Chapter 15
The colonists1, warned by the engineer, left their work and gazed in silence at the summit of Mount Franklin.
The volcano had awoke, and the vapor2 had penetrated3 the mineral layer heaped at the bottom of the crater5. But would the subterranean6 fires provoke any violent eruption7? This was an event which could not be foreseen. However, even while admitting the possibility of an eruption, it was not probable that the whole of Lincoln Island would suffer from it. The flow of volcanic8 matter is not always disastrous9, and the island had already undergone this trial, as was shown by the streams of lava10 hardened on the northern slopes of the mountain. Besides, from the shape of the crater—the opening broken in the upper edge—the matter would be thrown to the side opposite the fertile regions of the island.
However, the past did not necessarily answer for the future. Often, at the summit of volcanoes, the old craters11 close and new ones open. This had occurred in the two hemispheres—at Etna, Popocatepetl, at Orizabaand on the eve of an eruption there is everything to be feared. In fact, an earthquake—a phenomenon12 which often accompanies volcanic eruption—is enough to change the interior arrangement of a mountain, and to open new outlets13 for the burning lava.
Cyrus Harding explained these things to his companions, and, without exaggerating the state of things, he told them all the pros14 and cons15. After all, they could not prevent it. It did not appear likely that Granite16 House would be threatened unless the ground was shaken by an earthquake. But the corral would be in great danger should a new crater open in the southern side of Mount Franklin.
From that day the smoke never disappeared from the top of the mountain, and it could even be perceived that it increased in height and thickness, without any flame mingling17 in its heavy volumes. The phenomenon was still concentrated in the lower part of the central crater.
However, with the fine days work had been continued. The building of the vessel18 was hastened as much as possible, and, by means of the waterfall on the shore, Cyrus Harding managed to establish an hydraulic19 sawmill, which rapidly cut up the trunks of trees into planks20 and joists. The mechanism21 of this apparatus22 was as simple as those used in the rustic23 sawmills of Norway. A first horizontal movement to move the piece of wood, a second vertical24 movement to move the saw—this was all that was wanted; and the engineer succeeded by means of a wheel, two cylinders25, and pulleys properly arranged. Towards the end of the month of September the skeleton of the vessel, which was to be rigged as a schooner26, lay in the dockyard. The ribs27 were almost entirely28 completed, and, all the timbers having been sustained by a provisional band, the shape of the vessel could already be seen. The schooner, sharp in the bows, very slender in the after-part, would evidently be suitable for a long voyage, if wanted; but laying the planking would still take a considerable time. Very fortunately, the iron work of the pirate brig had been saved after the explosion. From the planks and injured ribs Pencroft and Ayrton had extracted the bolts and a large quantity of copper29 nails. It was so much work saved for the smiths, but the carpenters had much to do.
Shipbuilding was interrupted for a week for the harvest, the haymaking, and the gathering30 in of the different crops on the plateau. This work finished, every moment was devoted31 to finishing the schooner. When night came the workmen were really quite exhausted32. So as not to lose any time they had changed the hours for their meals; they dined at twelve o’clock, and only had their supper when daylight failed them. They then ascended33 to Granite House, when they were always ready to go to bed.
Sometimes, however, when the conversation bore on some interesting subject the hour for sleep was delayed for a time. The colonists then spoke35 of the future, and talked willingly of the changes which a voyage in the schooner to inhabited lands would make in their situation. But always, in the midst of these plans, prevailed the thought of a subsequent return to Lincoln Island. Never would they abandon this colony, founded with so much labor and with such success, and to which a communication with America would afford a fresh impetus36. Pencroft and Neb especially hoped to end their days there.
“Herbert,” said the sailor, “you will never abandon Lincoln Island?”
“Never, Pencroft, and especially if you make up your mind to stay there.”
“That was made up long ago, my boy,” answered Pencroft. “I shall expect you. You will bring me your wife and children, and I shall make jolly chaps of your youngsters!”
