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Book 1 Chapter 7
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Gideon Spilett was standing1 motionless on the shore, his arms crossed, gazing over the sea, the horizon of which was lost towards the east in a thick black cloud which was spreading rapidly towards the zenith. The wind was already strong, and increased with the decline of day. The whole sky was of a threatening aspect, and the first symptoms of a violent storm were clearly visible.

Herbert entered the Chimneys, and Pencroft went towards the reporter. The latter, deeply absorbed, did not see him approach.

"We are going to have a dirty night, Mr. Spilett!" said the sailor: "Petrels delight in wind and rain."

The reporter, turning at the moment, saw Pencroft, and his first words were,--

"At what distance from the coast would you say the car was, when the waves carried off our companion?"

The sailor had not expected this question. He reflected an instant and replied,--

"Two cables lengths at the most."

"But what is a cable's length?" asked Gideon Spilett.

"About a hundred and twenty fathoms2, or six hundred feet."

"Then," said the reporter, "Cyrus Harding must have disappeared twelve hundred feet at the most from the shore?"

"About that," replied Pencroft.

"And his dog also?"

"Also."

"What astonishes me," rejoined the reporter, "while admitting that our companion has perished, is that Top has also met his death, and that neither the body of the dog nor of his master has been cast on the shore!"

"It is not astonishing, with such a heavy sea," replied the sailor. "Besides, it is possible that currents have carried them farther down the coast."

"Then, it is your opinion that our friend has perished in the waves?" again asked the reporter.

"That is my opinion."

"My own opinion," said Gideon Spilett, "with due deference3 to your experience, Pencroft, is that in the double fact of the absolute disappearance4 of Cyrus and Top, living or dead, there is something unaccountable and unlikely."

"I wish I could think like you, Mr. Spilett," replied Pencroft; "unhappily, my mind is made up on this point." Having said this, the sailor returned to the Chimneys. A good fire crackled on the hearth5. Herbert had just thrown on an armful of dry wood, and the flame cast a bright light into the darkest parts of the passage.

Pencroft immediately began to prepare the dinner. It appeared best to introduce something solid into the bill of fare, for all needed to get up their strength. The strings6 of couroucous were kept for the next day, but they plucked a couple of grouse7, which were soon spitted on a stick, and roasting before a blazing fire.

At seven in the evening Neb had not returned. The prolonged absence of the Negro made Pencroft very uneasy. It was to be feared that he had met with an accident on this unknown land, or that the unhappy fellow had been driven to some act of despair. But Herbert drew very different conclusions from this absence. According to him, Neb's delay was caused by some new circumstances which had induced him to prolong his search. Also, everything new must be to the advantage of Cyrus Harding. Why had Neb not returned unless hope still detained him? Perhaps he had found some mark, a footstep, a trace which had put him in the right path. Perhaps he was at this moment on a certain track. Perhaps even he was near his master.

Thus the lad reasoned. Thus he spoke8. His companions let him talk. The reporter alone approved with a gesture. But what Pencroft thought most probable was, that Neb had pushed his researches on the shore farther than the day before, and that he had not as yet had time to return.

Herbert, however, agitated10 by vague presentiments11, several times manifested an intention to go to meet Neb. But Pencroft assured him that that would be a useless course, that in the darkness and deplorable weather he could not find any traces of Neb, and that it would be much better to wait. If Neb had not made his appearance by the next day, Pencroft would not hesitate to join him in his search.

Gideon Spilett approved of the sailor's opinion that it was best not to divide, and Herbert was obliged to give up his project; but two large tears fell from his eyes.

The reporter could not refrain from embracing the generous boy.

Bad weather now set in. A furious gale12 from the southeast passed over the coast. The sea roared as it beat over the reef. Heavy rain was dashed by the storm into particles like dust. Ragged13 masses of vapor14 drove along the beach, on which the tormented15 shingles16 sounded as if poured out in cart- loads, while the sand raised by the wind added as it were mineral dust to that which was liquid, and rendered the united attack insupportable. Between the river's mouth and the end of the cliff, eddies17 of wind whirled and gusts18 from this maelstrom19 lashed20 the water which ran through the narrow valley. The smoke from the fireplace was also driven back through the opening, filling the passages and rendering21 them uninhabitable.

Therefore, as the grouse were cooked, Pencroft let the fire die away, and only preserved a few embers buried under the ashes.

At eight o'clock Neb had not appeared, but there was no doubt that the frightful22 weather alone hindered his return, and that he must have taken refuge in some cave, to await the end of the storm or at least the return of day. As to going to meet him, or attempting to find him, it was impossible.

The game constituted the only dish at supper; the meat was excellent, and Pencroft and Herbert, whose long excursion had rendered them very hungry, devoured23 it with infinite satisfaction.

Their meal concluded, each retired24 to the corner in which he had rested the preceding night, and Herbert was not long in going to sleep near the sailor, who had stretched himself beside the fireplace.

Outside, as the night advanced, the tempest also increased in strength, until it was equal to that which had carried the prisoners from Richmond to this land in the Pacific. The tempests which are frequent during the seasons of the equinox, and which are so prolific25 in catastrophes26, are above all terrible over this immense ocean, which opposes no obstacle to their fury. No description can give an idea of the terrific violence of the gale as it beat upon the unprotected coast.

