do as I did, for nothing's more natural than for one man to give himself up to save two others. That's mathematics!"

Satisfied on this point, Joe began to think of himself. He was in the middle of a vast lake, surrounded by tribes unknown to him, and probably ferocious4. All the greater reason why he should get out of the scrape by depending only on himself. And so he gave himself no farther concern about it.

Before the attack by the birds of prey5, which, according to him, had behaved like real condors6, he had noticed an island on the horizon, and determining to reach it, if possible, he put forth7 all his knowledge and skill in the art of swimming, after having relieved himself of the most troublesome part of his clothing. The idea of a stretch of five or six miles by no means disconcerted him; and therefore, so long as he was in the open lake, he thought only of striking out straight ahead and manfully.

In about an hour and a half the distance between him and the island had greatly diminished.

But as he approached the land, a thought, at first fleeting8 and then tenacious9, arose in his mind. He knew that the shores of the lake were frequented by huge alligators10, and was well aware of the voracity11 of those monsters.

Now, no matter how much he was inclined to find every thing in this world quite natural, the worthy12 fellow was no little disturbed by this reflection. He feared greatly lest white flesh like his might be particularly acceptable to the dreaded13 brutes14, and advanced only with extreme precaution, his eyes on the alert on both sides and all around him. At length, he was not more than one hundred yards from a bank, covered with green trees, when a puff15 of air strongly impregnated with a musky odor reached him.

"There!" said he to himself, "just what I expected. The crocodile isn't far off!"

With this he dived swiftly, but not sufficiently16 so to avoid coming into contact with an enormous body, the scaly17 surface of which scratched him as he passed. He thought himself lost and swam with desperate energy. Then he rose again to the top of the water, took breath and dived once more. Thus passed a few minutes of unspeakable anguish18, which all his philosophy could not overcome, for he thought, all the while, that he heard behind him the sound of those huge jaws19 ready to snap him up forever. In this state of mind he was striking out under the water as noiselessly as possible when he felt himself seized by the arm and then by the waist.

Poor Joe! he gave one last thought to his master; and began to struggle with all the energy of despair, feeling himself the while drawn20 along, but not toward the bottom of the lake, as is the habit of the crocodile when about to devour21 its prey, but toward the surface.

So soon as he could get breath and look around him, he saw that he was between two natives as black as ebony, who held him, with a firm gripe, and uttered strange cries.

"Ha!" said Joe, "blacks instead of crocodiles! Well, I prefer it as it is; but how in the mischief22 dare these fellows go in bathing in such places?"

Joe was not aware that the inhabitants of the islands of Lake Tchad, like many other negro tribes, plunge23 with impunity24 into sheets of water infested25 with crocodiles and caymans, and without troubling their heads about them. The amphibious denizens26 of this lake enjoy the well-deserved reputation of being quite inoffensive.

But had not Joe escaped one peril27 only to fall into another? That was a question which he left events to decide; and, since he could not do otherwise, he allowed himself to be conducted to the shore without manifesting any alarm.

"Evidently," thought he, "these chaps saw the Victoria skimming the waters of the lake, like a monster of the air. They were the distant witnesses of my tumble, and they can't fail to have some respect for a man that fell from the sky! Let them have their own way, then."

Joe was at this stage of his meditations29, when he was landed amid a yelling crowd of both sexes, and all ages and sizes, but not of all colors. In fine, he was surrounded by a tribe of Biddiomahs as black as jet. Nor had he to blush for the scantiness30 of his costume, for he saw that he was in "undress" in the highest style of that country.

But before he had time to form an exact idea of the situation, there was no mistaking the agitation31 of which he instantly became the object, and this soon enabled him to pluck up courage, although the adventure of Kazah did come back rather vividly32 to his memory.

"I foresee that they are going to make a god of me again," thought he, "some son of the moon most likely. Well, one trade's as good as another when a man has no choice. The main thing is to gain time. Should the Victoria pass this way again, I'll take advantage of my new position to treat my worshippers here to a miracle when I go sailing up into the sky!"

While Joe's thoughts were running thus, the throng33 pressed around him. They prostrated34 themselves before him; they howled; they felt him; they became even annoyingly familiar; but at the same time they had the consideration to offer him a superb banquet consisting of sour milk and rice pounded in honey. The worthy fellow, making the best of every thing, took one of the heartiest35 luncheons36 he ever ate in his life, and gave his new adorers an exalted37 idea of how the gods tuck away their food upon grand occasions.

When evening came, the sorcerers of the island took him respectfully by the hand, and conducted him to a sort of house surrounded with talismans38; but, as he was entering it, Joe cast an uneasy look at the heaps of human bones that lay scattered39 around this sanctuary40. But he had still more time to think about them when he found himself at last shut up in the cabin.

During the evening and through a part of the night, he heard festive41 chantings, the reverberations of a kind of drum, and a clatter42 of old iron, which were very sweet, no doubt, to African ears. Then there were howling choruses, accompanied by endless dances by gangs of natives who circled round and round the sacred hut with contortions43 and grimaces44.

Joe could catch the sound of this deafening45 orchestra, through the mud and reeds of which his cabin was built; and perhaps under other circumstances he might have been amused by these strange ceremonies; but his mind was soon disturbed by quite different and less agreeable reflections. Even looking at the bright side of things, he found it both stupid and sad to be left alone in the midst of this savage46 country and among these wild tribes. Few travellers who had penetrated47 to these regions had ever again seen their native land. Moreover, could he trust to the worship of which he saw himself the object? He had good reason to believe in the vanity of human greatness; and he asked himself whether, in this country, adoration did not sometimes go to the length of eating the object adored!

But, notwithstanding this rather perplexing prospect48, after some hours of meditation28, fatigue49 got the better of his gloomy thoughts, and Joe fell into a profound slumber50, which would have lasted no doubt until sunrise, had not a very unexpected sensation of dampness awakened51 the sleeper52. Ere long this dampness became water, and that water gained so rapidly that it had soon mounted to Joe's waist.

"What can this be?" said he; "a flood! a water-spout! or a new torture invented by these blacks? Faith, though, I'm not going to wait here till it's up to my neck!"

And, so saying, he burst through the frail53 wall with a jog of his powerful shoulder, and found himself--where? --in the open lake! Island there was none. It had sunk during the night. In its place, the watery54 immensity of Lake Tchad!

"A poor country for the land-owners!" said Joe, once more vigorously resorting to his skill in the art of natation.

One of those phenomena55, which are by no means unusual on Lake Tchad, had liberated56 our brave Joe. More than one island, that previously57 seemed to have the solidity of rock, has been submerged in this way; and the people living along the shores of the mainland have had to pick up the unfortunate survivors58 of these terrible catastrophes59.

Joe knew nothing about this peculiarity60 of the region, but he was none the less ready to profit by it. He caught sight of a boat drifting about, without occupants, and was soon aboard of it. He found it to be but the trunk of a tree rudely hollowed out; but there were a couple of paddles in it, and Joe, availing himself of a rapid current, allowed his craft to float along.

"But let us see where we are," he said. "The polar-star there, that does its work honorably in pointing out the direction due north to everybody else, will, most likely, do me that service."

He discovered, with satisfaction, that the current was taking him toward the northern shore of the lake, and he allowed himself to glide62 with it. About two o'clock in the morning he disembarked upon a promontory63 covered with prickly reeds, that proved very provoking and inconvenient64 even to a philosopher like him; but a tree grew there expressly to offer him a bed among its branches, and Joe climbed up into it for greater security, and there, without sleeping much, however, awaited the dawn of day.

When morning had come with that suddenness which is peculiar61 to the equatorial regions, Joe cast a glance at the tree which had sheltered him during the last few hours, and beheld65 a sight that chilled the marrow66 in his bones. The branches of the tree were literally67 covered with snakes and chameleons68! The foliage69 actually was hidden beneath their coils, so that the beholder70 might have fancied that he saw before him a new kind of tree that bore reptiles71 for its leaves and fruit. And all this horrible living mass writhed72 and twisted in the first rays of the morning sun! Joe experienced a keen sensation or terror mingled73 with disgust, as he looked at it, and he leaped precipitately74 from the tree amid the hissings of these new and unwelcome bedfellows.

