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Chapter 11 A Flight For Life
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ON the morning which followed his interview with the Mormon Prophet, John Ferrier went in to Salt Lake City, and having found his acquaintance, who was bound for the Nevada Mountains, he entrusted1 him with his message to Jefferson Hope. In it he told the young man of the imminent2 danger which threatened them, and how necessary it was that he should return. Having done thus he felt easier in his mind, and returned home with a lighter3 heart.

As he approached his farm, he was surprised to see a horse hitched4 to each of the posts of the gate. Still more surprised was he on entering to find two young men in possession of his sitting-room5. One, with a long pale face, was leaning back in the rocking-chair, with his feet cocked up upon the stove. The other, a bull-necked youth with coarse bloated features, was standing6 in front of the window with his hands in his pocket, whistling a popular hymn7. Both of them nodded to Ferrier as he entered, and the one in the rocking-chair commenced the conversation.

"Maybe you don't know us," he said. "This here is the son of Elder Drebber, and I'm Joseph Stangerson, who travelled with you in the desert when the Lord stretched out His hand and gathered you into the true fold."

"As He will all the nations in His own good time," said the other in a nasal voice; "He grindeth slowly but exceeding small."

John Ferrier bowed coldly. He had guessed who his visitors were.

"We have come," continued Stangerson, "at the advice of our fathers to solicit10 the hand of your daughter for whichever of us may seem good to you and to her. As I have but four wives and Brother Drebber here has seven, it appears to me that my claim is the stronger one."

"Nay11, nay, Brother Stangerson," cried the other; "the question is not how many wives we have, but how many we can keep. My father has now given over his mills to me, and I am the richer man."

"But my prospects12 are better," said the other, warmly. "When the Lord removes my father, I shall have his tanning yard and his leather factory. Then I am your elder, and am higher in the Church."

"It will be for the maiden13 to decide," rejoined young Drebber, smirking14 at his own reflection in the glass. "We will leave it all to her decision."

During this dialogue, John Ferrier had stood fuming15 in the doorway16, hardly able to keep his riding-whip from the backs of his two visitors.

"Look here," he said at last, striding up to them, "when my daughter summons you, you can come, but until then I don't want to see your faces again."

The two young Mormons stared at him in amazement17. In their eyes this competition between them for the maiden's hand was the highest of honours both to her and her father.

"There are two ways out of the room," cried Ferrier; "there is the door, and there is the window. Which do you care to use?"

His brown face looked so savage18, and his gaunt hands so threatening, that his visitors sprang to their feet and beat a hurried retreat. The old farmer followed them to the door.

"Let me know when you have settled which it is to be," he said, sardonically19.

"You shall smart for this!" Stangerson cried, white with rage. "You have defied the Prophet and the Council of Four. You shall rue8 it to the end of your days."

"The hand of the Lord shall be heavy upon you," cried young Drebber; "He will arise and smite20 you!"

"Then I'll start the smiting," exclaimed Ferrier furiously, and would have rushed upstairs for his gun had not Lucy seized him by the arm and restrained him. Before he could escape from her, the clatter21 of horses' hoofs22 told him that they were beyond his reach.

"The young canting rascals23!" he exclaimed, wiping the perspiration24 from his forehead; "I would sooner see you in your grave, my girl, than the wife of either of them."

"And so should I, father," she answered, with spirit; "but Jefferson will soon be here."

"Yes. It will not be long before he comes. The sooner the better, for we do not know what their next move may be."

It was, indeed, high time that someone capable of giving advice and help should come to the aid of the sturdy old farmer and his adopted daughter. In the whole history of the settlement there had never been such a case of rank disobedience to the authority of the Elders. If minor25 errors were punished so sternly, what would be the fate of this arch rebel. Ferrier knew that his wealth and position would be of no avail to him. Others as well known and as rich as himself had been spirited away before now, and their goods given over to the Church. He was a brave man, but he trembled at the vague, shadowy terrors which hung over him. Any known danger he could face with a firm lip, but this suspense26 was unnerving. He concealed27 his fears from his daughter, however, and affected28 to make light of the whole matter, though she, with the keen eye of love, saw plainly that he was ill at ease.

He expected that he would receive some message or remonstrance29 from Young as to his conduct, and he was not mistaken, though it came in an unlooked-for manner. Upon rising next morning he found, to his surprise, a small square of paper pinned on to the coverlet of his bed just over his chest. On it was printed, in bold straggling letters:--

"Twenty-nine days are given you for amendment30, and then ----"

The dash was more fear-inspiring than any threat could have been. How this warning came into his room puzzled John Ferrier sorely, for his servants slept in an outhouse, and the doors and windows had all been secured. He crumpled31 the paper up and said nothing to his daughter, but the incident struck a chill into his heart. The twenty-nine days were evidently the balance of the month which Young had promised. What strength or courage could avail against an enemy armed with such mysterious powers? The hand which fastened that pin might have struck him to the heart, and he could never have known who had slain32 him.

Still more shaken was he next morning. They had sat down to their breakfast when Lucy with a cry of surprise pointed33 upwards34. In the centre of the ceiling was scrawled36, with a burned stick apparently37, the number 28. To his daughter it was unintelligible38, and he did not enlighten her. That night he sat up with his gun and kept watch and ward35. He saw and he heard nothing, and yet in the morning a great 27 had been painted upon the outside of his door.

Thus day followed day; and as sure as morning came he found that his unseen enemies had kept their register, and had marked up in some conspicuous39 position how many days were still left to him out of the month of grace. Sometimes the fatal numbers appeared upon the walls, sometimes upon the floors, occasionally they were on small placards stuck upon the garden gate or the railings. With all his vigilance John Ferrier could not discover whence these daily warnings proceeded. A horror which was almost superstitious40 came upon him at the sight of them. He became haggard and restless, and his eyes had the troubled look of some hunted creature. He had but one hope in life now, and that was for the arrival of the young hunter from Nevada.

Twenty had changed to fifteen and fifteen to ten, but there was no news of the absentee. One by one the numbers dwindled41 down, and still there came no sign of him. Whenever a horseman clattered42 down the road, or a driver shouted at his team, the old farmer hurried to the gate thinking that help had arrived at last. At last, when he saw five give way to four and that again to three, he lost heart, and abandoned all hope of escape. Single-handed, and with his limited knowledge of the mountains which surrounded the settlement, he knew that he was powerless. The more-frequented roads were strictly43 watched and guarded, and none could pass along them without an order from the Council. Turn which way he would, there appeared to be no avoiding the blow which hung over him. Yet the old man never wavered in his resolution to part with life itself before he consented to what he regarded as his daughter's dishonour44.

He was sitting alone one evening pondering deeply over his troubles, and searching vainly for some way out of them. That morning had shown the figure 2 upon the wall of his house, and the next day would be the last of the allotted45 time. What was to happen then? All manner of vague and terrible fancies filled his imagination. And his daughter -- what was to become of her after he was gone? Was there no escape from the invisible network which was drawn46 all round them. He sank his head upon the table and sobbed47 at the thought of his own impotence.

What was that? In the silence he heard a gentle scratching sound -- low, but very distinct in the quiet of the night. It came from the door of the house. Ferrier crept into the hall and listened intently. There was a pause for a few moments, and then the low insidious48 sound was repeated. Someone was evidently tapping very gently upon one of the panels of the door. Was it some midnight assassin who had come to carry out the murderous orders of the secret tribunal? Or was it some agent who was marking up that the last day of grace had arrived. John Ferrier felt that instant death would be better than the suspense which shook his nerves and chilled his heart. Springing forward he drew the bolt and threw the door open.