Happily the pile of rocks which formed the Chimneys was solid. It was composed of enormous blocks of granite27, a few of which, insecurely balanced, seemed to tremble on their foundations, and Pencroft could feel rapid quiverings under his head as it rested on the rock. But he repeated to himself, and rightly, that there was nothing to fear, and that their retreat would not give way. However he heard the noise of stones torn from the summit of the plateau by the wind, falling down on to the beach. A few even rolled on to the upper part of the Chimneys, or flew off in fragments when they were projected perpendicularly28. Twice the sailor rose and intrenched himself at the opening of the passage, so as to take a look in safety at the outside. But there was nothing to be feared from these showers, which were not considerable, and he returned to his couch before the fireplace, where the embers glowed beneath the ashes.

Notwithstanding the fury of the hurricane, the uproar29 of the tempest, the thunder, and the tumult30, Herbert slept profoundly. Sleep at last took possession of Pencroft, whom a seafaring life had habituated to anything. Gideon Spilett alone was kept awake by anxiety. He reproached himself with not having accompanied Neb. It was evident that he had not abandoned all hope. The presentiments which had troubled Herbert did not cease to agitate9 him also. His thoughts were concentrated on Neb. Why had Neb not returned? He tossed about on his sandy couch, scarcely giving a thought to the struggle of the elements. Now and then, his eyes, heavy with fatigue31, closed for an instant, but some sudden thought reopened them almost immediately.

Meanwhile the night advanced, and it was perhaps two hours from morning, when Pencroft, then sound asleep, was vigorously shaken.

"What's the matter?" he cried, rousing himself, and collecting his ideas with the promptitude usual to seamen32.

The reporter was leaning over him, and saying,--

"Listen, Pencroft, listen!"

The sailor strained his ears, but could hear no noise beyond those caused by the storm.

"It is the wind," said he.

"No," replied Gideon Spilett, listening again, "I thought I heard--"

"What?"

"The barking of a dog!"

"A dog!" cried Pencroft, springing up.

"Yes--barking--"

"It's not possible!" replied the sailor. "And besides, how, in the roaring of the storm--"

"Stop--listen--" said the reporter.

Pencroft listened more attentively33, and really thought he heard, during a lull34, distant barking.

"Well!" said the reporter, pressing the sailor's hand.

"Yes--yes!" replied Pencroft.

"It is Top! It is Top!" cried Herbert, who had just awoke; and all three rushed towards the opening of the Chimneys. They had great difficulty in getting out. The wind drove them back. But at last they succeeded, and could only remain standing by leaning against the rocks. They looked about, but could not speak. The darkness was intense. The sea, the sky, the land were all mingled35 in one black mass. Not a speck36 of light was visible.

The reporter and his companions remained thus for a few minutes, overwhelmed by the wind, drenched37 by the rain, blinded by the sand.

Then, in a pause of the tumult, they again heard the barking, which they found must be at some distance.

It could only be Top! But was he alone or accompanied? He was most probably alone, for, if Neb had been with him, he would have made his way more directly towards the Chimneys. The sailor squeezed the reporter's hand, for he could not make himself heard, in a way which signified "Wait!" then he reentered the passage.

An instant after he issued with a lighted fagot, which he threw into the darkness, whistling shrilly38.

It appeared as if this signal had been waited for; the barking immediately came nearer, and soon a dog bounded into the passage. Pencroft, Herbert, and Spilett entered after him.

An armful of dry wood was thrown on the embers. The passage was lighted up with a bright flame.

"It is Top!" cried Herbert.

It was indeed Top, a magnificent Anglo-Norman, who derived39 from these two races crossed the swiftness of foot and the acuteness of smell which are the preeminent40 qualities of coursing dogs. It was the dog of the engineer, Cyrus Harding. But he was alone! Neither Neb nor his master accompanied him!

How was it that his instinct had guided him straight to the Chimneys, which he did not know? It appeared inexplicable41, above all, in the midst of this black night and in such a tempest! But what was still more inexplicable was, that Top was neither tired, nor exhausted42, nor even soiled with mud or sand!--Herbert had drawn43 him towards him, and was patting his head, the dog rubbing his neck against the lad's hands.

"If the dog is found, the master will be found also!" said the reporter.

"God grant it!" responded Herbert. "Let us set off! Top will guide us!"

Pencroft did not make any objection. He felt that Top's arrival contradicted his conjectures44. "Come along then!" said he.

Pencroft carefully covered the embers on the hearth. He placed a few pieces of wood among them, so as to keep in the fire until their return. Then, preceded by the dog, who seemed to invite them by short barks to come with him, and followed by the reporter and the boy, he dashed out, after having put up in his handkerchief the remains45 of the supper.

The storm was then in all its violence, and perhaps at its height. Not a single ray of light from the moon pierced through the clouds. To follow a straight course was difficult. It was best to rely on Top's instinct. They did so. The reporter and Herbert walked behind the dog, and the sailor brought up the rear. It was impossible to exchange a word. The rain was not very heavy, but the wind was terrific.

However, one circumstance favored the seaman46 and his two companions. The wind being southeast, consequently blew on their backs. The clouds of sand, which otherwise would have been insupportable, from being received behind, did not in consequence impede47 their progress. In short, they sometimes went faster than they liked, and had some difficulty in keeping their feet; but hope gave them strength, for it was not at random48 that they made their way along the shore. They had no doubt that Neb had found his master, and that he had sent them the faithful dog. But was the engineer living, or had Neb only sent for his companions that they might render the last duties to the corpse49 of the unfortunate Harding?

After having passed the precipice50, Herbert, the reporter, and Pencroft prudently51 stepped aside to stop and take breath. The turn of the rocks sheltered them from the wind, and they could breathe after this walk or rather run of a quarter of an hour.

They could now hear and reply to each other, and the lad having pronounced the name of Cyrus Harding, Top gave a few short barks, as much as to say that his master was saved.

"Saved, isn't he?" repeated Herbert; "saved, Top?"

