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Book 1 Chapter 2
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Those whom the hurricane had just thrown on this coast were neither aeronauts by profession nor amateurs. They were prisoners of war whose boldness had induced them to escape in this extraordinary manner.

A hundred times they had almost perished! A hundred times had they almost fallen from their torn balloon into the depths of the ocean. But Heaven had reserved them for a strange destiny, and after having, on the 20th of March, escaped from Richmond, besieged1 by the troops of General Ulysses Grant, they found themselves seven thousand miles from the capital of Virginia, which was the principal stronghold of the South, during the terrible War of Secession. Their aerial voyage had lasted five days.

The curious circumstances which led to the escape of the prisoners were as follows:

That same year, in the month of February, 1865, in one of the coups2 de main by which General Grant attempted, though in vain, to possess himself of Richmond, several of his officers fell into the power of the enemy and were detained in the town. One of the most distinguished3 was Captain Cyrus Harding. He was a native of Massachusetts, a first-class engineer, to whom the government had confided4, during the war, the direction of the railways, which were so important at that time. A true Northerner, thin, bony, lean, about forty-five years of age; his close-cut hair and his beard, of which he only kept a thick mustache, were already getting gray. He had one-of those finely-developed heads which appear made to be struck on a medal, piercing eyes, a serious mouth, the physiognomy of a clever man of the military school. He was one of those engineers who began by handling the hammer and pickaxe, like generals who first act as common soldiers. Besides mental power, he also possessed5 great manual dexterity6. His muscles exhibited remarkable7 proofs of tenacity8. A man of action as well as a man of thought, all he did was without effort to one of his vigorous and sanguine9 temperament10. Learned, clear-headed, and practical, he fulfilled in all emergencies those three conditions which united ought to insure human success--activity of mind and body, impetuous wishes, and powerful will. He might have taken for his motto that of William of Orange in the 17th century: "I can undertake and persevere11 even without hope of success." Cyrus Harding was courage personified. He had been in all the battles of that war. After having begun as a volunteer at Illinois, under Ulysses Grant, he fought at Paducah, Belmont, Pittsburg Landing, at the siege of Corinth, Port Gibson, Black River, Chattanooga, the Wilderness12, on the Potomac, everywhere and valiantly13, a soldier worthy14 of the general who said, "I never count my dead!" And hundreds of times Captain Harding had almost been among those who were not counted by the terrible Grant; but in these combats where he never spared himself, fortune favored him till the moment when he was wounded and taken prisoner on the field of battle near Richmond. At the same time and on the same day another important personage fell into the hands of the Southerners. This was no other than Gideon Spilen, a reporter for the New York Herald15, who had been ordered to follow the changes of the war in the midst of the Northern armies.

Gideon Spilett was one of that race of indomitable English or American chroniclers, like Stanley and others, who stop at nothing to obtain exact information, and transmit it to their journal in the shortest possible time. The newspapers of the Union, such as the New York Herald, are genuine powers, and their reporters are men to be reckoned with. Gideon Spilett ranked among the first of those reporters: a man of great merit, energetic, prompt and ready for anything, full of ideas, having traveled over the whole world, soldier and artist, enthusiastic in council, resolute16 in action, caring neither for trouble, fatigue17, nor danger, when in pursuit of information, for himself first, and then for his journal, a perfect treasury18 of knowledge on all sorts of curious subjects, of the unpublished, of the unknown, and of the impossible. He was one of those intrepid19 observers who write under fire, "reporting" among bullets, and to whom every danger is welcome.

He also had been in all the battles, in the first rank, revolver in one hand, note-book in the other; grape-shot never made his pencil tremble. He did not fatigue the wires with incessant20 telegrams, like those who speak when they have nothing to say, but each of his notes, short, decisive, and clear, threw light on some important point. Besides, he was not wanting in humor. It was he who, after the affair of the Black River, determined21 at any cost to keep his place at the wicket of the telegraph office, and after having announced to his journal the result of the battle, telegraphed for two hours the first chapters of the Bible. It cost the New York Herald two thousand dollars, but the New York Herald published the first intelligence.

Gideon Spilett was tall. He was rather more than forty years of age. Light whiskers bordering on red surrounded his face. His eye was steady, lively, rapid in its changes. It was the eye of a man accustomed to take in at a glance all the details of a scene. Well built, he was inured22 to all climates, like a bar of steel hardened in cold water.

For ten years Gideon Spilett had been the reporter of the New York Herald, which he enriched by his letters and drawings, for he was as skilful23 in the use of the pencil as of the pen. When he was captured, he was in the act of making a description and sketch24 of the battle. The last words in his note-book were these: "A Southern rifleman has just taken aim at me, but--" The Southerner notwithstanding missed Gideon Spilett, who, with his usual fortune, came out of this affair without a scratch.

Cyrus Harding and Gideon Spilett, who did not know each other except by reputation, had both been carried to Richmond. The engineer's wounds rapidly healed, and it was during his convalescence25 that he made acquaintance with the reporter. The two men then learned to appreciate each other. Soon their common aim had but one object, that of escaping, rejoining Grant's army, and fighting together in the ranks of the Federals.

The two Americans had from the first determined to seize every chance; but although they were allowed to wander at liberty in the town, Richmond was so strictly26 guarded, that escape appeared impossible. In the meanwhile Captain Harding was rejoined by a servant who was devoted27 to him in life and in death. This intrepid fellow was a Negro born on the engineer's estate, of a slave father and mother, but to whom Cyrus, who was an Abolitionist from conviction and heart, had long since given his freedom. The once slave, though free, would not leave his master. He would have died for him. He was a man of about thirty, vigorous, active, clever, intelligent, gentle, and calm, sometimes naive28, always merry, obliging, and honest. His name was Nebuchadnezzar, but he only answered to the familiar abbreviation of Neb.

When Neb heard that his master had been made prisoner, he left Massachusetts without hesitating an instant, arrived before Richmond, and by dint29 of stratagem30 and shrewdness, after having risked his life twenty times over, managed to penetrate31 into the besieged town. The pleasure of Harding on seeing his servant, and the joy of Neb at finding his master, can scarcely be described.

But though Neb had been able to make his way into Richmond, it was quite another thing to get out again, for the Northern prisoners were very strictly watched. Some extraordinary opportunity was needed to make the attempt with any chance of success, and this opportunity not only did not present itself, but was very difficult to find.

