Chapter 18
At break of day the colonists1 regained2 in silence the entrance of the cavern3, to which they gave the name of “Dakkar Grotto4,” in memory of Captain Nemo. It was now low-water, and they passed without difficulty under the arcade5, washed on the right by the sea.
The canoe was left here, carefully protected from the waves. As additional precaution, Pencroft, Neb, and Ayrton drew it up on a little beach which bordered one of the sides of the grotto, in a spot where it could run no risk of harm.
The storm had ceased during the night. The last low mutterings of the thunder died away in the west. Rain fell no longer, but the sky was yet obscured by clouds. On the whole, this month of October, the first of the southern spring, was not ushered6 in by satisfactory tokens, and the wind had a tendency to shift from one point of the compass to another, which rendered it impossible to count upon settled weather.
Cyrus Harding and his companions, on leaving Dakkar Grotto, had taken the road to the corral. On their way Neb and Herbert were careful to preserve the wire which had been laid down by the captain between the corral and the grotto, and which might at a future time be of service.
The colonists spoke7 but little on the road. The various incidents of the night of October 15th had left a profound impression on their minds. The unknown being whose influence had so effectually protected them, the man whom their imagination had endowed with supernatural powers, Captain Nemo, was no more. His “Nautilus” and he were buried in the depths of the abyss. To each one of them their existence seemed even more isolated8 than before. They had been accustomed to count upon the intervention9 of that power which existed no longer, and Gideon Spilett, and even Cyrus Harding, could not escape this impression. Thus they maintained a profound silence during their journey to the corral.
Towards nine in the morning the colonists arrived at Granite10 House.
It had been agreed that the construction of the vessel11 should be actively12 pushed forward, and Cyrus Harding more than ever devoted13 his time and labor to this object. It was impossible to divine what future lay before them. Evidently the advantage to the colonists would be great of having at their disposal a substantial vessel, capable of keeping the sea even in heavy weather, and large enough to attempt, in case of need, a voyage of some duration. Even if, when their vessel should be completed, the colonists should not resolve to leave Lincoln Island as yet, in order to gain either one of the Polynesian Archipelagoes of the Pacific or the shores of New Zealand, they might at least, sooner or later, proceed to Tabor Island, to leave there the notice relating to Ayrton. This was a precaution rendered indispensable by the possibility of the Scotch14 yacht reappearing in those seas, and it was of the highest importance that nothing should be neglected on this point.
The works were then resumed. Cyrus Harding, Pencroft, and Ayrton, assisted by Neb, Gideon Spilett, and Herbert, except when unavoidably called off by other necessary occupations, worked without cessation. It was important that the new vessel should be ready in five months—that is to say, by the beginning of March—if they wished to visit Tabor Island before the equinoctial gales15 rendered the voyage impracticable. Therefore the carpenters lost not a moment. Moreover, it was unnecessary to manufacture rigging, that of the “Speedy” having been saved entire, so that the hull16 only of the vessel needed to be constructed.
The end of the year 1868 found them occupied by these important labors17, to the exclusion18 of almost all others. At the expiration19 of two months and a half the ribs20 had been set up and the first planks21 adjusted. It was already evident that the plans made by Cyrus Harding were admirable, and that the vessel would behave well at sea.
Pencroft brought to the task a devouring22 energy, and would even grumble23 when one or the other abandoned the carpenter’s axe24 for the gun of the hunter. It was nevertheless necessary to keep up the stores of Granite House, in view of the approaching winter. But this did not satisfy Pencroft. The brave, honest sailor was not content when the workmen were not at the dockyard. When this happened he grumbled25 vigorously, and, by way of venting26 his feelings, did the work of six men.
The weather was very unfavorable during the whole of the summer season. For some days the heat was overpowering, and the atmosphere, saturated27 with electricity, was only cleared by violent storms. It was rarely that the distant growling28 of the thunder could not be heard, like a low but incessant29 murmur30, such as is produced in the equatorial regions of the globe.
The 1st of January, 1869, was signalized by a storm of extreme violence, and the thunder burst several times over the island. Large trees were struck by the electric fluid and shattered, and among others one of those gigantic nettle-trees which had shaded the poultry-yard at the southern extremity31 of the lake. Had this meteor any relation to the phenomena32 going on in the bowels33 of the earth? Was there any connection between the commotion34 of the atmosphere and that of the interior of the earth? Cyrus Harding was inclined to think that such was the case, for the development of these storms was attended by the renewal35 of volcanic36 symptoms.
It was on the 3rd of January that Herbert, having ascended37 at daybreak to the plateau of Prospect39 Heights to harness one of the onagers, perceived an enormous hat-shaped cloud rolling from the summit of the volcano.