And the dog barked in reply.

They once more set out. The tide began to rise, and urged by the wind it threatened to be unusually high, as it was a spring tide. Great billows thundered against the reef with such violence that they probably passed entirely52 over the islet, then quite invisible. The mole53 no longer protected the coast, which was directly exposed to the attacks of the open sea.

As soon as the sailor and his companions left the precipice, the wind struck them again with renewed fury. Though bent54 under the gale they walked very quickly, following Top, who did not hesitate as to what direction to take.

They ascended55 towards the north, having on their left an interminable extent of billows, which broke with a deafening56 noise, and on their right a dark country, the aspect of which it was impossible to guess. But they felt that it was comparatively flat, for the wind passed completely over them, without being driven back as it was when it came in contact with the cliff.

At four o'clock in the morning, they reckoned that they had cleared about five miles. The clouds were slightly raised, and the wind, though less damp, was very sharp and cold. Insufficiently57 protected by their clothing, Pencroft, Herbert and Spilett suffered cruelly, but not a complaint escaped their lips. They were determined58 to follow Top, wherever the intelligent animal wished to lead them.

Towards five o'clock day began to break. At the zenith, where the fog was less thick, gray shades bordered the clouds; under an opaque59 belt, a luminous60 line clearly traced the horizon. The crests61 of the billows were tipped with a wild light, and the foam62 regained63 its whiteness. At the same time on the left the hilly parts of the coast could be seen, though very indistinctly.

At six o'clock day had broken. The clouds rapidly lifted. The seaman and his companions were then about six miles from the Chimneys. They were following a very flat shore bounded by a reef of rocks, whose heads scarcely emerged from the sea, for they were in deep water. On the left, the country appeared to be one vast extent of sandy downs, bristling64 with thistles. There was no cliff, and the shore offered no resistance to the ocean but a chain of irregular hillocks. Here and there grew two or three trees, inclined towards the west, their branches projecting in that direction. Quite behind, in the southwest, extended the border of the forest.

At this moment, Top became very excited. He ran forward, then returned, and seemed to entreat65 them to hasten their steps. The dog then left the beach, and guided by his wonderful instinct, without showing the least hesitation66, went straight in among the downs. They followed him. The country appeared an absolute desert. Not a living creature was to be seen.

The downs, the extent of which was large, were composed of hillocks and even of hills, very irregularly distributed. They resembled a Switzerland modeled in sand, and only an amazing instinct could have possibly recognized the way.

Five minutes after having left the beach, the reporter and his two companions arrived at a sort of excavation67, hollowed out at the back of a high mound68. There Top stopped, and gave a loud, clear bark. Spilett, Herbert, and Pencroft dashed into the cave.

Neb was there, kneeling beside a body extended on a bed of grass.

The body was that of the engineer, Cyrus Harding.

吉丁·史佩莱站在海边,两臂交叉在胸前,一动也不动地凝视着大海,东方的水平线上遮着一层层浓厚的乌云,它飞快地往头顶上扩张开来。风已经很大,随着夜色的降临,天变得更冷了。天空呈现出一幅险恶的景象,可以清楚地看出,这是暴风雨的前奏。

赫伯特进了“石窟”,潘克洛夫向通讯记者走去。史佩莱正在出神,没有发现有人向自己走来。

“今天晚上恐怕要起暴风了,史佩莱先生,海燕是喜欢暴风雨的。”

这时候通讯记者转过身,他看见潘克洛夫,第一句话就说:

“你记得海浪把我们的伙伴卷走的时候气球离海岸有多远?”

水手没有想到他会问这个。他想了一会,然后答道:

“至多两锚链。”

“一锚链有多长?”吉丁·史佩莱问道。

“大约有一百二十寻,也就是二百米的光景。”

“那么,”通讯记者说,“赛勒斯·史密斯失踪的地方离岸至多不过四百米?”

“差不多。”潘克洛夫说。

“他的狗也是在那里失踪的吗?”

“是的。”

“我认为奇怪的是,”通讯记者接着说,“假如说是我们的伙伴死了,托普也淹死了,难道狗和它主人的尸体都冲不到岸上来吗?”

“这一点也不奇怪,海里的风浪这么大,”水手答道。“而且海水也可能把他们带到更远的地方去的。”

“那么,你认为我们的朋友已经死在海里了吗?”通讯记者又问道。

“我认为是这样。”

“潘克洛夫,你的经验我当然佩服,”吉丁·史佩莱说,“现在不管他们是不些是真死了,我总觉得在赛勒斯和托普一起失踪的这件事情上,有地方是没法解释和不合情理的。”

“我也希望我能跟你一样想,史佩莱先生,”潘克洛夫答道。“可惜的是,在这个问题上我的想法已经肯定了。”水手说完,就回“石窟”去了。炉架上噼噼啪啪地燃烧着烈火。赫伯特刚扔了一抱干柴在上面,火焰把通道里最暗的地方都照亮了。

潘克洛夫马上就开始做饭。按理说饭食中最好能增添一些吃得饱的食物,因为他们都需要恢复体力。他们把大串的锦鸡留到第二天,将两只松鸡拔了毛,叉在棍子上,在旺盛的火焰上烤了起来。

晚上七点钟了,纳布还没有回来,这使潘克洛夫非常不安。他们担心这个伤心的人会在这陌生的土地上遇见什么意外,或是因为绝望而自寻短见了。但赫伯特看法完全不同。他认为纳布没有回来是由于发现了新的线索,因此延长了寻找的时间。并且,每一个新的发现都是对赛勒斯·史密斯有利的。假如不是怀着希望,纳布为什么还不回来呢?也许他发现了痕迹,一个脚印,或者是什么残留的东西,因为有这些才把他引对了路。也许他现在正在沿着线索寻找。甚至也许他就在他主人的近旁。

