Chapter 13
How had it happened? who had killed the convicts? Was it Ayrton? No, for a moment before he was dreading1 their return.
But Ayrton was now in a profound stupor2, from which it was no longer possible to rouse him. After uttering those few words he had again become unconscious, and had fallen back motionless on the bed.
The colonists3, a prey4 to a thousand confused thoughts, under the influence of violent excitement, waited all night, without leaving Ayrton’s house, or returning to the spot where lay the bodies of the convicts. It was very probable that Ayrton would not be able to throw any light on the circumstances under which the bodies had been found, since he himself was not aware that he was in the corral. But at any rate he would be in a position to give an account of what had taken place before this terrible execution. The next day Ayrton awoke from his torpor5, and his companions cordially manifested all the joy they felt, on seeing him again, almost safe and sound, after a hundred and four days separation.
Ayrton then in a few words recounted what had happened, or, at least, as much as he knew.
The day after his arrival at the corral, on the 10th of last November, at nightfall, he was surprised by the convicts, who had scaled the palisade. They bound and gagged him; then he was led to a dark cavern6, at the foot of Mount Franklin, where the convicts had taken refuge.
His death had been decided7 upon, and the next day the convicts were about to kill him, when one of them recognized him and called him by the name which he bore in Australia. The wretches8 had no scruples9 as to murdering Ayrton! They spared Ben Joyce!
But from that moment Ayrton was exposed to the importunities of his former accomplices10. They wished him to join them again, and relied upon his aid to enable them to gain possession of Granite11 House, to penetrate12 into that hitherto inaccessible13 dwelling14, and to become masters of the island, after murdering the colonists!
Ayrton remained firm. The once convict, now repentant15 and pardoned, would rather die than betray his companions. Ayrton—bound, gagged, and closely watched—lived in this cave for four months.
Nevertheless the convicts had discovered the corral a short time after their arrival in the island, and since then they had subsisted16 on Ayrton’s stores, but did not live at the corral.
On the 11th of November, two of the villains17, surprised by the colonists’ arrival, fired at Herbert, and one of them returned, boasting of having killed one of the inhabitants of the island; but he returned alone. His companion, as is known, fell by Cyrus Harding’s dagger18.
Ayrton’s anxiety and despair may be imagined when he learned the news of Herbert’s death. The settlers were now only four, and, as it seemed, at the mercy of the convicts. After this event, and during all the time that the colonists, detained by Herbert’s illness, remained in the corral, the pirates did not leave their cavern, and even after they had pillaged19 the plateau of Prospect20 Heights, they did not think it prudent21 to abandon it.
The ill-treatment inflicted22 on Ayrton was now redoubled. His hands and feet still bore the bloody23 marks of the cords which bound him day and night. Every moment he expected to be put to death, nor did it appear possible that he could escape.
Matters remained thus until the third week of February. The convicts, still watching for a favorable opportunity, rarely quitted their retreat, and only made a few hunting excursions, either to the interior of the island, or the south coast.
Ayrton had no further news of his friends, and relinquished24 all hope of ever seeing them again. At last, the unfortunate man, weakened by ill-treatment, fell into a prostration25 so profound that sight and hearing failed him. From that moment, that is to say, since the last two days, he could give no information whatever of what had occurred.
“But, Captain Harding,” he added, “since I was imprisoned26 in that cavern, how is it that I find myself in the corral?”
“How is it that the convicts are lying yonder dead, in the middle of the enclosure?” answered the engineer.
“Dead!” cried Ayrton, half rising from his bed, notwithstanding his weakness.
His companions supported him. He wished to get up, and with their assistance he did so. They then proceeded together towards the little stream.
It was now broad daylight.
There, on the bank, in the position in which they had been stricken by death in its most instantaneous form, lay the corpses27 of the five convicts!
Ayrton was astounded28. Harding and his companions looked at him without uttering a word. On a sign from the engineer, Neb and Pencroft examined the bodies, already stiffened29 by the cold.
They bore no apparent trace of any wound.
Only, after carefully examining them, Pencroft found on the forehead of one, on the chest of another, on the back of this one, on the shoulder of that, a little red spot, a sort of scarcely visible bruise30, the cause of which it was impossible to conjecture31.
“It is there that they have been struck!” said Cyrus Harding.
“But with what weapon?” cried the reporter.