Herbert immediately apprised41 the colonists, who at once joined him in watching the summit of Mount Franklin.
“Ah!” exclaimed Pencroft, “those are not vapors42 this time! It seems to me that the giant is not content with breathing; he must smoke!”
This figure of speech employed by the sailor exactly expressed the changes going on at the mouth of the volcano. Already for three months had the crater44 emitted vapors more or less dense45, but which were as yet produced only by an internal ebullition of mineral substances. But now the vapors were replaced by a thick smoke, rising in the form of a grayish column, more than three hundred feet in width at its base, and which spread like an immense mushroom to a height of from seven to eight hundred feet above the summit of the mountain.
“The fire is in the chimney,” observed Gideon Spilett.
“And we can’t put it out!” replied Herbert.
“The volcano ought to be swept,” observed Neb, who spoke as if perfectly46 serious.
“Well said, Neb!” cried Pencroft, with a shout of laughter; “and you’ll undertake the job, no doubt?”
Cyrus Harding attentively47 observed the dense smoke emitted by Mount Franklin, and even listened, as if expecting to hear some distant muttering. Then, turning towards his companions, from whom he had gone somewhat apart, he said,—
“The truth is, my friends, we must not conceal48 from ourselves that an important change is going forward. The volcanic substances are no longer in a state of ebullition, they have caught fire, and we are undoubtedly49 menaced by an approaching eruption50.”
“Well, captain,” said Pencroft, “we shall witness the eruption; and if it is a good one, we’ll applaud it. I don’t see that we need concern ourselves further about the matter.”
“It may be so,” replied Cyrus Harding, “for the ancient track of the lava51 is still open; and thanks to this, the crater has hitherto overflowed52 towards the north. And yet—”
“And yet, as we can derive53 no advantage from an eruption, it might be better it should not take place,” said the reporter.
“Who knows?” answered the sailor. “Perhaps there may be some valuable substance in this volcano, which it will spout54 forth55, and which we may turn to good account!”
Cyrus Harding shook his head with the air of a man who augured56 no good from the phenomenon57 whose development had been so sudden. He did not regard so lightly as Pencroft the results of an eruption. If the lava, in consequence58 of the position of the crater, did not directly menace the wooded and cultivated parts of the island, other complications might present themselves. In fact, eruptions59 are not unfrequently accompanied by earthquakes; and an island of the nature of Lincoln Island, formed of substances so varied60, basalt on one side, granite on the other, lava on the north, rich soil on the south, substances which consequently could not be firmly attached to each other, would be exposed to the risk of disintegration61. Although, therefore, the spreading of the volcanic matter might not constitute a serious danger, any movement of the terrestrial structure which should shake the island might entail62 the gravest consequences.
“It seems to me,” said Ayrton, who had reclined so as to place his ear to the ground, “it seems to me that I can hear a dull, rumbling63 sound, like that of a wagon64 loaded with bars of iron.”
The colonists listened with the greatest attention, and were convinced that Ayrton was not mistaken. The rumbling was mingled65 with a subterranean66 roar, which formed a sort of rinforzando, and died slowly away, as if some violent storm had passed through the profundities68 of the globe. But no explosion properly so termed, could be heard. It might therefore be concluded that the vapors and smoke found a free passage through the central shaft69; and that the safety-valve being sufficiently70 large, no convulsion would be produced, no explosion was to be apprehended71.
“Well, then!” said Pencroft, “are we not going back to work? Let Mount Franklin smoke, groan72, bellow73, or spout forth fire and flame as much as it pleases, that is no reason why we should be idle! Come, Ayrton, Neb, Herbert, Captain Harding, Mr. Spilett, every one of us must turn to at our work to-day! We are going to place the keelson, and a dozen pair of hands would not be too many. Before two months I want our new ‘Bonadventure’—for we shall keep the old name, shall we not?—to float on the waters of Port Balloon! Therefore there is not an hour to lose!”
All the colonists, their services thus requisitioned by Pencroft, descended74 to the dockyard, and proceeded to place the keelson, a thick mass of wood which forms the lower portion of a ship and unites firmly the timbers of the hull. It was an arduous75 undertaking76, in which all took part.
They continued their labors during the whole of this day, the 3rd of January, without thinking further of the volcano, which could not, besides, be seen from the shore of Granite House. But once or twice, large shadows, veiling the sun, which described its diurnal77 arc through an extremely clear sky, indicated that a thick cloud of smoke passed between its disc and the island. The wind, blowing on the shore, carried all these vapors to the westward78. Cyrus Harding and Gideon Spilett remarked these somber79 appearances, and from time to time discussed the evident progress of the volcanic phenomena, but their work went on without interruption. It was, besides, of the first importance from every point of view, that the vessel should be finished with the least possible delay. In presence of the eventualities which might arise, the safety of the colonists would be to a great extent secured by their ship. Who could tell that it might not prove some day their only refuge?