"Now, there's something that I would never have believed!" said he.

He was not aware that Dr. Vogel's last letters had made known this singular feature of the shores of Lake Tchad, where reptiles are more numerous than in any other part of the world. But after what he had just seen, Joe determined75 to be more circumspect76 for the future; and, taking his bearings by the sun, he set off afoot toward the northeast, avoiding with the utmost care cabins, huts, hovels, and dens77 of every description, that might serve in any manner as a shelter for human beings.

How often his gaze was turned upward to the sky! He hoped to catch a glimpse, each time, of the Victoria; and, although he looked vainly during all that long, fatiguing78 day of sore foot-travel, his confident reliance on his master remained undiminished. Great energy of character was needed to enable him thus to sustain the situation with philosophy. Hunger conspired79 with fatigue to crush him, for a man's system is not greatly restored and fortified80 by a diet of roots, the pith of plants, such as the Mele, or the fruit of the doum palm-tree; and yet, according to his own calculations, Joe was enabled to push on about twenty miles to the westward81.

His body bore in scores of places the marks of the thorns with which the lake-reeds, the acacias, the mimosas, and other wild shrubbery through which he had to force his way, are thickly studded; and his torn and bleeding feet rendered walking both painful and difficult. But at length he managed to react against all these sufferings; and when evening came again, he resolved to pass the night on the shores of Lake Tchad.

There he had to endure the bites of myriads82 of insects --gnats, mosquitoes, ants half an inch long, literally covered the ground; and, in less than two hours, Joe had not a rag remaining of the garments that had covered him, the insects having devoured83 them! It was a terrible night, that did not yield our exhausted84 traveller an hour of sleep. During all this time the wild-boars and native buffaloes85, reenforced by the ajoub--a very dangerous species of lamantine --carried on their ferocious revels86 in the bushes and under the waters of the lake, filling the night with a hideous87 concert. Joe dared scarcely breathe. Even his courage and coolness had hard work to bear up against so terrible a situation.

At length, day came again, and Joe sprang to his feet precipitately; but judge of the loathing88 he felt when he saw what species of creature had shared his couch--a toad89!--but a toad five inches in length, a monstrous90, repulsive91 specimen92 of vermin that sat there staring at him with huge round eyes. Joe felt his stomach revolt at the sight, and, regaining93 a little strength from the intensity94 of his repugnance95, he rushed at the top of his speed and plunged96 into the lake. This sudden bath somewhat allayed97 the pangs98 of the itching99 that tortured his whole body; and, chewing a few leaves, he set forth resolutely100, again feeling an obstinate101 resolution in the act, for which he could hardly account even to his own mind. He no longer seemed to have entire control of his own acts, and, nevertheless, he felt within him a strength superior to despair.

However, he began now to suffer terribly from hunger. His stomach, less resigned than he was, rebelled, and he was obliged to fasten a tendril of wild-vine tightly about his waist. Fortunately, he could quench102 his thirst at any moment, and, in recalling the sufferings he had undergone in the desert, he experienced comparative relief in his exemption103 from that other distressing104 want.

"What can have become of the Victoria?" he wondered. "The wind blows from the north, and she should be carried back by it toward the lake. No doubt the doctor has gone to work to right her balance, but yesterday would have given him time enough for that, so that may be to-day--but I must act just as if I was never to see him again. After all, if I only get to one of the large towns on the lake, I'll find myself no worse off than the travellers my master used to talk about. Why shouldn't I work my way out of the scrape as well as they did? Some of them got back home again. Come, then! the deuce! Cheer up, my boy!"

Thus talking to himself and walking on rapidly, Joe came right upon a horde105 of natives in the very depths of the forest, but he halted in time and was not seen by them. The negroes were busy poisoning arrows with the juice of the euphorbium--a piece of work deemed a great affair among these savage tribes, and carried on with a sort of ceremonial solemnity.

Joe, entirely106 motionless and even holding his breath, was keeping himself concealed107 in a thicket108, when, happening to raise his eyes, he saw through an opening in the foliage the welcome apparition109 of the balloon--the Victoria herself--moving toward the lake, at a height of only about one hundred feet above him. But he could not make himself heard; he dared not, could not make his friends even see him!

Tears came to his eyes, not of grief but of thankfulness; his master was then seeking him; his master had not left him to perish! He would have to wait for the departure of the blacks; then he could quit his hiding-place and run toward the borders of Lake Tchad!

But by this time the Victoria was disappearing in the distant sky. Joe still determined to wait for her; she would come back again, undoubtedly110. She did, indeed, return, but farther to the eastward111. Joe ran, gesticulated, shouted--but all in vain! A strong breeze was sweeping112 the balloon away with a speed that deprived him of all hope.

For the first time, energy and confidence abandoned the heart of the unfortunate man. He saw that he was lost. He thought his master gone beyond all prospect of return. He dared no longer think; he would no longer reflect!

Like a crazy man, his feet bleeding, his body cut and torn, he walked on during all that day and a part of the next night. He even dragged himself along, sometimes on his knees, sometimes with his hands. He saw the moment nigh when all his strength would fail, and nothing would be left to him but to sink upon the ground and die.

Thus working his way along, he at length found himself close to a marsh113, or what he knew would soon become a marsh, for night had set in some hours before, and he fell by a sudden misstep into a thick, clinging mire114. In spite of all his efforts, in spite of his desperate struggles, he felt himself sinking gradually in the swampy115 ooze116, and in a few minutes he was buried to his waist.

"Here, then, at last, is death!" he thought, in agony, "and what a death!"

He now began to struggle again, like a madman; but his efforts only served to bury him deeper in the tomb that the poor doomed117 lad was hollowing for himself; not a log of wood or a branch to buoy118 him up; not a reed to which he might cling! He felt that all was over! His eyes convulsively closed!

"Master! master!--Help!" were his last words; but his voice, despairing, unaided, half stifled119 already by the rising mire, died away feebly on the night.

乔的故事——住着比迪奥玛人的岛——崇拜——岛遭水淹——湖岸——“蛇树”——徒步旅行——遭受苦难——蚊子和蚂蚁——饥饿——“维多利亚号”飞来了——“维多利亚号”消失了——失望——沼泽——最后的呼喊

在弗格森博士徒劳地寻找乔的时候,乔的命运如何呢?

乔跳进湖里后钻出水面的第一个动作就是仰脸朝天上望。他看见“维多利亚号”已经在湖的上空升起很高,而且还在迅速上升,同时一点点地变小,最后很快被一股较强气流包住,向北方移动,消失了。他的主人和朋友得救了。

“幸亏我想到了跳乍得湖这个办法。”他暗暗说,“要是肯尼迪先生也起了这个念头的话,肯定他也会毫不犹豫地像我这样做的,因为,一个人牺牲自己救其他两人的性命十分正常,这是肯定的。”

确信没做错后,乔开始考虑自己的处境。他现在是在一个广阔的大湖中,周围岛上、岸边住的全是些陌生的当地人。他们可能很凶残,因此,要想摆脱困境,只能自己靠自己。虽然如此,他其实并不怎么害怕。

乔认为遭到像胡兀鹫这样真正的猛禽攻击是很正常的。在此之前,他就发现地平线上有个岛,他决定往那儿游。于是,他脱去几件碍手碍脚的衣服后,开始施展出全部的游泳本领。游上五、六英里的路程对他来说几乎不费劲。既然是在湖里,他就只想着用力地游,别游斜了。

一个半小时后,他与小岛的距离已大大缩短。但是,随着小岛越来越近,他却越来越想逃离小岛。最初,这种念头只是闪了一下,而后便在他头脑中牢牢盘旋。他知道沿湖一带常常有凯门鳄出没,而且也对这种动物的贪婪一清二楚。即使这位诚实的小伙子认为世界上的事都是十分自然的,这时,他也不由地感到了不安。他害怕白人的肉特别合鳄鱼的胃口。于是,他目光警觉备加小心地往前游。就在他离绿树成荫的岸边只有几乎不到200米远的时候,一股强烈的麝香气味直冲他的鼻子。

