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CHAPTER XVIII THE NIMRODS IN TROUBLE
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 During the afternoon, Bob Somers and his companions strolled around town. They paid the "Nimrod" a visit, in the expectation of seeing the Trailers, but, of course, the latter failed to put in appearance. The evening was spent at a small theatre.
 
The Ramblers had scarcely finished breakfast on the following morning, when a tall, slightly built gentleman walked briskly up to the Badger1 State Hotel. He was neatly2 attired3 in black, and had a generally prosperous appearance.
 
"Mr. Wingate!" exclaimed Bob, in surprise.
 
"I'm glad to see you, Robert," said Mr. Parsons Wingate, holding out his hand, and nodding to the others. "No doubt my visit is unexpected," he continued, with a smile, as he accepted the proffered5 chair.
 
"It seems that both the Rambler and Nimrod Clubs have been experiencing some lively times," he went on. "I'm sure you will understand how much I sympathize with you in the loss of your boat. It must have been a dreadful shock."
 
The Ramblers were intensely curious to know what object could have brought Mr. Parsons Wingate not only to town, but to see them.
 
"I don't suppose you have heard the news?" inquired their visitor, in his suave6, pleasant voice.
 
"What news?" asked Bob.
 
"Ah, I thought not. You don't know where Nat and his friends passed the night?"
 
"No, sir."
 
"In the police station."
 
"In the police station?" echoed the astonished Ramblers, almost in one breath.
 
"Exactly."
 
Mr. Parsons Wingate even smiled at their surprise.
 
"Imagine my astonishment7, last evening, when I received a telegram from my poor Nat, telling me of their plight8."
 
"But why were they arrested?" broke in Sam Randall, unable to restrain his curiosity longer.
 
"If I should say that the police actually tried to make it appear that Nat knew something about the destruction of your motor boat, what would you think?"
 
"By George!" exclaimed Bob, in amazement9. "Surely, Mr. Wingate, they were not arrested for that?"
 
"Not altogether. An ignorant boatman got in their way, somewhere, then, stupidly, had to fall overboard. The fellow makes a ridiculous claim, but, of course, a few dollars will settle that."
 
"I told the officer at the police station, yesterday, that Nat couldn't possibly know anything about the blowing up of the 'Rambler.'"
 
"Sure you did," chimed in Sam.
 
"There is no reason why Nat and his friends should not be discharged from custody10 at once," went on Mr. Wingate; "but, to clear away every shadow of doubt from the minds of these blundering police, I should be glad to have you go with me to the police station."
 
"Of course we will," chorused the Ramblers.
 
"And now," continued Mr. Wingate, with a smile, "I'm glad to hear that you have accepted Nat's offer. A couple of weeks' fun with the boys, will, I hope, make you partially11 forget your loss. You have agreed to join Nat, haven't you?"
 
"No, sir, we are going to visit my father's land."
 
"Your father's land?" questioned Mr. Wingate. "Your trip was undertaken with that object in view?"
 
"Yes, sir."
 
"Well, a few weeks with Nat, before you start out, won't come amiss. A lot of lively youngsters ought to have a fine time together. In my boyhood days we never dreamed of the privileges that the youth of the twentieth century would enjoy. Motor boats, motor cycles, and a lot of other things. You are living in a great era, boys, and should appreciate it."
 
"It's too bad about Nat," ventured Tom Clifton.
 
"'All's well that ends well.' I hope that we shall dine together this evening."
 
Mr. Parsons Wingate smiled affably, and looked from one to the other. Then he added: "I mean, of course, that the Ramblers and Nimrods, alike, are to be my guests.
 
"Very good!" he exclaimed, when all had politely accepted. "Now, if I can trouble you, we will go to the station."
 
The Ramblers, with Bob and Mr. Parsons Wingate leading the way, were soon walking briskly toward the police station. When they arrived, which was shortly before ten o'clock, they found the towheaded young man conversing12 with an elderly gentleman and two others.
 
"That's the one," whispered Dave.
 
