Chapter 19 ANNE IS A TIGER!

Chapter 19 ANNE IS A TIGER!
In the meantime, George was hurrying down the secret way through the cliffs. Timmy ran first infront and then behind, his ears pricked¹ for any possible pursuer or danger. He could hear no one.
Good! Both he and George were glad to hear the babbling² of the funny little underground stream as itran swiftly down towards the sea. 'It's a nice friendly sound, Tim,' said George. 'I like it.'
Once or twice they slipped from the wet ledges³ into the water, and George felt a bit afraid of fallingand breaking her torch. 'It wouldn't be much fun if we had to go down this passage in the pitch dark!'
she told Timmy, and he gave a little woof of agreement.
'What's that bright light?' said George, suddenly, stopping in the passage. 'Look, Tim - awfully⁴ bright.
Is it someone coming with a lantern?'
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Timmy gave a loud bark and rush in front. He knew that lantern all right! It was the one thatsomebody sometimes hung in the sky, and that George called the Moon. Didn't she know?
George soon did know, of course, and cried out in delight. 'Oh, it's the moon, of course, dear oldmoon. I'd forgotten it was a moonlight night tonight. I wonder where the others are, Timmy.
You'll have to smell them out!'
Timmy already knew where they were! He had caught their scent⁵ on the wind. They weren't very faraway! He barked joyously⁶. Soon they would all be together again!
He and George came out of the tunnel in the cliff and found themselves on the rocks. The sea wassplashing over them, and the waves gleamed brightly in the bright moonlight.
George saw something moving in the distance. She put her hand on Timmy's collar. 'Careful, Tim,'
she said. 'Is that someone coming over there? Stay by me.'
But Timmy disobeyed for once! He leapt away and splashed through pools, over seaweed, overslippery rocks, barking madly. 'Timmy!' called George, not recognising who was coming.
'TIMMY! COME BACK!'
And then she saw who were coming over the rock in the bright moonlight, picking their way throughthe slippery seaweed. She waved and shouted joyfully⁸.
'Here I am! I've escaped all right!'
What a joyful⁷ meeting that was! They all sat down on a convenient rock and talked nineteen to thedozen, telling each other what had happened. And then a big wave suddenly came up and splashed allover them!
'Blow!' said Julian. 'Tide's coming in, I suppose. Come on - let's get back to Whispering Wood.'
Anne gave a most enormous yawn. 'I don't know what the time is,' she said. 'And it's so brighteverywhere that I'm not sure if it's day or night. All I know is that I'm suddenly most awfullySLEEPY.'
Julian glanced at his watch. 'It's very late,' he said. 'Long past our bedtime. What shall we do -risk sleeping here on the island - or find Wilfrid's boat and row across to the mainland - and have anice long, peaceful snooze in that dear little cottage?'
'Oh, don't let's stay on the island!' said Anne. 'I'd never go to sleep! I'd be afraid those men would findus.'
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'Don't be silly, Anne,' said George, trying not to yawn. 'They wouldn't have the remotest idea whereto look for us! I honestly don't fancy looking for Wilfrid's boat, rowing all the way to the mainland,and then climbing up that steep hill to the cottage!'
'Well - all right,' said Anne. 'But oughtn't somebody to be on guard - oughtn't we each to take turn?'
'Why so fussy⁹, Anne?' asked George. 'Timmy would hear anyone!'
'I suppose he would,' said Anne, giving way. 'We'll stay here then.'
They were all very tired. The boys pulled up armfuls of old dry bracken and spread it in a shelteredpatch of grass, where bushes surrounded them, and sheltered them from the wind. It was not far fromthe cove¹⁰ where Wilfrid's boat lay. They snuggled into the bracken.
'Nice and cosy¹¹!' said George, yawning. 'Ohhh! I've never felt so sleepy in my life!' And in threeseconds she was sound asleep! Wilfrid dropped off at once too, and Dick and Julian were soon givinglittle gentle snores.
Anne was still awake. She felt nervous. 'I'd dearly like to know if those men are safely underground!'
she thought. 'I can't imagine that they are very pleased at us getting away - they'll know we'll go tothe mainland as soon as we can, and tell everyone what we have found! I should have thought theywould try to stop us leaving. They must know we have a boat!'
She lay and worried, keeping her ears open for any strange sound. Timmy heard her tossing andturning and crept over to her very quietly, so as not to wake George. He lay down beside Anne,giving her a loving lick as if to say, 'Now, you go to sleep, and I'll keep watch!'
But still Anne didn't fall asleep. Still she kept her ears wide open for any unusual sound - and then,quite suddenly, she heard something. So did Timmy. He sat up, and gave a very small growl¹².
Anne strained her ears. Yes - it was certainly voices she could hear - low voices, that didn't want tobe heard. It was the men coming to find Wilfrid's boat! Once they had that, the children couldn't getaway from Whispering Island!
Timmy ran a little way from the bushes, and looked round at Anne as if to say, 'Coming with me?'
Anne got up quietly and went to Timmy. He ran on in front, and she followed. She really must seewhat was happening, then if it was anything important, she could run back and rouse 84everyone. Timmy was taking her to the cove where Wilfrid had left his boat, hauled high up on thesand, for fear of big waves.
They were both as quiet as they could be. Timmy growled¹³ a little when he heard the voices again,much nearer this time.