“好嘛!我怕的就是这个!显然,凯门鳄就在附近。”

想到此,他急忙下潜,但还是没能及时避开。他感到一个巨大的物体从他身旁划过,一种鱼鳞般的硬皮擦了他一下。乔以为自己要没命了,于是他绝望地拼命游了起来。他浮出水面,换了口气,马上又潜入水中。尽管他明理超脱,此时却无法克服内心的那种难以言喻的恐慌。他就这样在水下度过了一刻钟的光景。后来,他似乎听到身后传来这种凶恶的家伙张开血盆大口的声音,好像正准备一口咬住他,于是他尽可能地轻手轻脚分开水流向前游去。突然,他觉得自己的一条胳膊被抓住了,随后又被什么拦腰抱住。

可怜的乔!他最后一次想到了主人,接着就绝望地死命挣扎起来。慢慢地,他感到有些不大对劲。鳄鱼吞吃俘获物时的习惯是把猎物往湖底拖,而自己不仅没有被往下拽,相反却被往湖面上拉。

乔刚一能呼吸,就立即睁开了眼睛。他发现自己面前竟是两名黑的像煤炭一样的黑人。他俩用力地抓着他,嘴里发出奇怪的喊叫声。

“啊!”乔情不自禁地叫了起来,“原来是黑人,不是鳄鱼!不错!还是这样好,总比喂鳄鱼强!哦,这些黑家伙怎么敢在这一带游泳?!”

他哪里知道,住在乍得湖中小岛上的居民和沿岸的许多黑人一样,总是满不在乎地在凯门鳄云集的湖水中钻来钻去。他们从没受过伤害,也不考虑是否有鳄鱼,因为,这个湖里的两栖动物一直被认为是不伤人的蜥蜴科动物。

可是,难道说,乔只有落入黑人手里才算避开了危险吗?当然不是,乔心里很清楚这点。不过,现在只有走一步说一步了。再者,既然眼下他干不了别的,就只好不露惧色地任由黑人一直把他带到岸上。

“显而易见,这些人看到了‘维多利亚号’像个怪物似的掠过湖面。”乔自忖,“他们肯定是眼瞅着我从空中跳了下来,所以,他们不会不敬重一位从天而降的人。我倒要看看他们会干些什么!”

当乔上了岸被乱叫乱嚷的人群围住时,他心里还在想着这些事。这群人中男女老幼什么年龄的都有。但是他们的皮肤颜色却只有一种,那就是黑色。原来,他到了比迪奥玛人的一个部落。这个种族的人很黑,却很漂亮。乔甚至不必为自己袒胸露背的模样脸红。他这种几乎全裸的打扮正是当地最时髦的。

乔还没有弄清楚怎么回事,就已经看出自己成了崇拜的对象。尽管他马上想到了在卡泽赫发生过的事,但这并不能让他安下心来。

“我预料我又要当神仙或当月亮神的儿子了。管他是什么神呢!算了,既然没法选择, 干这一行, 还是干别的,都是一码事。现在最重要的是争取时间。万一‘维多利亚号’又回来了,我就利用眼下新的身份上演一出神仙升天的好戏,给我的崇拜者们看看。”

就在乔想入非非的时候,周围的人群向他靠拢过来,越挤越密。他们单头哈腰,一付讨好相,嘴里还不停地叫嚷着,这个伸手碰碰乔的身子,那个触一触乔的衣服,个个显得很亲切。他们没忘记给乔献上一份丰盛的供品。有酸奶,还有一种用碾碎的米掺上蜂蜜做的食品。真诚的小伙子对什么都能泰然处之。他风扫残云般地把东西吃了个一干二净。这顿饭也算是他一生中吃过的最好的一顿了。他吃饭的样子让他的崇拜者们产生了一种看法,以为神仙们在重要场合下就是这么狼吞虎咽地进餐的呢。

傍晚时分,岛上的巫师们毕恭毕敬地搀着乔的手,把他领到了一幢四周摆着避邪物的茅屋里。走进这座神庙前,乔不安地瞥见房子一圈堆积着大量的白骨。当他被独自关在这幢屋子里后,他有时间好好考虑考虑他的处境了。

从天黑到深夜,乔听到茅屋外不停地响着狂欢的歌声,一种鼓的拍打声和铁器的敲击声。在非洲人听起来,这些声音非常悦耳。他门狼嚎一般地齐声唱着,围着这幢神圣的草房跳个不停,又是扭身子,又是扮鬼脸。

透过这道用泥巴和芦苇糊起的墙,乔可以真切地感受到这种震耳欲聋的喧嚣。如果在另外一种情况下,他会对这种奇怪的仪式怀有相当浓厚的兴趣。不过现在,他的脑子里萦绕着一种郁闷的思绪,对外面的吵闹厌烦透了。尽管看事情要从它好的一面看,但流落在这个野蛮的地区,身处这些土人中间,乔总觉得自己愚蠢,甚至悲哀。以前敢冒险到这些地方来的旅行家,很少有人能安安全全重返故里的。再说,他能相信自己会被一直崇拜下去吗?他有充分的理由相信人间的荣华富贵都是虚无缥缈的。他自忖,在这个地方黑人的崇拜会不会到了把崇拜物吃掉的程度?

乔苦苦想了几个钟头,尽管前景不容乐观,但身心的疲倦战胜了思想的悲观。于是,他便倒头呼呼大睡。如果不是他突然感到身下潮湿,这一觉也许会睡到天光大亮。醒后不久他发现,才一会儿的功夫,潮湿变成了水,而且水在慢慢上涨,乔的半个身子都泡进了水里。

“这是怎么回事?”他自言自语地说,“发大水了?龙卷风?还是那些黑人折磨人的一种新花样?管它呢,反正我不能等着水淹死我!”

说着,他一膀子撞破芦苇墙,钻了出来。他这是在哪儿?周围大水茫茫,他是在湖里!小岛已经没了踪影!原来,夜里小岛被水淹没了。昨天还是小岛的地方,现在看到的只是一望无际的湖水。

“对那些地产主来说,可真不是个好地方!”乔心里想。他又生龙活虎地施展出他那有用技艺。

乍得湖里频频出现的这种现象使乔获得了自由。不止一个岛,看上去似乎像岩石一样坚固,但一夜之间就消失了,所以,沿岸的居民想必经常收留从这种可怕的灾难中死里逃生的不幸者。

乔对当地的这种特殊情况毫不知晓。不过他恰当地利用了这个天赐良机。他发现水上漂着一条小船,立即迅速爬了上去。这是当地人常用的独木舟。一截树干,中间部分大致挖空就成了,做工非常粗糙。船上正好有一对短桨。于是,乔便顺着一股激流漂下去。

“咱们来辨一下方向吧。”他自言自语地说,“北极星做事总是很诚实。它给每个人指明向北去的路,当然也很愿意帮我的忙。”

他满意地发现,水流正把他冲向乍得湖的北岸。他也就乐得顺其自然了。夜里2点钟左右, 他踏上了湖的一个岬角。这里遍地长着一种看上去非常讨厌人的带刺芦苇。再想得开的人也不会喜欢这种东西。好在旁边有棵大树,就像故意长些树枝给他当床用似的。为安全起见,乔爬上了树。他睡意朦胧地待在树杈上等候天亮。

赤道地区的早晨和其他地区不一样,天说亮就亮,一点不拖泥带水。乔趁天刚放亮,打量了一眼他晚间藏身的这棵树。一幅完全出乎意料的景象顿时使他毛骨悚然。树枝上简直密密麻麻爬满了蛇和变色龙,连树叶都快被遮掩得看不见了,好像这是一个新品种的树,专门产爬行动物似的。在一束阳光的照耀下,它们纷纷蠕动和盘曲回绕起来。乔既害怕又恶心,在这群爬虫的咝咝声中,一纵身跳到地上去了。

“这件事真让人不敢相信。”他心有余悸地说。

他不知道,弗格尔博士在他的最后几封信中已经谈到了乍得湖沿岸的这种特殊现象。这一地区的爬行动物比世界上其他任何地区都多。经历了这件事后,乔决定以后更加谨慎些。他根据太阳辨别了一下方向,就动身朝东北走去。一路上,他万分小心地避开土人的草屋、芦棚、土房等所有可能用来住人的建筑。

