Though the language of the prairie be not in words, some message is surely uttered; for the people of the plains wear the far-away look of communion with the unseen and the unheard. The fine sensibility of the white woman, perhaps, shows the impress of the vast solitudes most readily, and the gravely repressed nature of the Indian least; but all plain-dwellers have learned to catch the voice of the prairie. I, myself, know the message well, though I may no more put it into words than the song love sings in one's[Pg 298] heart. Love, says the poet, is infinite. So is the space of the prairie. That, I suppose, is why both are too boundless6 for the limitation of speech.
Night after night, with only a grassy7 swish and deadened tread over the turf breaking stillness, we journeyed northward8. Occasionally, like the chirp9 of cricket in a dry well, life sounded through emptiness. Skulking10 coyotes, seeking prey11 among earth mounds12, or night hawks13, lilting solitarily14 in vaulted mid-heaven, uttered cries that pierced the vast blue. Owls15 flapped stupidly up from our horses' feet. Hungry kites wheeled above lonely Indian graves, or perched on the scaffolding, where the dead lay swathed in skins.
Reflecting on my experiences with the Mandanes and the Sioux, I was disposed to upbraid16 fate as a senseless thing with no thread of purpose through life's hopeless jumble17. Now, something in the calm of the plains, or the certainty of our unerring star-guides, quieted my unrest. Besides, was I not returning to one who was peerless? That hope speedily eclipsed all interests. That was purpose enough for my life. Forthwith, I began comparing lustrous18 gray eyes to the stars, and tracing a woman's figure in the diaphanous19 northern lights. One face ever gleamed through the dusk at my horse's head and beckoned20 northward. I do not think her presence left me for an instant on that homeward journey. But, indeed, I should not set down these extravagances, which each may recall[Pg 299] in his own case, only I would have others judge whether she influenced me, or I, her.
Thus we traveled northward, journeying by night as long as we were in the Sioux territory. Once in the land of the Assiniboines, we rode day and night to the limit of our horses' endurance. Remembering the Hudson's Bay outrage21 at the Souris, and having also heard from Mandane runners of a raid planned by our rivals against the North-West fort at Pembina, I steered22 wide of both places, following the old Missouri trail midway between the Red and Souris rivers. It may have been because we traveled at night, but I did not encounter a single person, native or white, till we came close to the Red and were less than a day's journey from Fort Gibraltar. On the river trail, we overtook some Hudson's Bay trappers. The fellows would not answer a single question about events during the year and scampered23 away from us as if we carried smallpox24, which had thinned the population a few years before.
"That's bad!" said I aloud, as the men fled down the river bank, where we could not follow. Little Fellow looked as solemn as a grave-stone. He shook his head with ominous25 wisdom that foresees all evil but refuses to prophesy26.
"Bother to you, Little Fellow!" I exclaimed. "What do you mean? What's up?"
Again the Indian shook his head with dark mutterings, looking mighty27 solemn, but he would not share his foreknowledge. We met more[Pg 300] Hudson's Bay men, and their conduct was unmistakably suspicious. On a sudden seeing us, they reined28 up their horses, wheeled and galloped29 off without a word.
"I don't like that! I emphatically don't!" I piloted my broncho to a slight roll of the prairie, where we could reconnoitre. Distinctly there was the spot where the two rivers met. Intervening shrubbery confused my bearings. I rose in my stirrups, while Little Fellow stood erect30 on his horse's back.
"Little Fellow!" I cried, exasperated31 with myself, "Where's Fort Gibraltar? I see where it ought to be, where the towers ought to be higher than that brush, but where's the fort?"
The Indian screened his eyes and gazed forward. Then he came down with a thud, abruptly32 re-straddling his horse, and uttered one explosive word—"Smoke."
"Smoke? I don't see smoke! Where's the fort?"
"No fort," said he.
"You're daft!" I informed him, with the engaging frankness of a master for a servant. "There—is—a fort, and you know it—we're both lost—that's more! A fine Indian you are, to get lost!"
Little Fellow scrambled33 with alacrity34 to the ground. Picking up two small switches, he propped35 them against each other.