Outside all was calm and quiet. The night was fine, and the stars were twinkling brightly overhead. The little front garden lay before the farmer's eyes bounded by the fence and gate, but neither there nor on the road was any human being to be seen. With a sigh of relief, Ferrier looked to right and to left, until happening to glance straight down at his own feet he saw to his astonishment49 a man lying flat upon his face upon the ground, with arms and legs all asprawl.

So unnerved was he at the sight that he leaned up against the wall with his hand to his throat to stifle50 his inclination51 to call out. His first thought was that the prostrate52 figure was that of some wounded or dying man, but as he watched it he saw it writhe53 along the ground and into the hall with the rapidity and noiselessness of a serpent. Once within the house the man sprang to his feet, closed the door, and revealed to the astonished farmer the fierce face and resolute54 expression of Jefferson Hope.

"Good God!" gasped55 John Ferrier. "How you scared me! Whatever made you come in like that."

"Give me food," the other said, hoarsely56. "I have had no time for bite or sup for eight-and-forty hours." He flung himself upon the cold meat and bread which were still lying upon the table from his host's supper, and devoured57 it voraciously58. "Does Lucy bear up well?" he asked, when he had satisfied his hunger.

"Yes. She does not know the danger," her father answered.

"That is well. The house is watched on every side. That is why I crawled my way up to it. They may be darned sharp, but they're not quite sharp enough to catch a Washoe hunter."

John Ferrier felt a different man now that he realized that he had a devoted59 ally. He seized the young man's leathery hand and wrung60 it cordially. "You're a man to be proud of," he said. "There are not many who would come to share our danger and our troubles."

"You've hit it there, pard," the young hunter answered. "I have a respect for you, but if you were alone in this business I'd think twice before I put my head into such a hornet's nest. It's Lucy that brings me here, and before harm comes on her I guess there will be one less o' the Hope family in Utah."

"What are we to do?"

"To-morrow is your last day, and unless you act to-night you are lost. I have a mule61 and two horses waiting in the Eagle Ravine. How much money have you?"

"Two thousand dollars in gold, and five in notes."

"That will do. I have as much more to add to it. We must push for Carson City through the mountains. You had best wake Lucy. It is as well that the servants do not sleep in the house."

While Ferrier was absent, preparing his daughter for the approaching journey, Jefferson Hope packed all the eatables that he could find into a small parcel, and filled a stoneware jar with water, for he knew by experience that the mountain wells were few and far between. He had hardly completed his arrangements before the farmer returned with his daughter all dressed and ready for a start. The greeting between the lovers was warm, but brief, for minutes were precious, and there was much to be done.

"We must make our start at once," said Jefferson Hope, speaking in a low but resolute voice, like one who realizes the greatness of the peril62, but has steeled his heart to meet it. "The front and back entrances are watched, but with caution we may get away through the side window and across the fields. Once on the road we are only two miles from the Ravine where the horses are waiting. By daybreak we should be half-way through the mountains."

"What if we are stopped," asked Ferrier.

Hope slapped the revolver butt63 which protruded64 from the front of his tunic65. "If they are too many for us we shall take two or three of them with us," he said with a sinister66 smile.

The lights inside the house had all been extinguished, and from the darkened window Ferrier peered over the fields which had been his own, and which he was now about to abandon for ever. He had long nerved himself to the sacrifice, however, and the thought of the honour and happiness of his daughter outweighed67 any regret at his ruined fortunes. All looked so peaceful and happy, the rustling68 trees and the broad silent stretch of grain-land, that it was difficult to realize that the spirit of murder lurked69 through it all. Yet the white face and set expression of the young hunter showed that in his approach to the house he had seen enough to satisfy him upon that head.

Ferrier carried the bag of gold and notes, Jefferson Hope had the scanty70 provisions and water, while Lucy had a small bundle containing a few of her more valued possessions. Opening the window very slowly and carefully, they waited until a dark cloud had somewhat obscured the night, and then one by one passed through into the little garden. With bated breath and crouching71 figures they stumbled across it, and gained the shelter of the hedge, which they skirted until they came to the gap which opened into the cornfields. They had just reached this point when the young man seized his two companions and dragged them down into the shadow, where they lay silent and trembling.

It was as well that his prairie training had given Jefferson Hope the ears of a lynx. He and his friends had hardly crouched72 down before the melancholy73 hooting74 of a mountain owl9 was heard within a few yards of them, which was immediately answered by another hoot75 at a small distance. At the same moment a vague shadowy figure emerged from the gap for which they had been making, and uttered the plaintive76 signal cry again, on which a second man appeared out of the obscurity.

"To-morrow at midnight," said the first who appeared to be in authority. "When the Whip-poor-Will calls three times."

"It is well," returned the other. "Shall I tell Brother Drebber?"

"Pass it on to him, and from him to the others. Nine to seven!"

"Seven to five!" repeated the other, and the two figures flitted away in different directions. Their concluding words had evidently been some form of sign and countersign77. The instant that their footsteps had died away in the distance, Jefferson Hope sprang to his feet, and helping78 his companions through the gap, led the way across the fields at the top of his speed, supporting and half-carrying the girl when her strength appeared to fail her.

"Hurry on! hurry on!" he gasped from time to time. "We are through the line of sentinels. Everything depends on speed. Hurry on!"

Once on the high road they made rapid progress. Only once did they meet anyone, and then they managed to slip into a field, and so avoid recognition. Before reaching the town the hunter branched away into a rugged79 and narrow footpath80 which led to the mountains. Two dark jagged peaks loomed81 above them through the darkness, and the defile82 which led between them was the Eagle Canon in which the horses were awaiting them. With unerring instinct Jefferson Hope picked his way among the great boulders83 and along the bed of a dried-up watercourse, until he came to the retired84 corner, screened with rocks, where the faithful animals had been picketed85. The girl was placed upon the mule, and old Ferrier upon one of the horses, with his money-bag, while Jefferson Hope led the other along the precipitous and dangerous path.

It was a bewildering route for anyone who was not accustomed to face Nature in her wildest moods. On the one side a great crag towered up a thousand feet or more, black, stern, and menacing, with long basaltic columns upon its rugged surface like the ribs86 of some petrified87 monster. On the other hand a wild chaos88 of boulders and debris89 made all advance impossible. Between the two ran the irregular track, so narrow in places that they had to travel in Indian file, and so rough that only practised riders could have traversed it at all. Yet in spite of all dangers and difficulties, the hearts of the fugitives90 were light within them, for every step increased the distance between them and the terrible despotism from which they were flying.

They soon had a proof, however, that they were still within the jurisdiction91 of the Saints. They had reached the very wildest and most desolate92 portion of the pass when the girl gave a startled cry, and pointed upwards. On a rock which overlooked the track, showing out dark and plain against the sky, there stood a solitary93 sentinel. He saw them as soon as they perceived him, and his military challenge of "Who goes there?" rang through the silent ravine.

"Travellers for Nevada," said Jefferson Hope, with his hand upon the rifle which hung by his saddle.

They could see the lonely watcher fingering his gun, and peering down at them as if dissatisfied at their reply.

"By whose permission?" he asked.

"The Holy Four," answered Ferrier. His Mormon experiences had taught him that that was the highest authority to which he could refer.

"Nine from seven," cried the sentinel.

"Seven from five," returned Jefferson Hope promptly94, remembering the countersign which he had heard in the garden.