Meanwhile Grant continued his energetic operations. The victory of Petersburg had been very dearly bought. His forces, united to those of Butler, had as yet been unsuccessful before Richmond, and nothing gave the prisoners any hope of a speedy deliverance.

The reporter, to whom his tedious captivity32 did not offer a single incident worthy of note, could stand it no longer. His usually active mind was occupied with one sole thought--how he might get out of Richmond at any cost. Several times had he even made the attempt, but was stopped by some insurmountable obstacle. However, the siege continued; and if the prisoners were anxious to escape and join Grant's army, certain of the besieged were no less anxious to join the Southern forces. Among them was one Jonathan Forster, a determined Southerner. The truth was, that if the prisoners of the Secessionists could not leave the town, neither could the Secessionists themselves while the Northern army invested it. The Governor of Richmond for a long time had been unable to communicate with General Lee, and he very much wished to make known to him the situation of the town, so as to hasten the march of the army to their relief. Thus Jonathan Forster accordingly conceived the idea of rising in a balloon, so as to pass over the besieging33 lines, and in that way reach the Secessionist camp.

The Governor authorized34 the attempt. A balloon was manufactured and placed at the disposal of Forster, who was to be accompanied by five other persons. They were furnished with arms in case they might have to defend themselves when they alighted, and provisions in the event of their aerial voyage being prolonged.

The departure of the balloon was fixed35 for the 18th of March. It should be effected during the night, with a northwest wind of moderate force, and the aeronauts calculated that they would reach General Lee's camp in a few hours.

But this northwest wind was not a simple breeze. From the 18th it was evident that it was changing to a hurricane. The tempest soon became such that Forster's departure was deferred36, for it was impossible to risk the balloon and those whom it carried in the midst of the furious elements.

The balloon, inflated37 on the great square of Richmond, was ready to depart on the first abatement39 of the wind, and, as may be supposed, the impatience40 among the besieged to see the storm moderate was very great.

The 18th, the 19th of March passed without any alteration41 in the weather. There was even great difficulty in keeping the balloon fastened to the ground, as the squalls dashed it furiously about.

The night of the 19th passed, but the next morning the storm blew with redoubled force. The departure of the balloon was impossible.

On that day the engineer, Cyrus Harding, was accosted43 in one of the streets of Richmond by a person whom he did not in the least know. This was a sailor named Pencroft, a man of about thirty-five or forty years of age, strongly built, very sunburnt, and possessed of a pair of bright sparkling eyes and a remarkably44 good physiognomy. Pencroft was an American from the North, who had sailed all the ocean over, and who had gone through every possible and almost impossible adventure that a being with two feet and no wings would encounter. It is needless to say that he was a bold, dashing fellow, ready to dare anything and was astonished at nothing. Pencroft at the beginning of the year had gone to Richmond on business, with a young boy of fifteen from New Jersey45, son of a former captain, an orphan46, whom he loved as if he had been his own child. Not having been able to leave the town before the first operations of the siege, he found himself shut up, to his great disgust; but, not accustomed to succumb47 to difficulties, he resolved to escape by some means or other. He knew the engineer-officer by reputation; he knew with what impatience that determined man chafed48 under his restraint. On this day he did not, therefore, hesitate to accost42 him, saying, without circumlocution49, "Have you had enough of Richmond, captain?"

The engineer looked fixedly50 at the man who spoke51, and who added, in a low voice,--

"Captain Harding, will you try to escape?"

"When?" asked the engineer quickly, and it was evident that this question was uttered without consideration, for he had not yet examined the stranger who addressed him. But after having with a penetrating52 eye observed the open face of the sailor, he was convinced that he had before him an honest man.

"Who are you?" he asked briefly53.

Pencroft made himself known.

"Well," replied Harding, "and in what way do you propose to escape?"

"By that lazy balloon which is left there doing nothing, and which looks to me as if it was waiting on purpose for us--"

There was no necessity for the sailor to finish his sentence. The engineer understood him at once. He seized Pencroft by the arm, and dragged him to his house. There the sailor developed his project, which was indeed extremely simple. They risked nothing but their lives in its execution. The hurricane was in all its violence, it is true, but so clever and daring an engineer as Cyrus Harding knew perfectly54 well how to manage a balloon. Had he himself been as well acquainted with the art of sailing in the air as he was with the navigation of a ship, Pencroft would not have hesitated to set out, of course taking his young friend Herbert with him; for, accustomed to brave the fiercest tempests of the ocean, he was not to be hindered on account of the hurricane.

Captain Harding had listened to the sailor without saying a word, but his eyes shone with satisfaction. Here was the long-sought-for opportunity--he was not a man to let it pass. The plan was feasible, though, it must be confessed, dangerous in the extreme. In the night, in spite of their guards, they might approach the balloon, slip into the car, and then cut the cords which held it. There was no doubt that they might be killed, but on the other hand they might succeed, and without this storm!--Without this storm the balloon would have started already and the looked-for opportunity would not have then presented itself.

"I am not alone!" said Harding at last.

"How many people do you wish to bring with you?" asked the sailor.

"Two; my friend Spilett, and my servant Neb."

"That will be three," replied Pencroft; "and with Herbert and me five. But the balloon will hold six--"

"That will be enough, we will go," answered Harding in a firm voice.

This "we" included Spilett, for the reporter, as his friend well knew, was not a man to draw back, and when the project was communicated to him he approved of it unreservedly. What astonished him was, that so simple an idea had not occurred to him before. As to Neb, he followed his master wherever his master wished to go.

"This evening, then," said Pencroft, "we will all meet out there."

"This evening, at ten o'clock," replied Captain Harding; "and Heaven grant that the storm does not abate38 before our departure."

Pencroft took leave of the two friends, and returned to his lodging55, where young Herbert Brown had remained. The courageous56 boy knew of the sailor's plan, and it was not without anxiety that he awaited the result of the proposal being made to the engineer. Thus five determined persons were about to abandon themselves to the mercy of the tempestuous57 elements!

No! the storm did not abate, and neither Jonathan Forster nor his companions dreamed of confronting it in that frail58 car.