In the evening, after supper, Cyrus Harding, Gideon Spilett, and Herbert again ascended the plateau of Prospect Heights. It was already dark, and the obscurity would permit them to ascertain80 if flames or incandescent81 matter thrown up by the volcano were mingled with the vapor43 and smoke accumulated at the mouth of the crater.
“The crater is on fire!” said Herbert, who, more active than his companion, first reached the plateau.
Mount Franklin, distant about six miles, now appeared like a gigantic torch, around the summit of which turned fuliginous flames. So much smoke, and possibly scoriae and cinders82 were mingled with them, that their light gleamed but faintly amid the gloom of the night. But a kind of lurid83 brilliancy spread over the island, against which stood out confusedly the wooded masses of the heights. Immense whirlwinds of vapor obscured the sky, through which glimmered84 a few stars.
“The change is rapid!” said the engineer.
“That is not surprising,” answered the reporter. “The reawakening of the volcano already dates back some time. You may remember, Cyrus, that the first vapors appeared about the time we searched the sides of the mountain to discover Captain Nemo’s retreat. It was, if I mistake not, about the 15th of October.”
“Yes,” replied Herbert, “two months and a half ago!”
“The subterranean fires have therefore been smoldering85 for ten weeks,” resumed Gideon Spilett, “and it is not to be wondered at that they now break out with such violence!”
“Do not you feel a certain vibration86 of the soil?” asked Cyrus Harding.
“Yes,” replied Gideon Spilett, “but there is a great difference between that and an earthquake.”
“I do not affirm that we are menaced with an earthquake,” answered Cyrus Harding, “may God preserve us from that! No; these vibrations87 are due to the effervescence of the central fire. The crust of the earth is simply the shell of a boiler88, and you know that such a shell, under the pressure of steam, vibrates like a sonorous89 plate. It is this effect which is being produced at this moment.”
“What magnificent flames!” exclaimed Herbert.
At this instant a kind of bouquet90 of flames shot forth from the crater, the brilliancy of which was visible even through the vapors. Thousands of luminous91 sheets and barbed tongues of fire were cast in various directions. Some, extending beyond the dome92 of smoke, dissipated it, leaving behind an incandescent powder. This was accompanied by successive explosions, resembling the discharge of a battery of machine-guns.
Cyrus Harding, the reporter, and Herbert, after spending an hour on the plateau of Prospect Heights, again descended to the beach, and returned to Granite House. The engineer was thoughtful and preoccupied93, so much so, indeed, that Gideon Spilett inquired if he apprehended any immediate40 danger, of which the eruption might directly or indirectly94 be the cause.
“Yes, and no,” answered Cyrus Harding.
“Nevertheless,” continued the reporter, “would not the greatest misfortune which could happen to us be an earthquake which would overturn the island? Now, I do not suppose that this is to be feared, since the vapors and lava have found a free outlet95.”
“True,” replied Cyrus Harding, “and I do not fear an earthquake in the sense in which the term is commonly applied96 to convulsions of the soil provoked by the expansion of subterranean gases. But other causes may produce great disasters.”
“How so, my dear Cyrus?’
“I am not certain. I must consider. I must visit the mountain. In a few days I shall learn more on this point.”
Gideon Spilett said no more, and soon, in spite of the explosions of the volcano, whose intensity97 increased, and which were repeated by the echoes of the island, the inhabitants of Granite House were sleeping soundly.
Three days passed by—the 4th, 5th, and 6th of January. The construction of the vessel was diligently98 continued, and without offering further explanations the engineer pushed forward the work with all his energy. Mount Franklin was now hooded99 by a somber cloud of sinister100 aspect, and, amid the flames, vomiting101 forth incandescent rocks, some of which fell back into the crater itself. This caused Pencroft, who would only look at the matter in the light of a joke, to exclaim,—
“Ah! the giant is playing at cup and ball; he is a conjurer.”
In fact, the substances thrown up fell back again in to the abyss, and it did not seem that the lava, though swollen102 by the internal pressure, had yet risen to the orifice of the crater. At any rate, the opening on the northeast, which was partly visible, poured out no torrent103 upon the northern slope of the mountain.
Nevertheless, however pressing was the construction of the vessel, other duties demanded the presence of the colonists on various portions of the island. Before everything it was necessary to go to the corral, where the flocks of musmons and goats were enclosed, and replenish104 the provision of forage105 for those animals. It was accordingly arranged that Ayrton should proceed thither106 the next day, the 7th of January; and as he was sufficient for the task, to which he was accustomed, Pencroft and the rest were somewhat surprised on hearing the engineer say to Ayrton—
“As you are going to-morrow to the corral I will accompany you.”