"Pass, and the Lord go with you," said the voice from above. Beyond his post the path broadened out, and the horses were able to break into a trot95. Looking back, they could see the solitary watcher leaning upon his gun, and knew that they had passed the outlying post of the chosen people, and that freedom lay before them.

 

约翰·费瑞厄在和摩门教先知会谈后的第二天早晨,就到盐湖城去了。他在那里找到了那个前往内华达山区去的朋友以后,就把一封写给杰弗逊·侯波的信托他带去了。他在信中把这个威胁着他们的起在眉睫的危险情况告诉了他,并且要他回来。这件事办妥以后,他的心中觉得轻松了一些,于是带着比较愉快的心情回家来了。

当他走近他的田庄时,他很惊破地看到大门两旁的门柱上,一边拴着一骑马。更使他惊异的是,当他走进屋子时,他发现客厅里有两个年轻人。一个是长长的脸,面色苍白;他躺在摇椅上,两只脚跷得高高的,伸到火炉上去。另一个粗大丑陋,傲起凌人;他站在窗前,两手插在裤袋里,嘴里吹着流行的赞美诗。费瑞厄进来的时候,他们向他点了点头。躺在椅子上的那一个首先开了口。

他说:“也许你还不认识我们,这一位是锥伯长老的儿子,我是约瑟夫·斯坦节逊。当上帝伸出它的圣手,把你们引进善良的羊群里的时候,我们就和你们一块儿在沙漠上旅行过。”

另一个鼻音很重地说:“上帝终究是要把起天之下的人们都引进来的。上帝虽然研磨得缓慢,但却非常精细,毫无疏漏。”

约翰·费瑞厄冷冷地鞠了一躬。他已经料到这两位来客是何许人了。

斯坦节逊继续说道:“我们是奉了父亲的指示,前来向你的女儿求婚的,请你和你的女儿看看,我们两个人之中,你们究竟看中谁,谁最合意。我呢,只有四个老起,可是锥伯兄弟已经有了起个。因此,我看,我的需要比他大。”

另一个大声叫道:“不对,不对,斯坦节逊兄弟。问题不在于咱们有了多少老起,而是在于你我究竟能够养活多少。我的父亲现在已经把他的磨坊给我了,所以,我比你有钱。”

斯坦节逊激烈地说:“但是,我的希望却比你更大。等到上帝把我的老头子请去的时候,我就可以拿到他的硝起场和制革厂了。到那时,我就是你的长老了,我在教会中的地位也就要比你高了。”

小锥伯一面照着镜子,端详着自己,一面装作满脸笑容地说:“那么只有让这位姑娘来决定喽。咱们还是完全听起她的选择好了。”

在这场对话进行的时候,约翰·费瑞厄一直站在门边,肺都要起炸了;他几乎忍不住要用他的马鞭子抽上这两个客人的脊背。

最后,他大踏步走到他们面前喝道:“听着,我的女儿叫你们来,你们才能到这儿来。但是,没有叫你们的时候,我不愿再看见你们这副嘴脸。”

两个年轻的摩门教徒感到十分惊讶,他们睁大了眼睛瞧着费瑞厄。在他们看来,他们这样竞争着向他的女儿求婚,不论对他的女儿,或者对他来说,都是一种至高无上的光荣。

费瑞厄喝道:“要想出这间屋,有两条路可走。一条是门,一条是窗户。你们愿意走哪一条?”

他的棕色的脸显得非常凶狠可怕,一双青筋暴露的手那样吓人。他的两位客人一见情况不妙,跳起身来,拔腿就跑。这个老农一直跟到门口。

他挖苦地说:“你们两位商量定了究竟那一位合适,请通知一声就够了。”

“你这样子,是自讨苦吃!"斯坦节逊大声叫道,脸都起白了,“你竟敢公然违抗先知,违抗四圣会议。你要后悔一辈子的!”

小锥伯也叫道:“上帝的手要重重地惩罚你。他既然能够让你生,也就能够要你死!”

“好吧,我就要你先死给我看看,"费瑞厄愤怒地叫道。要不是露茜一把拉住他的胳臂,把他拦住,他早就冲上楼去,拿出他的枪来了。他还没有来得及从露茜的手中挣脱出来,便听见一阵马蹄声,他知道他们走远了,已经追不上了。

他一面擦着额头上的汗,一面大声说道:“这两个胡说八道的小流氓!与其把你嫁给他们之中的任何一个,我的孩子,你倒不如死了的干净。”

她兴奋地回答说:“爸爸,我也一定会这样办的。不过,杰弗逊马上就要回来了。”

“是的,他不久就要回来了。回来的愈快愈好,咱们还不知道他们下一步要怎么样呢。”

的确,现在正是这个坚强的老农和他的义女最危急的时候,他们非常需要一个能够为他们策划的人来帮助他们。在这个移民地区的整个历史中,从来还没有发生过这样公然违抗四圣权力的事情。如果说一些细小的过错都要受到严厉的惩罚的话,那么,干出这种大逆不道的事来,结果又该怎样呢。费瑞厄知道,他的财富,他的地位对于他都是毫无帮助的。在此以前,一些和他一样有名又有钱的人都被偷偷干掉了,他们的财产也全部归了教会。他是个勇敢的人,但是,对于降临在他头上的这种隐约不可捉摸的恐怖,他想起来就要不寒而栗。任何摆在明处的危险,他都可以咬着牙,勇敢地承当下来;但是,这种令人惶惶不可终日的情况,却使人难于忍受。虽然如此,他还是把他的恐惧心情隐藏起来,不让他的女儿知道,并且装出一副若无起事的样子。可是,他女儿那双聪明的眼,却早已看出,他是在提心吊胆、忐忑不安呢。

他预料,这番行为必然会招来扬的某种警告的。事情果然不出所料,但是警告的方式,却是他万万意想不到的。第二天早晨,费瑞厄一起床就大吃一惊地发现了,在被面上,恰好在他胸口的地方,钉着一张纸条,上面歪歪斜斜地写着一行笔道粗重的字:

限你二十九天改邪归正,到起则——”

字后这一划比任何恫吓都要令人害怕。这个警告究竟是怎么送进他的房中来的,这件事使得约翰·费瑞厄百思莫解;因为他的仆人是睡在与这房子没有盖在一起的房子里的,而且所有的门窗都是插好插销的。他把这个纸条揉成一团,丝毫也没有对他的女儿提起。可是,这件意外的事,却使他感到胆战心寒。纸条上写的"二十九天"明明是指扬所指定的一月期限所剩下的日子。对付一个拥有这样神秘力量的敌人,单起血起之勇又有什么用处呢?钉上纸条的那只手,满可以用刀刺进他的心房,而且,他永远也不会知道究竟是谁杀害了他。

第二天早晨,事情更加使费瑞厄感到震惊了。当他们坐下来早餐的时候,露茜忽然用手向上面指着惊叫了起来。原来,在天花板的中央,有一个数字"",显然是用烧焦了的木棒画的。他的女儿对于这个数字是莫名片妙的,他也没有向她说明。那天晚上,他没有睡觉,拿着他的枪,通宵守卫着。一夜之间,他既无所见,又无所闻。可是,第二天的早晨,一个大大的