少年这样推测,这样谈出自己的看法。他的同伴们听着他说。通讯记者独自默默地表示同意。然而潘克洛夫认为纳布多半是沿着海岸走得比前一天更远了,还没有来得及回来。

赫伯特不知为什么总是感到坐立不安,他几次表示要出去找纳布。但潘克洛夫跟他说这是没有用处的,在黑暗和阴森森的天气里,不可能找到纳布的踪迹,还不如在家里等他回来。假如到第二天纳布还不回来,潘克洛夫会毫不犹豫地和他一起去找的。

吉丁·史佩莱同意水手的意见,也劝他最好不要再分开,赫伯特只好放弃自己的计划,但是两颗大粒的泪珠却从他的眼睛里滴了下来。

通讯记者不禁将这慷慨侠义的孩子紧紧搂在怀里。

天气变了。一阵狂风从东南方吹来,刮过海滨。奔腾澎湃的海水冲击着礁石。倾盆大雨被暴风吹得和滚滚灰尘一般。岸边笼罩着一团激起的雾气,砾石在风浪的逼迫之下撞击在海岸上,好象成车往外倒似的,发出哗啦啦的巨响。大风飞砂走石,给雨水造成的烟尘里增添了一种矿质的尘土,这两股力量汇合在一起成了一股不可抵挡的力量。旋风在河口和峭壁之间打转,阵阵旋涡抽打着峡谷间的流水。“石窟”里冒出来的烟也被顶回到缝隙里去了,通道里烟气弥漫,呆在里面很不舒服。

因此,等松鸡烧好以后,潘克洛夫就把篝火熄灭了,只留下几块火炭在灰烬里。

已经是晚上八点钟了,纳布还没有回来。毫无疑问,是可怕的天气把他阻拦在外边了。他一定已经找到藏身的洞穴,打算等到暴风雨停了以后,或者至少是等到第二天再回来,现在要想去接他,或是打算把他找回来是不可能的。

晚餐吃的是猎得的野味;松鸡肉非常鲜美,潘克洛夫和赫伯特打猎累了一天,肚子很饿,更是吃得津津有味。

晚饭以后,大家都睡到前一晚自己所占的角落里去;水手四仰八叉地躺在靠火的地方,赫伯特在他身旁很快就睡着了。

夜渐深,外面的风雨也愈紧,还记得那天把这群俘虏从里士满带到太平洋岛屿上来的情况吧,最后就变得跟那天差不多了,暴风雨在春秋雨季特别频繁,经常酿成巨灾,在无边天际的海洋上,什么也阻拦不住它,因此尤其可怕,一个毫无屏障的东海岸在这种可怕的狂风袭击下的惨象是难以形容的。

幸而堆成“石窟”的岩石是很牢固的。这是些巨大的花岗石堆成的“石窟”,有几座不怎么牢固,风吹过来好象连地基都晃动了。潘克洛夫枕在岩石上,可以感觉到它们在自己的头底下频频震动。他一再安慰自己——正正经经地安慰自己——不必害怕,他们的避难所是不会倒塌的。可是他也听见高地的顶上有石头被风刮走,掉在海滩上,有几块甚至落在“石窟”的顶上,有的被垂直卷起来,裂成小块往外飞射出去。水手两次爬起身来,一面借着通道入口的地方挡着身子保住自己的安全,一面往外看。雨并没有什么了不起,可以不必害怕,于是他就回到篝火前的铺上,火炭还在灰烬中爆裂作响。

虽然外面风雨在咆哮,雷声隆隆,但赫伯特还是睡得很熟。最后潘克洛夫也困了,航海的生涯使他对什么都习惯了。只有吉丁·史佩莱焦急得睡不着觉。他埋怨自己没有陪纳布一块儿去。显然史佩莱还没有放弃一切的希望。使赫伯特心神不宁的预感同样也使他放心不下。他满脑子想的都是纳布。为什么纳布没有回来呢?他躺在沙地上翻来复去,几乎完全不理会外面的狂风暴雨,他有时合上沉重的眼皮,但仅仅是一会儿,往往又突然想到什么立刻重新睁开。

夜色已经深沉了,大约在第二天早上两点钟的时候,正在酣睡的潘克洛夫突然被推醒了。

“怎么回事?”他醒过来喊道,同时马上恢复了他的神志。这是一般水手所独具的本领。

通讯记者在他上面俯着身子说:

“听,潘克洛夫,听!”

水手竖起耳朵,但是除了外边的风雨声之外,听不见其他什么响动。

“那是风。”他说。

“不,”吉丁·史佩莱答道,他又听了一会,“我好象听见……”

“什么?”

“狗叫的声音!”