"Fort!" he said, laconically36, pointing to the switches.[Pg 301]
"L'anglais!" he cried, thrusting out his foot, which signified Hudson's Bay.
"No fort!" he shouted, kicking the switches into the air. "No fort!" and he looked with speechless disgust at the vacancy37.
Now I knew what he meant. Fort Gibraltar had been destroyed by Hudson's Bay men. We had no alternative but to strike west along the Assiniboine, on the chance of meeting some Nor'-Westers before reaching the company's quarters at the Portage. That post, too, might be destroyed; but where were Hamilton and Father Holland? Danger, or no danger, I must learn more of the doings in Red River. Also, there were reasons why I wished to visit the settlers of Fort Douglas. We camped on the south side of the Assiniboine a few miles from the Red, and Little Fellow went to some neighboring half-breeds for a canoe.
And a strange story he brought back! A great man, second only to the king—so the half-breeds said—had come from England to rule over Assiniboia. He boasted the shock of his power would be felt from Montreal to Athabasca. He would drive out all Nor'-Westers. This personage, I afterwards learned, was the amiable38 Governor Semple, who succeeded Captain Miles McDonell. Already, as a hunter chases a deer, had the great governor chased Nor'-Westers from Red River. Did Little Fellow doubt their word? Where was Fort Gibraltar? Let Little Fellow look and see for himself if aught but masonry[Pg 302] and charred39 walls stood where Fort Gibraltar had been! Let him seek the rafters of the Nor-Westers' fort in the new walls of Fort Douglas! Pembina, too, had fallen before the Hudson's Bay men. Since the coming of the great governor, nothing could stand before the English.
But wait! It was not all over! The war drum was beating in the tents of all the Bois-Brulés! The great governor should be taught that even the king's arms could not prevail against the Bois-Brulés! Was there smoke of battle? The Bois-Brulés would be there! The Bois-Brulés had wrongs to avenge40. They would not be turned out of their forts for nothing! Knives would be unsheathed. There were full powder-bags! There was a grand gathering41 of Bois-Brulés at the Portage. They, themselves, were on the way there. Let Little Fellow and the white trader join them! Let them be wary42; for the English were watchful43! Great things were to be done by the Bois-Brulés before another moon—and Little Fellow's eyes snapped fire as he related their vauntings.
I was inclined to regard the report as a fairy tale. If the half-breeds were arming and the English watchful, the distrust of the Hudson's Bay men was explained. A nomad44, himself, the Indian may be willing enough to share running rights over the land of his fathers; but when the newcomer not only usurps45 possession, but imposes the yoke46 of laws on the native, the resentment47 of the dusky race is easily fanned to that point[Pg 303] which civilized48 men call rebellion. I could readily understand how the Hudson's Bay proclamations forbidding the sale of furs to rivals, when these rivals were friends by marriage and treaty with the natives, roused all the bloodthirsty fury of the Indian nature. Nor'-Westers' forts were being plundered50. Why should the Bois-Brulés not pillage51 Hudson's Bay posts? Each company was stealing the cargo52 of its rival, as boats passed and repassed the different forts. Why should the half-breed not have his share of the booty? The most peace-loving dog can be set a-fighting; and the fight-loving Indian finds it very difficult indeed, to keep the peace. This, the great fur companies had not yet realized; and the lesson was to be driven home to them with irresistible53 force.
The half-breeds also had news of a priest bringing a delirious54 man to Fort Douglas. The description seemed to fit Hamilton and Father Holland. Whatever truth might be in the rumors55 of an uprising, I must ascertain56 whether or not Frances Sutherland would be safe. Leaving Little Fellow to guard our horses, at sundown I pushed my canoe into the Assiniboine just east of the rapids. Paddling swiftly with the current, I kept close to the south bank, where overhanging willows57 concealed59 one side of the river.
As I swung out into the Red, true to the Bois-Brulés' report, I saw only blackened chimneys and ruined walls on the site of Fort Gibraltar. Heading towards the right bank, I hugged the naked[Pg 304] cliff on the side opposite Fort Douglas, and trusted the rising mist to conceal58 me. Thus, I slipped past cannon60, pointing threateningly from the Hudson's Bay post, recrossed to the wooded west bank again, and paddled on till I caught a glimpse of a little, square, whitewashed61 house in a grove62 of fine old trees. This I knew, from Frances Sutherland's description, was her father's place.