“That’s agreed,” replied Herbert, laughing and blushing at the same time.
“And you, Captain Harding,” resumed Pencroft enthusiastically, “you will be still the governor of the island! Ah, how many inhabitants could it support? Ten thousand at least!”
They talked in this way, allowing Pencroft to run on, and at last the reporter actually started a newspaper—the New Lincoln Herald38!
So is man’s heart. The desire to perform a work which will endure, which will survive him, is the origin of his superiority over all other living creatures here below. It is this which has established his dominion39, and this it is which justifies40 it, over all the world.
After that, who knows if Jup and Top had not themselves their little dream of the future.
Ayrton silently said to himself that he would like to see Lord Glenarvan again and show himself to all restored.
One evening, on the 15th of October, the conversation was prolonged later than usual. It was nine o’clock. Already, long badly concealed41 yawns gave warning of the hour of rest, and Pencroft was proceeding42 towards his bed, when the electric bell, placed in the dining-room, suddenly rang.
All were there, Cyrus Harding, Gideon Spilett, Herbert, Ayrton, Pencroft, Neb. Therefore none of the colonists were at the corral.
Cyrus Harding rose. His companions stared at each other, scarcely believing their ears.
“What does that mean?” cried Neb. “Was it the devil who rang it?”
No one answered.
“The weather is stormy,” observed Herbert. “Might not its influence of electricity—”
Herbert did not finish his phrase. The engineer, towards whom all eyes were turned, shook his head negatively.
“We must wait,” said Gideon Spilett. “If it is a signal, whoever it may be who has made it, he will renew it.”
“But who do you think it is?” cried Neb.
“Who?” answered Pencroft, “but he—”
The sailor’s sentence was cut short by a new tinkle43 of the bell.
Harding went to the apparatus, and sent this question to the corral:—
“What do you want?”
A few moments later the needle, moving on the alphabetic44 dial, gave this reply to the tenants45 of Granite House:—
“Come to the corral immediately.”
“At last!” exclaimed Harding.
Yes! At last! The mystery was about to be unveiled. The colonists’ fatigue46 had disappeared before the tremendous interest which was about to urge them to the corral, and all wish for rest had ceased. Without having uttered a word, in a few moments they had left Granite House, and were standing47 on the beach. Jup and Top alone were left behind. They could do without them.
The night was black. The new moon had disappeared at the same time as the sun. As Herbert had observed, great stormy clouds formed a lowering and heavy vault48, preventing any star rays. A few lightning flashes, reflections from a distant storm, illuminated49 the horizon.
It was possible that a few hours later the thunder would roll over the island itself. The night was very threatening.
But however deep the darkness was, it would not prevent them from finding the familiar road to the corral.
They ascended the left bank of the Mercy, reached the plateau, passed the bridge over Creek51 Glycerine, and advanced through the forest.
They walked at a good pace, a prey52 to the liveliest emotions. There was no doubt but that they were now going to learn the long-searched-for answer to the enigma53, the name of that mysterious being, so deeply concerned in their life, so generous in his influence, so powerful in his action! Must not this stranger have indeed mingled54 with their existence, have known the smallest details, have heard all that was said in Granite House, to have been able always to act in the very nick of time?
Every one, wrapped up in his own reflections, pressed forward. Under the arch of trees the darkness was such that even the edge of the road could not be seen. Not a sound in the forest. Both animals and birds, influenced by the heaviness of the atmosphere, remained motionless and silent. Not a breath disturbed the leaves. The footsteps of the colonists alone resounded55 on the hardened ground.
During the first quarter of an hour the silence was only interrupted by this remark from Pencroft:—
“We ought to have brought a torch.”
And by this reply from the engineer:—
“We shall find one at the corral.”
Harding and his companions had left Granite House at twelve minutes past nine. At forty-seven minutes past nine they had traversed three out of the five miles which separated the mouth of the Mercy from the corral.
At that moment sheets of lightning spread over the island and illumined the dark trees. The flashes dazzled and almost blinded them. Evidently the storm would not be long in bursting forth56.