“狗!”潘克洛夫跳起来喊道。

“是的……狗叫……”

“不可能!”水手说。“并且,在暴风雨里怎么……”

“别说话……听……”通讯记者说。

潘克洛夫又仔细听了一会儿,果然在风雨间歇的时候,听见远处好象有狗叫的声音。

“是不是?”通讯记者紧紧地握住潘克洛夫的手说。

“是……是的!”水手答道。

“是托普!是托普!”赫伯特一醒来就喊道。于是三个人一起向“石窟”的洞口冲去。他们想出去却非常困难。大风把他们吹得倒退。最后终于出去了,但是只能一动也不动地倚在岩石上。他们四面张望了一下,然而没法开口说话。夜色非常昏暗。海洋、天空和陆地都变成漆黑的一片。连一丝亮光都看不见。

通讯记者和他的伙伴们就这样站了几分钟,他们在狂风中毫无办法,浑身都被雨打湿了,眼睛让风沙迷得睁不开。

在暴风雨稍微停歇的时候,又听见狗叫了,他们断定声音的来源离这里还相当远。

一定是托普!然而它是孤零零的还是有人和它在一起呢?多半是孤零零的,假如纳布和它在一起,它一定能够往“石窟”来。潘克洛夫没法使别人听见他的话,就捏了一下通讯记者的手,意思是叫他“等一会儿!”然后水手就回到“石窟”里去了。

工夫不大,他拿了一束点着的干柴跑出来,把它扔在黑暗里,同时吹起了尖声的口哨。

好象远处就在等这个信号似的,狗叫声立刻接近了。不久以后,一只狗跑着跳着到通道里来。潘克洛夫、赫伯特和史佩莱都跟着它跑了进去。

火炭上加一把干柴,通道被照亮了。

“是托普!”赫伯特喊道。

果然是托普,它是一只美丽的盎格鲁——诺尔曼杂种狗,由于具有这两个品种的特点,它跑得既快,嗅觉又灵。猎狗特别需要具备这种优点。这正是工程师赛勒斯·史密斯的狗。但它是孤零零的!纳布和它的主人都没有和它在一起!

托普并不知道这里有个“石窟”,它的直觉怎么会把它直接带到这儿来的呢?这似乎是不可思议的,特别是在这茫茫的黑夜里,在这样的暴风雨中!更奇怪的是:托普显得既不疲倦,又不劳累,甚至身上连一点烂泥也没有!……赫伯特已经把它拉到自己的身旁来,拍着它的头,托普用它的脖子来回磨擦着少年的手。

“狗找到了,它的主人还能找不到吗?”通讯记者说。

“但愿上天保佑!”赫伯特说。“我们去找吧!托普会领路的!”

潘克洛夫没有表示反对。托普回来是出乎他的意料之外的。他说:“那么走吧!”

潘克洛夫仔细盖上灰堆里的火炭,又添了几块木柴在里面,使篝火能一直维持到他们回来。托普发着短促的叫声,好象要大家跟着它走似的。于是潘克洛夫用手帕把剩余的晚餐包起来带在身上,随着狗向外冲去,他的后面紧跟着通讯记者和少年。

这时候风雨正急,也许正在威力最大的时候。云端里没有丝毫月光透出来。要想直线前进是很困难的。最好还是跟着托普走。他们就这样做了。通讯记者和赫伯特紧跟着托普,水手走在最后。要想说话是不可能的。雨并不太大,然而风势非常猛烈。

但是有一点对水手和他的两个伙伴是有利的。这时刮的是东南风,正吹在他们的背后。大风在他们的身后扬起烟尘,但对于他们的前进毫无阻碍,如果风沙迎面扑来,那就没法抵挡了。一句话,他们常常不由自主地跑得很快,要想站住脚都不容易,尤其是希望给他们带来了力量。这一次他们并不是漫无目标地沿着海岸前进。他们深信纳布已经找到他的主人,因此才把忠实的托普打发回来喊他们。但是工程师是不是还活着呢?会不会是纳布喊他的伙伴们来一起给不幸的史密斯料理后事呢?

走过悬崖以后,赫伯特、通讯记者和潘克洛夫都小心地站在一旁,停下来喘息。岩石的转角有一个能避风的地方,经过这一番劳累——也就是十五分钟的奔跑——他们可以在这里歇一口气了。

现在他们彼此已能听见对方的话,而且也能够张嘴回答了。少年刚提到赛勒斯·史密斯,托普就发出几声急促的叫喊,好象是说,它的主人得救了。

“他得救了吗?”赫伯特反复地问,“得救了吗?托普?”

它叫了几声,表示回答。

他们又往前赶了。这时候潮水上涨了,在狂风的推动下,它达到了异乎寻常的惊人高度——这已经是春潮了。滔天的巨浪如同千军万马气势汹汹地奔腾过来,在礁石上撞击得粉碎,潮水大概把整个的小岛都淹没了,当时他们完全看不见它。现在沿岸已经没有长堤保护了,海滨直接遭受着大海的侵袭。

水手和他的伙伴们才离开悬崖,暴风就立刻重新向他们展开了攻势。虽然他们在大风里弯腰前进,但还是跑得很快,托普在前面领着路,方向固定,毫不犹豫。

他们朝着正北在上走去,右边是一片茫茫的大海,波涛在狂风中发出震耳欲聋的声响,左边是一片漆黑的土地,没法想象是什么样子。可是他们觉得那里比较平坦,因为风吹过去毫无阻碍,不象刮到悬崖上那样又折回来。

清晨四点钟的时候,他们估计大约已经走出五英里以外了。阴云稍微上升了一些,风里的水气虽然少了,但还是冰冷刺骨。由于衣服单薄,潘克洛夫、赫伯特和史佩莱都冻得受不了,但是他们丝毫也没有诉苦。他们决定跟随着托普,这头机灵的畜生走到哪里,他们就跟到哪里。

将近五点钟,天开始破晓。头顶上的迷雾比较稀薄。阴云的四周镶着一道浅灰色的边缘。在一带晦暗的天空下,一线白光清晰地标志出水平线,浪涛上端闪着动荡不定的亮光,水花又重新变成白色的了。这时候,左边丘陵起伏的海岸开始模糊地显现出来了,但也只是象黑底上的灰点那样难以辨别。