Mooring63 among the shrubbery I had no patience to hunt for beaten path; but digging my feet into soft clay and catching64 branches with both hands, I clambered up the cliff and found myself in a thicket65 not a stone's throw from the door. The house was in darkness. My heart sank at a possibility which hardly framed itself to a thought. Was the apparition66 in the Mandane lodge67 some portent68? Had I not read, or heard, of departed spirits hovering69 near loved ones? I had no courage to think more.
Suddenly the door flung open. Involuntarily, I slipped behind the bushes, but dusk hid the approaching figure. Whoever it was made no noise. I felt, rather than heard, her coming, and knew no man could walk so silently. It must be a woman. Then my chest stifled70 and I heard my own heart-beats. Garments fluttered past the branches of my hiding-place. She of whom I had dreamed by night and thought by day and hoped whether sleeping, or waking, paused, not an arm's length away.
Toying with the tip of the branch, which I was[Pg 305] gripping for dear life, she looked languorously71 through the foliage72 towards the river. At first I thought myself the victim of another hallucination, but would not stir lest the vision should vanish. She sighed audibly, and I knew this was no spectre. Then I trembled all the more, for my sudden appearance might alarm her.
I should wait until she went back to the house—another of my brave vows73 to keep myself in hand!—then walk up noisily, giving due warning, and knock at the door. The keeping of that resolution demanded all my strength of will; for she was so near I could have clasped her in my arms without an effort. Indeed, it took a very great effort to refrain from doing so.
"Heigh-ho," said a low voice with the ripple74 of a sunny brook75 tinkling76 over pebbles77, "but it's a long day—and a long, long week—and a long, long, long month—and oh!—a century of years since——" and the voice broke in a sigh.
I think—though I would not set this down as a fact—that a certain small foot, which once stamped two strong men into obedience78, now vented79 its impatience80 at a twig81 on the grass. By the code of eastern proprieties82, I may not say that the dainty toe-tip first kicked the offensive little branch and then crunched83 it deep in the turf.
"I hate this lonely country," said the voice, with the vim84 of water-fret against an obstinate85 stone. "Wonder what it's like in the Mandane land! I'm sure it's nicer there."[Pg 306]
Now I affirm there is not a youth living who would not at some time give his right hand to know a woman's exact interpretation86 of that word "nicer." For my part, it set me clutching the branch with such ferocity, off snapped the thing with the sharp splintering of a breaking stick. The voice gave a gasp87 and she jumped aside with nervous trepidation88.
"Whatever—was that? I am—not frightened." No one was accusing her. "I won't go in! I won't let myself be frightened! There! The very idea!" And three or four sharp stamps followed in quick succession; but she was shivering.
"I declare the house is so lonely, a ghost would be live company." And she looked doubtfully from the dark house to the quivering poplars. "I'd rather be out here with the tree-toads and owls and bats than in there alone, even if they do frighten me! Anyway, I'm not frightened! It's just some stupid hop-and-go-spring thing at the base of our brains that makes us jump at mice and rats." But the hands interlocking at her back twitched89 and clasped and unclasped in a way that showed the automatic brain-spring was still active.
"It's getting worse every day. I can't stand it much longer, looking and looking till I'm half blind and no one but Indian riders all day long. Why doesn't he come? Oh! I know something is wrong."
"Afraid of the Metis," thought I, "and expecting her father. A fine father to leave his daughter[Pg 307] alone in the house with the half-breeds threatening a raid. She needs some one else to take care of her." This, on after thought, I know was unjust to her father; for pioneers obey necessity first and chivalry90 second.
"If he would only come!" she repeated in a half whisper.
"Hope he doesn't," thought I.