It would be a terrible journey. The engineer only feared one thing; it was that the balloon, held to the ground and dashed about by the wind, would be torn into shreds59. For several hours he roamed round the nearly- deserted60 square, surveying the apparatus61. Pencroft did the same on his side, his hands in his pockets, yawning now and then like a man who did not know how to kill the time, but really dreading62, like his friend, either the escape or destruction of the balloon. Evening arrived. The night was dark in the extreme. Thick mists passed like clouds close to the ground. Rain fell mingled63 with snow. it was very cold. A mist hung over Richmond. it seemed as if the violent storm had produced a truce64 between the besiegers and the besieged, and that the cannon65 were silenced by the louder detonations66 of the storm. The streets of the town were deserted. It had not even appeared necessary in that horrible weather to place a guard in the square, in the midst of which plunged67 the balloon. Everything favored the departure of the prisoners, but what might possibly be the termination of the hazardous68 voyage they contemplated69 in the midst of the furious elements?--

"Dirty weather!" exclaimed Pencroft, fixing his hat firmly on his head with a blow of his fist; "but pshaw, we shall succeed all the same!"

At half-past nine, Harding and his companions glided70 from different directions into the square, which the gas-lamps, extinguished by the wind, had left in total obscurity. Even the enormous balloon, almost beaten to the ground, could not be seen. Independently of the sacks of ballast, to which the cords of the net were fastened, the car was held by a strong cable passed through a ring in the pavement. The five prisoners met by the car. They had not been perceived, and such was the darkness that they could not even see each other.

Without speaking a word, Harding, Spilett, Neb, and Herbert took their places in the car, while Pencroft by the engineer's order detached successively the bags of ballast. It was the work of a few minutes only, and the sailor rejoined his companions.

The balloon was then only held by the cable, and the engineer had nothing to do but to give the word.

At that moment a dog sprang with a bound into the car. It was Top, a favorite of the engineer. The faithful creature, having broken his chain, had followed his master. He, however, fearing that its additional weight might impede71 their ascent72, wished to send away the animal.

"One more will make but little difference, poor beast!" exclaimed Pencroft, heaving out two bags of sand, and as he spoke letting go the cable; the balloon ascending73 in an oblique74 direction, disappeared, after having dashed the car against two chimneys, which it threw down as it swept by them.

Then, indeed, the full rage of the hurricane was exhibited to the voyagers. During the night the engineer could not dream of descending75, and when day broke, even a glimpse of the earth below was intercepted76 by fog.

Five days had passed when a partial clearing allowed them to see the wide extending ocean beneath their feet, now lashed77 into the maddest fury by the gale78.

Our readers will recollect79 what befell these five daring individuals who set out on their hazardous expedition in the balloon on the 20th of March. Five days afterwards four of them were thrown on a desert coast, seven thousand miles from their country! But one of their number was missing, the man who was to be their guide, their leading spirit, the engineer, Captain Harding! The instant they had recovered their feet, they all hurried to the beach in the hopes of rendering80 him

那几个刚才被飓风抛掷在海岸上的人,根本不是什么气球飞行员——既不是职业的,也不是业余的,而是一群战俘。正因为他们个个英勇,人人豪迈,所以才想出这种异想天开的办法来逃脱。”

他们出生入死已经有几百次了!他们也有数百次几乎从破裂的气球上掉到海洋的深渊。但是不知为什么,上天却别具用心地保全了他们的生命。在3月20日那天,他们逃出了里士满,在空中连续飞行了五天,现在他们离开那弗吉尼亚的首府已经有七千英里了。在可怕的南北战争期间,里士满是南方的要塞,当时正被尤利斯·格兰特将军的部队包围。

战俘们逃跑的经过是这样的:

1865年2月间,格兰特将军打算出奇制胜,占领里士满,可是没有成功,结果他部下的几个军官却落到敌人手里,被囚禁在城内。其中最突出的一个是联邦参谋部的赛勒斯·史密斯。他是马萨诸塞州人,一位渊博的学者,在战争期间,政府曾委派他负责当时在战略上极其重要的铁路的管理工作。他是一位道地的北方人,瘦骨嶙峋的,约有四十五岁,他的短头发和一小撮浓胡子都已经灰白了。他的头部长得非常端正,仿佛生来是为了铸在勋章上似的,两眼炯炯有光,嘴形庄严,从面貌看,他显得是一个激进派的学者。他是一个从舞锤弄斧做起的工程师,正如一个行伍出身的将军一样。他不但脑子灵,而且手也巧。他的筋肉显得非常强壮。他是一个活动家,同时又是一个思想家。他热情乐观,任何一件事都难不倒他。他见多识广,善于随机应变,在任何紧要关头,他都能保持清醒的头脑,无限的信心和坚强的毅力;这三个条件使他永远是他自己的主人。他常常引用十六世纪奥兰治的威廉的话作为自己的座右铭:“即使已经没有成功的希望,我也能够承担任务,坚忍不拔。”

赛勒斯·史密斯就是勇敢的化身。他参加过南北战争的各次战役。他自从在伊利诺斯州自愿投效尤利斯·格兰特麾下以来,曾在巴丢卡、柏尔梦特、匹兹堡埠头等地作战,在围攻科林斯、吉布森港、黑河、差坦诺加、魏尔德涅斯、颇陀马克等地的战役中,始终是勇猛善战,并没有辜负那位说“我决不计算我的伤亡”的将军的训导。史密斯好几百次几乎成为威严的格兰特所不计算的阵亡将士。但是,他在这些战斗中,直到在里士满战场上受伤被俘以前,一直是很幸运地平安无事。就在史密斯被俘的那一天,还有一位重要人物也落到南军手里。这就是《纽约先驱报》的通讯记者吉丁·史佩莱,他是奉命跟随北军作战地报道的。

吉丁·史佩莱在英、美新闻采访员当中,也是一位有名的人物,正象史坦莱等人一样,不管什么困难也不能使他退缩,他也要采访到正确消息,并且在最短时间内把消息送给自己的报刊。联邦的许多报纸,例如《纽约先驱报》,都拥有坚强的实力,报刊的通讯记者就是它们的代表。吉丁·史佩莱又是第一流的记者:他是一位精明强于、体力充沛、办事敏捷、善于开动脑筋的人;他环游过世界各地;他是一个兵士,也是一个艺术家;他在谈话时很热情,行动时很坚决,既不顾虑劳累,也不害怕危险;采访新闻的时候,他首先是为了自己,也是为了他的报刊;凡是新奇的、没有发表过的、别人不知道同时也没法采访到的事物,他全都知道;他是一位浑身是胆的战地记者,惯于在枪林弹雨中写稿,危险,对于他来说,就是最好的报道资料。