Nat's uncle walked toward the group and bowed politely. "My name is Parsons Wingate," he began; "very sorry that you should have any misunderstanding with my nephew. Of course, if you suffered any loss, I am willing to make a reasonable settlement."
 
Mr. Wingate's respectable appearance and pleasant manner seemed to make a favorable impression, but the young man, who evidently considered that he had been intentionally13 upset, was not disposed to let the matter drop. He introduced himself as Douglass Brown.
 
"I can tell you that the whole crowd acted in a most outrageous14 manner," he declared; "I have witnesses to prove it. Really, it was frightfully mortifying15."
 
"Boys will be boys," observed Mr. Wingate, pleasantly. "Ah, here they come now."
 
The Nimrods, looking none the worse for their experience, trooped into the room. Backed by Mr. Wingate, they seemed to feel entirely16 easy in mind.
 
"Hello, Somers, hello!" said Nat, with a grin.
 
"My nephew," began Mr. Wingate, pompously17; "this gentleman whom you unintentionally upset is Mr. Douglass Brown."
 
"How are you, Douglass?" said Nat, with his usual familiarity. "You made a big mistake in having us all run in. That little affair was all an accident."
 
"Of course it was," put in John Hackett; "if Nat's foot hadn't slipped, Mr. Brown, you wouldn't have hit the river with such a splash. Hope you didn't swallow much of it."
 
"We didn't do it on purpose, that's sure," chimed in Kirk Talbot.
 
"Of course not," laughed the gentleman from Kingswood. "You can see yourself, Mr. Brown, that the whole affair was brought about by a too sudden starting of the boat. My nephew explained to me this morning how it happened."
 
"Was the boat pointed18 toward you when we started?" interrupted Nat.
 
Mr. Brown was obliged to admit that it was not.
 
"And you, Kirk, don't you think you started the boat off in a little more lively fashion than usual?"
 
"Yes, sir," returned Talbot, glibly19.
 
"Therefore my nephew got an unexpected lurch20, and the mishap21 followed as a natural consequence. The boys may have been a trifle too exuberant22, but they meant no harm."
 
"I think so, myself, now," exclaimed the elder Brown, a short, stocky man, with red hair and moustache. "I reckon, Douglass, they have told the truth. What do you think, Ben, and you, Sam?" he added, addressing the witnesses.
 
"I can't say for certain," replied Ben; "all I know is that this young chap," pointing at Nat, "was yelling like mad, when that 'ere boat of his'n suddenly went bang into the canoe. The next thing I see was Douglass a-swimming. 'Tain't in my nature to say a man done a thing like that a-purpose."
 
Ben, a tall, thin man, with angular features, reflected a moment before adding: "I don't know but what that idea may be right, only sich things ought never to happen. My darter was with Douglass, and she was nigh scared into fits."
 
"We all, of course, deeply regret what has occurred," put in Mr. Wingate, with an affable smile. "Your clothes, Mr. Brown, no doubt suffered to some extent. If you will kindly23 name—"
 
He paused, the justice of the peace having entered.
 
The latter was an elderly, gray-bearded man, who seemed to feel the importance of his position.
 
As there was, apparently24, no other case on the calendar that morning, Mr. Wingate and the others were immediately given an opportunity to make their respective statements. The proceedings25 were of an informal nature. The justice listened attentively26 to all that was said, and nodded his head approvingly when Douglass Brown signified his willingness to withdraw the charge.
 
"In a matter of this sort," said the justice, "my duty is to decide whether the case is serious enough to warrant the accused being sent back to the local court for trial. It is clear that these boys did not act with the deliberate intent of doing harm. I will not hold on this charge. But I hope this will prove a warning to be more careful in future. A motor boat is a dangerous thing, unless handled with considerable judgment27."
 
Mr. Wingate bowed. "If I may take the liberty," he said, "there is another matter which I would like to call your attention to. Chief," he proceeded, turning to that official, who was sitting close by, "yesterday you practically charged my nephew with having had some connection with the blowing up of a motor boat."
 