"For a week I've been dreaming such fearful things! I see him sinking in green water, stretching his hands to me and I can't reach out to save him. On Sunday he seemed to be running along a black, awful precipice91. I caught him in my arms to hold him back, but he dragged me over and I screamed myself awake. Sometimes, he is in a black cave and I can't find any door to let him out. Or he lies bound in some dungeon92, and when I stoop to cut the cords, he begins to sink down, down, down through the dark, where I can't follow. I leap after him and always waken with such a dizzy start. Oh! I know he has been in trouble. Something is wrong! His thoughts are reaching out to me and I am so gross and stupid I can't hear what his spirit says. If I could only get away from things, the clatter93 of everyday things that dull one's inner hearing, perhaps I might know! I feel as if he spoke94 in a foreign language, but the words he uses I can't make out. All to-day, he has seemed so near! Why does he not come home to me?"
"Mighty fond daughter," thought I, with a jealous pang95. She was fumbling96 among the intricate[Pg 308] draperies, where women conceal pockets, and presently brought out something in the palm of her hand.
"I wouldn't have him know how foolish I am," and she laid the thing gently against her cheek.
Now I had never given Frances Sutherland a gift of any sort whatever; and my heart was pierced with anguish97 that cannot be described. I was, indeed, falling over a precipice and her arms were not holding me back but dragging me over. Would that I, like the dreamer, could awaken98 with a start. In all conscience, I was dizzy enough; and every pressure of that hateful object to her face bound me faster in a dungeon of utter hopelessness. My sweet day-dreams and midnight rhapsodies trooped back to mock at me. I felt that I must bow broken under anguish or else steel myself and shout back cynical99 derision to the whole wan100 troop of torturing regrets. And all the time, she was caressing101 that thing in her hand and looking down at it with a fondness, which I—poor fool—thought that I alone could inspire. I suppose if I could have crept away unobserved, I would have gone from her presence hardened and embittered102; but I must play out the hateful part of eavesdropper103 to the end.
She opened the hand to feast her eyes on the treasure, and I craned forward, playing the sneak104 without a pang of shame, but the dusk foiled me.
Then the low, mellow105, vibrant106 tones, whose very music would have intoxicated107 duller fools than I—'tis ever a comfort to know there are greater[Pg 309] fools—broke in melody: "To my own dear love from her ever loyal and devoted108 knight," and she held her opened hand high. 'Twas my birch-bark message which Father Holland had carried north. I suddenly went insane with a great overcharge of joy, that paralyzed all motion.
Can any man blame me for breaking through the thicket and my resolution and discretion111 and all?
"Here—beloved!" I sprang from the bush.
She gave a cry of affright and would have fallen, but my arms were about her and my lips giving silent proof that I was no wraith112.
What next we said I do not remember. With her head on my shoulder and I doing the only thing a man could do to stem her tears, I completely lost track of the order of things. I do not believe either of us was calm enough for words for some time after the meeting. It was she who regained113 mental poise114 first.
"Rufus!" she exclaimed, breaking away from me, "You're not a sensible man at all."
"Never said I was," I returned.
"If you do that," she answered, ignoring my remark and receding115 farther, "I'll never stop crying."
"Then cry on forever!"
The rest of our talk that evening I do not[Pg 310] intend to set down. In the first place, it was best understood by only two. In the second, it could not be transcribed119; and in the third, it was all a deal too sacred.
"I feel as if there were some storm in the air," said Frances Sutherland. "The half-breeds are excited. They are riding past the settlement in scores every day. O, Rufus, I know something is wrong."
"So do I," was my rejoinder. I was thinking of the strange gossip of the Assiniboine encampment.
"Do you think the Bois-Brulés would plunder49 your boats?" she asked innocently, ignorant that the malcontents were Nor'-Westers.
"No," said I. "What boats?"
"Why, Nor'-West boats, of course, coming up Red River from Fort William to go up the Assiniboine for the winter's supplies. They're coming in a few days. My father told me so."
"Is Mr. Sutherland an H. B. C. or Nor'-Wester?" I asked in the slang of the company talk.
"I don't know," she answered. "I don't think he knows himself. He says there are numbers of men like that, and they all know there is to be a raid. Why, Rufus, there are men down the river every day watching for the Nor'-Westers' Fort William express." "Where do the men come from?" I questioned,[Pg 311] vainly trying to patch some connection between plots for a raid on North-West boats and plots for a fight by Nor'-West followers122.
"From Fort Douglas, of course."