“A weapon, lightning-like in its effects, and of which we have not the secret!”
“And who has struck the blow?” asked Pencroft.
“The avenging32 power of the island,” replied Harding, “he who brought you here, Ayrton, whose influence has once more manifested itself, who does for us all that which we cannot do for ourselves, and who, his will accomplished33, conceals34 himself from us.”
“Let us make search for him, then!” exclaimed Pencroft.
“Yes, we will search for him,” answered Harding, “but we shall not discover this powerful being who performs such wonders, until he pleases to call us to him!”
This invisible protection, which rendered their own action unavailing, both irritated and piqued36 the engineer. The relative inferiority which it proved was of a nature to wound a haughty37 spirit. A generosity38 evinced in such a manner as to elude39 all tokens of gratitude40, implied a sort of disdain41 for those on whom the obligation was conferred, which in Cyrus Harding’s eyes marred42, in some degree, the worth of the benefit.
“Let us search,” he resumed, “and God grant that we may some day be permitted to prove to this haughty protector that he has not to deal with ungrateful people! What would I not give could we repay him, by rendering43 him in our turn, although at the price of our lives, some signal service!”
From this day, the thoughts of the inhabitants of Lincoln Island were solely44 occupied with the intended search. Everything incited45 them to discover the answer to this enigma46, an answer which would only be the name of a man endowed with a truly inexplicable47, and in some degree superhuman power.
In a few minutes, the settlers re-entered the house, where their influence soon restored to Ayrton his moral and physical energy. Neb and Pencroft carried the corpses of the convicts into the forest, some distance from the corral, and buried them deep in the ground.
Ayrton was then made acquainted with the facts which had occurred during his seclusion48. He learned Herbert’s adventures, and through what various trials the colonists had passed. As to the settlers, they had despaired of ever seeing Ayrton again, and had been convinced that the convicts had ruthlessly murdered him.
“And now,” said Cyrus Harding, as he ended his recital49, “a duty remains50 for us to perform. Half of our task is accomplished, but although the convicts are no longer to be feared, it is not owing to ourselves that we are once more masters of the island.”
“Well!” answered Gideon Spilett, “let us search all this labyrinth51 of the spurs of Mount Franklin. We will not leave a hollow, not a hole unexplored! Ah! if ever a reporter found himself face to face with a mystery, it is I who now speak to you, my friends!”
“And we will not return to Granite House until we have found our benefactor,” said Herbert.
“Yes,” said the engineer, “we will do all that it is humanly possible to do, but I repeat we shall not find him until he himself permits us.”
“Shall we stay at the corral?” asked Pencroft.
“We shall stay here,” answered Harding. “Provisions are abundant, and we are here in the very center of the circle we have to explore. Besides, if necessary, the cart will take us rapidly to Granite House.”
“Good!” answered the sailor. “Only I have a remark to make.”
“What is it?”
“Here is the fine season getting on, and we must not forget that we have a voyage to make.”
“A voyage?” said Gideon Spilett.
“Yes, to Tabor Island,” answered Pencroft. “It is necessary to carry a notice there to point out the position of our island and say that Ayrton is here in case the Scotch52 yacht should come to take him off. Who knows if it is not already too late?”
“But, Pencroft,” asked Ayrton, “how do you intend to make this voyage?”
“In the ‘Bonadventure.’”
“The ‘Bonadventure!’” exclaimed Ayrton. “She no longer exists.”
“My ‘Bonadventure’ exists no longer!” shouted Pencroft, bounding from his seat.
“No,” answered Ayrton. “The convicts discovered her in her little harbor only eight days ago, they put to sea in her—”
“And?” said Pencroft, his heart beating.
“And not having Bob Harvey to steer53 her, they ran on the rocks, and the vessel54 went to pieces.”
“Oh, the villains, the cutthroats, the infamous55 scoundrels!” exclaimed Pencroft.
“Pencroft,” said Herbert, taking the sailor’s hand, “we will build another ‘Bonadventure’—a larger one. We have all the ironwork—all the rigging of the brig at our disposal.”
“But do you know,” returned Pencroft, “that it will take at least five or six months to build a vessel of from thirty to forty tons?”
“We can take our time,” said the reporter, “and we must give up the voyage to Tabor Island for this year.”
“Oh, my ‘Bonadventure!’ my poor ‘Bonadventure!’” cried Pencroft, almost broken-hearted at the destruction of the vessel of which he was so proud.
