“What avails it?” said Martin sadly; “if we get clear of the wood we shall die cheap; here, hard by, I know a place where we may die dear.”
“Alas! good Martin,” cried Gerard, “despair not so quickly; there must be some way to escape.”
“Oh, Martin!” cried Margaret, “what if we were to part company? Gerard's life alone is forfeit6. Is there no way to draw the pursuit on us twain and let him go safe?”
“Girl, you know not the bloodhound's nature. He is not on this man's track or that; he is on the track of blood. My life on't they have taken him to where Ghysbrecht fell, and from the dead man's blood to the man that shed it that cursed hound will lead them, though Gerard should run through an army or swim the Meuse.” And again he leaned upon his bow, and his head sank.
Was never halloed to, nor cheered with horn,
In Crete, in Sparta, or in Thessaly.
Strange that things beautiful should be terrible and deadly' The eye of the boa-constrictor, while fascinating its prey9, is lovely. No royal crown holds such a jewel; it is a ruby10 with the emerald's green light playing ever upon it. Yet the deer that sees it loses all power of motion, and trembles, and awaits his death and even so, to compare hearing with sight, this sweet and mellow sound seemed to fascinate Martin Wittenhaagen. He stood uncertain, bewildered, and unnerved. Gerard was little better now. Martin's last words had daunted11 him, He had struck an old man and shed his blood, and, by means of that very blood, blood's four-footed avenger12 was on his track. Was not the finger of Heaven in this?
Whilst the men were thus benumbed, the woman's brain was all activity. The man she loved was in danger.
“Lend me your knife,” said she to Martin. He gave it her.
“But 'twill be little use in your hands,” said he.
Then Margaret did a sly thing. She stepped behind Gerard, and furtively14 drew the knife across her arm, and made it bleed freely; then stooping, smeared15 her hose and shoes; and still as the blood trickled16 she smeared them; but so adroitly17 that neither Gerard nor Martin saw. Then she seized the soldier's arm.
“Come, be a man!” she said, “and let this end. Take us to some thick place, where numbers will not avail our foes18.”
“I am going,” said Martin sulkily. “Hurry avails not; we cannot shun19 the hound, and the place is hard by;” then turning to the left, he led the way, as men go to execution.
He soon brought them to a thick hazel coppice, like the one that had favoured their escape in the morning.
“There,” said he, “this is but a furlong broad, but it will serve our turn.”
“What are we to do?”
“Get through this, and wait on the other side; then as they come straggling through, shoot three, knock two on the head, and the rest will kill us.”
“Is that all you can think of?” said Gerard.
“That is all.”
“Then, Martin Wittenhaagen, I take the lead, for you have lost your head. Come, can you obey so young a man as I am?”
“Do then as you see me do,” said Gerard; and drawing his huge knife, he cut at every step a hazel shoot or two close by the ground, and turning round twisted them breast-high behind him among the standing23 shoots. Martin did the same, but with a dogged hopeless air. When they had thus painfully travelled through the greater part of the coppice, the bloodhound's deep bay came nearer and nearer, less and less musical, louder and sterner.
Margaret trembled.
Martin went down on his stomach and listened.
“I hear a horse's feet.”
“No,” said Gerard; “I doubt it is a mule24's. That cursed Ghysbrecht is still alive: none other would follow me up so bitterly.”
“I'll hit harder this time, if Heaven gives me the chance,” said Gerard.
At last they worked through the coppice, and there was an open wood. The trees were large, but far apart, and no escape possible that way.
“The whole village is out after us,” said Martin.
“I care not,” said Gerard. “Listen, Martin. I have made the track smooth to the dog, but rough to the men, that we may deal with them apart. Thus the hound will gain on the men, and as soon as he comes out of the coppice we must kill him.”
“The hound? There are more than one.”
“I hear but one.”
“Ay! but one speaks, the others run mute; but let the leading hound lose the scent27, then another shall give tongue. There will be two dogs, at least, or devils in dog's hides.”
“Then we must kill two instead of one. The moment they are dead, into the coppice again, and go right back.”