六点钟的时候,天亮了。密云迅速升起,水手和他的伙伴们离开“石窟”大约已经有六英里了。他们沿着一道宽阔的海滩前进,这一带沿海有很多礁石,不过都隐没在很深的海水中,很少露出水面。左边好象是一片广阔的沙丘,长着许多笔直向上的蓟草。这里没有悬崖,面临海洋的地方没有任何屏障,只有一堆堆错综零乱的山石。树木三三两两地丛生着,树身向西倾斜,枝干也朝着这个方向。在西南面的远方,伸展着森林的边缘。

这时候托普变得非常焦急。它跑到前面去,然后又跑回来,好象求他们走得快一些似的。然后它就离开了海岸,神秘的直觉,促使它毫不犹豫地一直在沙丘中走去。他们跟在后面。周围完全象一片沙漠。没有任何生物。

这片沙丘非常广阔,是由许多山石,甚至还有一些小山组成的,分布得很不平均。整个的地形象一个沙上做成的瑞士模型,只有具备惊人的直觉,才不至于迷路。

离开海岸以后五分钟,通讯记者和他的两个伙伴到了一个洞口,这个洞在一座很高的沙丘背后。托普在这里停住了,它一声比一声清楚而响亮地叫起来。史佩莱、赫伯特和潘克洛夫向洞里走去。