The flashes gradually became brighter and more rapid. Distant thunder growled57 in the sky. The atmosphere was stifling58.
The colonists proceeded as if they were urged onwards by some irresistible59 force.
At ten o’clock a vivid flash showed them the palisade, and as they reached the gate the storm burst forth with tremendous fury.
In a minute the corral was crossed, and Harding stood before the hut.
Probably the house was occupied by the stranger, since it was from thence that the telegram had been sent. However, no light shone through the window.
The engineer knocked at the door.
No answer.
Cyrus Harding opened the door, and the settlers entered the room, which was perfectly60 dark. A light was struck by Neb, and in a few moments the lantern was lighted and the light thrown into every corner of the room.
There was no one there. Everything was in the state in which it had been left.
“Have we been deceived by an illusion?” murmured Cyrus Harding.
No! that was not possible! The telegram had clearly said,—
“Come to the corral immediately.”
They approached the table specially37 devoted to the use of the wire. Everything was in order—the pile on the box containing it, as well as all the apparatus.
“Who came here the last time?” asked the engineer.
“I did, captain,” answered Ayrton.
“And that was—”
“Four days ago.”
“Ah! a note!” cried Herbert, pointing to a paper lying on the table.
On this paper were written these words in English:—
“Follow the new wire.”
“Forward!” cried Harding, who understood that the despatch61 had not been sent from the corral, but from the mysterious retreat, communicating directly with Granite House by means of a supplementary62 wire joined to the old one.
Neb took the lighted lantern, and all left the corral. The storm then burst forth with tremendous violence. The interval63 between each lightning-flash and each thunder-clap diminished rapidly. The summit of the volcano, with its plume64 of vapor, could be seen by occasional flashes.
There was no telegraphic communication in any part of the corral between the house and the palisade; but the engineer, running straight to the first post, saw by the light of a flash a new wire hanging from the isolator65 to the ground.
“There it is!” said he.
This wire lay along the ground, and was surrounded with an isolating66 substance like a submarine cable, so as to assure the free transmission of the current. It appeared to pass through the wood and the southern spurs of the mountain, and consequently it ran towards the west.
“Follow it!” said Cyrus Harding.
And the settlers immediately pressed forward, guided by the wire.
The thunder continued to roar with such violence that not a word could be heard. However, there was no occasion for speaking, but to get forward as fast as possible.
Cyrus Harding and his companions then climbed the spur rising between the corral valley and that of Falls River, which they crossed at its narrowest part. The wire, sometimes stretched over the lower branches of the trees, sometimes lying on the ground, guided them surely. The engineer had supposed that the wire would perhaps stop at the bottom of the valley, and that the stranger’s retreat would be there.
Nothing of the sort. They were obliged to ascend34 the south-western spur, and re-descend on that arid67 plateau terminated by the strangely-wild basalt cliff. From time to time one of the colonists stooped down and felt for the wire with his hands; but there was now no doubt that the wire was running directly towards the sea. There, to a certainty, in the depths of those rocks, was the dwelling68 so long sought for in vain.
The sky was literally69 on fire. Flash succeeded flash. Several struck the summit of the volcano in the midst of the thick smoke. It appeared there as if the mountain was vomiting70 flame. At a few minutes to eleven the colonists arrived on the high cliff overlooking the ocean to the west. The wind had risen. The surf roared 500 feet below.
Harding calculated that they had gone a mile and a half from the corral.
At this point the wire entered among the rocks, following the steep side of a narrow ravine. The settlers followed it at the risk of occasioning a fall of the slightly-balanced rocks, and being dashed into the sea. The descent was extremely perilous71, but they did not think of the danger; they were no longer masters of themselves, and an irresistible attraction drew them towards this mysterious place as the magnet draws iron.
Thus they almost unconsciously descended72 this ravine, which even in broad daylight would have been considered impracticable.