“But, Captain Harding,” exclaimed the sailor, “our working days will not be many, and if you go also we shall be two pair of hands short!”
“We shall return to-morrow,” replied Cyrus Harding, “but it is necessary that I should go to the corral. I must learn how the eruption is progressing.”
“The eruption! always the eruption!” answered Pencroft, with an air of discontent. “An important thing, truly, this eruption! I trouble myself very little about it.”
Whatever might be the sailor’s opinion, the expedition107 projected by the engineer was settled for the next day. Herbert wished to accompany Cyrus Harding, but he would not vex108 Pencroft by his absence.
The next day, at dawn, Cyrus Harding and Ayrton, mounting the cart drawn109 by two onagers, took the road to the corral and set off at a round trot110.
Above the forest were passing large clouds, to which the crater of Mount Franklin incessantly111 added fuliginous matter. These clouds, which rolled heavily in the air, were evidently composed of heterogeneous112 substances. It was not alone from the volcano that they derived113 their strange opacity114 and weight. Scoriae, in a state of dust, like powdered pumice-stone, and grayish ashes as small as the finest feculae, were held in suspension in the midst of their thick folds. These ashes are so fine that they have been observed in the air for whole months. After the eruption of 1783 in Iceland for upwards115 of a year the atmosphere was thus charged with volcanic dust through which the rays of the sun were only with difficulty discernible.
But more often this pulverized116 matter falls, and this happened on the present occasion. Cyrus Harding and Ayrton had scarcely reached the corral when a sort of black snow like fine gunpowder117 fell, and instantly changed the appearance of the soil. Trees, meadows, all disappeared beneath a covering several inches in depth. But, very fortunately, the wind blew from the northeast, and the greater part of the cloud dissolved itself over the sea.
“This is very singular, Captain Harding,” said Ayrton.
“It is very serious,” replied the engineer. “This powdered pumice-stone, all this mineral dust, proves how grave is the convulsion going forward in the lower depths of the volcano.”
“But can nothing be done?”
“Nothing, except to note the progress of the phenomenon. Do you, therefore, Ayrton, occupy yourself with the necessary work at the corral. In the meantime I will ascend38 just beyond the source of Red Creek118 and examine the condition of the mountain upon its northern aspect. Then—”
“Well, Captain Harding?”
“Then we will pay a visit to Dakkar Grotto. I wish to inspect it. At any rate I will come back for you in two hours.”
Ayrton then proceeded to enter the corral, and, while awaiting the engineer’s return, busied himself with the musmons and goats which seemed to feel a certain uneasiness in presence of these first signs of an eruption.
Meanwhile Cyrus Harding ascended the crest119 of the eastern spur, passed Red Creek, and arrived at the spot where he and his companions had discovered a sulphurous spring at the time of their first exploration.
How changed was everything! Instead of a single column of smoke he counted thirteen, forced through the soil as if violently propelled by some piston120. It was evident that the crust of the earth was subjected in this part of the globe to a frightful121 pressure. The atmosphere was saturated with gases and carbonic acid, mingled with aqueous vapors. Cyrus Harding felt the volcanic tufa with which the plain was strewn, and which was but pulverized cinders hardened into solid blocks by time, tremble beneath him, but he could discover no traces of fresh lava.
The engineer became more assured of this when he observed all the northern part of Mount Franklin. Pillars of smoke and flame escaped from the crater; a hail of scoriae fell on the ground; but no current of lava burst from the mouth of the volcano, which proved that the volcanic matter had not yet attained122 the level of the superior orifice of the central shaft.
“But I would prefer that it were so,” said Cyrus Harding to himself. “At any rate, I should then know that the lava had followed its accustomed track. Who can say that it may not take a new course? But the danger does not consist in that! Captain Nemo foresaw it clearly! No, the danger does not lie there!”
Cyrus Harding advanced towards the enormous causeway whose prolongation enclosed the narrow Shark Gulf123. He could now sufficiently examine on this side the ancient channels of the lava. There was no doubt in his mind that the most recent eruption had occurred at a far-distant epoch124.
He then returned by the same way, listening attentively to the subterranean mutterings which rolled like long-continued thunder, interrupted by deafening125 explosions. At nine in the morning he reached the corral.
Ayrton awaited him.
“The animals are cared for, Captain Harding,” said Ayrton.
“Good, Ayrton.”
“They seem uneasy, Captain Harding.”