他一次又一次地仰望空中,希望能看见“维多利亚号”。整整一天,他边走边找,一直没有见着气球的影子。可是,这并没削弱他对主人的信任。对乔来说,需要有坚强的毅力才能豁达地看待自己的处境。他又累又饿,要知道,靠草根、小灌木汁以及“梅雷”、椰子充饥是不能使一个人恢复体力的。尽管如此,他估计着他还是向西走了30英里左右。他全身上下20多个地方被划得皮开肉绽,因为湖边到处都是带刺的芦苇、刺槐和含羞草。他的双脚被扎得鲜血淋淋,走起路来钻心的疼痛。可是,他毕竟忍受住了这些苦难,直到天黑,才决定在乍得湖岸边过夜。

不过夜里,他又不得不经受无数昆虫的无情叮咬,苍蝇、蚊子、长达半英寸的大蚂蚁简直漫天铺地。 2个小时后,乔身上掩体的很少几件衣服,连块碎片布也没剩下,全被昆虫吃掉了!这一夜成了痛苦难熬的一夜。这位疲惫不堪的旅行家连一分钟也没能捞着睡。而且一个晚上,灌木丛中野猪、野牛窜来窜去,不住地发威;湖水里,“阿蠕”,一种相当危险的海牛类动物狂怒不已。黑暗中,野兽的叫声此起彼伏,无休无止,乔动也不敢动。虽然他的忍耐性好,胆子大,可是这会儿也难以抵御得住这种恐怖的场面了。

天终于亮了。乔匆忙站起身来。这时,他发现自己居然与一个那么令人讨厌的家伙共同度过了一夜, 顿时觉得恶心死了。原来是一只癞蛤蟆!这只癞蛤蟆有5寸长短,畸形的头极端丑陋。它瞪着一双圆圆的大眼,瞧着乔。乔感到自己就要呕吐了。他连忙打起几分精神,抑制住厌恶,大步跑到湖边跳了进去。洗个澡后,折腾着他全身的刺痒才算稍微好了一点。在咀嚼了几片树叶以后,他又顽强执着地上路了。这种顽强和执着,连他也无法说清楚。他已经麻木,感觉不到自己是在走路。不过,他能体会到一种战胜绝望的精神力量。

这时,极度饥饿又开始折磨他。他的胃可不像他那么能忍耐,咕咕噜噜一个劲地抱怨。他只好扯一根藤蔓把肚子使劲勒住。好在渴不着,到处都可以找到水喝。想起在沙漠里遭受的罪,他觉得不受干渴的折磨,实在是件幸事。

“‘维多利亚号’会在哪儿呢?”他翻来覆去地自忖……“风是从北边刮过来的!照理说,气球应该回到湖上来!弗格森先生想必要弄新的装置把气球搞平衡。这项工作昨天一个白天应该够了,因此,不可能今天……。不过,我不能光指望这个,该怎么干的还得怎么干。总之,要是我能走到沿湖的哪个城市的话,我也会和主人说过的那些旅行家当时的情况一样,为什么我就不能像他们似的摆脱困境?他们不是有人从那儿回去了吗?管它呢!……来吧!勇敢点!”

勇敢的乔在树林里如此这般地自顾自说着,不过脚步一直没有停下来。正走着,他突然发现自己前后左右都是野人。他及时停下脚步躲了起来,总算没被看见。这些黑人正忙着用大戟植物的毒汁浸涂他们的箭头。这是当地土著人的重要事项,所以干的时候要同时举行一种隆重的仪式。

乔屏住呼吸,一动不动地藏在一簇矮村从中。偶然间,他仰了仰脸。透过树叶的缝隙,他突然看见了“维多利亚号”,真真切切是“维多利亚号”。它正在他的头顶上方几乎不到100尺的空中, 正朝着乍得湖方向飞去。乔在目前这种状况下,既不能喊叫,也不能现出身来,只好眼巴巴地望着气球。

他的眼里噙着泪水。不是因为失望,而是因为感激。他心中清楚,主人正在找他!主人没有舍弃他!他不得不一直等到黑人离去。之后他走出藏身地,便向乍得湖边奔去。但是,“维多利亚号”此时已越来越远,最后消失在天际中。乔决定等着气球。它肯定会回来的。果然,“维多利亚号”回来了。但是,它更靠东边。乔向东跑去,挥动着双手,嘴里拼命喊叫……。一切努力都白费了!一股大风正以无法遏止的速度带着气球飞呢。

不幸的乔第一次感到了软弱和绝望。他觉得,这一次自己没希望了,主人肯定是一去不复返。他不敢,也不愿意再想下去。他像个疯子一样,双脚鲜血淋淋,身上青一块紫一块,拼命地往前走——。整整一个白天过去了,夜幕已降临,他仍没有停下来。他步履艰难,时而跪着走,时而用手爬。他意识到力气就要用尽,死亡的时刻就要来临了——。

可怜的乔就这样一点点前进着,终于到了一个沼泽地前。起码说,他当时不知道,因为几个小时前天就黑了,前边什么也看不见。他突然跌入粘性很强的烂泥中。尽管他使出平生的力气,绝望地挣扎着想摆脱出来,但是,无济于事。他感到自己在一点点地陷入这块淤泥地里。几分钟后,他的半个身子已经沉下去了。