The stones rolled and sparkled like fiery73 balls when they crossed through the gleams of light. Harding was first—Ayrton last. On they went, step by step. Now they slid over the slippery rock; then they struggled to their feet and scrambled74 on.
At last the wire touched the rocks on the beach. The colonists had reached the bottom of the basalt cliff.
There appeared a narrow ridge50, running horizontally and parallel with the sea. The settlers followed the wire along it. They had not gone a hundred paces when the ridge by a moderate incline sloped down to the level of the sea.
The engineer seized the wire and found that it disappeared beneath the waves.
His companions were stupefied.
A cry of disappointment, almost a cry of despair, escaped them! Must they then plunge75 beneath the water and seek there for some submarine cavern76? In their excited state they would not have hesitated to do it.
The engineer stopped them.
He led his companions to a hollow in the rocks, and there—
“We must wait,” said he. “The tide is high. At low water the way will be open.”
“But what can make you think-” asked Pencroft.
“He would not have called us if the means had been wanting to enable us to reach him!”
Cyrus Harding spoke in a tone of such thorough conviction that no objection was raised. His remark, besides, was logical. It was quite possible that an opening, practicable at low water, though hidden now by the high tide, opened at the foot of the cliff.
There was some time to wait. The colonists remained silently crouching77 in a deep hollow. Rain now began to fall in torrents78. The thunder was re-echoed among the rocks with a grand sonorousness79.
The colonists’ emotion was great. A thousand strange and extraordinary ideas crossed their brains, and they expected some grand and superhuman apparition80, which alone could come up to the notion they had formed of the mysterious genius of the island.
At midnight, Harding carrying the lantern, descended to the beach to reconnoiter.
The engineer was not mistaken. The beginning of an immense excavation81 could be seen under the water. There the wire, bending at a right angle, entered the yawning gulf82.
Cyrus Harding returned to his companions, and said simply,—
“In an hour the opening will be practicable.”
“It is there, then?” said Pencroft.
“Did you doubt it?” returned Harding.
“But this cavern must be filled with water to a certain height,” observed Herbert.
“Either the cavern will be completely dry,” replied Harding, “and in that case we can traverse it on foot, or it will not be dry, and some means of transport will be put at our disposal.”
An hour passed. All climbed down through the rain to the level of the sea. There was now eight feet of the opening above the water. It was like the arch of a bridge, under which rushed the foaming83 water.
Leaning forward, the engineer saw a black object floating on the water. He drew it towards him. It was a boat, moored84 to some interior projection85 of the cave. This boat was iron-plated. Two oars86 lay at the bottom.
“Jump in!” said Harding.
In a moment the settlers were in the boat. Neb and Ayrton took the oars, Pencroft the rudder. Cyrus Harding in the bows, with the lantern, lighted the way.
The elliptical roof, under which the boat at first passed, suddenly rose; but the darkness was too deep, and the light of the lantern too slight, for either the extent, length, height, or depth of the cave to be ascertained87. Solemn silence reigned88 in this basaltic cavern. Not a sound could penetrate4 into it, even the thunder peals89 could not pierce its thick sides.
Such immense caves exist in various parts of the world, natural crypts dating from the geological epoch90 of the globe. Some are filled by the sea; others contain entire lakes in their sides. Such is Fingal’s Cave, in the island of Staffa, one of the Hebrides; such are the caves of Morgat, in the bay of Douarnenez, in Brittany, the caves of Bonifacio, in Corsica, those of Lyse-Fjord, in Norway; such are the immense Mammoth91 caverns92 in Kentucky, 500 feet in height, and more than twenty miles in length! In many parts of the globe, nature has excavated93 these caverns, and preserved them for the admiration94 of man.
Did the cavern which the settlers were now exploring extend to the center of the island? For a quarter of an hour the boat had been advancing, making detours95, indicated to Pencroft by the engineer in short sentences, when all at once,—
“More to the right!” he commanded.
The boat, altering its course, came up alongside the right wall. The engineer wished to see if the wire still ran along the side.