"In our business," returned the officer, "we cannot always respect people's feelings. A complaint was made, and I soon discovered that the young man, to say the least, has acted in such a manner as to lay himself open to suspicion."
 
"Nat is a good-hearted boy," went on Mr. Wingate; "he feels very badly over this matter, and neither of us is disposed to leave town until he is absolved28 from all suspicion."
 
"There are no charges against him," said the chief. "My questions were necessarily abrupt29, and, happily, served to convince me of his innocence30."
 
"I trust you may soon discover the author of that piece of work. It was certainly a most serious affair."
 
"It was. And, as yet, there is not a clue."
 
After a few minutes' further conversation, the party left the station.
 
"Do you mean to say that one of the motor boats was blown up?" questioned Douglass Brown, in surprise.
 
"Into five thousand little pieces," grinned Nat.
 
Young Brown listened in open-mouthed amazement, as Bob related the story of the tragic31 end of the "Rambler."
 
"I'm awfully32 sorry, boys," he said. "Only a mean snake would do a thing like that."
 
His father and their two friends expressed a like opinion.
 
"Now, gentlemen," said Mr. Wingate, "I hope you will accept an invitation to dine with the boys and myself this evening."
 
"I'd like to well enough," said Mr. Brown, Sr., "but I got to get back home. Douglass can stay, if he has a mind to."
 
"And I think I'll have to leave, too," said Ben.
 
"At any rate, we shall have the pleasure of Douglass' company," said Mr. Wingate, with his usual smile, as he bade the others good-bye.
 
When the Badger State Hotel was reached, Nat's uncle took his leave, on the plea of business, having arranged to meet them all again early in the evening.
 
"Fine man, that," observed Mr. Douglass Brown; "a very fine man. I never thought we should become friends like this."
 
"Let's hurry up, fellows," observed Nat. "I want to see if the 'Nimrod' is all right.
 
"Safe and sound!" he exclaimed, with satisfaction, when they finally came in view of the graceful33 motor boat lying at her moorings.
 
It was a beautiful day, and the bay was dotted with many kinds of craft.
 
"Somers, does your ultimatum34 still hold good?" asked Nat.
 
"We don't want you to keep on Clair Bay unless you feel like it," returned Bob.
 
"Then come back to the place where Hacky lammed the pussy35 cat."
 
"What's the use of that?" spoke36 up Dick. "I think we could have more fun by keeping on the bay."
 
"So do I," added Ted4 Pollock.
 
"Wish I could go on the trip," ventured Douglass, wistfully; "it must be fine."
 
"There's one thing we have to do," interrupted John Hackett; "that is, get some grub. Nine fellows can eat a sight of stuff; isn't that so, you sleepy 'pirate'?"
 
"Depends upon the cook," answered Dave, smilingly.
 
"Let's get the fodder37 now," proposed Nat. "We ought to leave this little Punktown first thing in the morning. Ted," he continued, "make up a list; that's a good fellow, and we'll have a grocer attend to it at once."
 
"Oh ho! I can't help thinking about that great supper to-night," observed Dave; "I'm going back to the hotel, and write a few letters."
 
About six o'clock that evening, the members of the two clubs, Douglass Brown and Mr. Parsons Wingate met at the Badger State Hotel.
 
"Now, Nat," remarked the latter, as they took their places at the supper table, "it isn't necessary for you to act in such a fashion as to attract crowds around the hotel. This is to be just a quiet little dinner."
 