“Yes, instinct speaks through them, and instinct is never deceived.”
“Are you ready?”
“Take a lamp, Ayrton,” answered the engineer; “we will start at once.”
Ayrton did as desired. The onagers, unharnessed, roamed in the corral. The gate was secured on the outside, and Cyrus Harding, preceding Ayrton, took the narrow path which led westward to the shore.
The soil they walked upon was choked with the pulverized matter fallen from the cloud. No quadruped appeared in the woods. Even the birds had fled. Sometimes a passing breeze raised the covering of ashes, and the two colonists, enveloped126 in a whirlwind of dust, lost sight of each other. They were then careful to cover their eyes and mouths with handkerchiefs, for they ran the risk of being blinded and suffocated127.
It was impossible for Cyrus Harding and Ayrton, with these impediments, to make rapid progress. Moreover, the atmosphere was close, as if the oxygen had been partly burned up, and had become unfit for respiration128. At every hundred paces they were obliged to stop to take breath. It was therefore past ten o’clock when the engineer and his companion reached the crest of the enormous mass of rocks of basalt and porphyry which composed the northwest coast of the island.
Ayrton and Cyrus Harding commenced the descent of this abrupt129 declivity130, following almost step for step the difficult path which, during that stormy night, had led them to Dakkar Grotto. In open day the descent was less perilous131, and, besides, the bed of ashes which covered the polished surface of the rock enabled them to make their footing more secure.
The ridge132 at the end of the shore, about forty feet in height, was soon reached. Cyrus Harding recollected133 that this elevation134 gradually sloped towards the level of the sea. Although the tide was at present low, no beach could be seen, and the waves, thickened by the volcanic dust, beat upon the basaltic rocks.
Cyrus Harding and Ayrton found without difficulty the entrance to Dakkar Grotto, and paused for a moment at the last rock before it.
“The iron boat should be there,” said the engineer.
“It is here, Captain Harding,” replied Ayrton, drawing towards him the fragile craft, which was protected by the arch of the vault135.
“On board, Ayrton!”
The two colonists stepped into the boat. A slight undulation of the waves carried it farther under the low arch of the crypt, and there Ayrton, with the aid of flint and steel, lighted the lamp. He then took the oars136, and the lamp having been placed in the bow of the boat, so that its rays fell before them, Cyrus Harding took the helm and steered137 through the shades of the grotto.
The “Nautilus” was there no longer to illuminate138 the cavern with its electric light. Possibly it might not yet be extinguished, but no ray escaped from the depths of the abyss in which reposed139 all that was mortal of Captain Nemo.
The light afforded by the lamp, although feeble, nevertheless enabled the engineer to advance slowly, following the wall of the cavern. A deathlike silence reigned140 under the vaulted141 roof, or at least in the anterior142 portion, for soon Cyrus Harding distinctly heard the rumbling which proceeded from the bowels of the mountain.
“That comes from the volcano,” he said.
Besides these sounds, the presence of chemical combinations was soon betrayed by their powerful odor, and the engineer and his companion were almost suffocated by sulphurous vapors.
“This is what Captain Nemo feared,” murmured Cyrus Harding, changing countenance143. “We must go to the end, notwithstanding.”
“Forward!” replied Ayrton, bending to his oars and directing the boat towards the head of the cavern.
Twenty-five minutes after entering the mouth of the grotto the boat reached the extreme end.
Cyrus Harding then, standing144 up, cast the light of the lamp upon the walls of the cavern which separated it from the central shaft of the volcano. What was the thickness of this wall? It might be ten feet or a hundred feet—it was impossible to say. But the subterranean sounds were too perceptible to allow of the supposition that it was of any great thickness.
The engineer, after having explored the wall at a certain height horizontally, fastened the lamp to the end of an oar67, and again surveyed the basaltic wall at a greater elevation.
There, through scarcely visible clefts145 and joinings, escaped a pungent146 vapor, which infected the atmosphere of the cavern. The wall was broken by large cracks, some of which extended to within two or three feet of the water’s edge.
Cyrus Harding thought for a brief space. Then he said in a low voice,—
“Yes! the captain was right! The danger lies there, and a terrible danger!”
Ayrton said not a word, but, upon a sign from Cyrus Harding, resumed the oars, and half an hour later the engineer and he reached the entrance of Dakkar Grotto.