The wire was there fastened to the rock.
“Forward!” said Harding.
And the two oars, plunging96 into the dark waters, urged the boat onwards.
On they went for another quarter of an hour, and a distance of half-a-mile must have been cleared from the mouth of the cave, when Harding’s voice was again heard.
“Stop!” said he.
The boat stopped, and the colonists perceived a bright light illuminating97 the vast cavern, so deeply excavated in the bowels98 of the island, of which nothing had ever led them to suspect the existence.
At a height of a hundred feet rose the vaulted99 roof, supported on basalt shafts100. Irregular arches, strange moldings, appeared on the columns erected101 by nature in thousands from the first epochs of the formation of the globe. The basalt pillars, fitted one into the other, measured from forty to fifty feet in height, and the water, calm in spite of the tumult102 outside, washed their base. The brilliant focus of light, pointed103 out by the engineer, touched every point of rocks, and flooded the walls with light.
By reflection the water reproduced the brilliant sparkles, so that the boat appeared to be floating between two glittering zones. They could not be mistaken in the nature of the irradiation thrown from the glowing nucleus104, whose clear rays were shattered by all the angles, all the projections105 of the cavern. This light proceeded from an electric source, and its white color betrayed its origin. It was the sun of this cave, and it filled it entirely.
At a sign from Cyrus Harding the oars again plunged106 into the water, causing a regular shower of gems107, and the boat was urged forward towards the light, which was now not more than half a cable’s length distant.
At this place the breadth of the sheet of water measured nearly 350 feet, and beyond the dazzling center could be seen an enormous basaltic wall, blocking up any issue on that side. The cavern widened here considerably108, the sea forming a little lake. But the roof, the side walls, the end cliff, all the prisms, all the peaks, were flooded with the electric fluid, so that the brilliancy belonged to them, and as if the light issued from them.
In the center of the lake a long cigar-shaped object floated on the surface of the water, silent, motionless. The brilliancy which issued from it escaped from its sides as from two kilns109 heated to a white heat. This apparatus, similar in shape to an enormous whale, was about 250 feet long, and rose about ten or twelve above the water.
The boat slowly approached it, Cyrus Harding stood up in the bows. He gazed, a prey to violent excitement. Then, all at once, seizing the reporter’s arm,—
“It is he! It can only be he!” he cried, “he!—”
Then, falling back on the seat, he murmured a name which Gideon Spilett alone could hear.
The reporter evidently knew this name, for it had a wonderful effect upon him, and he answered in a hoarse110 voice,—
“He!” said Harding.
At the engineer’s command the boat approached this singular floating apparatus. The boat touched the left side, from which escaped a ray of light through a thick glass.
Harding and his companions mounted on the platform. An open hatchway was there. All darted112 down the opening.
At the bottom of the ladder was a deck, lighted by electricity. At the end of this deck was a door, which Harding opened.
A richly-ornamented room, quickly traversed by the colonists, was joined to a library, over which a luminous113 ceiling shed a flood of light.
At the end of the library a large door, also shut, was opened by the engineer.
An immense saloon—a sort of museum, in which were heaped up, with all the treasures of the mineral world, works of art, marvels114 of industry—appeared before the eyes of the colonists, who almost thought themselves suddenly transported into a land of enchantment115.
Stretched on a rich sofa they saw a man, who did not appear to notice their presence.