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1 badger PuNz6     
v.一再烦扰,一再要求,纠缠
参考例句:
  • Now that our debts are squared.Don't badger me with them any more.我们的债务两清了。从此以后不要再纠缠我了。
  • If you badger him long enough,I'm sure he'll agree.只要你天天纠缠他,我相信他会同意。
2 neatly ynZzBp     
adv.整洁地,干净地,灵巧地,熟练地
参考例句:
  • Sailors know how to wind up a long rope neatly.水手们知道怎样把一条大绳利落地缠好。
  • The child's dress is neatly gathered at the neck.那孩子的衣服在领口处打着整齐的皱褶。
3 attired 1ba349e3c80620d3c58c9cc6c01a7305     
adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服,使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The bride was attired in white. 新娘穿一身洁白的礼服。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • It is appropriate that everyone be suitably attired. 人人穿戴得体是恰当的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
4 ted 9gazhs     
vt.翻晒,撒,撒开
参考例句:
  • The invaders gut ted the village.侵略者把村中财物洗劫一空。
  • She often teds the corn when it's sunny.天好的时候她就翻晒玉米。
5 proffered 30a424e11e8c2d520c7372bd6415ad07     
v.提供,贡献,提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She proffered her cheek to kiss. 她伸过自己的面颊让人亲吻。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • He rose and proffered a silver box full of cigarettes. 他站起身,伸手递过一个装满香烟的银盒子。 来自辞典例句
6 suave 3FXyH     
adj.温和的;柔和的;文雅的
参考例句:
  • He is a suave,cool and cultured man.他是个世故、冷静、有教养的人。
  • I had difficulty answering his suave questions.我难以回答他的一些彬彬有礼的提问。
7 astonishment VvjzR     
n.惊奇,惊异
参考例句:
  • They heard him give a loud shout of astonishment.他们听见他惊奇地大叫一声。
  • I was filled with astonishment at her strange action.我对她的奇怪举动不胜惊异。
8 plight 820zI     
n.困境,境况,誓约,艰难;vt.宣誓,保证,约定
参考例句:
  • The leader was much concerned over the plight of the refugees.那位领袖对难民的困境很担忧。
  • She was in a most helpless plight.她真不知如何是好。
9 amazement 7zlzBK     
n.惊奇,惊讶
参考例句:
  • All those around him looked at him with amazement.周围的人都对他投射出惊异的眼光。
  • He looked at me in blank amazement.他带着迷茫惊诧的神情望着我。
10 custody Qntzd     
n.监护,照看,羁押,拘留
参考例句:
  • He spent a week in custody on remand awaiting sentence.等候判决期间他被还押候审一个星期。
  • He was taken into custody immediately after the robbery.抢劫案发生后,他立即被押了起来。
11 partially yL7xm     
adv.部分地,从某些方面讲
参考例句:
  • The door was partially concealed by the drapes.门有一部分被门帘遮住了。
  • The police managed to restore calm and the curfew was partially lifted.警方设法恢复了平静,宵禁部分解除。
12 conversing 20d0ea6fb9188abfa59f3db682925246     
v.交谈,谈话( converse的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • I find that conversing with her is quite difficult. 和她交谈实在很困难。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • They were conversing in the parlor. 他们正在客厅谈话。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
13 intentionally 7qOzFn     
ad.故意地,有意地
参考例句:
  • I didn't say it intentionally. 我是无心说的。
  • The local authority ruled that he had made himself intentionally homeless and was therefore not entitled to be rehoused. 当地政府裁定他是有意居无定所,因此没有资格再获得提供住房。
14 outrageous MvFyH     
adj.无理的,令人不能容忍的
参考例句:
  • Her outrageous behaviour at the party offended everyone.她在聚会上的无礼行为触怒了每一个人。
  • Charges for local telephone calls are particularly outrageous.本地电话资费贵得出奇。
15 mortifying b4c9d41e6df2931de61ad9c0703750cd     
adj.抑制的,苦修的v.使受辱( mortify的现在分词 );伤害(人的感情);克制;抑制(肉体、情感等)
参考例句:
  • I've said I did not love her, and rather relished mortifying her vanity now and then. 我已经说过我不爱她,而且时时以伤害她的虚荣心为乐。 来自辞典例句
  • It was mortifying to know he had heard every word. 知道他听到了每一句话后真是尴尬。 来自互联网
16 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。
17 pompously pompously     
adv.傲慢地,盛大壮观地;大模大样