他参加过各次战役,每次都在最前线,一手拿着左轮枪,一手拿着笔记簿;葡萄弹从来也没有使他的铅笔颤抖;他决不象有些人没话找话说,而总是不厌其烦地打着电报;他的每一篇报道都很简短有力、明确、能够说明要点。此外,他还很幽默。黑河的战事结束以后,决心不借任何代价独占电报局窗洞的就是他。他在向他的报刊报道了战役的结果以后,接着就拍发圣经的前几章,一共拍了两个钟头之久,虽然花费了两千美元,但《纽约先驱报》却首先登载了这个消息。

吉丁·史佩莱身材高大,大约有四十来岁。淡红色的胡须围绕着他的面庞。眼光坚定活泼,而且变化迅速。只要目光一扫,他就可以把一切景象一览无遗了。他体格健壮,能够适应各种气候,好象一根在冷水中淬硬了的钢筋。

吉丁·史佩莱担任《纽约先驱报》的通讯记者已经有十年了。他不但文笔美妙,并且精于绘画,他的通讯和插图大大充实了报刊的内容,他被俘的时候,还正在描写战役和画素描,他的笔记簿中的最后一句是:“一个南军正拿枪对着我,但是……”然而那个南军的兵士并没有打中吉丁·史佩莱,他一向是幸运的,在这次事件中也没有受一点伤。

赛勒斯·史密斯和吉丁·史佩莱过去只是闻其名而没有见过面,他们一起被押送到里士满。工程师的创伤很快就痊愈了,就在他养伤的期间他认识了这位通讯记者。他们一见面就建立了友谊。不久以后,他们产生了一个共同的目的,那就是逃回格兰特的军中,为了联邦的统一而继续战斗。

这两个美国人一开始就想找机会逃跑;虽然他们能够自由地在市镇里溜达,但是里士满戒备严密,逃脱似乎是不可能的。在这期间,史密斯遇到了一个昔日的仆人,他是一个愿意为史密斯竭尽忠诚的人。他是一个勇士,也是一个黑人,是在工程师家里出生的,他的父母都是奴隶。但是,赛勒斯在信仰上和道义上都反对奴隶制,因此早就让他自由了。这个曾经当过奴隶的人,虽然得到了自由,还是不愿意离开他的主人。他情愿为他的主人效死,他大约有三十岁,强壮、活泼、聪明、伶俐、温柔、和顺、有时还有点天真,平时总是一团高兴,勤恳而诚实。他的名字叫做纳布加尼察,但他已经习惯让人们简称他为纳布了。

纳布听到主人被俘的消息,就毫不犹豫地离开了马萨诸塞来到里士满,凭着他的机智,冒了二十多次生命的危险之后,终于潜入了被围的城市。史密斯瞧见纳布时的喜悦和纳布找到主人的高兴,那是难以形容的。

纳布虽然能够进入里士满,但要想再溜出去就完全不同了,因为北军战俘被看守得非常严格。要想顺利地逃跑,除非遇到特别的机会!这种机会不但不会送上门来,而且很难找到。

在这期间,格兰特将军还在继续作战。他以重大的代价赢得了匹兹堡的胜利。然而在里士满战线上,他和巴特莱部队联合进攻还不能取得胜利,因此战俘们想要早日获得释放是没有什么希望的。

在这枯燥无味的囚禁生活中,没有一点值得记述的事情,通讯记者再也不能忍耐了。他那一向灵活的头脑只想着一件事——怎样能够不借任何代价逃出里士满。他甚至尝试了几次,但都被不能克服的障碍阻挡住了。围困还在继续着!如果说战俘急切要逃回格兰特的军中,那末,被围的人也迫切希望和南军取得联系,其中约拿旦·福斯特就是南军中的一个热切希望如此的人。被俘的北军固然不能出城,而南军也同样离开不了,因为他们都给北军包围了。里士满的总督很久没能和李将军取得联系了,他很想把当地的情况告诉李将军,以便迅速得到援兵。于是约拿旦·福斯特就建议利用轻气球越过包围线,直达南军的兵营。

总督批准了这个计划。造了一只轻气球供福斯特使用,另外还派了五个人做他的动手。他们携带了降落时自卫用的武器,并准备了干粮,以备航程拖延时食用。

气球预计在3月18日启航。起飞必须在夜间进行,还要有和缓的西北风。据飞行员的估计,他们在几个钟头之内就可以到达李将军的军营了。

但是,刮的却不是什么和缓的西北风。从18日起它分明已经变成飓风了。风暴很快就猛烈起来,福斯特只好延期动身,因为乘客和气球是不能在这种险恶的天气里冒险的。

轻气球灌足了气,放在里士满的一个广场上,只等风势稍弱,就要启航。困守在城里的人盼望着暴风缓和的心情是不难想象的。

3月18、19两天过去了,天气并没有什么转变。拴在地上的气球被狂风猛烈地冲过来撞过去,甚至要保护这个气球都很困难。

19日的夜晚过去了。第二天早上暴风加倍猛烈,气球更不可能起飞了。

那天,工程师赛勒斯·史密斯在里士满的一条大街上,被一个素不相识的人喊住了。这是一个水手,名叫潘克洛夫,年纪大约三十五岁到四十岁,体格强壮,皮肤晒得黝黑。长着一对炯炯发光的眼睛和非常英俊的面庞。潘克洛夫是一个美国的北方人,他航遍了各大洋,参加过一切可能和几乎不可能的探险,一切不长翅膀只长腿的生物所能碰到的遭遇他都遇到过了。可想而知,他是一个大胆而勇猛的家伙,敢作敢为,什么也吓不倒他。年初的时候,潘克洛夫有事到里士满来,他带着一个新泽西的男孩子,这是过去一个船长的孤儿,才十五岁,潘克洛夫象对待亲生子女似的爱护他。在围城以前,他没有能离开这座城市,等到发觉自己被围在城里的时候,感到十分懊丧。但是他从来不肯向困难低头,因此他决定要想法子逃出去。他听说过这位工程师军官的大名,他了解这位坚强的男子汉在囚禁中的苦闷。因此,这一天他毫不犹豫,直截了当地向工程师招呼道:“史密斯先生,你在里士满待够了吗?”

工程师呆呆地看着对他说话的人,对方又低声补充了一句:

“先生,你打算逃跑吗?”