“这回真要死了!唉,这是个什么死法!——。”他痛苦地自忖。

这位不幸的人狂怒地挣扎,但这只能使他在这块自掘的墓穴里越陷越深。周围没有一截树可以拦住他,没有一根芦苇可让他抓住!他明白这一下完了!他闭上了双眼——。

“主人!主人!救救我!——。”他呼喊道。

但是,这绝望、孤独,已经很微弱的呼喊声在黑夜中消失了。


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 adoration wfhyD     
n.爱慕,崇拜
参考例句:
  • He gazed at her with pure adoration.他一往情深地注视着她。
  • The old lady fell down in adoration before Buddhist images.那老太太在佛像面前顶礼膜拜。
2 ascending CyCzrc     
adj.上升的,向上的
参考例句:
  • Now draw or trace ten dinosaurs in ascending order of size.现在按照体型由小到大的顺序画出或是临摹出10只恐龙。
3 northward YHexe     
adv.向北;n.北方的地区
参考例句:
  • He pointed his boat northward.他将船驶向北方。
  • I would have a chance to head northward quickly.我就很快有机会去北方了。
4 ferocious ZkNxc     
adj.凶猛的,残暴的,极度的,十分强烈的
参考例句:
  • The ferocious winds seemed about to tear the ship to pieces.狂风仿佛要把船撕成碎片似的。
  • The ferocious panther is chasing a rabbit.那只凶猛的豹子正追赶一只兔子。
5 prey g1czH     
n.被掠食者,牺牲者,掠食;v.捕食,掠夺,折磨
参考例句:
  • Stronger animals prey on weaker ones.弱肉强食。
  • The lion was hunting for its prey.狮子在寻找猎物。
6 condors 084a80ec4ee2f15a20bb076fbb4bea48     
n.神鹰( condor的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • What would our condors feed on if no one was in danger? 你不发生危险,那我们秃鹰吃啥呢? 来自互联网
  • Yo mama so fat she has been declared a natural habitat for Condors. Yomama是如此之肥,她被定为秃鹰的自然栖息地。 来自互联网
7 forth Hzdz2     
adv.向前;向外,往外
参考例句:
  • The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
  • He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。
8 fleeting k7zyS     
adj.短暂的,飞逝的
参考例句:
  • The girls caught only a fleeting glimpse of the driver.女孩们只匆匆瞥了一眼司机。
  • Knowing the life fleeting,she set herself to enjoy if as best as she could.她知道这种日子转瞬即逝,于是让自已尽情地享受。
9 tenacious kIXzb     
adj.顽强的,固执的,记忆力强的,粘的
参考例句:
  • We must learn from the tenacious fighting spirit of Lu Xun.我们要学习鲁迅先生韧性的战斗精神。
  • We should be tenacious of our rights.我们应坚决维护我们的权利。
10 alligators 0e8c11e4696c96583339d73b3f2d8a10     
n.短吻鳄( alligator的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Two alligators rest their snouts on the water's surface. 两只鳄鱼的大嘴栖息在水面上。 来自辞典例句
  • In the movement of logs by water the lumber industry was greatly helped by alligators. 木材工业过去在水上运输木料时所十分倚重的就是鳄鱼。 来自辞典例句
11 voracity JhbwI     
n.贪食,贪婪
参考例句:
  • Their voracity is legendary and even the most hardened warriors cannot repress a shiver if one speaks about them. 他们的贪食是传奇性的,甚至强壮的战士也会因为提起他们而无法抑制的颤抖。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He ate with the voracity of a starving man. 他饿鬼似的贪婪地吃着。 来自互联网
12 worthy vftwB     
adj.(of)值得的,配得上的;有价值的
参考例句:
  • I did not esteem him to be worthy of trust.我认为他不值得信赖。
  • There occurred nothing that was worthy to be mentioned.没有值得一提的事发生。
13 dreaded XuNzI3     
adj.令人畏惧的;害怕的v.害怕,恐惧,担心( dread的过去式和过去分词)
参考例句:
  • The dreaded moment had finally arrived. 可怕的时刻终于来到了。
  • He dreaded having to spend Christmas in hospital. 他害怕非得在医院过圣诞节不可。 来自《用法词典》
14 brutes 580ab57d96366c5593ed705424e15ffa     
兽( brute的名词复数 ); 畜生; 残酷无情的人; 兽性
参考例句:
  • They're not like dogs; they're hideous brutes. 它们不像狗,是丑陋的畜牲。
  • Suddenly the foul musty odour of the brutes struck his nostrils. 突然,他的鼻尖闻到了老鼠的霉臭味。 来自英汉文学
15 puff y0cz8     
n.一口(气);一阵(风);v.喷气,喘气
参考例句:
  • He took a puff at his cigarette.他吸了一口香烟。
  • They tried their best to puff the book they published.他们尽力吹捧他们出版的书。
16 sufficiently 0htzMB     
adv.足够地,充分地
参考例句:
  • It turned out he had not insured the house sufficiently.原来他没有给房屋投足保险。
  • The new policy was sufficiently elastic to accommodate both views.新政策充分灵活地适用两种观点。
17 scaly yjRzJg     
adj.鱼鳞状的;干燥粗糙的
参考例句:
  • Reptiles possess a scaly,dry skin.爬行类具有覆盖着鳞片的干燥皮肤。
  • The iron pipe is scaly with rust.铁管子因为生锈一片片剥落了。
18 anguish awZz0     
n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦,烦恼
参考例句:
  • She cried out for anguish at parting.分手时,她由于痛苦而失声大哭。
  • The unspeakable anguish wrung his heart.难言的痛苦折磨着他的心。
19 jaws cq9zZq     
n.口部;嘴
参考例句:
  • The antelope could not escape the crocodile's gaping jaws. 那只羚羊无法从鱷鱼张开的大口中逃脱。
  • The scored jaws of a vise help it bite the work. 台钳上有刻痕的虎钳牙帮助它紧咬住工件。
20 drawn MuXzIi     
v.拖,拉,拔出;adj.憔悴的,紧张的
参考例句:
  • All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
  • Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。
21 devour hlezt     
v.吞没;贪婪地注视或谛听,贪读;使着迷
参考例句:
  • Larger fish devour the smaller ones.大鱼吃小鱼。
  • Beauty is but a flower which wrinkle will devour.美只不过是一朵,终会被皱纹所吞噬。
22 mischief jDgxH     
n.损害,伤害,危害;恶作剧,捣蛋,胡闹
参考例句:
  • Nobody took notice of the mischief of the matter. 没有人注意到这件事情所带来的危害。
  • He seems to intend mischief.看来他想捣蛋。
23 plunge 228zO     
v.跳入,(使)投入,(使)陷入;猛冲
参考例句:
  • Test pool's water temperature before you plunge in.在你跳入之前你应该测试水温。
  • That would plunge them in the broil of the two countries.那将会使他们陷入这两国的争斗之中。
24 impunity g9Qxb     
n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除
参考例句:
  • You will not escape with impunity.你不可能逃脱惩罚。
  • The impunity what compulsory insurance sets does not include escapement.交强险规定的免责范围不包括逃逸。
25 infested f7396944f0992504a7691e558eca6411     
adj.为患的,大批滋生的(常与with搭配)v.害虫、野兽大批出没于( infest的过去式和过去分词 );遍布于
参考例句:
  • The kitchen was infested with ants. 厨房里到处是蚂蚁。
  • The apartments were infested with rats and roaches. 公寓里面到处都是老鼠和蟑螂。
26 denizens b504bf59e564ac3f33d0d2f4de63071b     
n.居民,住户( denizen的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • polar bears, denizens of the frozen north 北极熊,在冰天雪地的北方生活的动物
  • At length these denizens of the swamps disappeared in their turn. 到了后来,连这些沼泽国的居民们也不见了。 来自辞典例句
27 peril l3Dz6     
n.(严重的)危险;危险的事物
参考例句:
  • The refugees were in peril of death from hunger.难民有饿死的危险。
  • The embankment is in great peril.河堤岌岌可危。
28 meditation yjXyr     
n.熟虑,(尤指宗教的)默想,沉思,(pl.)冥想录
参考例句:
  • This peaceful garden lends itself to meditation.这个恬静的花园适于冥想。
  • I'm sorry to interrupt your meditation.很抱歉,我打断了你的沉思。
29 meditations f4b300324e129a004479aa8f4c41e44a     
默想( meditation的名词复数 ); 默念; 沉思; 冥想
参考例句:
  • Each sentence seems a quarry of rich meditations. 每一句话似乎都给人以许多冥思默想。
  • I'm sorry to interrupt your meditations. 我很抱歉,打断你思考问题了。
30 scantiness 81734cd8037a5dfa9dcde0d1b7fbf2e8     
n.缺乏
参考例句:
31 agitation TN0zi     
n.搅动;搅拌;鼓动,煽动
参考例句:
  • Small shopkeepers carried on a long agitation against the big department stores.小店主们长期以来一直在煽动人们反对大型百货商店。
  • These materials require constant agitation to keep them in suspension.这些药剂要经常搅动以保持悬浮状态。
32 vividly tebzrE     
adv.清楚地,鲜明地,生动地
参考例句:
  • The speaker pictured the suffering of the poor vividly.演讲者很生动地描述了穷人的生活。
  • The characters in the book are vividly presented.这本书里的人物写得栩栩如生。
33 throng sGTy4     
n.人群,群众;v.拥挤,群集
参考例句:
  • A patient throng was waiting in silence.一大群耐心的人在静静地等着。
  • The crowds thronged into the mall.人群涌进大厅。
34 prostrated 005b7f6be2182772064dcb09f1a7c995     
v.使俯伏,使拜倒( prostrate的过去式和过去分词 );(指疾病、天气等)使某人无能为力
参考例句:
  • He was prostrated by the loss of his wife. 他因丧妻而忧郁。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • They prostrated themselves before the emperor. 他们拜倒在皇帝的面前。 来自《简明英汉词典》
35 heartiest 2142d8f6bac2103bc5ff4945485f9dab     
亲切的( hearty的最高级 ); 热诚的; 健壮的; 精神饱满的
参考例句:
  • He was then the heartiest and sturdiest boy in the world. 他那时是世界上最诚恳、最坚强的孩子。
  • We parted with them in the heartiest manner. 我们和他们在最热烈的气氛下分别了。
36 luncheons a54fcd0f618a2f163b765373cce1a40e     
n.午餐,午宴( luncheon的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Edith Helm was not invited to these intimate luncheons. 伊迪丝·赫尔姆没有被邀请出度反映亲密关系的午餐会。
  • The weekly luncheons became a regular institution. 这每周一次午餐变成了一种经常的制度。
37 exalted ztiz6f     
adj.(地位等)高的,崇高的;尊贵的,高尚的
参考例句:
  • Their loveliness and holiness in accordance with their exalted station.他们的美丽和圣洁也与他们的崇高地位相称。
  • He received respect because he was a person of exalted rank.他因为是个地位崇高的人而受到尊敬。
38 talismans 0a3d79ef66a686851345fe4194144aa7     
n.护身符( talisman的名词复数 );驱邪物;有不可思议的力量之物;法宝
参考例句:
  • Talismans are a form of contagious magic, carried on the person. 护身符就像是一种流行的魔法,携带在人的身上。 来自互联网
  • We should welcome the Tiger and the Dragon as talismans. 我们应当把这一龙一虎当作吉祥物欢迎。 来自互联网
39 scattered 7jgzKF     
adj.分散的,稀疏的;散步的;疏疏落落的
参考例句:
  • Gathering up his scattered papers,he pushed them into his case.他把散乱的文件收拾起来,塞进文件夹里。
40 sanctuary iCrzE     
n.圣所,圣堂,寺庙;禁猎区,保护区
参考例句:
  • There was a sanctuary of political refugees behind the hospital.医院后面有一个政治难民的避难所。
  • Most countries refuse to give sanctuary to people who hijack aeroplanes.大多数国家拒绝对劫机者提供庇护。
41 festive mkBx5     
adj.欢宴的,节日的
参考例句:
  • It was Christmas and everyone was in festive mood.当时是圣诞节,每个人都沉浸在节日的欢乐中。
  • We all wore festive costumes to the ball.我们都穿着节日的盛装前去参加舞会。
42 clatter 3bay7     
v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声
参考例句:
  • The dishes and bowls slid together with a clatter.碟子碗碰得丁丁当当的。
  • Don't clatter your knives and forks.别把刀叉碰得咔哒响。
43 contortions bveznR     
n.扭歪,弯曲;扭曲,弄歪,歪曲( contortion的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Trimeris' compound, called T-20, blocks the final structural contortions from taking place. T-20是特里米瑞斯公司生产的化合物。它能阻止分子最终结构折叠的发生。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 癌症与艾滋病
  • The guard was laughing at his contortions. 那个警卫看到他那难受劲儿感到好笑。 来自英汉文学
44 grimaces 40efde7bdc7747d57d6bf2f938e10b72     
n.(表蔑视、厌恶等)面部扭曲,鬼脸( grimace的名词复数 )v.扮鬼相,做鬼脸( grimace的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • Mr. Clark winked at the rude child making grimaces. 克拉克先生假装没有看见那个野孩子做鬼脸。 来自辞典例句
  • The most ridiculous grimaces were purposely or unconsciously indulged in. 故意或者无心地扮出最滑稽可笑的鬼脸。 来自辞典例句
45 deafening deafening     
adj. 振耳欲聋的, 极喧闹的 动词deafen的现在分词形式
参考例句:
  • The noise of the siren was deafening her. 汽笛声震得她耳朵都快聋了。
  • The noise of the machine was deafening. 机器的轰鸣声震耳欲聋。
46 savage ECxzR     
adj.野蛮的;凶恶的,残暴的;n.未开化的人
参考例句:
  • The poor man received a savage beating from the thugs.那可怜的人遭到暴徒的痛打。
  • He has a savage temper.他脾气粗暴。
47 penetrated 61c8e5905df30b8828694a7dc4c3a3e0     
adj. 击穿的,鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式
参考例句:
  • The knife had penetrated his chest. 刀子刺入了他的胸膛。
  • They penetrated into territory where no man had ever gone before. 他们已进入先前没人去过的地区。
48 prospect P01zn     
n.前景,前途;景色,视野
参考例句:
  • This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
  • The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。
49 fatigue PhVzV     
n.疲劳,劳累
参考例句:
  • The old lady can't bear the fatigue of a long journey.这位老妇人不能忍受长途旅行的疲劳。
  • I have got over my weakness and fatigue.我已从虚弱和疲劳中恢复过来了。
50 slumber 8E7zT     
n.睡眠,沉睡状态
参考例句:
  • All the people in the hotels were wrapped in deep slumber.住在各旅馆里的人都已进入梦乡。
  • Don't wake him from his slumber because he needs the rest.不要把他从睡眠中唤醒,因为他需要休息。
51 awakened de71059d0b3cd8a1de21151c9166f9f0     
v.(使)醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 );(使)觉醒;弄醒;(使)意识到
参考例句:
  • She awakened to the sound of birds singing. 她醒来听到鸟的叫声。
  • The public has been awakened to the full horror of the situation. 公众完全意识到了这一状况的可怕程度。 来自《简明英汉词典》
52 sleeper gETyT     
n.睡眠者,卧车,卧铺
参考例句:
  • I usually go up to London on the sleeper. 我一般都乘卧车去伦敦。
  • But first he explained that he was a very heavy sleeper. 但首先他解释说自己睡觉很沉。
53 frail yz3yD     
adj.身体虚弱的;易损坏的
参考例句:
  • Mrs. Warner is already 96 and too frail to live by herself.华纳太太已经九十六岁了,身体虚弱,不便独居。
  • She lay in bed looking particularly frail.她躺在床上,看上去特别虚弱。
54 watery bU5zW     
adj.有水的,水汪汪的;湿的,湿润的
参考例句:
  • In his watery eyes there is an expression of distrust.他那含泪的眼睛流露出惊惶失措的神情。
  • Her eyes became watery because of the smoke.因为烟熏,她的双眼变得泪汪汪的。
55 phenomena 8N9xp     
n.现象
参考例句:
  • Ade couldn't relate the phenomena with any theory he knew.艾德无法用他所知道的任何理论来解释这种现象。
  • The object of these experiments was to find the connection,if any,between the two phenomena.这些实验的目的就是探索这两种现象之间的联系,如果存在着任何联系的话。
56 liberated YpRzMi     
a.无拘束的,放纵的
参考例句:
  • The city was liberated by the advancing army. 军队向前挺进,解放了那座城市。
  • The heat brings about a chemical reaction, and oxygen is liberated. 热量引起化学反应,释放出氧气。
57 previously bkzzzC     
adv.以前,先前(地)
参考例句:
  • The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
  • Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿,解释原先发生了什么。
58 survivors 02ddbdca4c6dba0b46d9d823ed2b4b62     
幸存者,残存者,生还者( survivor的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • The survivors were adrift in a lifeboat for six days. 幸存者在救生艇上漂流了六天。
  • survivors clinging to a raft 紧紧抓住救生筏的幸存者
59 catastrophes 9d10f3014dc151d21be6612c0d467fd0     
n.灾祸( catastrophe的名词复数 );灾难;不幸事件;困难
参考例句:
  • Two of history's worst natural catastrophes occurred in 1970. 1970年发生了历史上最严重两次自然灾害。 来自辞典例句
  • The Swiss deposits contain evidence of such catastrophes. 瑞士的遗址里还有这种灾难的证据。 来自辞典例句
60 peculiarity GiWyp     
n.独特性,特色;特殊的东西;怪癖
参考例句:
  • Each country has its own peculiarity.每个国家都有自己的独特之处。
  • The peculiarity of this shop is its day and nigth service.这家商店的特点是昼夜服务。
61 peculiar cinyo     
adj.古怪的,异常的;特殊的,特有的
参考例句:
  • He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。
  • He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。
62 glide 2gExT     
n./v.溜,滑行;(时间)消逝
参考例句:
  • We stood in silence watching the snake glide effortlessly.我们噤若寒蝉地站着,眼看那条蛇逍遥自在地游来游去。
  • So graceful was the ballerina that she just seemed to glide.那芭蕾舞女演员翩跹起舞,宛如滑翔。
63 promontory dRPxo     
n.海角;岬
参考例句:
  • Genius is a promontory jutting out of the infinite.天才是茫茫大地突出的岬角。
  • On the map that promontory looks like a nose,naughtily turned up.从地图上面,那个海角就像一只调皮地翘起来的鼻子。
64 inconvenient m4hy5     
adj.不方便的,令人感到麻烦的
参考例句:
  • You have come at a very inconvenient time.你来得最不适时。
  • Will it be inconvenient for him to attend that meeting?他参加那次会议会不方便吗?
65 beheld beheld     
v.看,注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 );瞧;看呀;(叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现)哎哟
参考例句:
  • His eyes had never beheld such opulence. 他从未见过这样的财富。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The soul beheld its features in the mirror of the passing moment. 灵魂在逝去的瞬间的镜子中看到了自己的模样。 来自英汉文学 - 红字
66 marrow M2myE     
n.骨髓;精华;活力
参考例句:
  • It was so cold that he felt frozen to the marrow. 天气太冷了,他感到寒冷刺骨。
  • He was tired to the marrow of his bones.他真是累得筋疲力尽了。
67 literally 28Wzv     
adv.照字面意义,逐字地;确实
参考例句:
  • He translated the passage literally.他逐字逐句地翻译这段文字。
  • Sometimes she would not sit down till she was literally faint.有时候,她不走到真正要昏厥了,决不肯坐下来。
68 chameleons 784904f50fc7d0174debc2b422ab8886     
n.变色蜥蜴,变色龙( chameleon的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Insects, birds and baby rats are the main food of chameleons. 昆虫、小鸟和幼鼠等是避役主要的食物。 来自互联网
  • A bronze chariot ridden by chameleons radiating flaring lights. 一辆被燃烧的蜥蜴覆盖的青铜战车。 来自互联网
69 foliage QgnzK     
n.叶子,树叶,簇叶
参考例句:
  • The path was completely covered by the dense foliage.小路被树叶厚厚地盖了一层。
  • Dark foliage clothes the hills.浓密的树叶覆盖着群山。
70 beholder 8y9zKl     
n.观看者,旁观者
参考例句:
  • Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. 看起来觉得美就是美。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • It has been said that art is a tryst, for in the joy of it maker and beholder meet. 有人说艺术是一种幽会,因为艺术家和欣赏者可在幽会的乐趣中相遇在一起。 来自《简明英汉词典》
71 reptiles 45053265723f59bd84cf4af2b15def8e     
n.爬行动物,爬虫( reptile的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Snakes and crocodiles are both reptiles. 蛇和鳄鱼都是爬行动物。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Birds, reptiles and insects come from eggs. 鸟类、爬虫及昆虫是卵生的。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
72 writhed 7985cffe92f87216940f2d01877abcf6     
(因极度痛苦而)扭动或翻滚( writhe的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He writhed at the memory, revolted with himself for that temporary weakness. 他一想起来就痛悔不已,只恨自己当一时糊涂。
  • The insect, writhed, and lay prostrate again. 昆虫折腾了几下,重又直挺挺地倒了下去。
73 mingled fdf34efd22095ed7e00f43ccc823abdf     
混合,混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 ); 混进,与…交往[联系]
参考例句:
  • The sounds of laughter and singing mingled in the evening air. 笑声和歌声交织在夜空中。
  • The man and the woman mingled as everyone started to relax. 当大家开始放松的时候,这一男一女就开始交往了。
74 precipitately 32f0fef0d325137464db99513594782a     
adv.猛进地
参考例句:
  • The number of civil wars continued to rise until about 1990 and then fell precipitately. 而国内战争的数量在1990年以前都有增加,1990年后则锐减。 来自互联网
  • His wife and mistress, until an hour ago and inviolate were slipping precipitately from his control. 他的妻子和情妇,直到一小时前还是安安稳稳、不可侵犯的,现在却猛不防正从他的控制下溜走。 来自互联网
75 determined duszmP     
adj.坚定的;有决心的
参考例句:
  • I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
  • He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。
76 circumspect 0qGzr     
adj.慎重的,谨慎的
参考例句:
  • She is very circumspect when dealing with strangers.她与陌生人打交道时十分谨慎。
  • He was very circumspect in his financial affairs.他对于自己的财务十分细心。
77 dens 10262f677bcb72a856e3e1317093cf28     
n.牙齿,齿状部分;兽窝( den的名词复数 );窝点;休息室;书斋
参考例句:
  • Female bears tend to line their dens with leaves or grass. 母熊往往会在洞穴里垫些树叶或草。 来自辞典例句
  • In winter bears usually hibernate in their dens. 冬天熊通常在穴里冬眠。 来自辞典例句
78 fatiguing ttfzKm     
a.使人劳累的
参考例句:
  • He was fatiguing himself with his writing, no doubt. 想必他是拼命写作,写得精疲力尽了。
  • Machines are much less fatiguing to your hands, arms, and back. 使用机器时,手、膊和后背不会感到太累。
79 conspired 6d377e365eb0261deeef136f58f35e27     
密谋( conspire的过去式和过去分词 ); 搞阴谋; (事件等)巧合; 共同导致
参考例句:
  • They conspired to bring about the meeting of the two people. 他们共同促成了两人的会面。
  • Bad weather and car trouble conspired to ruin our vacation. 恶劣的气候连同汽车故障断送了我们的假日。
80 fortified fortified     
adj. 加强的
参考例句:
  • He fortified himself against the cold with a hot drink. 他喝了一杯热饮御寒。
  • The enemy drew back into a few fortified points. 敌人收缩到几个据点里。
81 westward XIvyz     
n.西方,西部;adj.西方的,向西的;adv.向西
参考例句:
  • We live on the westward slope of the hill.我们住在这座山的西山坡。
  • Explore westward or wherever.向西或到什么别的地方去勘探。
82 myriads d4014a179e3e97ebc9e332273dfd32a4     
n.无数,极大数量( myriad的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Each galaxy contains myriads of stars. 每一星系都有无数的恒星。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The sky was set with myriads of stars. 无数星星点缀着夜空。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
83 devoured af343afccf250213c6b0cadbf3a346a9     
吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 ); 耗尽; 津津有味地看; 狼吞虎咽地吃光
参考例句:
  • She devoured everything she could lay her hands on: books, magazines and newspapers. 无论是书、杂志,还是报纸,只要能弄得到,她都看得津津有味。
  • The lions devoured a zebra in a short time. 狮子一会儿就吃掉了一匹斑马。
84 exhausted 7taz4r     
adj.极其疲惫的,精疲力尽的
参考例句:
  • It was a long haul home and we arrived exhausted.搬运回家的这段路程特别长,到家时我们已筋疲力尽。
  • Jenny was exhausted by the hustle of city life.珍妮被城市生活的忙乱弄得筋疲力尽。
85 buffaloes 8b8e10891f373d8a329c9bd0a66d9514     
n.水牛(分非洲水牛和亚洲水牛两种)( buffalo的名词复数 );(南非或北美的)野牛;威胁;恐吓
参考例句:
  • Some medieval towns raced donkeys or buffaloes. 有些中世纪的城市用驴子或水牛竞赛。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Water buffaloes supply Egypt with more meat than any other domestic animal. 水牛提供给埃及的肉比任何其它动物都要多。 来自辞典例句
86 revels a11b91521eaa5ae9692b19b125143aa9     
n.作乐( revel的名词复数 );狂欢;着迷;陶醉v.作乐( revel的第三人称单数 );狂欢;着迷;陶醉
参考例句:
  • Christmas revels with feasting and dancing were common in England. 圣诞节的狂欢歌舞在英国是很常见的。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • Dickens openly revels in the book's rich physical detail and high-hearted conflict. 狄更斯对该书中丰富多彩的具体细节描写和勇敢的争斗公开表示欣赏。 来自辞典例句
87 hideous 65KyC     
adj.丑陋的,可憎的,可怕的,恐怖的
参考例句:
  • The whole experience had been like some hideous nightmare.整个经历就像一场可怕的噩梦。