Then Harding raised his voice, and to the extreme surprise of his companions, he uttered these words,—
“Captain Nemo, you asked for us! We are here.—”
单词标签:
colonists
vapor
penetrated
penetrate
crater
subterranean
eruption
volcanic
disastrous
lava
craters
phenomenon
outlets
pros
cons
granite
mingling
vessel
hydraulic
planks
mechanism
apparatus
rustic
vertical
cylinders
schooner
ribs
entirely
copper
gathering
devoted
exhausted
ascended
ascend
spoke
impetus
specially
herald
dominion
justifies
concealed
proceeding
tinkle
alphabetic
tenants
fatigue
standing
vault
illuminated
ridge
creek
prey
enigma
mingled
resounded
forth
growled
stifling
irresistible
perfectly
despatch
supplementary
interval
plume
isolator
isolating
arid
dwelling
literally
vomiting
perilous
descended
fiery
scrambled
plunge
cavern
crouching
torrents
sonorousness
apparition
excavation
gulf
foaming
moored
projection
oars
ascertained
reigned
peals
epoch
mammoth
caverns
excavated
admiration
detours
plunging
illuminating
bowels
vaulted
shafts
ERECTED
tumult
pointed
nucleus
projections
plunged
gems
considerably
kilns
hoarse
outlawed
darted
luminous
marvels
enchantment
收听单词发音 |
1
colonists [ˈkɔlənɪsts]
第9级 |
|
| n.殖民地开拓者，移民，殖民地居民( colonist的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
vapor ['veɪpə]
第7级 |
|
| n.蒸汽，雾气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
penetrated ['penɪtreɪtɪd]
第7级 |
|
| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
penetrate [ˈpenɪtreɪt]
第7级 |
|
| vt.&vi.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
crater [ˈkreɪtə(r)]
第8级 |
|
| n.火山口，弹坑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
subterranean [ˌsʌbtəˈreɪniən]
第11级 |
|
| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
eruption [ɪ'rʌpʃn]
第8级 |
|
| n.火山爆发；（战争等）爆发；（疾病等）发作 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
volcanic [vɒlˈkænɪk]
第9级 |
|
| adj.火山的；象火山的；由火山引起的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
disastrous [dɪˈzɑ:strəs]
第7级 |
|
| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
lava [ˈlɑ:və]
第9级 |
|
| n.熔岩，火山岩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
craters [ˈkreitəz]
第8级 |
|
| n.火山口( crater的名词复数 )；弹坑等 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
phenomenon [fəˈnɒmɪnən]
第8级 |
|
| n.现象，特殊的人，特殊的事物，奇迹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
outlets [ˈautlets]
第7级 |
|
| n.出口( outlet的名词复数 )；经销店；插座；廉价经销店 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
pros [prəʊz]
第8级 |
|
| abbr.prosecuting 起诉；prosecutor 起诉人；professionals 自由职业者；proscenium （舞台）前部n.赞成的意见( pro的名词复数 )；赞成的理由；抵偿物；交换物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
cons [kɔnz]
第7级 |
|
| n.欺骗，骗局( con的名词复数 )v.诈骗，哄骗( con的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
granite [ˈgrænɪt]
第9级 |
|
| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
mingling ['miŋɡliŋ]
第7级 |
|
| adj.混合的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
vessel [ˈvesl]
第7级 |
|
| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
hydraulic [haɪˈdrɔ:lɪk]
第7级 |
|
| adj.水力的；水压的，液压的；水力学的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
planks [plæŋks]
第8级 |
|
| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
mechanism [ˈmekənɪzəm]
第7级 |
|
| n.机械装置；机构，结构 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
apparatus [ˌæpəˈreɪtəs]
第7级 |
|
| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
rustic [ˈrʌstɪk]
第9级 |
|
| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
vertical [ˈvɜ:tɪkl]
第7级 |
|
| adj.垂直的，顶点的，纵向的；n.垂直物，垂直的位置 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
cylinders ['sɪlɪndəz]
第7级 |
|
| n.圆筒( cylinder的名词复数 )；圆柱；汽缸；（尤指用作容器的）圆筒状物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
schooner [ˈsku:nə(r)]
第12级 |
|
| n.纵帆船 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
ribs ['rɪbz]
第7级 |
|
| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
entirely [ɪnˈtaɪəli]
第9级 |
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
copper [ˈkɒpə(r)]
第7级 |
|
| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
gathering [ˈgæðərɪŋ]
第8级 |
|
| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