“That is a good thought, Gerard,” said Martin, plucking up heart.
“Hush! the men are in the wood.”
Gerard now gave his orders in a whisper.
“Stand you with your bow by the side of the coppice—there, in the ditch. I will go but a few yards to yon oak-tree, and hide behind it; the dogs will follow me, and, as they come out, shoot as many as you can, the rest will I brain as they come round the tree.”
Martin's eye flashed. They took up their places.
The hooping and hallooing came closer and closer, and soon even the rustling28 of the young wood was heard, and every now and then the unerring bloodhound gave a single bay.
It was terrible! the branches rustling nearer and nearer, and the inevitable29 struggle for life and death coming on minute by minute, and that death-knell leading it. A trembling hand was laid on Gerard's shoulder. It made him start violently, strung up as he was.
“Martin says if we are forced to part company, make for that high ash-tree we came in by.”
“Yes! yes! yes! but go back for Heaven's sake! don't come here, all out in the open!”
She ran back towards Martin; but, ere she could get to him, suddenly a huge dog burst out of the coppice, and stood erect30 a moment. Margaret cowered31 with fear, but he never noticed her. Scent was to him what sight is to us. He lowered his nose an instant, and the next moment, with an awful yell, sprang straight at Gerard's tree and rolled head-over-heels dead as a stone, literally32 spitted with an arrow from the bow that twanged beside the coppice in Martin's hand. That same moment out came another hound and smelt33 his dead comrade. Gerald rushed out at him; but ere he could use his cudgel, a streak34 of white lightning seemed to strike the hound, and he grovelled35 in the dust, wounded desperately36, but not killed, and howling piteously.
Gerard had not time to despatch37 him: the coppice rustled38 too near: it seemed alive. Pointing wildly to Martin to go back, Gerard ran a few yards to the right, then crept cautiously into the thick coppice just as three men burst out. These had headed their comrades considerably40: the rest were following at various distances. Gerard crawled back almost on all-fours. Instinct taught Martin and Margaret to do the same upon their line of retreat. Thus, within the distance of a few yards, the pursuers and pursued were passing one another upon opposite tracks.
A loud cry announced the discovery of the dead and the wounded hound. Then followed a babble41 of voices, still swelling42 as fresh pursuers reached the spot. The hunters, as usual on a surprise, were wasting time, and the hunted ones were making the most of it.
“I hear no more hounds,” whispered Martin to Margaret, and he was himself again.
It was Margaret's turn to tremble and despair.
“Oh, why did we part with Gerard? They will kill my Gerard, and I not near him.”
“Nay43, nay! the head to catch him is not on their shoulders. You bade him meet us at the ash-tree?”
“And so I did. Bless you, Martin, for thinking of that. To the ash-tree!”
“Ay! but with less noise.”
They were now nearly at the edge of the coppice, when suddenly they heard hooping and hallooing behind them. The men had satisfied themselves the fugitives44 were in the coppice, and were beating back.
“No matter,” whispered Martin to his trembling companion. “We shall have time to win clear and slip back out of sight by hard running. Ah!”
He stooped suddenly; for just as he was going to burst out of the brushwood, his eye caught a figure keeping sentinel. It was Ghysbrecht Van Swieten seated on his mule; a bloody45 bandage was across his nose, the bridge of which was broken; but over this his eyes peered keenly, and it was plain by their expression he had heard the fugitives rustle39, and was looking out for them. Martin muttered a terrible oath, and cautiously strung his bow, then with equal caution fitted his last arrow to the string. Margaret put her hands to her face, but said nothing. She saw this man must die or Gerard. After the first impulse she peered through her fingers, her heart panting to her throat.
The bow was raised, and the deadly arrow steadily46 drawn47 to its head, when at that moment an active figure leaped on Ghysbrecht from behind so swiftly, it was like a hawk48 swooping49 on a pigeon. A kerchief went over the burgomaster, in a turn of the hand his head was muffled50 in it, and he was whirled from his seat and fell heavily upon the ground, where he lay groaning51 with terror; and Gerard jumped down after him.