  • They're not like dogs,they're hideous brutes.它们不像狗,是丑陋的畜牲。
88 loathing loathing     
n.厌恶,憎恨v.憎恨,厌恶( loathe的现在分词);极不喜欢
参考例句:
  • She looked at her attacker with fear and loathing . 她盯着襲擊她的歹徒,既害怕又憎恨。
  • They looked upon the creature with a loathing undisguised. 他们流露出明显的厌恶看那动物。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
89 toad oJezr     
n.蟾蜍,癞蛤蟆
参考例句:
  • Both the toad and frog are amphibian.蟾蜍和青蛙都是两栖动物。
  • Many kinds of toad hibernate in winter.许多种蟾蜍在冬天都会冬眠。
90 monstrous vwFyM     
adj.巨大的;恐怖的;可耻的,丢脸的
参考例句:
  • The smoke began to whirl and grew into a monstrous column.浓烟开始盘旋上升,形成了一个巨大的烟柱。
  • Your behaviour in class is monstrous!你在课堂上的行为真是丢人!
91 repulsive RsNyx     
adj.排斥的,使人反感的
参考例句:
  • She found the idea deeply repulsive.她发现这个想法很恶心。
  • The repulsive force within the nucleus is enormous.核子内部的斥力是巨大的。
92 specimen Xvtwm     
n.样本,标本
参考例句:
  • You'll need tweezers to hold up the specimen.你要用镊子来夹这标本。
  • This specimen is richly variegated in colour.这件标本上有很多颜色。
93 regaining 458e5f36daee4821aec7d05bf0dd4829     
复得( regain的现在分词 ); 赢回; 重回; 复至某地
参考例句:
  • She was regaining consciousness now, but the fear was coming with her. 现在她正在恢发她的知觉,但是恐怖也就伴随着来了。
  • She said briefly, regaining her will with a click. 她干脆地答道,又马上重新振作起精神来。
94 intensity 45Ixd     
n.强烈,剧烈;强度;烈度
参考例句:
  • I didn't realize the intensity of people's feelings on this issue.我没有意识到这一问题能引起群情激奋。
  • The strike is growing in intensity.罢工日益加剧。
95 repugnance oBWz5     
n.嫌恶
参考例句:
  • He fought down a feelings of repugnance.他抑制住了厌恶感。
  • She had a repugnance to the person with whom she spoke.她看不惯这个和她谈话的人。
96 plunged 06a599a54b33c9d941718dccc7739582     
v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 );暴跌;骤降;突降
参考例句:
  • The train derailed and plunged into the river. 火车脱轨栽进了河里。
  • She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death. 她没有站稳,从100英尺的高处跌下摔死了。
97 allayed a2f1594ab7abf92451e58b3bedb57669     
v.减轻,缓和( allay的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • His fever is allayed, but his appetite is still flatted. 他发烧减轻了,但食欲仍然不振。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • His fever was allayed by the medicine. 这药剂使他退烧了。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
98 pangs 90e966ce71191d0a90f6fec2265e2758     
突然的剧痛( pang的名词复数 ); 悲痛
参考例句:
  • She felt sudden pangs of regret. 她突然感到痛悔不已。
  • With touching pathos he described the pangs of hunger. 他以极具感伤力的笔触描述了饥饿的痛苦。
99 itching wqnzVZ     
adj.贪得的,痒的,渴望的v.发痒( itch的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • The itching was almost more than he could stand. 他痒得几乎忍不住了。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • My nose is itching. 我的鼻子发痒。 来自《简明英汉词典》
100 resolutely WW2xh     
adj.坚决地,果断地
参考例句:
  • He resolutely adhered to what he had said at the meeting. 他坚持他在会上所说的话。
  • He grumbles at his lot instead of resolutely facing his difficulties. 他不是果敢地去面对困难,而是抱怨自己运气不佳。
101 obstinate m0dy6     
adj.顽固的,倔强的,不易屈服的,较难治愈的
参考例句:
  • She's too obstinate to let anyone help her.她太倔强了,不会让任何人帮她的。
  • The trader was obstinate in the negotiation.这个商人在谈判中拗强固执。
102 quench ii3yQ     
vt.熄灭,扑灭;压制
参考例句:
  • The firemen were unable to quench the fire.消防人员无法扑灭这场大火。
  • Having a bottle of soft drink is not enough to quench my thirst.喝一瓶汽水不够解渴。
103 exemption 3muxo     
n.豁免,免税额,免除
参考例句:
  • You may be able to apply for exemption from local taxes.你可能符合资格申请免除地方税。
  • These goods are subject to exemption from tax.这些货物可以免税。
104 distressing cuTz30     
a.使人痛苦的
参考例句:
  • All who saw the distressing scene revolted against it. 所有看到这种悲惨景象的人都对此感到难过。
  • It is distressing to see food being wasted like this. 这样浪费粮食令人痛心。
105 horde 9dLzL     
n.群众,一大群
参考例句:
  • A horde of children ran over the office building.一大群孩子在办公大楼里到处奔跑。
  • Two women were quarrelling on the street,surrounded by horde of people.有两个妇人在街上争吵,被一大群人围住了。
106 entirely entirely     
ad.全部地,完整地;完全地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
  • His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。
107 concealed 0v3zxG     
a.隐藏的,隐蔽的
参考例句:
  • The paintings were concealed beneath a thick layer of plaster. 那些画被隐藏在厚厚的灰泥层下面。
  • I think he had a gun concealed about his person. 我认为他当时身上藏有一支枪。
108 thicket So0wm     
n.灌木丛,树林
参考例句:
  • A thicket makes good cover for animals to hide in.丛林是动物的良好隐蔽处。
  • We were now at the margin of the thicket.我们现在已经来到了丛林的边缘。
109 apparition rM3yR     
n.幽灵,神奇的现象
参考例句:
  • He saw the apparition of his dead wife.他看见了他亡妻的幽灵。
  • But the terror of this new apparition brought me to a stand.这新出现的幽灵吓得我站在那里一动也不敢动。
110 undoubtedly Mfjz6l     
adv.确实地,无疑地
参考例句:
  • It is undoubtedly she who has said that.这话明明是她说的。
  • He is undoubtedly the pride of China.毫无疑问他是中国的骄傲。
111 eastward CrjxP     
adv.向东;adj.向东的;n.东方,东部
参考例句:
  • The river here tends eastward.这条河从这里向东流。
  • The crowd is heading eastward,believing that they can find gold there.人群正在向东移去,他们认为在那里可以找到黄金。
112 sweeping ihCzZ4     
adj.范围广大的,一扫无遗的
参考例句:
  • The citizens voted for sweeping reforms.公民投票支持全面的改革。
  • Can you hear the wind sweeping through the branches?你能听到风掠过树枝的声音吗?
113 marsh Y7Rzo     
n.沼泽,湿地
参考例句:
  • There are a lot of frogs in the marsh.沼泽里有许多青蛙。
  • I made my way slowly out of the marsh.我缓慢地走出这片沼泽地。
114 mire 57ZzT     
n.泥沼,泥泞;v.使...陷于泥泞,使...陷入困境
参考例句:
  • I don't want my son's good name dragged through the mire.我不想使我儿子的名誉扫地。
  • He has rescued me from the mire of misery.他把我从苦海里救了出来。
115 swampy YrRwC     
adj.沼泽的,湿地的
参考例句:
  • Malaria is still rampant in some swampy regions.疟疾在一些沼泽地区仍很猖獗。
  • An ox as grazing in a swampy meadow.一头牛在一块泥泞的草地上吃草。
116 ooze 7v2y3     
n.软泥,渗出物;vi.渗出,泄漏;vt.慢慢渗出,流露
参考例句:
  • Soon layer of oceanic ooze began to accumulate above the old hard layer.不久后海洋软泥层开始在老的硬地层上堆积。
  • Drip or ooze systems are common for pot watering.滴灌和渗灌系统一般也用于盆栽灌水。
117 doomed EuuzC1     
命定的
参考例句:
  • The court doomed the accused to a long term of imprisonment. 法庭判处被告长期监禁。
  • A country ruled by an iron hand is doomed to suffer. 被铁腕人物统治的国家定会遭受不幸的。
118 buoy gsLz5     
n.浮标;救生圈;v.支持,鼓励
参考例句:
  • The party did little to buoy up her spirits.这次聚会并没有让她振作多少。
  • The buoy floated back and forth in the shallow water.这个浮标在浅水里漂来漂去。
119 stifled 20d6c5b702a525920b7425fe94ea26a5     
(使)窒息, (使)窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 ); 镇压,遏制; 堵
参考例句:
  • The gas stifled them. 煤气使他们窒息。
  • The rebellion was stifled. 叛乱被镇压了。


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