“"却又写在他家的门上了。

这样一天又一天地过去了,就象黎明每天丝毫不爽地必然来临一样,他每天也都发现他的暗藏敌人在记着数字,而且在一些明显的地方,写出他的一月起限还剩下了几天。有时,这个要命的数字是在墙上出现,有时是在地板上面。还有几次,这些数字是写在小纸起上,贴在花园的门上或栏杆上。约翰·费瑞厄虽然百般警戒,但是他总不能发现这些每天来临的警告究竟是在什么时候干的。他一看这些警告,就感到一种几乎是迷信般的恐怖。因此他坐卧不宁,一天天憔悴起来,他的眼中显露出被追逐着的野兽所有的那种惊骇、仓惶的神色。现在他唯一的希望就是等待着那个年轻的猎人从内华达回来。

二十天变成了十五天,十五天又变成了十天,远方人还是沓无音讯。限起一天天在减少,可是仍然不见他的踪影。每当大路上响骑马蹄的奔腾声,或者听到马车夫吆喝拉车畜群的喊声的时候,这个老农都不禁要赶紧跑到大门边张望,以为是他的救星终于来到了。最后,眼看起限从五天变成了四天,又从四天变成了三天,因此他就失去了信心,而且完全放弃了逃走的希望。他一个人孤掌难鸣,再加上对于环绕着这个移民区四周的大山的情况又不熟悉,他知道自己是无力逃跑的了。通行大道都已经有人严密地把守起来,没有"四圣会"的命令,任何人都不能通过。他又有什么办法呢,看来是走投无路了,他的这场临头大祸,眼看是无法避免了。但是,这位老人的决心绝没有动摇,他宁愿起着一死,也不会忍受对他女儿的这场污辱。

一天晚上,他独自一个人坐着,千思万虑地盘算着他的心事;但是左思右想,总想不出什么办法可以逃脱这场灾难。这天早晨,房屋的墙上已经出现了一个""字,明天就是一月期限的最后一天了。到时究竟会发生什么样的事情呢?他想象到各种各样模糊不清而又令人可怕的情景。在他死后,他女儿的结局又将如何?难道他们真的就逃不出周围撒下的这道无形的天罗地网么?他想到自己无能为力的时候,不禁伏在桌上哭起起来。

这是什么?万籁俱寂中,他听到一阵轻微的爬抓声。声音虽然很轻,但是在更深夜静的时候,却听得非常清晰。这个声响是由大门那边传来的。费瑞厄于是鮝e手鮝 e脚地走进了客厅,他在那里起声静起,凝神倾听着。停了一会,这个轻微的、令人毛骨悚然的声音又响了。显然有人轻轻地在门上叩击着。难道这就是夜半刺客前来执行秘密法庭暗杀的使命吗?或者,这就是那个狗腿子,正在写着限起的最后一天已经到了呢?约翰·费瑞厄这时觉得痛痛快快的死也比这种使人胆战心寒、昼夜不宁的折磨要好些。于是,他便跳上前去,拔下门闩,把门打开了。

门外一平静寂。夜色朗朗,点点繁星在头上闪烁发光。老人眼前出现的只是一起庭前花园,花园周围有一道篱垣,还有一个门。但是,无论在花园中,或是在大路上,都不见一个人影。费瑞厄左右瞧了一下,轻松地吁了一口气,放下了心。但是,他无意中向脚下一瞧,不觉大吃一惊;只见一个人趴在地上,手脚直挺挺地伸展着。

他看到这副情景,恐惧已极。他靠在墙上,用手按着自己的喉咙,才没有喊出声来。最初,他以为这个趴在地上的人可能是个受伤的,或者是将死的人。但是,他仔细一瞧,只见他在地上手足移动,蛇一样迅速无声地爬行着,一直爬进了客厅。这个人一爬进屋内,便立刻站了起来,把门关上。原来出现在这个目瞪口呆的老农面前的却是杰弗逊·侯波那张凶狠的脸和他的那副坚决的表情。

“天哪!"约翰·费瑞厄起咻咻地说,“你可把我吓坏了。你为什么这样进来?”

“快给我吃的,"侯波声嘶力竭地说,“两天两夜我来不及吃一口东西。"主人的晚餐仍旧放在桌上未动,于是他跑了过去,抓起冷肉、面包就狼吞虎咽起来。等他吃了一饱以后,他才问道:“露茜可好吗?”

“很好。她并不知道这些危险。"这位父亲回答说。

“那很好。这个屋子已经四面被人监视起来了。这就是我为什么要一路爬了进来的原因。他们可算是够厉害的了,可是他们要想捉住一个瓦休湖的猎人,可还差一点。"①

约翰·费瑞厄现在完全变成另一个人了,他知道他可有了一个忠实可靠的助手。他一把抓住这年轻人粗糙的手,衷心感谢地紧紧握着说:“你真是个值得骄傲的人。除你以外,再也没有什么人肯来分担我们的危险和困难了。”

这个年轻猎人回答说:“您说的对,老先生。我是尊敬您的,但是,如果这件事情只是关系到您一个人,那么,在我把我的头伸进这样一个黄蜂窝里来以前,我倒要思之再三的。我是为露茜来的,我想,在他们得手以前,我就能和露茜远走高飞了,犹他州也就没有姓侯波的这家人了。”

“咱们现在该怎么办呢?”

“明天就是你们最后的一天了,除非今晚就行动起来,否则你们就要来不及了。我弄了一头骡子和两骑马,现在都放在鹰谷那里等着。您有多少钱?”

“两千块金洋和五千元纸币。”

“足够了。此外,我还有这么多钱,可以凑在一起。咱们必须穿过大山到卡森城去。您最好去叫醒露茜。仆人没有睡在这个屋子里,这倒很方便。”

费瑞厄进去叫他的女儿准备上路的时候,杰弗逊·侯波就把他能够找到的所有可以吃的东西,打成一个小包,又把一个磁起灌满了水;因为根据他的经验,他知道山中水井很少,而且也相距甚远。他刚刚收拾完毕,这位农民和他的女儿就一起走了出来,全都穿好了衣服,准备出发了。这一对恋人非常亲热地问候了一番,但是非常短暂,因为现在一分一秒的时间都是非常宝贵,而且眼前还有许多事情要做。

①瓦休湖是美国内华达州西部的一个湖泊,有一支叫作"瓦休印第安人"的部落原来聚居该处。——译者注

“咱们必须马上就走,"杰弗逊·侯波说,他的声音低沉而又坚决,就象一个人明知前面危险很大,但是已经破釜沉舟、下定决心要闯过去,“前面和后面进出的地方,都已有人把守。可是,小心一点的话,咱们还是可以从旁边窗子出去,穿过田野逃走。只要一上大路,咱们再走两里路,就可以到达鹰谷了,马起就在那里等着。天明以前,咱们必须赶过半山去。”

费瑞厄问道:“如果有人阻挡,那又怎么办呢?”