The men had come quietly round the island in their own boat, to set Wilfrid's boat adrift. Anne sawthem pushing Wilfrid's boat down the sand towards the sea. Once it was adrift, she and the otherswould be prisoners on the island! She yelled at the top of her voice.
'You stop that! It's OUR boat!' And Timmy began to bark his head off, prancing¹⁴ round the men, andshowing his big white teeth. The barking awoke all the others and they leapt up at once.
'That's Timmy!' shouted Julian. 'That's Timmy barking! Come on, quickly - but be careful!'
They ran at top speed to the cove. Timmy was still barking madly - and someone was yelling. Itsounded like Anne. ANNE - no, no, it couldn't be quiet little Anne!' thought Julian.
But it was! For when the four arrived at the cove, there was Anne yelling to Timmy to bite the men,and dancing about in a rare old temper!
'How DARE you come and take our boat! I'll tell Timmy to bite you! And he will too! Get them,Tim, get them! How DARE you take our boat! Bite them, Timmy!'
Timmy had already bitten both the men, who were now rowing away in their own boat at top speed.
Anne picked up a stone and sent it whizzing after them. It struck their boat and made them jump.
Anne jumped too when she turned and saw Julian, George, Wilfrid and Dick. 'I'm so glad you'vecome!' she said. 'I think Timmy and I have frightened them off. The beasts!'
'Frightened them off! You've scared them stiff!' said Julian, hugging his sister. 'You even scared me!
Good gracious - the mouse has certainly turned into a fearsome tiger! I can almost see smoke comingout of your nostrils¹⁵.'
'A tiger? Did I really sound like a tiger?' said Anne. 'I'm glad! I hated you all thinking I was a mouse.
You'd better be careful now, I might turn into a tiger again!'
The men were now out of sight, and Timmy sent a volley of barks after their vanished boat.
What chance had any men against a dog and a tiger? WOOF!
'Julian - why can't we row back to the mainland now?' demanded Anne. 'I'm so hungry and there'snothing to eat here now. And I wasn't really very comfortable in that brackeny bed. I'm 85longing to sleep in a proper bed. I've a good mind to take that boat of Wilfrid's and row myself back,if you don't want to come.'
Julian couldn't help laughing at this new fierce Anne. He put his arm round her.
'I believe it's dangerous to say no to a tiger,' he said. 'So you shall have your way, Anne. I'm awfullyhungry too - and I bet the others are.'
And, in five minutes time, the six of them were out on the sea, Julian taking one oar¹⁶, and Dick theother, 'Swish-swash - swish-swash' went the oars¹⁷, and the boat rocked as it sped along.
'I bet if those men spot us out on the sea in a boat, going across to the mainland, they will feel prettyuncomfortable!' said Julian. 'They'll know we'll be going to the police first thing tomorrow. My word- this has been quite an adventure, hasn't it! I shall be glad of a little peace now!'
Well - you'll soon have it, Julian! That little cottage is waiting for you all, with its glorious view overthe Harbour and Whispering Island. You'll have quite a bit of excitement tomorrow, of course, whenthe police take you back to the island in their boat, and you show them the old well, the vast treasure-chamber, the secret passage, and all the rest. You'll be there when all the men are rounded up, you'llwatch them chugging off, prisoners, in the police boat, amazed that the Famous Five should havedefeated them. What an adventure! And what a relief when all the excitement is over, and you liepeacefully on the hillside, with the little cottage just behind you.
'Now for a real lazy time!' said Anne, when the Five had seen the last of the police. 'Let's all go outon the hill in the sunshine, and have orangeade and biscuits and fruit salad - and Wilfrid shall play hismagic pipe and bring his furred and feathered friends to see us.'
'Has he found his pipe then?' said Dick, pleased.
'Yes. He took the well-bucket to get some water to drink - and lo and behold¹⁸ the pipe was in thebottom of the bucket!' said Anne. 'He thinks it must have fallen there the last time he went to fetchwater from the well - and nobody noticed it!'
'Oh good!' said George, thankfully. 'Wilfrid, what about playing a tune¹⁹ on your little pipe? I'm so gladit's found. I'd like to hear it again.'
Wilfrid was pleased. 'All right,' he said. 'I'll see if my friends here still remember me!'
He sat down on the hillside a little away from the others and began to blow down the pipe - and outcame the strange little tune! At once the birds in the trees around turned their heads. In the bushes thelizards raised themselves, put their quaint²⁰ heads on one side and listened. Rabbits 86stopped their play. The big hare bounded up the hill, its great ears taking in every note. A magpieflew down to the boy's foot and sat there.
Wilfrid didn't stir. He just went on playing as the creatures came to listen. Timmy listened too, andwent to the boy, pressing against him, licking his ear. Then he went back to George.
We'll leave them all there in the sunshine, quiet and peaceful, watching the little creatures thatWilfrid can always bring around him.
Julian is lying back, looking at the April sky, glad that their adventure ended so well. Dick is lookingdown at Whispering Island, set in the brilliant blue harbour. Anne is half asleep - quiet little Annewho can turn into a tiger if she has to!
And George, of course, is close to Timmy, her arm round his neck, very happy indeed. Goodbye,Five - it was fun sharing in your grand adventure!
THE END