The loss of the “Bonadventure” was certainly a thing to be lamented56 by the colonists, and it was agreed that this loss should be repaired as soon as possible. This settled, they now occupied themselves with bringing their researches to bear on the most secret parts of the island.
The exploration was commenced at daybreak on the 19th of February, and lasted an entire week. The base of the mountain, with its spurs and their numberless ramifications57, formed a labyrinth of valleys and elevations58. It was evident that there, in the depths of these narrow gorges59, perhaps even in the interior of Mount Franklin itself, was the proper place to pursue their researches. No part of the island could have been more suitable to conceal35 a dwelling whose occupant wished to remain unknown. But so irregular was the formation of the valleys that Cyrus Harding was obliged to conduct the exploration in a strictly61 methodical manner.
The colonists first visited the valley opening to the south of the volcano, and which first received the waters of Falls River. There Ayrton showed them the cavern where the convicts had taken refuge, and in which he had been imprisoned until his removal to the corral. This cavern was just as Ayrton had left it. They found there a considerable quantity of ammunition62 and provisions, conveyed thither63 by the convicts in order to form a reserve.
The whole of the valley bordering on the cave, shaded by fir and other trees, was thoroughly64 explored, and on turning the point of the southwestern spur, the colonists entered a narrower gorge60 similar to the picturesque65 columns of basalt on the coast. Here the trees were fewer. Stones took the place of grass. Goats and musmons gambolled66 among the rocks. Here began the barren part of the island. It could already be seen that, of the numerous valleys branching off at the base of Mount Franklin, three only were wooded and rich in pasturage like that of the corral, which bordered on the west on the Falls River valley, and on the east on the Red Creek67 valley. These two streams, which lower down became rivers by the absorption of several tributaries68, were formed by all the springs of the mountain and thus caused the fertility of its southern part. As to the Mercy, it was more directly fed from ample springs concealed69 under the cover of Jacamar Wood, and it was by springs of this nature, spreading in a thousand streamlets, that the soil of the Serpentine70 Peninsula was watered.
Now, of these three well-watered valleys, either might have served as a retreat to some solitary71 who would have found there everything necessary for life. But the settlers had already explored them, and in no part had they discovered the presence of man.
Was it then in the depths of those barren gorges, in the midst of the piles of rock, in the rugged72 northern ravines, among the streams of lava73, that this dwelling and its occupant would be found?
The northern part of Mount Franklin was at its base composed solely of two valleys, wide, not very deep, without any appearance of vegetation, strewn with masses of rock, paved with lava, and varied74 with great blocks of mineral. This region required a long and careful exploration. It contained a thousand cavities, comfortless no doubt, but perfectly75 concealed and difficult of access.
The colonists even visited dark tunnels, dating from the volcanic76 period, still black from the passage of the fire, and penetrated77 into the depths of the mountain. They traversed these somber78 galleries, waving lighted torches; they examined the smallest excavations79; they sounded the shallowest depths, but all was dark and silent. It did not appear that the foot of man had ever before trodden these ancient passages, or that his arm had ever displaced one of these blocks, which remained as the volcano had cast them up above the waters, at the time of the submersion of the island.
However, although these passages appeared to be absolutely deserted80, and the obscurity was complete, Cyrus Harding was obliged to confess that absolute silence did not reign81 there.
On arriving at the end of one of these gloomy caverns82, extending several hundred feet into the interior of the mountain, he was surprised to hear a deep rumbling83 noise, increased in intensity84 by the sonorousness85 of the rocks.
Gideon Spilett, who accompanied him, also heard these distant mutterings, which indicated a revivification of the subterranean86 fires. Several times both listened, and they agreed that some chemical process was taking place in the bowels87 of the earth.
“Then the volcano is not totally extinct?” said the reporter.
“It is possible that since our exploration of the crater88,” replied Cyrus Harding, “some change has occurred. Any volcano, although considered extinct, may evidently again burst forth89.”
“But if an eruption90 of Mount Franklin occurred,” asked Spilett, “would there not be some danger to Lincoln Island?”
“I do not think so,” answered the reporter. “The crater, that is to say, the safety-valve, exists, and the overflow91 of smoke and lava, would escape, as it did formerly92, by this customary outlet93.”
“Unless the lava opened a new way for itself towards the fertile parts of the island!”