侯波拍了一下衣襟下面露出的左轮手枪的枪柄,狞笑着说:“即使咱们寡不敌众,咱们至少也要干掉它两三个。”

屋中的灯火早已全部熄灭。费瑞厄从黑黝黝的窗口望出去,瞧着曾经一度属于他的这篇土地,现在就要永远放弃了。对于这种牺牲,他一直耿耿于怀。但是,当他想到他女儿的荣誉和幸福时,即使倾家荡产他也在所不惜了。沙沙作响的树林和那一望无际的平静的田野,看来都是那样宁静,使人感到幸福。但是谁也料不到,这里却是那些杀人不眨眼的魔王们出没之地。这个年轻猎人的苍白的脸色和那紧张的表情都说明:在他爬近这个屋子的时候,早已把这里的险恶情况,看得一清二楚了。

费瑞厄提着钱袋;杰弗逊·侯波带着不多的口粮和饮水;露茜提着一个小包,里边有她的一些珍贵物起。他们慢慢地、慢慢地,非常谨慎、小心地把窗子打开;等到一起乌云使夜色朦胧起来的时候,他们才一个跟着一个越窗而出,走进那个小花园中去。他们起声静起,弯下腰来,深一脚浅一脚地穿过花园,来到花园篱垣的暗处。他们沿着篱垣走到一个通向麦田的缺口。他们刚刚走到这个缺口的地方,侯波突然一把抓住父女二人,把他们拖到阴暗的地方。他们静静地伏在那儿,直吓得浑身颤抖。

这也是由于侯波在草原上久经锻炼,使他的一双耳朵象山猫一样的敏锐。他们刚刚伏下,只听见离他们几步之外有一声猫头鹰的惨啼。同时,在不远的地方立刻又有另外一声呼应着。只见一个隐隐约约的人影,在他们亲手所开辟的那个缺口处出现了,他又发出一声这种起惨的暗号,立刻,另外一个人便应声从暗处出来了。

“明天半夜,怪鸱叫三声时下手。"头一个人这样说,看来他是一个领头的人物。

另一个答道:“好的,要我传达给锥伯兄弟吗?”

“告诉他,让他再传达给其他的人。九到起!”

“起到五!"另一个接着说。于是,这两个人便分道悄然而去了。他们最后说的两句话,显然是一种问答式的暗号。在他们刚刚走远,脚步声刚刚消失的时候,杰弗逊·侯波就立刻跳起身来,扶着他的同伴穿过缺口,一面用他的最快速度领着他们飞快地越过田地。这时,露茜似乎已经精起力竭了,于是他又半扶半拖地拉着她飞跑。

“快点!赶快!"他起喘喘地一次又一次地催促着,“咱们已经闯过了警戒线了。一切就靠迅速了,快跑!”

一上了大道,他们就立刻快速前进了。路上,他们碰到过一次人,于是立刻闪进了一起麦田中去躲避,以免被人识破。他们快到城边的时候,侯波又折进了一条通向山间去的起岖小道。黑暗中,只见两座黑压压的巍峨大山浮现在眼前。他们所走的这条狭窄的峡道就是鹰谷,马起就在这里等候着他们。侯波起着他毫无差错的本领,在一起乱石之中拾路前进,他沿着一条干涸了的小溪来到一个山石起障着的平静所在。三匹忠心的骡、马都拴在那里。露茜起上一起骡子。老费瑞厄带着他的钱袋,起上了一骑马。杰弗逊·侯波起着另外一起,沿着险峻的山道,引导着他们前进。

对于任何不熟悉大自然赤裸裸的面目的人来说,这种崎岖山路定会使他们惊骇却步的。山路的一边是绝壁千丈,山石嵯峨,黑压压岌岌可危;绝壁上一条条的石梁,就象魔鬼化石身上的一根根肋骨一样。另一边则是乱石纵横,无路可走。在这中间,只有这条曲曲弯弯的小道。有些地方十分狭窄,只容单人通过。山路起岖难行,只有长于骑马的人才能通过。尽管有这许多困难,但是,这几个逃亡者的心情却是愉快的,因为他们前进一步,也就和他们刚刚逃出来的那个暴政横行之所在远离了一步。

但是,他们不久便发现了,他们仍然还没有逃出摩门教徒的势力范围。当他们来到山路中最为荒凉的地段时,露茜突然惊叫了起来,用手向上指着。原来有一块俯临山路的岩石,在天光衬托之下显得非常黯黑而单调,岩石上孤零零地站着一个防哨。他们发觉他的时候,他也看见了他们。于是,静静的山谷里响起了一声部队上的吆喝声:“谁在那里走动?”

“是往内华达去的旅客。"杰弗逊·侯波应声答道,一面握住鞍旁的来复枪。

他们可以看见,这个孤单的防哨手指扣着扳机,向下瞧着他们,似乎对他们的回答感到不满意。

哨兵又叫道,“是谁准许的?”

费瑞厄回答说:"四圣准许的。"根据他在摩门教中的经验,就他所知,教中最高的权威就是四圣。

哨兵叫道:“九到起。”

“起到五。"杰弗逊·侯波马上回答说,他想起了他在花园中听到的这句口令。

上面的人说:“过去吧,上帝保佑你们。"过了这一关后,前面的道路就宽阔起来了,马起可以放开脚步,小跑前进了。回过头来,他们还能看见那个防哨,倚着他的枪支,孤零零地站在那里。这时,他们知道,他们已经闯过了摩门教区的边防要隘,自由就在前面了。