1 pricked   

刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛

参考例句：

• The cook pricked a few holes in the pastry. 厨师在馅饼上戳了几个洞。
• He was pricked by his conscience. 他受到良心的谴责。

2 babbling   

n.胡说，婴儿发出的咿哑声adj.胡说的v.喋喋不休( babble的现在分词 )；作潺潺声（如流水）；含糊不清地说话；泄漏秘密

参考例句：

• I could hear the sound of a babbling brook. 我听得见小溪潺潺的流水声。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Infamy was babbling around her in the public market-place. 在公共市场上，她周围泛滥着对她丑行的种种议论。 来自英汉文学 - 红字

3 ledges   

n.（墙壁，悬崖等）突出的狭长部分( ledge的名词复数 )；（平窄的）壁架；横档；（尤指）窗台

参考例句：

• seabirds nesting on rocky ledges 海鸟在岩架上筑巢
• A rusty ironrod projected mournfully from one of the window ledges. 一个窗架上突出一根生锈的铁棒，真是满目凄凉。 来自辞典例句

4 awfully   

adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地

参考例句：

• Agriculture was awfully neglected in the past.过去农业遭到严重忽视。
• I've been feeling awfully bad about it.对这我一直感到很难受。

5 scent   

n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉

参考例句：

• The air was filled with the scent of lilac.空气中弥漫着丁香花的芬芳。
• The flowers give off a heady scent at night.这些花晚上散发出醉人的芳香。