“And why, my dear Spilett,” answered Cyrus Harding, “should it not follow the road naturally traced out for it?”
“Well, volcanoes are capricious,” returned the reporter.
“Notice,” answered the engineer, “that the inclination94 of Mount Franklin favors the flow of water towards the valleys which we are exploring just now. To turn aside this flow, an earthquake would be necessary to change the mountain’s center of gravity.”
“But an earthquake is always to be feared at these times,” observed Gideon Spilett.
“Always,” replied the engineer, “especially when the subterranean forces begin to awake, as they risk meeting with some obstruction95, after a long rest. Thus, my dear Spilett, an eruption would be a serious thing for us, and it would be better that the volcano should not have the slightest desire to wake up. But we could not prevent it, could we? At any rate, even if it should occur, I do not think Prospect Heights would be seriously threatened. Between them and the mountain, the ground is considerably96 depressed97, and if the lava should ever take a course towards the lake, it would be cast on the downs and the neighboring parts of Shark Gulf98.”
“We have not yet seen any smoke at the top of the mountain, to indicate an approaching eruption,” said Gideon Spilett.
“No,” answered Harding, “not a vapor99 escapes from the crater, for it was only yesterday that I attentively100 surveyed the summit. But it is probable that at the lower part of the chimney, time may have accumulated rocks, cinders101, hardened lava, and that this valve of which I spoke102, may at any time become overcharged. But at the first serious effort, every obstacle will disappear, and you may be certain, my dear Spilett, that neither the island, which is the boiler103, nor the volcano, which is the chimney, will burst under the pressure of gas. Nevertheless, I repeat, it would be better that there should not be an eruption.”
“And yet we are not mistaken,” remarked the reporter. “Mutterings can be distinctly heard in the very bowels of the volcano!”
“You are right,” said the engineer, again listening attentively. “There can be no doubt of it. A commotion104 is going on there, of which we can neither estimate the importance nor the ultimate result.”
Cyrus Harding and Spilett, on coming out, rejoined their companions, to whom they made known the state of affairs.
“Very well!” cried Pencroft, “The volcano wants to play his pranks105! Let him try, if he likes! He will find his master!”
“Who?” asked Neb.
“Our good genius, Neb, our good genius, who will shut his mouth for him, if he so much as pretends to open it!”
As may be seen, the sailor’s confidence in the tutelary106 deity107 of his island was absolute, and, certainly, the occult power, manifested until now in so many inexplicable ways, appeared to be unlimited108; but also it knew how to escape the colonists’ most minute researches, for, in spite of all their efforts, in spite of the more than zeal,—the obstinacy,—with which they carried on their exploration, the retreat of the mysterious being could not be discovered.
From the 19th to the 20th of February the circle of investigation109 was extended to all the northern region of Lincoln Island, whose most secret nooks were explored. The colonists even went the length of tapping every rock. The search was extended to the extreme verge110 of the mountain. It was explored thus to the very summit of the truncated111 cone112 terminating the first row of rocks, then to the upper ridge113 of the enormous hat, at the bottom of which opened the crater.
They did more; they visited the gulf, now extinct, but in whose depths the rumbling could be distinctly heard. However, no sign of smoke or vapor, no heating of the rock, indicated an approaching eruption. But neither there, nor in any other part of Mount Franklin, did the colonists find any traces of him of whom they were in search.
Their investigations114 were then directed to the downs. They carefully examined the high lava-cliffs of Shark Gulf from the base to the crest115, although it was extremely difficult to reach even the level of the gulf. No one!—nothing!
Indeed, in these three words was summed up so much fatigue116 uselessly expended117, so much energy producing no results, that somewhat of anger mingled118 with the discomfiture119 of Cyrus Harding and his companions.
It was now time to think of returning, for these researches could not be prolonged indefinitely. The colonists were certainly right in believing that the mysterious being did not reside on the surface of the island, and the wildest fancies haunted their excited imaginations. Pencroft and Neb, particularly, were not contented120 with the mystery, but allowed their imaginations to wander into the domain121 of the supernatural.
On the 25th of February the colonists re-entered Granite House, and by means of the double cord, carried by an arrow to the threshold of the door, they re-established communication between their habitation and the ground.
A month later they commemorated122, on the 25th of March, the third anniversary of their arrival on Lincoln Island.