“Hist, Martin! Martin!”
Martin and Margaret came out, the former openmouthed crying, “Now fly! fly! while they are all in the thicket52; we are saved.”
At this crisis, when safety seemed at hand, as fate would have it, Margaret, who had borne up so bravely till now, began to succumb53, partly from loss of blood.
“No! no!” cried Gerard. “Death together, or safety. Ah! the mule! mount her, you, and I'll run by your side.”
In a moment Martin was on Ghysbrecht's mule, and Gerard raised the fainting girl in his arms and placed her on the saddle, and relieved Martin of his bow.
“Now, have you got her firm? Then fly! for our lives! for our lives!”
But even as the mule, urged suddenly by Martin's heel, scattered57 the flints with his hind13 hoofs58 ere he got into a canter, and even as Gerard withdrew his foot from Ghysbrecht's throat to run, Dierich Brower and his five men, who had come back for orders, and heard the burgomaster's cries, burst roaring out of the coppice on them.
该作者的其它作品
《white lies》
该作者的其它作品
《white lies》
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
groove
|
|
| n.沟，槽；凹线，（刻出的）线条，习惯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
spartan
|
|
| adj.简朴的，刻苦的；n.斯巴达；斯巴达式的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
fortitude
|
|
| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
indifference
|
|
| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
oozed
|
|
| v.（浓液等）慢慢地冒出，渗出( ooze的过去式和过去分词 )；使（液体）缓缓流出；（浓液）渗出，慢慢流出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
forfeit
|
|
| vt.丧失；n.罚金，罚款，没收物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
mellow
|
|
| adj.柔和的；熟透的；v.变柔和；(使)成熟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
tunable
|
|
| adj.可调的；可调谐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
prey
|
|
| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
ruby
|
|
| n.红宝石，红宝石色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
daunted
|
|
| 使（某人）气馁，威吓( daunt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
avenger
|
|
| n. 复仇者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
hind
|
|
| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
furtively
|
|
| adv. 偷偷地, 暗中地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
smeared
|
|
| 弄脏； 玷污； 涂抹； 擦上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
trickled
|
|
| v.滴( trickle的过去式和过去分词 )；淌；使)慢慢走；缓慢移动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
adroitly
|
|
| adv.熟练地，敏捷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
foes
|
|
| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
shun
|
|
| vt.避开，回避，避免 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
gainsay
|
|
| v.否认，反驳 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
sullen
|
|
| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
assent
|
|
| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
mule
|
|
| n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
slay
|
|
| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
mingled
|
|
| 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： |
|
|
|
|
27
scent
|
|
| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
rustling
|
|
| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
inevitable
|
|
| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
erect
|
|
| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
cowered
|
|
| v.畏缩，抖缩( cower的过去式 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
literally
|
|
| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
smelt
|
|
| v.熔解，熔炼；n.银白鱼，胡瓜鱼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
streak
|
|
| n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
grovelled
|
|
| v.卑躬屈节，奴颜婢膝( grovel的过去式和过去分词 )；趴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
desperately
|
|
| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
despatch
|
|
| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
rustled
|
|
| v.发出沙沙的声音( rustle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
rustle
|
|
| v.沙沙作响；偷盗(牛、马等)；n.沙沙声声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
considerably
|
|
| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
babble
|
|
| v.含糊不清地说，胡言乱语地说，儿语 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
swelling
|
|
| n.肿胀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
nay
|
|
| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
fugitives
|
|
| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
bloody
|
|
| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
steadily
|
|
| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
drawn
|
|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
hawk
|
|
| n.鹰，骗子；鹰派成员 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
swooping
|
|
| 俯冲，猛冲( swoop的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
muffled
|
|
| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
groaning
|
|
| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
thicket
|
|
| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
succumb
|
|
| v.屈服，屈从；死 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
gasped
|
|
| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
shrieked
|
|
| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
adder
|
|
| n.蝰蛇；小毒蛇 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
scattered
|
|
| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
hoofs
|
|
| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |