Deadwood, at the time of Luke's arrival, looked more like a mining camp than a town. The first settlers had neither the time nor the money to build elaborate
dwellings1. Anything, however rough, that would provide a shelter, was deemed sufficient. Luxury was not dreamed of, and even ordinary comforts were only
partially2 supplied. Luke put up at a rude hotel, and the next morning began to make
inquiries3 for Mr. Harding. He
ascertained4 that the person of whom he was in search had arrived not many weeks previous, accompanied by his sister. The latter, however, soon concluded that Deadwood was no suitable residence for ladies, and had returned to her former home, or some place near by. Mr. Harding remained, with a view of trying his luck at the mines.
The next point to be ascertained was to what mines he had directed his steps. This information was hard to obtain. Finally, a man who had just returned to Deadwood, hearing Luke making inquiries of the hotel clerk, said:
"I say, young chap, is the man you are after an old party over fifty, with gray hair and a long nose?"
"I think that is the right description," said Luke, eagerly. "Can you tell me anything about him?"
"The party I mean, he may be Harding, or may be somebody else, is lying sick at Fenton's
Gulch5, about a day's journey from here—say twenty miles."
"Sick? What is the matter with him?"
"He took a bad cold, and being an old man, couldn't stand it as well as if he were twenty years younger. I left him in an old cabin lying on a blanket, looking about as
miserable6 as you would want to see. Are you a friend of his?"
"I am not acquainted with him," answered Luke, "but I am sent out by a friend of his in the East. I am quite anxious to find him. Can you give me directions?"
"I can do better. I can guide you there. I only came to Deadwood for some supplies, and I go back to-morrow morning."
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收听单词发音
1
dwellings
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n.住处,处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) |
参考例句: |
- The development will consist of 66 dwellings and a number of offices. 新建楼区将由66栋住房和一些办公用房组成。
- The hovels which passed for dwellings are being pulled down. 过去用作住室的陋屋正在被拆除。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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2
partially
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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。
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3
inquiries
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n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 );疑问;探究;打听 |
参考例句: |
- He was released on bail pending further inquiries. 他获得保释,等候进一步调查。
- I have failed to reach them by postal inquiries. 我未能通过邮政查询与他们取得联系。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
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4
ascertained
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v.弄清,确定,查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) |
参考例句: |
- The previously unidentified objects have now been definitely ascertained as being satellites. 原来所说的不明飞行物现在已证实是卫星。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- I ascertained that she was dead. 我断定她已经死了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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5
gulch
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n.深谷,峡谷 |
参考例句: |
- The trail ducks into a narrow gulch.这条羊肠小道突然下到一个狭窄的峡谷里。
- This is a picture of California Gulch.这是加利福尼亚峡谷的图片。
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6
miserable
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adj.悲惨的,痛苦的;可怜的,糟糕的 |
参考例句: |
- It was miserable of you to make fun of him.你取笑他,这是可耻的。
- Her past life was miserable.她过去的生活很苦。
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7
jack
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n.插座,千斤顶,男人;v.抬起,提醒,扛举;n.(Jake)杰克 |
参考例句: |
- I am looking for the headphone jack.我正在找寻头戴式耳机插孔。
- He lifted the car with a jack to change the flat tyre.他用千斤顶把车顶起来换下瘪轮胎。
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8
sociable
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adj.好交际的,友好的,合群的 |
参考例句: |
- Roger is a very sociable person.罗杰是个非常好交际的人。
- Some children have more sociable personalities than others.有些孩子比其他孩子更善于交际。
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9
emaciated
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adj.衰弱的,消瘦的 |
参考例句: |
- A long time illness made him sallow and emaciated.长期患病使他面黄肌瘦。
- In the light of a single candle,she can see his emaciated face.借着烛光,她能看到他的被憔悴的面孔。
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10
confidential
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adj.秘(机)密的,表示信任的,担任机密工作的 |
参考例句: |
- He refused to allow his secretary to handle confidential letters.他不让秘书处理机密文件。
- We have a confidential exchange of views.我们推心置腹地交换意见。
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11
queried
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v.质疑,对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 );询问 |
参考例句: |
- She queried what he said. 她对他说的话表示怀疑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- \"What does he have to do?\" queried Chin dubiously. “他有什么心事?”琴向觉民问道,她的脸上现出疑惑不解的神情。 来自汉英文学 - 家(1-26) - 家(1-26)
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12
exultation
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n.狂喜,得意 |
参考例句: |
- It made him catch his breath, it lit his face with exultation. 听了这个名字,他屏住呼吸,乐得脸上放光。
- He could get up no exultation that was really worthy the name. 他一点都激动不起来。
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13
justified
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a.正当的,有理的 |
参考例句: |
- She felt fully justified in asking for her money back. 她认为有充分的理由要求退款。
- The prisoner has certainly justified his claims by his actions. 那个囚犯确实已用自己的行动表明他的要求是正当的。
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14
reposed
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v.将(手臂等)靠在某人(某物)上( repose的过去式和过去分词 ) |
参考例句: |
- Mr. Cruncher reposed under a patchwork counterpane, like a Harlequin at home. 克朗彻先生盖了一床白衲衣图案的花哨被子,像是呆在家里的丑角。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记
- An old man reposed on a bench in the park. 一位老人躺在公园的长凳上。 来自辞典例句
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15
outlay
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n.费用,经费,支出;v.花费 |
参考例句: |
- There was very little outlay on new machinery.添置新机器的开支微乎其微。
- The outlay seems to bear no relation to the object aimed at.这费用似乎和预期目的完全不相称。
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16
fatigue
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n.疲劳,劳累 |
参考例句: |
- The old lady can't bear the fatigue of a long journey.这位老妇人不能忍受长途旅行的疲劳。
- I have got over my weakness and fatigue.我已从虚弱和疲劳中恢复过来了。
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17
postal
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adj.邮政的,邮局的 |
参考例句: |
- A postal network now covers the whole country.邮路遍及全国。
- Remember to use postal code.勿忘使用邮政编码。
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18
triumphantly
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ad.得意洋洋地;得胜地;成功地 |
参考例句: |
- The lion was roaring triumphantly. 狮子正在发出胜利的吼叫。
- Robert was looking at me triumphantly. 罗伯特正得意扬扬地看着我。
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