单词标签:
dreading
stupor
colonists
prey
torpor
cavern
decided
wretches
scruples
accomplices
granite
penetrate
inaccessible
dwelling
repentant
subsisted
villains
dagger
pillaged
prospect
prudent
inflicted
bloody
relinquished
prostration
imprisoned
corpses
astounded
stiffened
bruise
conjecture
avenging
accomplished
conceals
conceal
piqued
haughty
generosity
elude
gratitude
disdain
marred
rendering
solely
incited
enigma
inexplicable
seclusion
recital
remains
labyrinth
scotch
steer
vessel
infamous
lamented
ramifications
elevations
gorges
gorge
strictly
ammunition
thither
thoroughly
picturesque
gambolled
creek
tributaries
concealed
serpentine
solitary
rugged
lava
varied
perfectly
volcanic
penetrated
somber
excavations
deserted
reign
caverns
rumbling
intensity
sonorousness
subterranean
bowels
crater
forth
eruption
overflow
formerly
outlet
inclination
obstruction
considerably
depressed
gulf
vapor
attentively
cinders
spoke
boiler
commotion
pranks
tutelary
deity
unlimited
investigation
verge
truncated
cone
ridge
investigations
crest
fatigue
expended
mingled
discomfiture
contented
domain
commemorated
收听单词发音 |
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dreading [dredɪŋ]
第7级 |
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| v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的现在分词 ) | |
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stupor [ˈstju:pə(r)]
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| n.昏迷；不省人事 | |
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colonists [ˈkɔlənɪsts]
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| n.殖民地开拓者，移民，殖民地居民( colonist的名词复数 ) | |
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prey [preɪ]
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；vi.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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torpor [ˈtɔ:pə(r)]
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| n.迟钝；麻木；（动物的）冬眠 | |
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cavern [ˈkævən]
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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decided [dɪˈsaɪdɪd]
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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wretches [retʃiz]
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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scruples [ˈskru:pəlz]
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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accomplices [əˈkɔmplisiz]
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| 从犯，帮凶，同谋( accomplice的名词复数 ) | |
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granite [ˈgrænɪt]
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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penetrate [ˈpenɪtreɪt]
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| vt.&vi.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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inaccessible [ˌɪnækˈsesəbl]
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| adj.达不到的，难接近的 | |
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dwelling [ˈdwelɪŋ]
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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repentant [rɪˈpentənt]
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| adj.对…感到悔恨的 | |
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subsisted [səbˈsɪstid]
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| v.（靠很少的钱或食物）维持生活，生存下去( subsist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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villains [ˈvilənz]
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| n.恶棍( villain的名词复数 )；罪犯；（小说、戏剧等中的）反面人物；淘气鬼 | |
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dagger [ˈdægə(r)]
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| n.匕首，短剑，剑号 | |
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pillaged [ˈpɪlɪdʒd]
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| v.抢劫，掠夺( pillage的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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prospect [ˈprɒspekt]
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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prudent [ˈpru:dnt]
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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inflicted [inˈfliktid]
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| 把…强加给，使承受，遭受( inflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bloody [ˈblʌdi]
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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relinquished [rɪˈlɪŋkwɪʃt]
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| 交出，让给( relinquish的过去式和过去分词 )； 放弃 | |
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prostration [prɒˈstreɪʃn]
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| n. 平伏, 跪倒, 疲劳 | |
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imprisoned [ɪmˈprɪzənd]
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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corpses [kɔ:psiz]
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| n.死尸，尸体( corpse的名词复数 ) | |
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astounded [əˈstaʊndɪd]
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| v.使震惊(astound的过去式和过去分词)；愕然；愕；惊讶 | |
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stiffened [ˈstɪfənd]
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| 加强的 | |
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bruise [bru:z]
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| n.青肿，挫伤；伤痕；vt.打青；挫伤 | |
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conjecture [kənˈdʒektʃə(r)]
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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avenging [ə'vendʒɪŋ]
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| adj.报仇的，复仇的v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的现在分词 )；为…报复 | |
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accomplished [əˈkʌmplɪʃt]
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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conceals [kənˈsi:lz]
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，遮住( conceal的第三人称单数 ) | |
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conceal [kənˈsi:l]
第7级 |
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| vt.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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36
piqued [pi:kt]
第10级 |
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| v.伤害…的自尊心( pique的过去式和过去分词 )；激起（好奇心） | |
