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Chapter II GETTING UNDER SAIL
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The Dolphin was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up. She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the Dolphin did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf1 of the Clyde. Which was the more satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say. The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained. The Dolphin would certainly have gained by several lengths in a sailing match with the fastest opponent.
The loading was begun on the 25th of December, the steamer having ranged along the steamboat-quay2 a little below Glasgow Bridge, the last which stretches across the Clyde before its mouth. Here the wharfs4 were heaped with a heavy cargo5 of clothes, ammunition6, and provisions which were rapidly carried to the hold of the Dolphin. The nature of this cargo betrayed the mysterious destination of the ship, and the house of Playfair could no longer keep it secret; besides, the Dolphin must not be long before she started. No American cruiser had been signalled in English waters; and, then, when the question of getting the crew came, how was it possible to keep silent any longer? They could not embark7 them, even, without informing the men whither they were bound, for, after all, it was a matter of life and death, and when one risks one's life, at least it is satisfactory to know how and wherefore.
However, this prospect8 hindered no one; the pay was good, and everyone had a share in the speculation9, so that a great number of the finest sailors soon presented themselves. James Playfair was only embarrassed which to choose, but he chose well, and in twenty-four hours his muster-roll bore the names of thirty sailors who would have done honour to her Majesty's yacht.
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1
gulf
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n.海湾;深渊,鸿沟;分歧,隔阂 | |
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2
quay
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n.码头,靠岸处 | |
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3
fore
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adv.在前面;adj.先前的;在前部的;n.前部 | |
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4
wharfs
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码头,停泊处 | |
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5
cargo
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n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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6
ammunition
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n.军火,弹药 | |
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7
embark
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vi.乘船,着手,从事,上飞机 | |
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8
prospect
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n.前景,前途;景色,视野 | |
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9
speculation
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n.思索,沉思;猜测;投机 | |
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10
hearty
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adj.热情友好的;衷心的;尽情的,纵情的 | |
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11
waddling
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v.(像鸭子一样)摇摇摆摆地走( waddle的现在分词 ) | |
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12
fixedly
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adv.固定地;不屈地,坚定不移地 | |
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13
backwards
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adv.往回地,向原处,倒,相反,前后倒置地 | |
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14
pretensions
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自称( pretension的名词复数 ); 自命不凡; 要求; 权力 | |
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15
tempts
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v.引诱或怂恿(某人)干不正当的事( tempt的第三人称单数 );使想要 | |
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enrol
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v.(使)注册入学,(使)入学,(使)入会 | |
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corporeal
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adj.肉体的,身体的;物质的 | |
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18
inscribed
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v.写,刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 );内接 | |
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19
vibrations
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n.摆动( vibration的名词复数 );震动;感受;(偏离平衡位置的)一次性往复振动 | |
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boiler
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n.锅炉;煮器(壶,锅等) | |
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21
hissing
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n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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22
quays
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码头( quay的名词复数 ) | |
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salute
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vi.行礼,致意,问候,放礼炮;vt.向…致意,迎接,赞扬;n.招呼,敬礼,礼炮 | |
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countenance
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n.脸色,面容;面部表情;vt.支持,赞同 | |
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25
esteem
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n.尊敬,尊重;vt.尊重,敬重;把…看作 | |
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novice
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adj.新手的,生手的 | |
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accomplished
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adj.有才艺的;有造诣的;达到了的 | |
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hatchets
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n.短柄小斧( hatchet的名词复数 );恶毒攻击;诽谤;休战 | |
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villas
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别墅,公馆( villa的名词复数 ); (城郊)住宅 | |
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dykes
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abbr.diagonal wire cutters 斜线切割机n.堤( dyke的名词复数 );坝;堰;沟 | |
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hesitation
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n.犹豫,踌躇 | |
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buoys
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n.浮标( buoy的名词复数 );航标;救生圈;救生衣v.使浮起( buoy的第三人称单数 );支持;为…设浮标;振奋…的精神 | |
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surmounted
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战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 ); 克服(困难); 居于…之上; 在…顶上 | |
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joints
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接头( joint的名词复数 ); 关节; 公共场所(尤指价格低廉的饮食和娱乐场所) (非正式); 一块烤肉 (英式英语) | |
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watt
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n.瓦,瓦特 | |
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picturesque
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adj.美丽如画的,(语言)生动的,绘声绘色的 | |
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isle
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n.小岛,岛 | |
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promontory
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n.海角;岬 | |
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