单词标签:
colonists
regained
cavern
grotto
arcade
ushered
spoke
isolated
intervention
granite
vessel
actively
devoted
scotch
gales
hull
labors
exclusion
expiration
ribs
planks
devouring
grumble
axe
grumbled
venting
saturated
growling
incessant
murmur
extremity
phenomena
bowels
commotion
renewal
volcanic
ascended
ascend
prospect
immediate
apprised
vapors
vapor
crater
dense
perfectly
attentively
conceal
undoubtedly
eruption
lava
overflowed
derive
spout
forth
augured
phenomenon
consequence
eruptions
varied
disintegration
entail
rumbling
wagon
mingled
subterranean
oar
profundities
shaft
sufficiently
apprehended
groan
bellow
descended
arduous
undertaking
diurnal
westward
somber
ascertain
incandescent
cinders
lurid
glimmered
smoldering
vibration
vibrations
boiler
sonorous
bouquet
luminous
dome
preoccupied
indirectly
outlet
applied
intensity
diligently
hooded
sinister
vomiting
swollen
torrent
replenish
forage
thither
expedition
vex
drawn
trot
incessantly
heterogeneous
derived
opacity
upwards
pulverized
gunpowder
creek
crest
piston
frightful
attained
gulf
epoch
deafening
enveloped
suffocated
respiration
abrupt
declivity
perilous
ridge
recollected
elevation
vault
oars
steered
illuminate
reposed
reigned
vaulted
anterior
countenance
standing
clefts
pungent
收听单词发音 |
1
colonists [ˈkɔlənɪsts]
第9级 |
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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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regained [ri:ˈgeɪnd]
第8级 |
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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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cavern [ˈkævən]
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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grotto [ˈgrɒtəʊ]
第11级 |
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| n.洞穴 | |
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arcade [ɑ:ˈkeɪd]
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| n.拱廊；(一侧或两侧有商店的)通道 | |
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ushered [ˈʌʃəd]
第8级 |
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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isolated ['aisəleitid]
第7级 |
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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intervention [ˌɪntə'venʃn]
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| n.介入，干涉，干预 | |
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granite [ˈgrænɪt]
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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vessel [ˈvesl]
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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actively ['æktɪvlɪ]
第9级 |
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| adv.积极地，勤奋地 | |
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devoted [dɪˈvəʊtɪd]
第8级 |
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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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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gales [ɡeilz]
第8级 |
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| 龙猫 | |
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hull [hʌl]
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| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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labors [ˈleibəz]
第7级 |
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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18
exclusion [ɪkˈsklu:ʒn]
第8级 |
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| n.拒绝，排除，排斥，远足，远途旅行 | |
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19
expiration [ˌekspəˈreɪʃn]
第9级 |
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| n.终结，期满，呼气，呼出物 | |
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20
ribs ['rɪbz]
第7级 |
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| 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 | |
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21
planks [plæŋks]
第8级 |
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| （厚）木板( plank的名词复数 )； 政纲条目，政策要点 | |
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22
devouring [diˈvauərɪŋ]
第7级 |
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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23
grumble [ˈgrʌmbl]
第7级 |
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| vi.抱怨；咕哝；n.抱怨，牢骚；咕哝，隆隆声 | |
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24
axe [æks]
第7级 |
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| n.斧子；vt.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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25
grumbled [ˈɡrʌmbld]
第7级 |
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| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
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26
venting ['ventɪŋ]
第7级 |
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| 消除； 泄去； 排去； 通风 | |
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27
saturated ['sætʃəreitid]
第7级 |
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| a.饱和的，充满的 | |
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28
growling [ɡraulɪŋ]
第8级 |
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| n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼 | |
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29
incessant [ɪnˈsesnt]
第8级 |
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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30
murmur [ˈmɜ:mə(r)]
第7级 |
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；vi.低语，低声而言；vt.低声说 | |
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31
extremity [ɪkˈstreməti]
第9级 |
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| n.末端，尽头；尽力；终极；极度 | |
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32
phenomena [fə'nɒmɪnə]
第12级 |
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| n.现象 | |
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33
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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34
commotion [kəˈməʊʃn]
第9级 |
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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35
renewal [rɪˈnju:əl]
第8级 |
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| adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来 | |
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36
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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37
ascended [əˈsendid]
第7级 |
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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38
ascend [əˈsend]
第7级 |
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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39
prospect [ˈprɒspekt]
第7级 |
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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40
immediate [ɪˈmi:diət]
第7级 |
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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41
apprised [əˈpraɪzd]
第10级 |
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
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42
vapors [ˈveipəz]
第7级 |
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| n.水汽，水蒸气，无实质之物( vapor的名词复数 )；自夸者；幻想 [药]吸入剂 [古]忧郁（症）v.自夸，（使）蒸发( vapor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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43
vapor ['veɪpə]
第7级 |
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| n.蒸汽，雾气 | |
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44
crater [ˈkreɪtə(r)]
第8级 |