6 joyously   

ad.快乐地, 高兴地

参考例句：

• She opened the door for me and threw herself in my arms, screaming joyously and demanding that we decorate the tree immediately. 她打开门，直扑我的怀抱，欣喜地喊叫着要马上装饰圣诞树。
• They came running, crying out joyously in trilling girlish voices. 她们边跑边喊，那少女的颤音好不欢快。 来自名作英译部分

7 joyful   

adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的

参考例句：

• She was joyful of her good result of the scientific experiments.她为自己的科学实验取得好成果而高兴。
• They were singing and dancing to celebrate this joyful occasion.他们唱着、跳着庆祝这令人欢乐的时刻。

8 joyfully   

adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地

参考例句：

• She tripped along joyfully as if treading on air. 她高兴地走着，脚底下轻飘飘的。
• During these first weeks she slaved joyfully. 在最初的几周里，她干得很高兴。

9 fussy   

adj.为琐事担忧的，过分装饰的，爱挑剔的

参考例句：

• He is fussy about the way his food's cooked.他过分计较食物的烹调。
• The little girl dislikes her fussy parents.小女孩讨厌她那过分操心的父母。

10 cove   

n.小海湾，小峡谷

参考例句：

• The shore line is wooded,olive-green,a pristine cove.岸边一带林木蓊郁，嫩绿一片，好一个山外的小海湾。
• I saw two children were playing in a cove.我看到两个小孩正在一个小海湾里玩耍。

11 cosy   

adj.温暖而舒适的，安逸的

参考例句：

• We spent a cosy evening chatting by the fire.我们在炉火旁聊天度过了一个舒适的晚上。
• It was so warm and cosy in bed that Simon didn't want to get out.床上温暖而又舒适，西蒙简直不想下床了。

12 growl   

v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣

参考例句：

• The dog was biting,growling and wagging its tail.那条狗在一边撕咬一边低声吼叫，尾巴也跟着摇摆。
• The car growls along rutted streets.汽车在车辙纵横的街上一路轰鸣。

13 growled   

v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说

参考例句：

• \"They ought to be birched, \" growled the old man. 老人咆哮道：“他们应受到鞭打。” 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He growled out an answer. 他低声威胁着回答。 来自《简明英汉词典》

14 prancing   

v.（马）腾跃( prance的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The lead singer was prancing around with the microphone. 首席歌手手执麦克风，神气地走来走去。
• The King lifted Gretel on to his prancing horse and they rode to his palace. 国王把格雷特尔扶上腾跃着的马，他们骑马向天宫走去。 来自辞典例句

15 nostrils   

鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Her nostrils flared with anger. 她气得两个鼻孔都鼓了起来。
• The horse dilated its nostrils. 马张大鼻孔。

16 oar   

n.桨，橹，划手；v.划行

参考例句：

• The sailors oar slowly across the river.水手们慢慢地划过河去。
• The blade of the oar was bitten off by a shark.浆叶被一条鲨鱼咬掉了。

17 oars   

n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• He pulled as hard as he could on the oars. 他拼命地划桨。
• The sailors are bending to the oars. 水手们在拼命地划桨。 来自《简明英汉词典》

18 behold   

v.看，注视，看到

参考例句：

• The industry of these little ants is wonderful to behold.这些小蚂蚁辛勤劳动的样子看上去真令人惊叹。
• The sunrise at the seaside was quite a sight to behold.海滨日出真是个奇景。

19 tune   

n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整

参考例句：

• He'd written a tune,and played it to us on the piano.他写了一段曲子，并在钢琴上弹给我们听。
• The boy beat out a tune on a tin can.那男孩在易拉罐上敲出一首曲子。

20 quaint   

adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的

参考例句：

• There were many small lanes in the quaint village.在这古香古色的村庄里，有很多小巷。
• They still keep some quaint old customs.他们仍然保留着一些稀奇古怪的旧风俗。