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37
haughty [ˈhɔ:ti]
第9级 |
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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38
generosity [ˌdʒenəˈrɒsəti]
第8级 |
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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39
elude [iˈlu:d]
第10级 |
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| vt.躲避，困惑 | |
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40
gratitude [ˈgrætɪtju:d]
第7级 |
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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41
disdain [dɪsˈdeɪn]
第8级 |
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| n.鄙视，轻视；v.轻视，鄙视，不屑 | |
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42
marred ['mɑ:d]
第10级 |
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| adj. 被损毁, 污损的 | |
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43
rendering [ˈrendərɪŋ]
第12级 |
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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44
solely [ˈsəʊlli]
第8级 |
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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45
incited [inˈsaitid]
第9级 |
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| 刺激，激励，煽动( incite的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
enigma [ɪˈnɪgmə]
第10级 |
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| n.谜，谜一样的人或事 | |
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47
inexplicable [ˌɪnɪkˈsplɪkəbl]
第10级 |
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| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
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48
seclusion [sɪˈklu:ʒn]
第11级 |
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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49
recital [rɪˈsaɪtl]
第8级 |
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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50
remains [rɪˈmeɪnz]
第7级 |
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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51
labyrinth [ˈlæbərɪnθ]
第9级 |
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| n.迷宫；难解的事物；迷路 | |
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52
scotch [skɒtʃ]
第9级 |
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| n.伤口，刻痕；苏格兰威士忌酒；vi.粉碎，消灭，阻止；adj.苏格兰(人)的 | |
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53
steer [stɪə(r)]
第7级 |
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| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
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54
vessel [ˈvesl]
第7级 |
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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55
infamous [ˈɪnfəməs]
第8级 |
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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56
lamented [ləˈmentɪd]
第7级 |
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| adj.被哀悼的，令人遗憾的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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57
ramifications [ˌræməfɪˈkeɪʃənz]
第11级 |
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| n.结果，后果( ramification的名词复数 ) | |
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58
elevations [ˌeləˈveɪʃənz]
第7级 |
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| （水平或数量）提高( elevation的名词复数 )； 高地； 海拔； 提升 | |
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59
gorges [gɔ:dʒz]
第8级 |
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| n.山峡，峡谷( gorge的名词复数 )；咽喉v.（用食物把自己）塞饱，填饱( gorge的第三人称单数 )；作呕 | |
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60
gorge [gɔ:dʒ]
第8级 |
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| n.咽喉，胃，暴食，山峡；v.塞饱，狼吞虎咽地吃 | |
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61
strictly [ˈstrɪktli]
第7级 |
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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62
ammunition [ˌæmjuˈnɪʃn]
第8级 |
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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63
thither [ˈðɪðə(r)]
第12级 |
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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64
thoroughly [ˈθʌrəli]
第8级 |
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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65
picturesque [ˌpɪktʃəˈresk]
第8级 |
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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67
creek [kri:k]
第8级 |
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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68
tributaries [ˈtrɪbjəˌteri:z]
第9级 |
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| n. 支流 | |
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69
concealed [kən'si:ld]
第7级 |
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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70
serpentine [ˈsɜ:pəntaɪn]
第11级 |
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| adj.蜿蜒的，弯曲的 | |
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71
solitary [ˈsɒlətri]
第7级 |
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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72
rugged [ˈrʌgɪd]
第8级 |
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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73
lava [ˈlɑ:və]
第9级 |
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| n.熔岩，火山岩 | |
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74
varied [ˈveərid]
第8级 |
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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75
perfectly [ˈpɜ:fɪktli]
第8级 |
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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76
volcanic [vɒlˈkænɪk]
第9级 |
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| adj.火山的；象火山的；由火山引起的 | |
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77
penetrated ['penɪtreɪtɪd]
第7级 |
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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78
somber ['sɒmbə]
第10级 |
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| adj.昏暗的，阴天的，阴森的，忧郁的 | |
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79
excavations [ˌekskəˈveɪʃənz]
第10级 |
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| n.挖掘( excavation的名词复数 )；开凿；开凿的洞穴（或山路等）；（发掘出来的）古迹 | |
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80
deserted [dɪˈzɜ:tɪd]
第8级 |
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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81
reign [reɪn]
第7级 |