"H. B. C.'s, my dear. You must go to Fort Douglas at once. There will be a fight. You must go to-morrow with your father, or with me to-night," I urged, thinking I should take myself off and notify my company of the intended pillaging123.
"With you?" she laughed. "Father will be home in an hour. Are you sure about a fight!"
"Quite," said I, trembling for her safety. This certainty of mine has been quoted to prove premeditation on the Nor'-Westers' part; but I meant nothing of the sort. I only felt there was unrest on both sides, and that she must be out of harm's way.
Truly, I have seldom had a harder duty to perform than to leave Frances alone in that dark house to go and inform my company of the plot.
Many times I said good-by before going to the canoe and times unnumbered ran back from the river to repeat some warning and necessitate124 another farewell.
"Rufus, dear," she said, "this is about the twentieth time. You mustn't come back again."
"Then good-by for the twenty-first," said I, and came away feeling like a young priest anointed for some holy purpose.
I declare now, as I declared before the courts[Pg 312] of the land, that in hastening to the Portage with news of the Hudson's Bay's intention to intercept125 the Nor'-Westers' express from Fort William, I had no other thought but the faithful serving of my company. I knew what suffering the destruction of Souris had entailed126 in Athabasca, and was determined127 our brave fellows should not starve in the coming winter through my negligence128.
Could I foresee that simple act of mine was to let loose all the punishment the Hudson's Bay had been heaping up against the day of judgment129?
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1
paradox
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| n.似乎矛盾却正确的说法；自相矛盾的人(物) | |
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lulls
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| n.间歇期（lull的复数形式）vt.使镇静，使安静（lull的第三人称单数形式） | |
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3
solitudes
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| n.独居( solitude的名词复数 )；孤独；荒僻的地方；人迹罕至的地方 | |
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4
rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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vaulted
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| adj.拱状的 | |
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6
boundless
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| adj.无限的；无边无际的；巨大的 | |
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7
grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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8
northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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9
chirp
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| v.(尤指鸟)唧唧喳喳的叫 | |
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10
skulking
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| v.潜伏，偷偷摸摸地走动，鬼鬼祟祟地活动( skulk的现在分词 ) | |
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11
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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12
mounds
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| 土堆，土丘( mound的名词复数 )； 一大堆 | |
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13
hawks
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| 鹰( hawk的名词复数 )； 鹰派人物，主战派人物 | |
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solitarily
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| adv.独自一人地，寂寞地 | |
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15
owls
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| n.猫头鹰( owl的名词复数 ) | |
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16
upbraid
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| v.斥责，责骂，责备 | |
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17
jumble
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| vt.使混乱，混杂；n.混乱；杂乱的一堆 | |
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lustrous
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| adj.有光泽的；光辉的 | |
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diaphanous
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| adj.(布)精致的，半透明的 | |
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20
beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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outrage
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| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
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22
steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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23
scampered
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| v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑，惊惶奔跑( scamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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24
smallpox
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| n.天花 | |
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ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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prophesy
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| v.预言；预示 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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reined
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| 勒缰绳使（马）停步( rein的过去式和过去分词 )； 驾驭； 严格控制； 加强管理 | |
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29
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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30
erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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exasperated
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| adj.恼怒的 | |
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32
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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34
alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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35
propped
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| 支撑，支持，维持( prop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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laconically
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| adv.简短地，简洁地 | |
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vacancy
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| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
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38
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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39
charred
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| v.把…烧成炭( char的过去式)；烧焦 | |
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40
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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41
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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42
wary
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| adj.谨慎的，机警的，小心的 | |
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43
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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44
nomad
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| n.游牧部落的人，流浪者，游牧民 | |
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45
usurps
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| 篡夺，霸占( usurp的第三人称单数 )； 盗用； 篡夺，篡权 | |
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46
yoke
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| n.轭；支配；v.给...上轭，连接，使成配偶 | |
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47
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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48
civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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49
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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50
plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
pillage
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| v.抢劫；掠夺；n.抢劫，掠夺；掠夺物 | |
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52
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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53
irresistible
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| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
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54
delirious
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| adj.不省人事的，神智昏迷的 | |
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55
rumors
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| n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
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56
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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57
willows
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| n.柳树( willow的名词复数 )；柳木 | |
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58
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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59
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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60
cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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61
whitewashed
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| 粉饰，美化，掩饰( whitewash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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62
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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63
mooring
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| n.停泊处；系泊用具，系船具；下锚v.停泊，系泊（船只）(moor的现在分词) | |
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64
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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65
thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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66
apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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67
lodge
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| v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆 | |
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68
portent
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| n.预兆；恶兆；怪事 | |
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69
hovering
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| 鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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70
stifled
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| （使）窒息， （使）窒闷( stifle的过去式和过去分词 )； 镇压，遏制； 堵 | |
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71
languorously
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| adv.疲倦地，郁闷地 | |
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72
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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73
vows
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| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
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74
ripple
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| n.涟波，涟漪，波纹，粗钢梳；vt.使...起涟漪，使起波纹； vi.呈波浪状，起伏前进 | |
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75
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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76
tinkling
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| n.丁当作响声 | |
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77
pebbles
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| [复数]鹅卵石； 沙砾； 卵石，小圆石( pebble的名词复数 ) | |
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78
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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79
vented
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| 表达，发泄（感情，尤指愤怒）( vent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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80
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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81
twig
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| n.小树枝，嫩枝；v.理解 | |
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82
proprieties
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| n.礼仪，礼节；礼貌( propriety的名词复数 )；规矩；正当；合适 | |
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83
crunched
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| v.嘎吱嘎吱地咬嚼( crunch的过去式和过去分词 )；嘎吱作响；（快速大量地）处理信息；数字捣弄 | |
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84
vim
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| n.精力，活力 | |
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85
obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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86
interpretation
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| n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理 | |
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87
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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88
trepidation
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| n.惊恐，惶恐 | |
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89
twitched
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| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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90
chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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91
precipice
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| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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92
dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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93
clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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94
spoke
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| 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 | |
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95
pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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96
fumbling
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| n. 摸索,漏接 v. 摸索,摸弄,笨拙的处理 | |
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97
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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98
awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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99
cynical
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| adj.(对人性或动机)怀疑的，不信世道向善的 | |
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100
wan
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| (wide area network)广域网 | |
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101
caressing
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| 爱抚的，表现爱情的，亲切的 | |
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102
embittered
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| v.使怨恨，激怒( embitter的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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103
eavesdropper
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| 偷听者 | |
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104
sneak
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| vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行 | |
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105
mellow
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| adj.柔和的；熟透的；v.变柔和；(使)成熟 | |
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106
vibrant
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| adj.震颤的，响亮的，充满活力的，精力充沛的，(色彩)鲜明的 | |
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107
intoxicated
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| 喝醉的，极其兴奋的 | |
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108
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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109
throbbed
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| 抽痛( throb的过去式和过去分词 )； （心脏、脉搏等）跳动 | |
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110
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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111
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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112
wraith
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| n.幽灵；骨瘦如柴的人 | |
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113
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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114
poise
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| vt./vi. 平衡，保持平衡；n.泰然自若，自信 | |
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115
receding
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| v.逐渐远离( recede的现在分词 )；向后倾斜；自原处后退或避开别人的注视；尤指问题 | |
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116
ingratitude
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| n.忘恩负义 | |
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117
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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118
irrelevant
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| adj.不恰当的，无关系的，不相干的 | |
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119
transcribed
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| （用不同的录音手段）转录( transcribe的过去式和过去分词 )； 改编（乐曲）（以适应他种乐器或声部）； 抄写； 用音标标出（声音） | |
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120
impersonal
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| adj.无个人感情的，与个人无关的，非人称的 | |
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121
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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122
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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123
pillaging
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| v.抢劫，掠夺( pillage的现在分词 ) | |
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124
necessitate
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| v.使成为必要，需要 | |
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125
intercept
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| vt.拦截，截住，截击 | |
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126
entailed
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| 使…成为必要( entail的过去式和过去分词 )； 需要； 限定继承； 使必需 | |
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127
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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128
negligence
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| n.疏忽，玩忽，粗心大意 | |
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129
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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