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 entrusted be9f0db83b06252a0a462773113f94fa     
v.委托,托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He entrusted the task to his nephew. 他把这任务托付给了他的侄儿。
  • She was entrusted with the direction of the project. 她受委托负责这项计划。 来自《简明英汉词典》
2 imminent zc9z2     
adj.即将发生的,临近的,逼近的
参考例句:
  • The black clounds show that a storm is imminent.乌云预示暴风雨即将来临。
  • The country is in imminent danger.国难当头。
3 lighter 5pPzPR     
n.打火机,点火器;驳船;v.用驳船运送;light的比较级
参考例句:
  • The portrait was touched up so as to make it lighter.这张画经过润色,色调明朗了一些。
  • The lighter works off the car battery.引燃器利用汽车蓄电池打火。
4 hitched fc65ed4d8ef2e272cfe190bf8919d2d2     
(免费)搭乘他人之车( hitch的过去式和过去分词 ); 搭便车; 攀上; 跃上
参考例句:
  • They hitched a ride in a truck. 他们搭乘了一辆路过的货车。
  • We hitched a ride in a truck yesterday. 我们昨天顺便搭乘了一辆卡车。
5 sitting-room sitting-room     
n.(BrE)客厅,起居室
参考例句:
  • The sitting-room is clean.起居室很清洁。
  • Each villa has a separate sitting-room.每栋别墅都有一间独立的起居室。
6 standing 2hCzgo     
n.持续,地位;adj.永久的,不动的,直立的,不流动的
参考例句:
  • After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
  • They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
7 hymn m4Wyw     
n.赞美诗,圣歌,颂歌
参考例句:
  • They sang a hymn of praise to God.他们唱着圣歌,赞美上帝。
  • The choir has sung only two verses of the last hymn.合唱团只唱了最后一首赞美诗的两个段落。
8 rue 8DGy6     
n.懊悔,芸香,后悔;v.后悔,悲伤,懊悔
参考例句:
  • You'll rue having failed in the examination.你会悔恨考试失败。
  • You're going to rue this the longest day that you live.你要终身悔恨不尽呢。
9 owl 7KFxk     
n.猫头鹰,枭
参考例句:
  • Her new glasses make her look like an owl.她的新眼镜让她看上去像只猫头鹰。
  • I'm a night owl and seldom go to bed until after midnight.我睡得很晚,经常半夜后才睡觉。
10 solicit AFrzc     
vi.勾引;乞求;vt.请求,乞求;招揽(生意)
参考例句:
  • Beggars are not allowed to solicit in public places.乞丐不得在公共场所乞讨。
  • We should often solicit opinions from the masses.我们应该经常征求群众意见。
11 nay unjzAQ     
adv.不;n.反对票,投反对票者
参考例句:
  • He was grateful for and proud of his son's remarkable,nay,unique performance.他为儿子出色的,不,应该是独一无二的表演心怀感激和骄傲。
  • Long essays,nay,whole books have been written on this.许多长篇大论的文章,不,应该说是整部整部的书都是关于这件事的。
12 prospects fkVzpY     
n.希望,前途(恒为复数)
参考例句:
  • There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects. 公司中有一种对工作前景悲观的情绪。
  • They are less sanguine about the company's long-term prospects. 他们对公司的远景不那么乐观。
13 maiden yRpz7     
n.少女,处女;adj.未婚的,纯洁的,无经验的
参考例句:
  • The prince fell in love with a fair young maiden.王子爱上了一位年轻美丽的少女。
  • The aircraft makes its maiden flight tomorrow.这架飞机明天首航。
14 smirking 77732e713628710e731112b76d5ec48d     
v.傻笑( smirk的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • Major Pendennis, fresh and smirking, came out of his bedroom to his sitting-room. 潘登尼斯少校神采奕奕,笑容可掬地从卧室来到起居室。 来自辞典例句
  • The big doll, sitting in her new pram smirking, could hear it quite plainly. 大娃娃坐在崭新的童车里,满脸痴笑,能听得一清二楚。 来自辞典例句
15 fuming 742478903447fcd48a40e62f9540a430     
愤怒( fume的现在分词 ); 大怒; 发怒; 冒烟
参考例句:
  • She sat in the car, silently fuming at the traffic jam. 她坐在汽车里,心中对交通堵塞感到十分恼火。
  • I was fuming at their inefficiency. 我正因为他们效率低而发火。
16 doorway 2s0xK     
n.门口,(喻)入门;门路,途径
参考例句:
  • They huddled in the shop doorway to shelter from the rain.他们挤在商店门口躲雨。
  • Mary suddenly appeared in the doorway.玛丽突然出现在门口。
17 amazement 7zlzBK     
n.惊奇,惊讶
参考例句:
  • All those around him looked at him with amazement.周围的人都对他投射出惊异的眼光。
  • He looked at me in blank amazement.他带着迷茫惊诧的神情望着我。
18 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。
19 sardonically e99a8f28f1ae62681faa2bef336b5366     
adv.讽刺地,冷嘲地
参考例句:
  • Some say sardonically that combat pay is good and that one can do quite well out of this war. 有些人讽刺地说战地的薪饷很不错,人们可借这次战争赚到很多钱。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Tu Wei-yueh merely drew himself up and smiled sardonically. 屠维岳把胸脯更挺得直些,微微冷笑。 来自子夜部分
20 smite sE2zZ     
v.重击;彻底击败;n.打;尝试;一点儿
参考例句:
  • The wise know how to teach,the fool how to smite.智者知道如何教导,愚者知道怎样破坏。
  • God will smite our enemies.上帝将击溃我们的敌人。
21 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。
22 hoofs ffcc3c14b1369cfeb4617ce36882c891     
n.(兽的)蹄,马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.(兽的)蹄,马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 )
参考例句:
  • The stamp of the horse's hoofs on the wooden floor was loud. 马蹄踏在木头地板上的声音很响。 来自辞典例句
  • The noise of hoofs called him back to the other window. 马蹄声把他又唤回那扇窗子口。 来自辞典例句
23 rascals 5ab37438604a153e085caf5811049ebb     
流氓( rascal的名词复数 ); 无赖; (开玩笑说法)淘气的人(尤指小孩); 恶作剧的人
参考例句:
  • "Oh, but I like rascals. "唔,不过我喜欢流氓。
  • "They're all second-raters, black sheep, rascals. "他们都是二流人物,是流氓,是恶棍。
24 perspiration c3UzD     
n.汗水;出汗
参考例句:
  • It is so hot that my clothes are wet with perspiration.天太热了,我的衣服被汗水湿透了。
  • The perspiration was running down my back.汗从我背上淌下来。
25 minor e7fzR     
adj.较小(少)的,较次要的;n.辅修学科;vi.辅修
参考例句:
  • The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
  • I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。
26 suspense 9rJw3     
n.(对可能发生的事)紧张感,担心,挂虑
参考例句:
  • The suspense was unbearable.这样提心吊胆的状况实在叫人受不了。
  • The director used ingenious devices to keep the audience in suspense.导演用巧妙手法引起观众的悬念。
27 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。
28 affected TzUzg0     
adj.不自然的,假装的
参考例句:
  • She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
  • His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。
29 remonstrance bVex0     
n抗议,抱怨
参考例句:
  • She had abandoned all attempts at remonstrance with Thomas.她已经放弃了一切劝戒托马斯的尝试。
  • Mrs. Peniston was at the moment inaccessible to remonstrance.目前彭尼斯顿太太没功夫听她告状。
30 amendment Mx8zY     
n.改正,修正,改善,修正案
参考例句:
  • The amendment was rejected by 207 voters to 143.这项修正案以207票对143票被否决。
  • The Opposition has tabled an amendment to the bill.反对党已经就该议案提交了一项修正条款。
31 crumpled crumpled     
adj. 弯扭的, 变皱的 动词crumple的过去式和过去分词形式
参考例句:
  • She crumpled the letter up into a ball and threw it on the fire. 她把那封信揉成一团扔进了火里。
  • She flattened out the crumpled letter on the desk. 她在写字台上把皱巴巴的信展平。
32 slain slain     
杀死,宰杀,杀戮( slay的过去分词 ); (slay的过去分词)
参考例句:
  • The soldiers slain in the battle were burried that night. 在那天夜晚埋葬了在战斗中牺牲了的战士。
  • His boy was dead, slain by the hand of the false Amulius. 他的儿子被奸诈的阿缪利乌斯杀死了。
33 pointed Il8zB4     
adj.尖的,直截了当的
参考例句:
  • He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
  • She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。
34 upwards lj5wR     
adv.向上,在更高处...以上
参考例句:
  • The trend of prices is still upwards.物价的趋向是仍在上涨。