一个人直着身子躺在草铺上,纳布跪在他的旁边……

躺在那里的正是工程师赛勒斯·史密斯。


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 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。
2 fathoms eef76eb8bfaf6d8f8c0ed4de2cf47dcc     
英寻( fathom的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • The harbour is four fathoms deep. 港深为四英寻。
  • One bait was down forty fathoms. 有个鱼饵下沉到四十英寻的深处。
3 deference mmKzz     
n.尊重,顺从;敬意
参考例句:
  • Do you treat your parents and teachers with deference?你对父母师长尊敬吗?
  • The major defect of their work was deference to authority.他们的主要缺陷是趋从权威。
4 disappearance ouEx5     
n.消失,消散,失踪
参考例句:
  • He was hard put to it to explain her disappearance.他难以说明她为什么不见了。
  • Her disappearance gave rise to the wildest rumours.她失踪一事引起了各种流言蜚语。
5 hearth n5by9     
n.壁炉炉床,壁炉地面
参考例句:
  • She came and sat in a chair before the hearth.她走过来,在炉子前面的椅子上坐下。
  • She comes to the hearth,and switches on the electric light there.她走到壁炉那里,打开电灯。
6 strings nh0zBe     
n.弦
参考例句:
  • He sat on the bed,idly plucking the strings of his guitar.他坐在床上,随意地拨着吉他的弦。
  • She swept her fingers over the strings of the harp.她用手指划过竖琴的琴弦。
7 grouse Lycys     
n.松鸡;v.牢骚,诉苦
参考例句:
  • They're shooting grouse up on the moors.他们在荒野射猎松鸡。
  • If you don't agree with me,please forget my grouse.如果你的看法不同,请不必介意我的牢骚之言。
8 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。
9 agitate aNtzi     
vi.(for,against)煽动,鼓动;vt.搅动
参考例句:
  • They sent agents to agitate the local people.他们派遣情报人员煽动当地的民众。
  • All you need to do is gently agitate the water with a finger or paintbrush.你只需要用手指或刷子轻轻地搅动水。
10 agitated dzgzc2     
adj.被鼓动的,不安的
参考例句:
  • His answers were all mixed up,so agitated was he.他是那样心神不定,回答全乱了。
  • She was agitated because her train was an hour late.她乘坐的火车晚点一个小时,她十分焦虑。
11 presentiments 94142b6676e2096d7e26ee0241976c93     
n.(对不祥事物的)预感( presentiment的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • His presentiments of what the future holds for all are plainly not cheering. 则是应和了很多美国人的种种担心,他对各方未来的预感显然是不令人振奋的。 来自互联网
12 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。
13 ragged KC0y8     
adj.衣衫褴褛的,粗糙的,刺耳的
参考例句:
  • A ragged shout went up from the small crowd.这一小群人发出了刺耳的喊叫。
  • Ragged clothing infers poverty.破衣烂衫意味着贫穷。
14 vapor DHJy2     
n.蒸汽,雾气
参考例句:
  • The cold wind condenses vapor into rain.冷风使水蒸气凝结成雨。
  • This new machine sometimes transpires a lot of hot vapor.这部机器有时排出大量的热气。
15 tormented b017cc8a8957c07bc6b20230800888d0     
饱受折磨的
参考例句:
  • The knowledge of his guilt tormented him. 知道了自己的罪责使他非常痛苦。
  • He had lain awake all night, tormented by jealousy. 他彻夜未眠,深受嫉妒的折磨。
16 shingles 75dc0873f0e58f74873350b9953ef329     
n.带状疱疹;(布满海边的)小圆石( shingle的名词复数 );屋顶板;木瓦(板);墙面板
参考例句:
  • Shingles are often dipped in creosote. 屋顶板常浸涂木焦油。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • The roofs had shingles missing. 一些屋顶板不见了。 来自辞典例句
17 eddies c13d72eca064678c6857ec6b08bb6a3c     
(水、烟等的)漩涡,涡流( eddy的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Viscosity overwhelms the smallest eddies and converts their energy into heat. 粘性制服了最小的旋涡而将其能量转换为热。
  • But their work appears to merge in the study of large eddies. 但在大旋涡的研究上,他们的工作看来却殊途同归。
18 gusts 656c664e0ecfa47560efde859556ddfa     
一阵强风( gust的名词复数 ); (怒、笑等的)爆发; (感情的)迸发; 发作
参考例句:
  • Her profuse skirt bosomed out with the gusts. 她的宽大的裙子被风吹得鼓鼓的。
  • Turbulence is defined as a series of irregular gusts. 紊流定义为一组无规则的突风。
19 maelstrom 38mzJ     
n.大乱动;大漩涡
参考例句:
  • Inside,she was a maelstrom of churning emotions.她心中的情感似波涛汹涌,起伏不定。
  • The anxious person has the spirit like a maelstrom.焦虑的人的精神世界就像一个大漩涡。
20 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》
21 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。
22 frightful Ghmxw     
adj.可怕的;讨厌的
参考例句:
  • How frightful to have a husband who snores!有一个发鼾声的丈夫多讨厌啊!
  • We're having frightful weather these days.这几天天气坏极了。
23 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。
24 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。
25 prolific fiUyF     
adj.丰富的,大量的;多产的,富有创造力的
参考例句:
  • She is a prolific writer of novels and short stories.她是一位多产的作家,写了很多小说和短篇故事。
  • The last few pages of the document are prolific of mistakes.这个文件的最后几页错误很多。
26 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
27 granite Kyqyu     
adj.花岗岩,花岗石
参考例句:
  • They squared a block of granite.他们把一块花岗岩加工成四方形。
  • The granite overlies the older rocks.花岗岩躺在磨损的岩石上面。
28 perpendicularly 914de916890a9aa3714fa26fe542c2df     
adv. 垂直地, 笔直地, 纵向地
参考例句:
  • Fray's forehead was wrinkled both perpendicularly and crosswise. 弗雷的前额上纹路纵横。
  • Automatic resquaring feature insures nozzle is perpendicularly to the part being cut. 自动垂直功能,可以确保刀头回到与工件完全垂直的位置去切割。
29 uproar LHfyc     
n.骚动,喧嚣,鼎沸
参考例句:
  • She could hear the uproar in the room.她能听见房间里的吵闹声。
  • His remarks threw the audience into an uproar.他的讲话使听众沸腾起来。
30 tumult LKrzm     
n.喧哗;激动,混乱;吵闹
参考例句:
  • The tumult in the streets awakened everyone in the house.街上的喧哗吵醒了屋子里的每一个人。
  • His voice disappeared under growing tumult.他的声音消失在越来越响的喧哗声中。
31 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。
32 seamen 43a29039ad1366660fa923c1d3550922     
n.海员
参考例句:
  • Experienced seamen will advise you about sailing in this weather. 有经验的海员会告诉你在这种天气下的航行情况。
  • In the storm, many seamen wished they were on shore. 在暴风雨中,许多海员想,要是他们在陆地上就好了。
33 attentively AyQzjz     
adv.聚精会神地;周到地;谛;凝神
参考例句:
  • She listened attentively while I poured out my problems. 我倾吐心中的烦恼时,她一直在注意听。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • She listened attentively and set down every word he said. 她专心听着,把他说的话一字不漏地记下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
34 lull E8hz7     
v.使安静,使入睡,缓和,哄骗;n.暂停,间歇
参考例句:
  • The drug put Simpson in a lull for thirty minutes.药物使辛普森安静了30分钟。
  • Ground fighting flared up again after a two-week lull.经过两个星期的平静之后,地面战又突然爆发了。
35 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。
36 speck sFqzM     
n.微粒,小污点,小斑点
参考例句:
  • I have not a speck of interest in it.我对它没有任何兴趣。
  • The sky is clear and bright without a speck of cloud.天空晴朗,一星星云彩也没有。