“什么时候?”工程师连忙问道,这句话显然是脱口而出的,因为他还没有看清楚这个跟他说话的陌生人是谁。但是当他用敏锐的眼光打量了一下水手爽朗的面孔之后,他就确信对方是一个诚实的人。

“你是谁?”他简短地问道。

潘克洛夫作了自我介绍。

“好吧,”史密斯回答说,“你打算用什么法子逃呢?”

“用那只气球,它在那里什么也不干,我看它正是为我们预备的……”

水手的话没有说完,工程师就明白他的意思了。他抓住潘克洛夫的胳膊,把他拉到自己住的地方去。在那里,这位水手说出了他的计划。计划倒是十分简单,除了生命危险以外,什么危险也用不着冒。当然,飓风的威力正大,但是,象赛勒斯·史密斯这样精明强干的工程师是完全懂得怎样操纵气球的。假如潘克洛夫对飞行技术,正好象对航海一样熟悉,那么他一定早就毫不犹豫地带着他的小朋友赫伯特出发了;他惯于在海里冒狂风骇浪的危险,这场飓风是难不住他的。

史密斯一言不发地倾听着水手的讲话,他的眼中闪耀着满意的光芒。想望已久的机会终于来到了——他决不是坐失良机的人。这个计划是可以实行的,但必须承认,非常危险。夜间虽然有岗哨,他们还可能走近气球,潜入吊篮,然后割断系住吊篮的绳索。当然,他们可能被打死,但另一方面,他们也有成功的希望。要是没有这场风暴多好啊!——不过话要说回来,要是没有这场风暴,气球早已启航了,这个千载难逢的机会也就不会出现了。

“我不只是一个人!”史密斯最后说。

“你要带几个人?”水手问道。

“两个人。我的朋友史佩莱,还有我的仆人纳布。”

“那就是三个人,”潘克洛夫说,“连赫伯特和我一共是五个人。气球能载六个……”

“那就行了,我们一定走。”史密斯坚决地说。

这个“我们”包括史佩莱在内,因为史密斯非常了解,这位通讯记者不是胆小如鼠的人。史佩莱听到这个计划以后,表示完全同意。使他惊奇的是:这么简单的办法自己以前竟没有想到。至于纳布,他是到处追随着他的主人的。

“那么,今天晚上,”潘克洛夫说,“大家都到那里集合。”

“今天晚上十点钟,”史密斯回答说,“但愿上天保佑,在我们离开以前,风势不要减弱。”

潘克洛夫辞别了工程师,回他的寓所去了。年轻的赫伯特·布朗还独自留在那里。这个勇敢的少年知道水手的计划,焦急地盼望着向工程师提议的结果。这五个意志坚决的人就这样打算在暴风雨中碰碰运气了!

没有!风势并没有减退,约拿旦·福斯特和他的伙伴们都不愿意在不保险的吊篮里任凭风吹雨打。

这一天是不好过的。工程师只担心一件事,担心那系在地面上的气球在大风猛烈的撞击下可能被撕成碎片。他在几乎空旷无人的广场上来回踱了几个钟头,看着这个飞行工具。潘克洛夫也采取了同样的行动,他双手插在衣袋里,好象设法消磨时间似的,不时打着呵欠,但是实际上也象他的朋友那样,十分担心气球会不会损坏,风会不会刮断它的绳索,把它刮到天空去。天晚了。夜色非常昏暗。大雾象乌云一般弥漫在地面上。天空同时下着雨和雪。气候非常寒冷。浓雾笼罩着里士满。强烈的风暴似乎在攻和守的双方之间造成了休战状态,大炮的声音在怒吼的狂风中一点也听不到了。城市的街道上不见人影,在这么恶劣的天气里,官方似乎没有想到会丢失气球,因此觉得没有必要在广场上设岗。这一切都是俘虏们脱逃的有利条件,但是,他们在狂风暴雨中所作的冒险尝试最后会怎么样呢?

“天气真坏!”潘克洛夫喊道,他一拳压住了头上那顶要被风刮走的帽子。“但是,啊,我们还是会成功的!”

九点半钟,史密斯和他的伙伴们从不同的方向来到广场,大风吹灭了汽灯,广场上一片漆黑。连那几乎被吹倒在地上的大气球也看不见了。网索是系在沙囊上的,而吊篮却是单独用一根结实的钢缆穿在便道的一个铁环里。五个俘虏在吊篮旁边会合了。他们没有被人发现,由于天色昏黑,甚至他们彼此都看不见。

史密斯、史佩莱、纳布和赫伯特一言不发地在吊篮里各自坐了下来,潘克洛夫按照工程师的指示把沙囊一一解开。只花了几分钟的工夫,水手就回到他的伙伴们身边来了。

系着气球的只剩下一根钢缆,只要工程师一声号令就可以起飞了。

就在这时候,突然有一只狗跳到吊篮里来。原来是工程师的爱犬托普。这只忠实的畜生挣断链索,赶上了它的主人。工程师怕这份外加的重量会影响他们的上升,想打发它走。

“可怜的畜生!就多它一个吧!”潘克洛夫一面说,一面把两袋沙土扔了出去,减轻了吊篮的重量,然后解开钢缆,气球斜着往上升去,由于起势猛烈,吊篮在两个烟囱上碰了一下,然后才消失得无影无踪。

飓风可怕地怒吼着。在夜间下降,工程师连想也不敢想;拂晓时,下面的大地被浓雾遮蔽得一点也看不见。

五天以后他们才从云隙中看到下面的一片汪洋大海。在飓风的推送下,气球以惊人的速度飞行着。

大家都知道:在3月20日起飞的这五个人,后来在3月24日有四个人被抛弃在远离祖国六千英里的荒凉海岸上,一个人丢失了!这个丢失的人就是他们的领袖,工程师史密斯!他们刚刚着陆,就连忙赶到海滩上去,打算援救他。