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| n.火山口，弹坑 | |
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45
dense [dens]
第7级 |
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| adj.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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46
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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47
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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48
conceal [kənˈsi:l]
第7级 |
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| vt.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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49
undoubtedly [ʌn'daʊtɪdlɪ]
第7级 |
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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50
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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51
lava [ˈlɑ:və]
第9级 |
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| n.熔岩，火山岩 | |
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52
overflowed []
第7级 |
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| 溢出的 | |
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53
derive [dɪˈraɪv]
第7级 |
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| vt.取得；导出；引申；来自；源自；出自；vi.起源 | |
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54
spout [spaʊt]
第9级 |
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| vt.&vi.喷出，涌出；滔滔不绝地讲；n.喷管；水柱 | |
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55
forth [fɔ:θ]
第7级 |
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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56
augured [ˈɔ:gəd]
第12级 |
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| v.预示，预兆，预言( augur的过去式和过去分词 )；成为预兆；占卜 | |
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57
phenomenon [fəˈnɒmɪnən]
第8级 |
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| n.现象，特殊的人，特殊的事物，奇迹 | |
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58
consequence [ˈkɒnsɪkwəns]
第8级 |
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| n.结果，后果；推理，推断；重要性 | |
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59
eruptions [ɪˈrʌpʃənz]
第8级 |
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| n.喷发，爆发( eruption的名词复数 ) | |
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60
varied [ˈveərid]
第8级 |
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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61
disintegration [dɪsˌɪntɪ'ɡreɪʃn]
第10级 |
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| n.分散，解体 | |
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62
entail [ɪnˈteɪl]
第7级 |
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| vt.使承担，使成为必要，需要 | |
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63
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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64
wagon [ˈwægən]
第7级 |
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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65
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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66
subterranean [ˌsʌbtəˈreɪniən]
第11级 |
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| adj.地下的，地表下的 | |
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67
oar [ɔ:(r)]
第7级 |
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| n.桨，橹，划手；vi.划行；vt.划（船） | |
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68
profundities [prəˈfʌndɪti:z]
第12级 |
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| n.深奥，深刻，深厚( profundity的名词复数 )；堂奥 | |
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69
shaft [ʃɑ:ft]
第7级 |
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| n.(工具的)柄，杆状物 | |
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70
sufficiently [sə'fɪʃntlɪ]
第8级 |
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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71
apprehended [ˌæpriˈhendid]
第8级 |
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| 逮捕，拘押( apprehend的过去式和过去分词 )； 理解 | |
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72
groan [grəʊn]
第7级 |
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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73
bellow [ˈbeləʊ]
第10级 |
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| vt. 大声喊叫；大声发出 vi. 吼叫；怒吼；咆哮 n. 吼叫声；轰鸣声 | |
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74
descended [di'sendid]
第7级 |
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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75
arduous [ˈɑ:djuəs]
第9级 |
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| adj.艰苦的，费力的，陡峭的 | |
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76
undertaking [ˌʌndəˈteɪkɪŋ]
第9级 |
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| n.保证，许诺，事业 | |
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77
diurnal [daɪˈɜ:nl]
第11级 |
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| adj.白天的，每日的 | |
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78
westward ['westwəd]
第8级 |
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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79
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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80
ascertain [ˌæsəˈteɪn]
第7级 |
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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81
incandescent [ˌɪnkænˈdesnt]
第11级 |
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| adj.遇热发光的， 白炽的，感情强烈的 | |
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82
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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83
lurid [ˈlʊərɪd]
第11级 |
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| adj.可怕的；血红的；苍白的 | |
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84
glimmered [ˈglɪməd]
第8级 |
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| v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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85
smoldering ['sməʊdərɪŋ]
第11级 |
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| v.用文火焖烧，熏烧，慢燃( smolder的现在分词 ) | |
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86
vibration [vaɪˈbreɪʃn]
第7级 |
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| n.颤动，振动；摆动 | |
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87
vibrations ['vaɪbreɪʃənz]
第7级 |
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| n.摆动( vibration的名词复数 )；震动；感受；（偏离平衡位置的）一次性往复振动 | |
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88
boiler [ˈbɔɪlə(r)]
第7级 |
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| n.锅炉；煮器(壶，锅等) | |
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89
sonorous [ˈsɒnərəs]
第11级 |
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| adj.响亮的，回响的；adv.圆润低沉地；感人地；n.感人，堂皇 | |
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90
bouquet [buˈkeɪ]
第8级 |
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| n.花束，酒香 | |
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91
luminous [ˈlu:mɪnəs]
第9级 |
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| adj.发光的，发亮的；光明的；明白易懂的；有启发的 | |
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92
dome [dəʊm]
第7级 |
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| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
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93
preoccupied [priˈɒkjupaɪd]
第10级 |
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| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
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94
indirectly [ˌɪndɪ'rektlɪ]
第8级 |