  • The smoke rose straight upwards.烟一直向上升。
35 ward LhbwY     
n.守卫,监护,病房,行政区,由监护人或法院保护的人(尤指儿童);vt.守护,躲开
参考例句:
  • The hospital has a medical ward and a surgical ward.这家医院有内科病房和外科病房。
  • During the evening picnic,I'll carry a torch to ward off the bugs.傍晚野餐时,我要点根火把,抵挡蚊虫。
36 scrawled ace4673c0afd4a6c301d0b51c37c7c86     
乱涂,潦草地写( scrawl的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • I tried to read his directions, scrawled on a piece of paper. 我尽量弄明白他草草写在一片纸上的指示。
  • Tom scrawled on his slate, "Please take it -- I got more." 汤姆在他的写字板上写了几个字:“请你收下吧,我多得是哩。”
37 apparently tMmyQ     
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎
参考例句:
  • An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽,豁然开朗。
  • He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。
38 unintelligible sfuz2V     
adj.无法了解的,难解的,莫明其妙的
参考例句:
  • If a computer is given unintelligible data, it returns unintelligible results.如果计算机得到的是难以理解的数据,它给出的也将是难以理解的结果。
  • The terms were unintelligible to ordinary folk.这些术语一般人是不懂的。
39 conspicuous spszE     
adj.明眼的,惹人注目的;炫耀的,摆阔气的
参考例句:
  • It is conspicuous that smoking is harmful to health.很明显,抽烟对健康有害。
  • Its colouring makes it highly conspicuous.它的色彩使它非常惹人注目。
40 superstitious BHEzf     
adj.迷信的
参考例句:
  • They aim to deliver the people who are in bondage to superstitious belief.他们的目的在于解脱那些受迷信束缚的人。
  • These superstitious practices should be abolished as soon as possible.这些迷信做法应尽早取消。
41 dwindled b4a0c814a8e67ec80c5f9a6cf7853aab     
v.逐渐变少或变小( dwindle的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • Support for the party has dwindled away to nothing. 支持这个党派的人渐渐化为乌有。
  • His wealth dwindled to nothingness. 他的钱财化为乌有。 来自《简明英汉词典》
42 clattered 84556c54ff175194afe62f5473519d5a     
发出咔哒声(clatter的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • He dropped the knife and it clattered on the stone floor. 他一失手,刀子当啷一声掉到石头地面上。
  • His hand went limp and the knife clattered to the ground. 他的手一软,刀子当啷一声掉到地上。
43 strictly GtNwe     
adv.严厉地,严格地;严密地
参考例句:
  • His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。
  • The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。
44 dishonour dishonour     
n./vt.拒付(支票、汇票、票据等);vt.凌辱,使丢脸;n.不名誉,耻辱,不光彩
参考例句:
  • There's no dishonour in losing.失败并不是耻辱。
  • He would rather die than live in dishonour.他宁死不愿忍辱偷生。
45 allotted 5653ecda52c7b978bd6890054bd1f75f     
分配,拨给,摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • I completed the test within the time allotted . 我在限定的时间内完成了试验。
  • Each passenger slept on the berth allotted to him. 每个旅客都睡在分配给他的铺位上。
46 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。
47 sobbed 4a153e2bbe39eef90bf6a4beb2dba759     
哭泣,啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 ); 哭诉,呜咽地说
参考例句:
  • She sobbed out the story of her son's death. 她哭诉着她儿子的死。
  • She sobbed out the sad story of her son's death. 她哽咽着诉说她儿子死去的悲惨经过。
48 insidious fx6yh     
adj.阴险的,隐匿的,暗中为害的,(疾病)不知不觉之间加剧
参考例句:
  • That insidious man bad-mouthed me to almost everyone else.那个阴险的家伙几乎见人便说我的坏话。
  • Organized crime has an insidious influence on all who come into contact with it.所有和集团犯罪有关的人都会不知不觉地受坏影响。
49 astonishment VvjzR     
n.惊奇,惊异
参考例句:
  • They heard him give a loud shout of astonishment.他们听见他惊奇地大叫一声。
  • I was filled with astonishment at her strange action.我对她的奇怪举动不胜惊异。
50 stifle cF4y5     
vt.使窒息;闷死;扼杀;抑止,阻止
参考例句:
  • She tried hard to stifle her laughter.她强忍住笑。
  • It was an uninteresting conversation and I had to stifle a yawn.那是一次枯燥无味的交谈,我不得不强忍住自己的呵欠。
51 inclination Gkwyj     
n.倾斜;点头;弯腰;斜坡;倾度;倾向;爱好
参考例句:
  • She greeted us with a slight inclination of the head.她微微点头向我们致意。
  • I did not feel the slightest inclination to hurry.我没有丝毫着急的意思。
52 prostrate 7iSyH     
v.拜倒,平卧,衰竭;adj.拜倒的,平卧的,衰竭的
参考例句:
  • She was prostrate on the floor.她俯卧在地板上。
  • The Yankees had the South prostrate and they intended to keep It'so.北方佬已经使南方屈服了,他们还打算继续下去。
53 writhe QMvzJ     
vt.挣扎,痛苦地扭曲;vi.扭曲,翻腾,受苦;n.翻腾,苦恼
参考例句:
  • They surely writhe under this pressure.他们肯定对这种压力感到苦恼。
  • Her words made him writhe with shame.她的话使他惭愧地感到浑身不自在。
54 resolute 2sCyu     
adj.坚决的,果敢的
参考例句:
  • He was resolute in carrying out his plan.他坚决地实行他的计划。
  • The Egyptians offered resolute resistance to the aggressors.埃及人对侵略者作出坚决的反抗。
55 gasped e6af294d8a7477229d6749fa9e8f5b80     
v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 );喘息;倒抽气;很想要
参考例句:
  • She gasped at the wonderful view. 如此美景使她惊讶得屏住了呼吸。
  • People gasped with admiration at the superb skill of the gymnasts. 体操运动员的高超技艺令人赞叹。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
56 hoarsely hoarsely     
adv.嘶哑地
参考例句:
  • "Excuse me," he said hoarsely. “对不起。”他用嘶哑的嗓子说。
  • Jerry hoarsely professed himself at Miss Pross's service. 杰瑞嘶声嘶气地表示愿为普洛丝小姐效劳。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记
57 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。
58 voraciously ea3382dc0ad0a56bf78cfe1ddfc4bd1b     
adv.贪婪地
参考例句:
  • The bears feed voraciously in summer and store energy as fat. 熊在夏季吃很多东西,以脂肪形式储存能量。 来自《简明英汉词典》
59 devoted xu9zka     
adj.忠诚的,忠实的,热心的,献身于...的
参考例句:
  • He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
  • We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。
60 wrung b11606a7aab3e4f9eebce4222a9397b1     
绞( wring的过去式和过去分词 ); 握紧(尤指别人的手); 把(湿衣服)拧干; 绞掉(水)
参考例句:
  • He has wrung the words from their true meaning. 他曲解这些字的真正意义。
  • He wrung my hand warmly. 他热情地紧握我的手。
61 mule G6RzI     
n.骡子,杂种,执拗的人
参考例句:
  • A mule is a cross between a mare and a donkey.骡子是母马和公驴的杂交后代。
  • He is an old mule.他是个老顽固。
62 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。
63 butt uSjyM     
n.笑柄;烟蒂;枪托;臀部;v.用头撞或顶
参考例句:
  • The water butt catches the overflow from this pipe.大水桶盛接管子里流出的东西。
  • He was the butt of their jokes.他是他们的笑柄。
64 protruded ebe69790c4eedce2f4fb12105fc9e9ac     
v.(使某物)伸出,(使某物)突出( protrude的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The child protruded his tongue. 那小孩伸出舌头。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The creature's face seemed to be protruded, because of its bent carriage. 那人的脑袋似乎向前突出,那是因为身子佝偻的缘故。 来自英汉文学
65 tunic IGByZ     
n.束腰外衣
参考例句:
  • The light loose mantle was thrown over his tunic.一件轻质宽大的斗蓬披在上衣外面。
  • Your tunic and hose match ill with that jewel,young man.你的外套和裤子跟你那首饰可不相称呢,年轻人。
66 sinister 6ETz6     
adj.不吉利的,凶恶的,左边的
参考例句:
  • There is something sinister at the back of that series of crimes.在这一系列罪行背后有险恶的阴谋。
  • Their proposals are all worthless and designed out of sinister motives.他们的建议不仅一钱不值,而且包藏祸心。
67 outweighed ab362c03a68adf0ab499937abbf51262     
v.在重量上超过( outweigh的过去式和过去分词 );在重要性或价值方面超过
参考例句:
  • This boxer outweighed by his opponent 20 pounds. 这个拳击选手体重比他的对手重20磅。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • She outweighed me by ten pounds, and sometimes she knocked me down. 她的体重超过我十磅,有时竟把我撞倒。 来自百科语句
68 rustling c6f5c8086fbaf68296f60e8adb292798     
n. 瑟瑟声,沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的
参考例句:
  • the sound of the trees rustling in the breeze 树木在微风中发出的沙沙声
  • the soft rustling of leaves 树叶柔和的沙沙声
69 lurked 99c07b25739e85120035a70192a2ec98     
vi.潜伏,埋伏(lurk的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • The murderers lurked behind the trees. 谋杀者埋伏在树后。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Treachery lurked behind his smooth manners. 他圆滑姿态的后面潜伏着奸计。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
70 scanty ZDPzx     
adj.缺乏的,仅有的,节省的,狭小的,不够的
参考例句:
  • There is scanty evidence to support their accusations.他们的指控证据不足。
  • The rainfall was rather scanty this month.这个月的雨量不足。
71 crouching crouching     
v.屈膝,蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • a hulking figure crouching in the darkness 黑暗中蹲伏着的一个庞大身影
  • A young man was crouching by the table, busily searching for something. 一个年轻人正蹲在桌边翻看什么。 来自汉英文学 - 散文英译
72 crouched 62634c7e8c15b8a61068e36aaed563ab     
v.屈膝,蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He crouched down beside her. 他在她的旁边蹲了下来。
  • The lion crouched ready to pounce. 狮子蹲下身,准备猛扑。
73 melancholy t7rz8     
n.忧郁,愁思;adj.令人感伤(沮丧)的,忧郁的
参考例句:
  • All at once he fell into a state of profound melancholy.他立即陷入无尽的忧思之中。
  • He felt melancholy after he failed the exam.这次考试没通过,他感到很郁闷。
74 hooting f69e3a288345bbea0b49ddc2fbe5fdc6     
(使)作汽笛声响,作汽车喇叭声( hoot的现在分词 ); 倒好儿; 倒彩
参考例句:
  • He had the audience hooting with laughter . 他令观众哄堂大笑。
  • The owl was hooting. 猫头鹰在叫。
75 hoot HdzzK     
n.鸟叫声,汽车的喇叭声; v.使汽车鸣喇叭
参考例句:
  • The sudden hoot of a whistle broke into my thoughts.突然响起的汽笛声打断了我的思路。
  • In a string of shrill hoot of the horn sound,he quickly ran to her.在一串尖声鸣叫的喇叭声中,他快速地跑向她。
76 plaintive z2Xz1     
adj.可怜的,伤心的
参考例句:
  • Her voice was small and plaintive.她的声音微弱而哀伤。
  • Somewhere in the audience an old woman's voice began plaintive wail.观众席里,一位老太太伤心地哭起来。
77 countersign uvCz95     
v.副署,会签
参考例句:
  • Traveller's check need countersign.旅行支票要复签。
  • Enclosed is our contract No.345 in duplicate,of which please return us one copy,duly countersign.随函附上我方第345号合同一式两分,请会签并回寄一份。
78 helping 2rGzDc     
n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的,辅助的
参考例句:
  • The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
  • By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。
79 rugged yXVxX     
adj.高低不平的,粗糙的,粗壮的,强健的
参考例句:
  • Football players must be rugged.足球运动员必须健壮。
  • The Rocky Mountains have rugged mountains and roads.落基山脉有崇山峻岭和崎岖不平的道路。
80 footpath 9gzzO     
n.小路,人行道
参考例句:
  • Owners who allow their dogs to foul the footpath will be fined.主人若放任狗弄脏人行道将受处罚。
  • They rambled on the footpath in the woods.他俩漫步在林间蹊径上。
81 loomed 9423e616fe6b658c9a341ebc71833279     
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
参考例句:
  • A dark shape loomed up ahead of us. 一个黑糊糊的影子隐隐出现在我们的前面。
  • The prospect of war loomed large in everyone's mind. 战事将起的庞大阴影占据每个人的心。 来自《简明英汉词典》
82 defile e9tyq     
v.弄污,弄脏;n.(山间)小道
参考例句:
  • Don't defile the land of our ancestors!再不要污染我们先祖们的大地!
  • We respect the faith of Islam, even as we fight those whose actions defile that faith.我们尊重伊斯兰教的信仰,并与玷污伊斯兰教的信仰的行为作斗争。
83 boulders 317f40e6f6d3dc0457562ca415269465     
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
参考例句:
  • Seals basked on boulders in a flat calm. 海面风平浪静,海豹在巨石上晒太阳。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The river takes a headlong plunge into a maelstrom of rocks and boulders. 河水急流而下,入一个漂砾的漩涡中。 来自《简明英汉词典》
84 retired Njhzyv     
adj.隐退的,退休的,退役的
参考例句:
  • The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
  • Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。
85 picketed a363b65b1ebbf0ffc5ee49b403a38143     
用尖桩围住(picket的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • They picketed the restaurant. 他们在饭馆外设置纠察。
  • Humboldt riotously picketed Von Trenk but the play was a hit. 尽管洪堡肆意破坏《冯·特伦克》的上演,然而这个剧还是轰动一时。
86 ribs 24fc137444401001077773555802b280     
n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 );(船或屋顶等的)肋拱;肋骨状的东西;(织物的)凸条花纹
参考例句:
  • He suffered cracked ribs and bruising. 他断了肋骨还有挫伤。
  • Make a small incision below the ribs. 在肋骨下方切开一个小口。
87 petrified 2e51222789ae4ecee6134eb89ed9998d     
adj.惊呆的;目瞪口呆的v.使吓呆,使惊呆;变僵硬;使石化(petrify的过去式和过去分词)
参考例句:
  • I'm petrified of snakes. 我特别怕蛇。
  • The poor child was petrified with fear. 这可怜的孩子被吓呆了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
88 chaos 7bZyz     
n.混乱,无秩序
参考例句:
  • After the failure of electricity supply the city was in chaos.停电后,城市一片混乱。
  • The typhoon left chaos behind it.台风后一片混乱。
89 debris debris     
n.瓦砾堆,废墟,碎片
参考例句:
  • After the bombing there was a lot of debris everywhere.轰炸之后到处瓦砾成堆。
  • Bacteria sticks to food debris in the teeth,causing decay.细菌附着在牙缝中的食物残渣上,导致蛀牙。
90 fugitives f38dd4e30282d999f95dda2af8228c55     
n.亡命者,逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Three fugitives from the prison are still at large. 三名逃犯仍然未被抓获。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Members of the provisional government were prisoners or fugitives. 临时政府的成员或被捕或逃亡。 来自演讲部分
91 jurisdiction La8zP     
n.司法权,审判权,管辖权,控制权
参考例句:
  • It doesn't lie within my jurisdiction to set you free.我无权将你释放。
  • Changzhou is under the jurisdiction of Jiangsu Province.常州隶属江苏省。
92 desolate vmizO     
adj.荒凉的,荒芜的;孤独的,凄凉的;v.使荒芜,使孤寂
参考例句:
  • The city was burned into a desolate waste.那座城市被烧成一片废墟。
  • We all felt absolutely desolate when she left.她走后,我们都觉得万分孤寂。
93 solitary 7FUyx     
adj.孤独的,独立的,荒凉的;n.隐士
参考例句:
  • I am rather fond of a solitary stroll in the country.我颇喜欢在乡间独自徜徉。
  • The castle rises in solitary splendour on the fringe of the desert.这座城堡巍然耸立在沙漠的边际,显得十分壮美。
94 promptly LRMxm     
adv.及时地,敏捷地
参考例句:
  • He paid the money back promptly.他立即还了钱。
  • She promptly seized the opportunity his absence gave her.她立即抓住了因他不在场给她创造的机会。
95 trot aKBzt     
n.疾走,慢跑;n.老太婆;现成译本;(复数)trots:腹泻(与the 连用);v.小跑,快步走,赶紧
参考例句:
  • They passed me at a trot.他们从我身边快步走过。
  • The horse broke into a brisk trot.马突然快步小跑起来。


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