devoted [dɪˈvəʊtɪd]
第8级 |
|
| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
exhausted [ɪgˈzɔ:stɪd]
第8级 |
|
| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
ascended [əˈsendid]
第7级 |
|
| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
ascend [əˈsend]
第7级 |
|
| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
spoke [spəʊk]
第11级 |
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
impetus [ˈɪmpɪtəs]
第7级 |
|
| n.推动，促进，刺激；推动力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
specially [ˈspeʃəli]
第7级 |
|
| adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
herald [ˈherəld]
第8级 |
|
| vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
dominion [dəˈmɪniən]
第10级 |
|
| n.统治，管辖，支配权；领土，版图 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
justifies [ˈdʒʌstifaiz]
第7级 |
|
| 证明…有理( justify的第三人称单数 )； 为…辩护； 对…作出解释； 为…辩解（或辩护） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
concealed [kən'si:ld]
第7级 |
|
| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
proceeding [prəˈsi:dɪŋ]
第7级 |
|
| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
tinkle [ˈtɪŋkl]
第10级 |
|
| vi.叮当作响；n.叮当声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
alphabetic [ˌælfəˈbetɪk]
第8级 |
|
| adj.照字母次序的，字母的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
tenants [ˈtenənts]
第7级 |
|
| n.房客( tenant的名词复数 )；佃户；占用者；占有者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
fatigue [fəˈti:g]
第7级 |
|
| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
standing [ˈstændɪŋ]
第8级 |
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
vault [vɔ:lt]
第8级 |
|
| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
illuminated [i'lju:mineitid]
第7级 |
|
| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
ridge [rɪdʒ]
第7级 |
|
| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
creek [kri:k]
第8级 |
|
| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
prey [preɪ]
第7级 |
|
| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；vi.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
enigma [ɪˈnɪgmə]
第10级 |
|
| n.谜，谜一样的人或事 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
mingled [ˈmiŋɡld]
第7级 |
|
| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
resounded [rɪˈzaʊndid]
第12级 |
|
| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
forth [fɔ:θ]
第7级 |
|
| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
growled [ɡrauld]
第8级 |
|
| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
stifling ['staifliŋ]
第9级 |
|
| a.令人窒息的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
irresistible [ˌɪrɪˈzɪstəbl]
第7级 |
|
| adj.非常诱人的，无法拒绝的，无法抗拒的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
perfectly [ˈpɜ:fɪktli]
第8级 |
|
| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
despatch [dɪ'spætʃ]
第7级 |
|
| vt.(dispatch)派遣；发送；vi. 匆匆离开；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
supplementary [ˌsʌplɪˈmentri]
第8级 |
|
| adj.补充的，附加的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
interval [ˈɪntəvl]
第7级 |
|
| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
plume [plu:m]
第10级 |
|
| n.羽毛；v.整理羽毛，骚首弄姿，用羽毛装饰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
isolator ['aɪsleɪtə]
第7级 |
|
| n.隔离的人，隔音装置，绝缘体 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
isolating [ˈaɪsəleɪtɪŋ]
第7级 |
|
| adj.孤立的，绝缘的v.使隔离( isolate的现在分词 )；将…剔出（以便看清和单独处理）；使（某物质、细胞等）分离；使离析 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
arid [ˈærɪd]
第9级 |
|
| adj.干旱的；(土地)贫瘠的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
dwelling [ˈdwelɪŋ]
第7级 |
|
| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
literally [ˈlɪtərəli]
第7级 |
|
| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
vomiting ['vɒmɪtɪŋ]
第9级 |
|
| 吐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
perilous [ˈperələs]
第10级 |
|
| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
descended [di'sendid]
第7级 |
|
| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
fiery [ˈfaɪəri]
第9级 |
|
| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
scrambled [ˈskræmbld]
第8级 |
|
