Twenty miles further down the river, at a point called Rocky
Creek1, two men of
questionable2 appearance were walking slowly along the bank. One of them has been already introduced as visiting the boat, and displaying a great deal of curiosity about the
cargo3. The other, also, had the look of one who preferred to live in any other way than by honest industry.
"Suppose the boy doesn't touch here?" said one.
"Our plan would in that case be put out," said his companion; "but I don't think there is any doubt on that point. Last night he was at Sheldon, and this would naturally be the next stopping-place."
"He is drawing near the end of his cruise. It won't do to delay much longer."[Pg 252]
"You are right, there."
"I wasn't in favor of delaying so long. We have risked failure."
"Don't worry, Minton. I'm managing this affair. I've got just as much at stake as you."
"If all comes out right, I shall be satisfied; but I need the money I am to get for it from old Wolverton."
"That's a trifle. I am playing for a larger stake than that."
"What, then?"
"The
paltry4 fifty dollars divided between two would not have
tempted5 me. Do you know, Minton, how large and valuable a cargo there is on that old ferry-boat?"
"No; do you?"
"Not exactly; but I know this much, that there are at least a thousand bushels of wheat, which will easily fetch, in St. Louis, two thousand dollars."
"How will that benefit us?"
"You seem to be very dull, Minton. When we have once shut up young Burton in the place arranged, you and I will take his place,[Pg 253] drift down the river, and dispose of the cargo, if necessary, at a point below the market price, and retire with a cool thousand apiece."
"You've got a head, Brown!" said Minton, admiringly.
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收听单词发音
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1
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 |
参考例句： |
- He sprang through the creek.他跳过小河。
- People sunbathe in the nude on the rocks above the creek.人们在露出小溪的岩石上裸体晒日光浴。
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2
questionable
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| adj.可疑的，有问题的 |
参考例句： |
- There are still a few questionable points in the case.这个案件还有几个疑点。
- Your argument is based on a set of questionable assumptions.你的论证建立在一套有问题的假设上。
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3
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 |
参考例句： |
- The ship has a cargo of about 200 ton.这条船大约有200吨的货物。
- A lot of people discharged the cargo from a ship.许多人从船上卸下货物。
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4
paltry
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| adj.无价值的，微不足道的 |
参考例句： |
- The parents had little interest in paltry domestic concerns.那些家长对家里鸡毛蒜皮的小事没什么兴趣。
- I'm getting angry;and if you don't command that paltry spirit of yours.我要生气了，如果你不能振作你那点元气。
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5
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） |
参考例句： |
- I was sorely tempted to complain, but I didn't. 我极想发牢骚，但还是没开口。
- I was tempted by the dessert menu. 甜食菜单馋得我垂涎欲滴。
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6
complacently
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| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 |
参考例句： |
- He complacently lived out his life as a village school teacher. 他满足于一个乡村教师的生活。
- "That was just something for evening wear," returned his wife complacently. “那套衣服是晚装，"他妻子心安理得地说道。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
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7
expeditious
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| adj.迅速的，敏捷的 |
参考例句： |
- They are almost as expeditious and effectual as Aladdin's lamp.他们几乎像如意神灯那么迅速有效。
- It is more convenien,expeditious and economical than telephone or telegram.它比电话或电报更方便、迅速和经济。
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8
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 |
参考例句： |
- His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
- We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。
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9
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 |
参考例句： |
- He was lost in admiration of the beauty of the scene.他对风景之美赞不绝口。
- We have a great admiration for the gold medalists.我们对金牌获得者极为敬佩。
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10
rascal
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| n.流氓；不诚实的人 |
参考例句： |
- If he had done otherwise,I should have thought him a rascal.如果他不这样做，我就认为他是个恶棍。
- The rascal was frightened into holding his tongue.这坏蛋吓得不敢往下说了。
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11
ascertaining
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的现在分词 ) |
参考例句： |
- I was ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. 我当时是要弄清楚地下室是朝前还是朝后延伸的。 来自辞典例句
- The design and ascertaining of permanent-magnet-biased magnetic bearing parameter are detailed introduced. 并对永磁偏置磁悬浮轴承参数的设计和确定进行了详细介绍。 来自互联网
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12
joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 |
参考例句： |
- I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
- We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。
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13
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 |
参考例句： |
- The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
- We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。
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14
sanguine
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| adj.充满希望的，乐观的，血红色的 |
参考例句： |
- He has a sanguine attitude to life.他对于人生有乐观的看法。
- He is not very sanguine about our chances of success.他对我们成功的机会不太乐观。
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15
kinsman
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| n.男亲属 |
参考例句： |
- Tracing back our genealogies,I found he was a kinsman of mine.转弯抹角算起来他算是我的一个亲戚。
- A near friend is better than a far dwelling kinsman.近友胜过远亲。
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16
prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) |
参考例句： |
- There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects. 公司中有一种对工作前景悲观的情绪。
- They are less sanguine about the company's long-term prospects. 他们对公司的远景不那么乐观。
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17
touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 |
参考例句： |
- It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
- His letter was touching.他的信很感人。
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18
breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 |
参考例句： |
- We won't have any breach of discipline.我们不允许任何破坏纪律的现象。
- He was sued for breach of contract.他因不履行合同而被起诉。
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19
audacity
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| n.大胆，卤莽，无礼 |
参考例句： |
- He had the audacity to ask for an increase in salary.他竟然厚着脸皮要求增加薪水。
- He had the audacity to pick pockets in broad daylight.他竟敢在光天化日之下掏包。
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20
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 |
参考例句： |
- The form must be signed by the child's parents or guardian. 这张表格须由孩子的家长或监护人签字。
- The press is a guardian of the public weal. 报刊是公共福利的卫护者。
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21
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 |
参考例句： |
- He ate heartily and went out to look for his horse.他痛快地吃了一顿，就出去找他的马。
- The host seized my hand and shook it heartily.主人抓住我的手，热情地和我握手。
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22
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 |
参考例句： |
- He has made a good disposition of his property.他已对财产作了妥善处理。
- He has a cheerful disposition.他性情开朗。
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23
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 |
参考例句： |
- After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
- They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。
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24
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 |
参考例句： |
- This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
- There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
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25
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 |
参考例句： |
- The village is situated at the margin of a forest.村子位于森林的边缘。
- She is awkwardly situated.她的处境困难。
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26
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） |
参考例句： |
- Sam shrugged and said nothing. 萨姆耸耸肩膀，什么也没说。
- She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. 她耸耸肩，装出一副无所谓的样子。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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27
jauntily
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| adv.心满意足地；洋洋得意地；高兴地；活泼地 |
参考例句： |
- His straw hat stuck jauntily on the side of his head. 他那顶草帽时髦地斜扣在头上。 来自辞典例句
- He returned frowning, his face obstinate but whistling jauntily. 他回来时皱眉蹙额，板着脸，嘴上却快活地吹着口哨。 来自辞典例句
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28
offense
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| n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪 |
参考例句： |
- I hope you will not take any offense at my words. 对我讲的话请别见怪。
- His words gave great offense to everybody present.他的发言冲犯了在场的所有人。
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scrutinizing
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的现在分词 ) |
参考例句： |
- His grandfather's stern eyes were scrutinizing him, and Chueh-hui felt his face reddening. 祖父的严厉的眼光射在他的脸上。 来自汉英文学 - 家（1-26） - 家（1-26）
- The machine hushed, extraction and injection nozzles poised, scrutinizing its targets. 机器“嘘”地一声静了下来，输入输出管道各就各位，检查着它的目标。 来自互联网
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30
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 |
参考例句： |
- After a long hesitation, he told the truth at last.踌躇了半天，他终于直说了。
- There was a certain hesitation in her manner.她的态度有些犹豫不决。
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