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 besieged 8e843b35d28f4ceaf67a4da1f3a21399     
包围,围困,围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • Paris was besieged for four months and forced to surrender. 巴黎被围困了四个月后被迫投降。
  • The community besieged the newspaper with letters about its recent editorial. 公众纷纷来信对报社新近发表的社论提出诘问,弄得报社应接不暇。
2 coups 2627b0272849b68fbe31f92e3958bb82     
n.意外而成功的行动( coup的名词复数 );政变;努力办到难办的事
参考例句:
  • China has seen many political coups within the ruling class. 中国统治阶级内部发生过很多政变。 来自互联网
  • Thailand has had eighteen coups or coup attendance since nineteen thirty-two. 泰国1932年以来有18次政变或参加政变。 来自互联网
3 distinguished wu9z3v     
adj.卓越的,杰出的,著名的
参考例句:
  • Elephants are distinguished from other animals by their long noses.大象以其长长的鼻子显示出与其他动物的不同。
  • A banquet was given in honor of the distinguished guests.宴会是为了向贵宾们致敬而举行的。
4 confided 724f3f12e93e38bec4dda1e47c06c3b1     
v.吐露(秘密,心事等)( confide的过去式和过去分词 );(向某人)吐露(隐私、秘密等)
参考例句:
  • She confided all her secrets to her best friend. 她向她最要好的朋友倾吐了自己所有的秘密。
  • He confided to me that he had spent five years in prison. 他私下向我透露,他蹲过五年监狱。 来自《简明英汉词典》
5 possessed xuyyQ     
adj.疯狂的;拥有的,占有的
参考例句:
  • He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。
  • He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。
6 dexterity hlXzs     
n.(手的)灵巧,灵活
参考例句:
  • You need manual dexterity to be good at video games.玩好电子游戏手要灵巧。
  • I'm your inferior in manual dexterity.论手巧,我不如你。
7 remarkable 8Vbx6     
adj.显著的,异常的,非凡的,值得注意的
参考例句:
  • She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
  • These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。
8 tenacity dq9y2     
n.坚韧
参考例句:
  • Tenacity is the bridge to success.坚韧是通向成功的桥。
  • The athletes displayed great tenacity throughout the contest.运动员在比赛中表现出坚韧的斗志。
9 sanguine dCOzF     
adj.充满希望的,乐观的,血红色的
参考例句:
  • He has a sanguine attitude to life.他对于人生有乐观的看法。
  • He is not very sanguine about our chances of success.他对我们成功的机会不太乐观。
10 temperament 7INzf     
n.气质,性格,性情
参考例句:
  • The analysis of what kind of temperament you possess is vital.分析一下你有什么样的气质是十分重要的。
  • Success often depends on temperament.成功常常取决于一个人的性格。
11 persevere MMCxH     
v.坚持,坚忍,不屈不挠
参考例句:
  • They are determined to persevere in the fight.他们决心坚持战斗。
  • It is strength of character enabled him to persevere.他那坚强的性格使他能够坚持不懈。
12 wilderness SgrwS     
n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等,荒漠
参考例句:
  • She drove the herd of cattle through the wilderness.她赶着牛群穿过荒野。
  • Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。
13 valiantly valiantly     
adv.勇敢地,英勇地;雄赳赳
参考例句:
  • He faced the enemy valiantly, shuned no difficulties and dangers and would not hesitate to lay down his life if need be. 他英勇对敌,不避艰险,赴汤蹈火在所不计。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • Murcertach strove valiantly to meet the new order of things. 面对这个新事态,默克塔克英勇奋斗。 来自辞典例句
14 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。
15 herald qdCzd     
vt.预示...的来临,预告,宣布,欢迎
参考例句:
  • In England, the cuckoo is the herald of spring.在英国杜鹃鸟是报春的使者。
  • Dawn is the herald of day.曙光是白昼的先驱。
16 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。
17 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。
18 treasury 7GeyP     
n.宝库;国库,金库;文库
参考例句:
  • The Treasury was opposed in principle to the proposals.财政部原则上反对这些提案。
  • This book is a treasury of useful information.这本书是有价值的信息宝库。
19 intrepid NaYzz     
adj.无畏的,刚毅的
参考例句:
  • He is not really satisfied with his intrepid action.他没有真正满意他的无畏行动。
  • John's intrepid personality made him a good choice for team leader.约翰勇敢的个性适合作领导工作。
20 incessant WcizU     
adj.不停的,连续的
参考例句:
  • We have had incessant snowfall since yesterday afternoon.从昨天下午开始就持续不断地下雪。
  • She is tired of his incessant demands for affection.她厌倦了他对感情的不断索取。
21 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。
22 inured inured     
adj.坚强的,习惯的
参考例句:
  • The prisoners quickly became inured to the harsh conditions.囚犯们很快就适应了苛刻的条件。
  • He has inured himself to accept misfortune.他锻练了自己,使自己能承受不幸。
23 skilful 8i2zDY     
(=skillful)adj.灵巧的,熟练的
参考例句:
  • The more you practise,the more skilful you'll become.练习的次数越多,熟练的程度越高。
  • He's not very skilful with his chopsticks.他用筷子不大熟练。
24 sketch UEyyG     
n.草图;梗概;素描;v.素描;概述
参考例句:
  • My sister often goes into the country to sketch. 我姐姐常到乡间去写生。
  • I will send you a slight sketch of the house.我将给你寄去房屋的草图。
25 convalescence 8Y6ze     
n.病后康复期
参考例句:
  • She bore up well during her convalescence.她在病后恢复期间始终有信心。
  • After convalescence he had a relapse.他于痊愈之后,病又发作了一次。
26 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。
27 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。
28 naive yFVxO     
adj.幼稚的,轻信的;天真的
参考例句:
  • It's naive of you to believe he'll do what he says.相信他会言行一致,你未免太单纯了。
  • Don't be naive.The matter is not so simple.你别傻乎乎的。事情没有那么简单。
29 dint plVza     
n.由于,靠;凹坑
参考例句:
  • He succeeded by dint of hard work.他靠苦干获得成功。
  • He reached the top by dint of great effort.他费了很大的劲终于爬到了顶。
30 stratagem ThlyQ     
n.诡计,计谋
参考例句:
  • Knit the brows and a stratagem comes to mind.眉头一皱,计上心来。
  • Trade discounts may be used as a competitive stratagem to secure customer loyalty.商业折扣可以用作维护顾客忠诚度的一种竞争策略。
31 penetrate juSyv     
v.透(渗)入;刺入,刺穿;洞察,了解
参考例句:
  • Western ideas penetrate slowly through the East.西方观念逐渐传入东方。
  • The sunshine could not penetrate where the trees were thickest.阳光不能透入树木最浓密的地方。
32 captivity qrJzv     
n.囚禁;被俘;束缚
参考例句:
  • A zoo is a place where live animals are kept in captivity for the public to see.动物园是圈养动物以供公众观看的场所。
  • He was held in captivity for three years.他被囚禁叁年。
33 besieging da68b034845622645cf85414165b9e31     
包围,围困,围攻( besiege的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • They constituted a near-insuperable obstacle to the besieging infantry. 它们就会形成围城步兵几乎不可逾越的障碍。
  • He concentrated the sun's rays on the Roman ships besieging the city and burned them. 他把集中的阳光照到攻城的罗马船上,把它们焚毁。
34 authorized jyLzgx     
a.委任的,许可的
参考例句:
  • An administrative order is valid if authorized by a statute.如果一个行政命令得到一个法规的认可那么这个命令就是有效的。
35 fixed JsKzzj     
adj.固定的,不变的,准备好的;(计算机)固定的
参考例句:
  • Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗?
  • Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定,我们就不应该随意改变。
36 deferred 43fff3df3fc0b3417c86dc3040fb2d86     
adj.延期的,缓召的v.拖延,延缓,推迟( defer的过去式和过去分词 );服从某人的意愿,遵从
参考例句:
  • The department deferred the decision for six months. 这个部门推迟了六个月才作决定。
  • a tax-deferred savings plan 延税储蓄计划
37 inflated Mqwz2K     
adj.(价格)飞涨的;(通货)膨胀的;言过其实的;充了气的v.使充气(于轮胎、气球等)( inflate的过去式和过去分词 );(使)膨胀;(使)通货膨胀;物价上涨
参考例句:
  • He has an inflated sense of his own importance. 他自视过高。
  • They all seem to take an inflated view of their collective identity. 他们对自己的集体身份似乎都持有一种夸大的看法。 来自《简明英汉词典》
38 abate SoAyj     
vi.(风势,疼痛等)减弱,减轻,减退
参考例句:
  • We must abate the noise pollution in our city.我们必须消除我们城里的噪音污染。
  • The doctor gave him some medicine to abate the powerful pain.医生给了他一些药,以减弱那剧烈的疼痛。
39 abatement pzHzyb     
n.减(免)税,打折扣,冲销
参考例句:
  • A bag filter for dust abatement at the discharge point should be provided.在卸料地点应该装设袋滤器以消除粉尘。
  • The abatement of the headache gave him a moment of rest.头痛减轻给他片刻的休息。
40 impatience OaOxC     
n.不耐烦,急躁
参考例句:
  • He expressed impatience at the slow rate of progress.进展缓慢,他显得不耐烦。
  • He gave a stamp of impatience.他不耐烦地跺脚。
41 alteration rxPzO     
n.变更,改变;蚀变
参考例句:
  • The shirt needs alteration.这件衬衣需要改一改。
  • He easily perceived there was an alteration in my countenance.他立刻看出我的脸色和往常有些不同。
42 accost BJQym     
v.向人搭话,打招呼
参考例句:
  • He ruminated on his defenses before he should accost her father.他在与她父亲搭话前,仔细地考虑着他的防范措施。
  • They have been assigned to accost strangers and extract secrets from them.他们被指派去与生疏人搭讪从并从他们那里套出奥秘。
43 accosted 4ebfcbae6e0701af7bf7522dbf7f39bb     
v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 );跟…搭讪;(乞丐等)上前向…乞讨;(妓女等)勾搭
参考例句:
  • She was accosted in the street by a complete stranger. 在街上,一个完全陌生的人贸然走到她跟前搭讪。
  • His benevolent nature prevented him from refusing any beggar who accosted him. 他乐善好施的本性使他不会拒绝走上前向他行乞的任何一个乞丐。 来自《简明英汉词典》
44 remarkably EkPzTW     
ad.不同寻常地,相当地
参考例句:
  • I thought she was remarkably restrained in the circumstances. 我认为她在那种情况下非常克制。
  • He made a remarkably swift recovery. 他康复得相当快。
45 jersey Lp5zzo     
n.运动衫
参考例句:
  • He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
  • They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致,都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。
46 orphan QJExg     
n.孤儿;adj.无父母的
参考例句:
  • He brought up the orphan and passed onto him his knowledge of medicine.他把一个孤儿养大,并且把自己的医术传给了他。
  • The orphan had been reared in a convent by some good sisters.这个孤儿在一所修道院里被几个好心的修女带大。
47 succumb CHLzp     
v.屈服,屈从;死
参考例句:
  • They will never succumb to the enemies.他们决不向敌人屈服。
  • Will business leaders succumb to these ideas?商业领袖们会被这些观点折服吗?
48 chafed f9adc83cf3cbb1d83206e36eae090f1f     
v.擦热(尤指皮肤)( chafe的过去式 );擦痛;发怒;惹怒
参考例句:
  • Her wrists chafed where the rope had been. 她的手腕上绳子勒过的地方都磨红了。
  • She chafed her cold hands. 她揉搓冰冷的双手使之暖和。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
49 circumlocution 2XKz1     
n. 绕圈子的话,迂回累赘的陈述
参考例句:
  • He is a master at circumlocution.他讲话很会兜圈子。
  • This sort of ritual circumlocution is common to many parts of mathematics.这种繁冗的遁辞常见于数学的许多部分分式中。
50 fixedly 71be829f2724164d2521d0b5bee4e2cc     
adv.固定地;不屈地,坚定不移地
参考例句:
  • He stared fixedly at the woman in white. 他一直凝视着那穿白衣裳的女人。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The great majority were silent and still, looking fixedly at the ground. 绝大部分的人都不闹不动,呆呆地望着地面。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记
51 spoke XryyC     
n.(车轮的)辐条;轮辐;破坏某人的计划;阻挠某人的行动 v.讲,谈(speak的过去式);说;演说;从某种观点来说
参考例句:
  • They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
  • The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。
52 penetrating ImTzZS     
adj.(声音)响亮的,尖锐的adj.(气味)刺激的adj.(思想)敏锐的,有洞察力的
参考例句:
  • He had an extraordinarily penetrating gaze. 他的目光有股异乎寻常的洞察力。
  • He examined the man with a penetrating gaze. 他以锐利的目光仔细观察了那个人。
53 briefly 9Styo     
adv.简单地,简短地
参考例句:
  • I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem.我想简单地谈一下这个问题的另一方面。
  • He was kidnapped and briefly detained by a terrorist group.他被一个恐怖组织绑架并短暂拘禁。
54 perfectly 8Mzxb     
adv.完美地,无可非议地,彻底地
参考例句:
  • The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
  • Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。
55 lodging wRgz9     
n.寄宿,住所;(大学生的)校外宿舍
参考例句:
  • The bill is inclusive of the food and lodging. 账单包括吃、住费用。
  • Where can you find lodging for the night? 你今晚在哪里借宿?
56 courageous HzSx7     
adj.勇敢的,有胆量的
参考例句:
  • We all honour courageous people.我们都尊重勇敢的人。
  • He was roused to action by courageous words.豪言壮语促使他奋起行动。
57 tempestuous rpzwj     
adj.狂暴的
参考例句:
  • She burst into a tempestuous fit of anger.她勃然大怒。
  • Dark and tempestuous was night.夜色深沉,狂风肆虐,暴雨倾盆。
58 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。
59 shreds 0288daa27f5fcbe882c0eaedf23db832     
v.撕碎,切碎( shred的第三人称单数 );用撕毁机撕毁(文件)
参考例句:
  • Peel the carrots and cut them into shreds. 将胡罗卜削皮,切成丝。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • I want to take this diary and rip it into shreds. 我真想一赌气扯了这日记。 来自汉英文学 - 中国现代小说
60 deserted GukzoL     
adj.荒芜的,荒废的,无人的,被遗弃的
参考例句:
  • The deserted village was filled with a deathly silence.这个荒废的村庄死一般的寂静。
  • The enemy chieftain was opposed and deserted by his followers.敌人头目众叛亲离。
61 apparatus ivTzx     
n.装置,器械;器具,设备
参考例句:
  • The school's audio apparatus includes films and records.学校的视听设备包括放映机和录音机。
  • They had a very refined apparatus.他们有一套非常精良的设备。
62 dreading dreading     
v.害怕,恐惧,担心( dread的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • She was dreading having to broach the subject of money to her father. 她正在为不得不向父亲提出钱的事犯愁。
  • This was the moment he had been dreading. 这是他一直最担心的时刻。
63 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。
64 truce EK8zr     
n.休战,(争执,烦恼等的)缓和;v.以停战结束
参考例句:
  • The hot weather gave the old man a truce from rheumatism.热天使这位老人暂时免受风湿病之苦。
  • She had thought of flying out to breathe the fresh air in an interval of truce.她想跑出去呼吸一下休战期间的新鲜空气。
65 cannon 3T8yc     
n.大炮,火炮;飞机上的机关炮
参考例句:
  • The soldiers fired the cannon.士兵们开炮。
  • The cannon thundered in the hills.大炮在山间轰鸣。
66 detonations a699e232f641de0091f9a76d442446b6     
n.爆炸 (声)( detonation的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • The overpressure of both point-blank fuel-rod cannon detonations threw Kelly, Will, and Lucy into the air. 过压的两颗平射燃料棒炮弹的爆炸把凯丽,威尔和露西抛到空中。 来自互联网
  • Outside the chamber there were four gut-jarring detonations-the LOTUS antitank mines Kelly had set up. 房间外面响起四声震撼内脏的爆炸——凯丽装在那里的莲花反坦克雷爆炸了。 来自互联网
67 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。
68 hazardous Iddxz     
adj.(有)危险的,冒险的;碰运气的
参考例句:
  • These conditions are very hazardous for shipping.这些情况对航海非常不利。
  • Everybody said that it was a hazardous investment.大家都说那是一次危险的投资。
69 contemplated d22c67116b8d5696b30f6705862b0688     
adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式
参考例句:
  • The doctor contemplated the difficult operation he had to perform. 医生仔细地考虑他所要做的棘手的手术。
  • The government has contemplated reforming the entire tax system. 政府打算改革整个税收体制。
70 glided dc24e51e27cfc17f7f45752acf858ed1     
v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 );掠过;(鸟或飞机 ) 滑翔
参考例句:
  • The President's motorcade glided by. 总统的车队一溜烟开了过去。
  • They glided along the wall until they were out of sight. 他们沿着墙壁溜得无影无踪。 来自《简明英汉词典》
71 impede FcozA     
v.妨碍,阻碍,阻止
参考例句:
  • One shouldn't impede other's progress.一个人不应该妨碍他人进步。
  • The muddy roads impede our journey.我们的旅游被泥泞的道路阻挠了。
72 ascent TvFzD     
n.(声望或地位)提高;上升,升高;登高
参考例句:
  • His rapid ascent in the social scale was surprising.他的社会地位提高之迅速令人吃惊。
  • Burke pushed the button and the elevator began its slow ascent.伯克按动电钮,电梯开始缓慢上升。
73 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。
74 oblique x5czF     
adj.斜的,倾斜的,无诚意的,不坦率的
参考例句:
  • He made oblique references to her lack of experience.他拐弯抹角地说她缺乏经验。
  • She gave an oblique look to one side.她向旁边斜看了一眼。
75 descending descending     
n. 下行 adj. 下降的
参考例句:
  • The results are expressed in descending numerical order . 结果按数字降序列出。
  • The climbers stopped to orient themselves before descending the mountain. 登山者先停下来确定所在的位置,然后再下山。
76 intercepted 970326ac9f606b6dc4c2550a417e081e     
拦截( intercept的过去式和过去分词 ); 截住; 截击; 拦阻
参考例句:
  • Reporters intercepted him as he tried to leave the hotel. 他正要离开旅馆,记者们把他拦截住了。
  • Reporters intercepted him as he tried to leave by the rear entrance. 他想从后门溜走,记者把他截住了。
77 lashed 4385e23a53a7428fb973b929eed1bce6     
adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 );煽动;紧系;怒斥
参考例句:
  • The rain lashed at the windows. 雨点猛烈地打在窗户上。
  • The cleverly designed speech lashed the audience into a frenzy. 这篇精心设计的演说煽动听众使他们发狂。 来自《简明英汉词典》
78 gale Xf3zD     
n.大风,强风,一阵闹声(尤指笑声等)
参考例句:
  • We got our roof blown off in the gale last night.昨夜的大风把我们的房顶给掀掉了。
  • According to the weather forecast,there will be a gale tomorrow.据气象台预报,明天有大风。
79 recollect eUOxl     
v.回忆,想起,记起,忆起,记得
参考例句:
  • He tried to recollect things and drown himself in them.他极力回想过去的事情而沉浸于回忆之中。
  • She could not recollect being there.她回想不起曾经到过那儿。
80 rendering oV5xD     
n.表现,描写
参考例句:
  • She gave a splendid rendering of Beethoven's piano sonata.她精彩地演奏了贝多芬的钢琴奏鸣曲。
  • His narrative is a super rendering of dialect speech and idiom.他的叙述是方言和土语最成功的运用。


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