| 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 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
plunge [plʌndʒ]
第7级 |
|
| vt.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲；vi.突然地下降；投入；陷入；跳进；n.投入；跳进 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
cavern [ˈkævən]
第9级 |
|
| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
crouching ['kraʊtʃɪŋ]
第8级 |
|
| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
torrents ['tɒrənts]
第7级 |
|
| n.倾注；奔流( torrent的名词复数 )；急流；爆发；连续不断 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
sonorousness [sə'nɒrəsnɪs]
第11级 |
|
| n.圆润低沉；感人；堂皇；响亮 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
80
apparition [ˌæpəˈrɪʃn]
第11级 |
|
| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
excavation [ˌekskəˈveɪʃn]
第10级 |
|
| n.挖掘，发掘；被挖掘之地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
gulf [gʌlf]
第7级 |
|
| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
foaming ['fəʊmɪŋ]
第7级 |
|
| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
moored [mʊəd]
第9级 |
|
| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
projection [prəˈdʒekʃn]
第8级 |
|
| n.发射，计划，突出部分 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
oars [ɔ:z]
第7级 |
|
| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
ascertained [æsə'teɪnd]
第7级 |
|
| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
reigned []
第7级 |
|
| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
peals [pi:lz]
第12级 |
|
| n.（声音大而持续或重复的）洪亮的响声( peal的名词复数 )；隆隆声；洪亮的钟声；钟乐v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
epoch [ˈi:pɒk]
第7级 |
|
| n.(新)时代；历元 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
mammoth [ˈmæməθ]
第9级 |
|
| n.长毛象；adj.长毛象似的，巨大的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
caverns [ˈkævənz]
第9级 |
|
| 大山洞，大洞穴( cavern的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
excavated [ˈekskəˌveɪtid]
第8级 |
|
| v.挖掘( excavate的过去式和过去分词 )；开凿；挖出；发掘 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
admiration [ˌædməˈreɪʃn]
第8级 |
|
| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
detours [ˈdi:tuəz]
第10级 |
|
| 绕行的路( detour的名词复数 )； 绕道，兜圈子 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
96
plunging [ˈplʌndʒɪŋ]
第7级 |
|
| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
illuminating [i'lu:mineitiŋ]
第7级 |
|
| a.富于启发性的，有助阐明的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
bowels ['baʊəlz]
第7级 |
|
| n.肠，内脏，内部；肠( bowel的名词复数 )；内部，最深处 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
vaulted ['vɔ:ltid]
第8级 |
|
| adj.拱状的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
shafts [ʃɑ:fts]
第7级 |
|
| n.轴( shaft的名词复数 )；（箭、高尔夫球棒等的）杆；通风井；一阵（疼痛、害怕等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
ERECTED [iˈrektid]
第7级 |
|
| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
tumult [ˈtju:mʌlt]
第10级 |
|
| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
pointed [ˈpɔɪntɪd]
第7级 |
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
nucleus [ˈnju:kliəs]
第7级 |
|
| n.核，核心，原子核 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
projections [prəd'ʒekʃnz]
第8级 |
|
| 预测( projection的名词复数 )； 投影； 投掷； 突起物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
plunged [plʌndʒd]
第7级 |
|
| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
gems [dʒemz]
第9级 |
|
| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
considerably [kənˈsɪdərəbli]
第9级 |
|
| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
kilns [kɪlnz]
第12级 |
|
| n.窑( kiln的名词复数 )；烧窑工人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
hoarse [hɔ:s]
第9级 |
|
| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
outlawed []
第7级 |
|
| 宣布…为不合法（outlaw的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
darted [dɑ:tid]
第8级 |
|
| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
luminous [ˈlu:mɪnəs]
第9级 |
|
| adj.发光的，发亮的；光明的；明白易懂的；有启发的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
114
marvels [ˈmɑ:vəlz]
第7级 |
|
| n.奇迹( marvel的名词复数 )；令人惊奇的事物（或事例）；不平凡的成果；成就v.惊奇，对…感到惊奇( marvel的第三人称单数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
115
enchantment [ɪnˈtʃɑ:ntmənt]
第11级 |
|
| n.迷惑，妖术，魅力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