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；vi.占优势 | |
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82
caverns [ˈkævənz]
第9级 |
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| 大山洞，大洞穴( cavern的名词复数 ) | |
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83
rumbling [ˈrʌmblɪŋ]
第9级 |
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| n. 隆隆声, 辘辘声 adj. 隆隆响的 动词rumble的现在分词 | |
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84
intensity [ɪnˈtensəti]
第7级 |
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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85
sonorousness [sə'nɒrəsnɪs]
第11级 |
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| n.圆润低沉；感人；堂皇；响亮 | |
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86
subterranean [ˌsʌbtəˈreɪniən]
第11级 |
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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87
bowels ['baʊəlz]
第7级 |
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| n.肠，内脏，内部；肠( bowel的名词复数 )；内部，最深处 | |
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88
crater [ˈkreɪtə(r)]
第8级 |
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| n.火山口，弹坑 | |
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89
forth [fɔ:θ]
第7级 |
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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90
eruption [ɪ'rʌpʃn]
第8级 |
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| n.火山爆发；（战争等）爆发；（疾病等）发作 | |
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91
overflow [ˌəʊvəˈfləʊ]
第7级 |
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| vt.&vi.(使)外溢，(使)溢出；溢出，流出，漫出；n.充满，洋溢；泛滥；超值；溢值 | |
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92
formerly [ˈfɔ:məli]
第8级 |
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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93
outlet [ˈaʊtlet]
第7级 |
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| n.出口/路；销路；批发商店；通风口；发泄 | |
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94
inclination [ˌɪnklɪˈneɪʃn]
第7级 |
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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95
obstruction [əbˈstrʌkʃn]
第7级 |
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| n.阻塞，堵塞；障碍物 | |
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96
considerably [kənˈsɪdərəbli]
第9级 |
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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97
depressed [dɪˈprest]
第8级 |
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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98
gulf [gʌlf]
第7级 |
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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99
vapor ['veɪpə]
第7级 |
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| n.蒸汽，雾气 | |
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100
attentively [ə'tentɪvlɪ]
第7级 |
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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101
cinders ['sɪndəz]
第10级 |
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| n.煤渣( cinder的名词复数 )；炭渣；煤渣路；煤渣跑道 | |
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102
spoke [spəʊk]
第11级 |
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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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103
boiler [ˈbɔɪlə(r)]
第7级 |
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| n.锅炉；煮器(壶，锅等) | |
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104
commotion [kəˈməʊʃn]
第9级 |
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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105
pranks [præŋks]
第12级 |
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| n.玩笑，恶作剧( prank的名词复数 ) | |
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106
tutelary ['tju:tɪlərɪ]
第12级 |
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| adj.保护的；守护的 | |
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107
deity [ˈdeɪəti]
第10级 |
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| n.神，神性；被奉若神明的人(或物) | |
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108
unlimited [ʌnˈlɪmɪtɪd]
第8级 |
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| adj.无限的，不受控制的，无条件的 | |
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109
investigation [ɪnˌvestɪˈgeɪʃn]
第7级 |
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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110
verge [vɜ:dʒ]
第7级 |
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| n.边，边缘；vi.接近，濒临 | |
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111
truncated ['trʌŋkeɪtɪd]
第12级 |
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| adj.切去顶端的，缩短了的，被删节的v.截面的( truncate的过去式和过去分词 )；截头的；缩短了的；截去顶端或末端 | |
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112
cone [kəʊn]
第8级 |
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| n.圆锥体，圆锥形东西，球果 | |
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113
ridge [rɪdʒ]
第7级 |
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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114
investigations [ɪnvestɪ'ɡeɪʃnz]
第7级 |
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| （正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究 | |
参考例句： |
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115
crest [krest]
第9级 |
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| n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖 | |
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116
fatigue [fəˈti:g]
第7级 |
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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117
expended [iksˈpendid]
第7级 |
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| v.花费( expend的过去式和过去分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽 | |
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118
mingled [ˈmiŋɡld]
第7级 |
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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119
discomfiture [dɪs'kʌmfɪtʃə(r)]
第11级 |
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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120
contented [kənˈtentɪd]
第8级 |
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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121
domain [dəˈmeɪn]
第7级 |
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| n.(活动等)领域，范围；领地，势力范围 | |
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122
commemorated [kəˈmeməreitid]
第9级 |
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| v.纪念，庆祝( commemorate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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