参考例句:
  • He pompously described his achievements. 他很夸耀地描述了自己所取得的成绩。 来自互联网
18 pointed Il8zB4     
adj.尖的,直截了当的
参考例句:
  • He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
  • She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。
19 glibly glibly     
adv.流利地,流畅地;满口
参考例句:
  • He glibly professed his ignorance of the affair. 他口口声声表白不知道这件事。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • He put ashes on his head, apologized profusely, but then went glibly about his business. 他表示忏悔,满口道歉,但接着又故态复萌了。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
20 lurch QR8z9     
n.突然向前或旁边倒;v.蹒跚而行
参考例句:
  • It has been suggested that the ground movements were a form of lurch movements.地震的地面运动曾被认为是一种突然倾斜的运动形式。
  • He walked with a lurch.他步履蹒跚。
21 mishap AjSyg     
n.不幸的事,不幸;灾祸
参考例句:
  • I'm afraid your son had a slight mishap in the playground.不好了,你儿子在操场上出了点小意外。
  • We reached home without mishap.我们平安地回到了家。
22 exuberant shkzB     
adj.充满活力的;(植物)繁茂的
参考例句:
  • Hothouse plants do not possess exuberant vitality.在温室里培养出来的东西,不会有强大的生命力。
  • All those mother trees in the garden are exuberant.果园里的那些母树都长得十分茂盛。
23 kindly tpUzhQ     
adj.和蔼的,温和的,爽快的;adv.温和地,亲切地
参考例句:
  • Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
  • A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。
24 apparently tMmyQ     
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎
参考例句:
  • An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽,豁然开朗。
  • He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。
25 proceedings Wk2zvX     
n.进程,过程,议程;诉讼(程序);公报
参考例句:
  • He was released on bail pending committal proceedings. 他交保获释正在候审。
  • to initiate legal proceedings against sb 对某人提起诉讼
26 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》
27 judgment e3xxC     
n.审判;判断力,识别力,看法,意见
参考例句:
  • The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
  • He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。
28 absolved 815f996821e021de405963c6074dce81     
宣告…无罪,赦免…的罪行,宽恕…的罪行( absolve的过去式和过去分词 ); 不受责难,免除责任 [义务] ,开脱(罪责)
参考例句:
  • The court absolved him of all responsibility for the accident. 法院宣告他对该事故不负任何责任。
  • The court absolved him of guilt in her death. 法庭赦免了他在她的死亡中所犯的罪。
29 abrupt 2fdyh     
adj.突然的,意外的;唐突的,鲁莽的
参考例句:
  • The river takes an abrupt bend to the west.这河突然向西转弯。
  • His abrupt reply hurt our feelings.他粗鲁的回答伤了我们的感情。
30 innocence ZbizC     
n.无罪;天真;无害
参考例句:
  • There was a touching air of innocence about the boy.这个男孩有一种令人感动的天真神情。
  • The accused man proved his innocence of the crime.被告人经证实无罪。
31 tragic inaw2     
adj.悲剧的,悲剧性的,悲惨的
参考例句:
  • The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。
  • Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。
32 awfully MPkym     
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。
33 graceful deHza     
adj.优美的,优雅的;得体的
参考例句:
  • His movements on the parallel bars were very graceful.他的双杠动作可帅了!
  • The ballet dancer is so graceful.芭蕾舞演员的姿态是如此的优美。
34 ultimatum qKqz7     
n.最后通牒
参考例句:
  • This time the proposal was couched as an ultimatum.这一次该提议是以最后通牒的形式提出来的。
  • The cabinet met today to discuss how to respond to the ultimatum.内阁今天开会商量如何应对这道最后通牒。
35 pussy x0dzA     
n.(儿语)小猫,猫咪
参考例句:
  • Why can't they leave my pussy alone?为什么他们就不能离我小猫咪远一点?
  • The baby was playing with his pussy.孩子正和他的猫嬉戏。
36 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。
37 fodder fodder     
n.草料;炮灰
参考例句:
  • Grass mowed and cured for use as fodder.割下来晒干用作饲料的草。
  • Guaranteed salt intake, no matter which normal fodder.不管是那一种正常的草料,保证盐的摄取。


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