37 drenched cu0zJp     
adj.湿透的;充满的v.使湿透( drench的过去式和过去分词 );在某人(某物)上大量使用(某液体)
参考例句:
  • We were caught in the storm and got drenched to the skin. 我们遇上了暴雨,淋得浑身透湿。
  • The rain drenched us. 雨把我们淋得湿透。 来自《简明英汉词典》
38 shrilly a8e1b87de57fd858801df009e7a453fe     
尖声的; 光亮的,耀眼的
参考例句:
  • The librarian threw back his head and laughed shrilly. 图书管理员把头往后面一仰,尖着嗓子哈哈大笑。
  • He half rose in his seat, whistling shrilly between his teeth, waving his hand. 他从车座上半欠起身子,低声打了一个尖锐的唿哨,一面挥挥手。
39 derived 6cddb7353e699051a384686b6b3ff1e2     
vi.起源;由来;衍生;导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 );(从…中)得到获得;源于;(从…中)提取
参考例句:
  • Many English words are derived from Latin and Greek. 英语很多词源出于拉丁文和希腊文。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He derived his enthusiasm for literature from his father. 他对文学的爱好是受他父亲的影响。 来自《简明英汉词典》
40 preeminent VPFxG     
adj.卓越的,杰出的
参考例句:
  • Washington was recognized as the preeminent spokesman of American Negroes by 1895. 到1895年,华盛顿被公认为美国黑人的卓越代言人。
  • He is preeminent because his articles are well written. 他的文章写得很漂亮,卓尔不群。
41 inexplicable tbCzf     
adj.无法解释的,难理解的
参考例句:
  • It is now inexplicable how that development was misinterpreted.当时对这一事态发展的错误理解究竟是怎么产生的,现在已经无法说清楚了。
  • There are many things which are inexplicable by science.有很多事科学还无法解释。
42 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。
43 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。
44 conjectures 8334e6a27f5847550b061d064fa92c00     
推测,猜想( conjecture的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • That's weighing remote military conjectures against the certain deaths of innocent people. 那不过是牵强附会的军事假设,而现在的事实却是无辜者正在惨遭杀害,这怎能同日而语!
  • I was right in my conjectures. 我所猜测的都应验了。
45 remains 1kMzTy     
n.剩余物,残留物;遗体,遗迹
参考例句:
  • He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
  • The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。
46 seaman vDGzA     
n.海员,水手,水兵
参考例句:
  • That young man is a experienced seaman.那个年轻人是一个经验丰富的水手。
  • The Greek seaman went to the hospital five times.这位希腊海员到该医院去过五次。
47 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。
48 random HT9xd     
adj.随机的;任意的;n.偶然的(或随便的)行动
参考例句:
  • The list is arranged in a random order.名单排列不分先后。
  • On random inspection the meat was found to be bad.经抽查,发现肉变质了。
49 corpse JYiz4     
n.尸体,死尸
参考例句:
  • What she saw was just an unfeeling corpse.她见到的只是一具全无感觉的尸体。
  • The corpse was preserved from decay by embalming.尸体用香料涂抹以防腐烂。
50 precipice NuNyW     
n.悬崖,危急的处境
参考例句:
  • The hut hung half over the edge of the precipice.那间小屋有一半悬在峭壁边上。
  • A slight carelessness on this precipice could cost a man his life.在这悬崖上稍一疏忽就会使人丧生。
51 prudently prudently     
adv. 谨慎地,慎重地
参考例句:
  • He prudently pursued his plan. 他谨慎地实行他那计划。
  • They had prudently withdrawn as soon as the van had got fairly under way. 他们在蓬车安全上路后立即谨慎地离去了。
52 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。
53 mole 26Nzn     
n.胎块;痣;克分子
参考例句:
  • She had a tiny mole on her cheek.她的面颊上有一颗小黑痣。
  • The young girl felt very self- conscious about the large mole on her chin.那位年轻姑娘对自己下巴上的一颗大痣感到很不自在。
54 bent QQ8yD     
n.爱好,癖好;adj.弯的;决心的,一心的
参考例句:
  • He was fully bent upon the project.他一心扑在这项计划上。
  • We bent over backward to help them.我们尽了最大努力帮助他们。
55 ascended ea3eb8c332a31fe6393293199b82c425     
v.上升,攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He has ascended into heaven. 他已经升入了天堂。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The climbers slowly ascended the mountain. 爬山运动员慢慢地登上了这座山。 来自《简明英汉词典》
56 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。
57 insufficiently ZqezDU     
adv.不够地,不能胜任地
参考例句:
  • Your insurance card is insufficiently stamped. 你的保险卡片未贴足印花。 来自辞典例句
  • Many of Britain's people are poorly dressed, badly housed, insufficiently nourished. 许多英国人衣着寒伧,居住简陋,营养不良。 来自互联网
58 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。
59 opaque jvhy1     
adj.不透光的;不反光的,不传导的;晦涩的
参考例句:
  • The windows are of opaque glass.这些窗户装着不透明玻璃。
  • Their intentions remained opaque.他们的意图仍然令人费解。
60 luminous 98ez5     
adj.发光的,发亮的;光明的;明白易懂的;有启发的
参考例句:
  • There are luminous knobs on all the doors in my house.我家所有门上都安有夜光把手。
  • Most clocks and watches in this shop are in luminous paint.这家商店出售的大多数钟表都涂了发光漆。
61 crests 9ef5f38e01ed60489f228ef56d77c5c8     
v.到达山顶(或浪峰)( crest的第三人称单数 );到达洪峰,达到顶点
参考例句:
  • The surfers were riding in towards the beach on the crests of the waves. 冲浪者们顺着浪头冲向岸边。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The correspondent aroused, heard the crash of the toppled crests. 记者醒了,他听见了浪头倒塌下来的轰隆轰隆声。 来自辞典例句
62 foam LjOxI     
v./n.泡沫,起泡沫
参考例句:
  • The glass of beer was mostly foam.这杯啤酒大部分是泡沫。
  • The surface of the water is full of foam.水面都是泡沫。
63 regained 51ada49e953b830c8bd8fddd6bcd03aa     
复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 ); 赢回; 重回; 复至某地
参考例句:
  • The majority of the people in the world have regained their liberty. 世界上大多数人已重获自由。
  • She hesitated briefly but quickly regained her poise. 她犹豫片刻,但很快恢复了镇静。
64 bristling tSqyl     
a.竖立的
参考例句:
  • "Don't you question Miz Wilkes' word,'said Archie, his beard bristling. "威尔克斯太太的话,你就不必怀疑了。 "阿尔奇说。他的胡子也翘了起来。
  • You were bristling just now. 你刚才在发毛。
65 entreat soexj     
v.恳求,恳请
参考例句:
  • Charles Darnay felt it hopeless entreat him further,and his pride was touched besides.查尔斯-达尔内感到再恳求他已是枉然,自尊心也受到了伤害。
  • I entreat you to contribute generously to the building fund.我恳求您慷慨捐助建设基金。
66 hesitation tdsz5     
n.犹豫,踌躇
参考例句:
  • After a long hesitation, he told the truth at last.踌躇了半天,他终于直说了。
  • There was a certain hesitation in her manner.她的态度有些犹豫不决。
67 excavation RiKzY     
n.挖掘,发掘;被挖掘之地
参考例句:
  • The bad weather has hung up the work of excavation.天气不好耽误了挖掘工作。
  • The excavation exposed some ancient ruins.这次挖掘暴露出一些古遗迹。
68 mound unCzhy     
n.土墩,堤,小山;v.筑堤,用土堆防卫
参考例句:
  • The explorers climbed a mound to survey the land around them.勘探者爬上土丘去勘测周围的土地。
  • The mound can be used as our screen.这个土丘可做我们的掩蔽物。


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