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| adv.间接地，不直接了当地 | |
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95
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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96
applied [əˈplaɪd]
第8级 |
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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97
intensity [ɪnˈtensəti]
第7级 |
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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98
diligently ['dilidʒəntli]
第7级 |
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| ad.industriously;carefully | |
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99
hooded [ˈhʊdɪd]
第8级 |
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| adj.戴头巾的；有罩盖的；颈部因肋骨运动而膨胀的 | |
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100
sinister [ˈsɪnɪstə(r)]
第8级 |
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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101
vomiting ['vɒmɪtɪŋ]
第9级 |
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| 吐 | |
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102
swollen [ˈswəʊlən]
第8级 |
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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103
torrent [ˈtɒrənt]
第7级 |
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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104
replenish [rɪˈplenɪʃ]
第9级 |
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| vt.补充；(把…)装满；(再)填满 | |
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105
forage [ˈfɒrɪdʒ]
第10级 |
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| n.(牛马的)饲料，粮草；v.搜寻，翻寻 | |
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106
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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107
expedition [ˌekspəˈdɪʃn]
第8级 |
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| n.远征，探险队，迅速； | |
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108
vex [veks]
第8级 |
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| vt.使烦恼，使苦恼 | |
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109
drawn [drɔ:n]
第11级 |
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| v.（draw的过去式）拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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110
trot [trɒt]
第9级 |
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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111
incessantly [in'sesntli]
第8级 |
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| ad.不停地 | |
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112
heterogeneous [ˌhetərəˈdʒi:niəs]
第10级 |
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| adj.庞杂的；异类的 | |
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113
derived [dɪ'raɪvd]
第7级 |
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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114
opacity [əʊˈpæsəti]
第12级 |
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| n.不透明；难懂 | |
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115
upwards [ˈʌpwədz]
第8级 |
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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116
pulverized ['pʌlvəraɪzd]
第12级 |
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| adj.[医]雾化的，粉末状的v.将…弄碎( pulverize的过去式和过去分词 )；将…弄成粉末或尘埃；摧毁；粉碎 | |
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117
gunpowder [ˈgʌnpaʊdə(r)]
第7级 |
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| n.火药 | |
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118
creek [kri:k]
第8级 |
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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119
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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120
piston [ˈpɪstən]
第7级 |
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| n.活塞 | |
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121
frightful [ˈfraɪtfl]
第9级 |
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| adj.可怕的；讨厌的 | |
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122
attained [ə'teɪnd]
第7级 |
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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123
gulf [gʌlf]
第7级 |
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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124
epoch [ˈi:pɒk]
第7级 |
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| n.(新)时代；历元 | |
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125
deafening [ˈdefnɪŋ]
第7级 |
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| adj. 振耳欲聋的, 极喧闹的 动词deafen的现在分词形式 | |
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126
enveloped [ləpd]
第9级 |
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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127
suffocated ['sʌfəkeɪtɪd]
第10级 |
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| （使某人）窒息而死( suffocate的过去式和过去分词 )； （将某人）闷死； 让人感觉闷热； 憋气 | |
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128
respiration [ˌrespəˈreɪʃn]
第9级 |
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| n.呼吸作用；一次呼吸；植物光合作用 | |
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129
abrupt [əˈbrʌpt]
第7级 |
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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130
declivity [dɪ'klɪvɪtɪ]
第11级 |
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| n.下坡，倾斜面 | |
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131
perilous [ˈperələs]
第10级 |
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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132
ridge [rɪdʒ]
第7级 |
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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133
recollected [ˌrekə'lektɪd]
第7级 |
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| adj.冷静的；镇定的；被回忆起的；沉思默想的v.记起，想起( recollect的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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134
elevation [ˌelɪˈveɪʃn]
第7级 |
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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135
vault [vɔ:lt]
第8级 |
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| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
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136
oars [ɔ:z]
第7级 |
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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137
steered [stiəd]
第7级 |
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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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138
illuminate [ɪˈlu:mɪneɪt]
第7级 |
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| vt.照亮，照明；用灯光装饰；说明，阐释 | |
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139
reposed [rɪˈpəʊzd]
第11级 |
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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 ) | |
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140
reigned []
第7级 |
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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141
vaulted ['vɔ:ltid]
第8级 |
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| adj.拱状的 | |
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142
anterior [ænˈtɪəriə(r)]
第11级 |
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| adj.较早的；在前的 | |
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143
countenance [ˈkaʊntənəns]
第9级 |
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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144
standing [ˈstændɪŋ]
第8级 |
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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