英语读物《神奇树屋》 第十五册 Viking Ships at Sunrise 02 The Steep Climb

　　Jack¹ opened his eyes.

The light was still gray, but the air was evendamper and colder than in Frog Creek².

"Wow, I'm in a long dress," said Annie. "It'sscratchy. Hey, I've got a little purse on my belt. It hasmy library card in it!"Jack looked down at his own clothes.

He was wearing a shirt and trousers, made of heavywool. He also wore leather slippers³. And in place ofhis backpack was a leather bag.

"Wow," said Annie, looking out the window. "Thisreally looks like the Dark Ages."Jack looked out, too. He couldn't see any-thingthrough the mist.

"It's just because the sun's not up yet," he said. "I'dbetter check the book."Annie handed the Ireland book to Jack. He openedit and read aloud:

The early Middle Ages were once known as the"Dark Ages" because learning and culture nearlyvanished throughout Europe. Scholars today praisethe brave Irish monks⁴ who helped keep Westerncivilization alive.

"What do 'civilization' and 'monks' mean?" askedAnnie.

"I think civilization is when people have books andart and good manners," said Jack. "Monks arereligious people who spend their time praying andreading and helping⁵ people.""Well, I don't see any civilization or monks outthere," said Annie, pointing at the mist.

Jack pulled out his notebook. He wrote:

Brave monks in IrelandThen he looked at Annie. "If we find civilization, Ithink we'll find the lost story," he said.

"Let's go," said Annie. She lifted her skirt andclimbed out the window.

Jack read more in the Ireland book.

The monks copied the ancient writings of theWestern world. Before printing was invented, allbooks had to be written and copied by hand.

"Hey, we're on a cliff!" Annie called from outside.

"Above the ocean!""Be careful!" said Jack.

He stuffed the Ireland book and his note-book intohis leather bag. Then he climbed out the window.

Annie was peering over the edge. Jack looked, too.

There was a rocky shore twenty feet below. Wavesslapped against the rocks. Sea gulls⁶ swooped⁷ andglided above the sea.

"It doesn't look like there's any civilization downthere," said Jack.

"Maybe we should climb those," said rile. Shepointed to steep steps cut into the cliff.

Jack looked up. The cliff also rose above them in themist.

"We better wait till the sun comes up," he said.

"Let's just go super slow," said Annie. She startedup the stone steps.

"Wait, Annie!" said Jack. "They might be slippery.""Whoa!" she said, almost falling backward. "Itripped on my darn dress!""I told you to wait," Jack said. "It's too dangerous."Just then something fell from above.

"Watch it!" said Jack. He put his hands over hishead.

"Hey, it's a rope!" said Annie.

Jack saw a thick rope dangling⁸ down the stairs.

"Where'd this come from?" he asked.

"It's like when Morgan dropped the ladder to us,"said Annie. "I bet someone's trying to help us.""Yeah, but who?" said Jack.

"Let's find out," said Annie. She grabbed the rope.

"I'll use it first. Once I'm at the top, you can comeafter me.""Okay, but hurry," he said. "And be very careful."Jack waited as Annie started climbing up the steps.

Annie held on to the rope as she climbed slowly upthe stairs. Soon she vanished over the top of the cliff.

"What's up there?" Jack shouted. But his voice waslost in the sound of the waves.

He grabbed the rope and started up the steep steps.

At the top of the cliff, he pulled himself over the edge.

"Aha!" boomed a deep, jolly voice. "It's another littleinvader!"

1 jack   

n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克

参考例句：

• I am looking for the headphone jack.我正在找寻头戴式耳机插孔。
• He lifted the car with a jack to change the flat tyre.他用千斤顶把车顶起来换下瘪轮胎。

2 creek   

n.小溪，小河，小湾

参考例句：

• He sprang through the creek.他跳过小河。
• People sunbathe in the nude on the rocks above the creek.人们在露出小溪的岩石上裸体晒日光浴。

3 slippers   

n. 拖鞋

参考例句：

• a pair of slippers 一双拖鞋
• He kicked his slippers off and dropped on to the bed. 他踢掉了拖鞋，倒在床上。

4 monks   

n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The monks lived a very ascetic life. 僧侣过着很清苦的生活。
• He had been trained rigorously by the monks. 他接受过修道士的严格训练。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

6 gulls   

n.鸥( gull的名词复数 )v.欺骗某人( gull的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• A flock of sea gulls are hovering over the deck. 一群海鸥在甲板上空飞翔。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The gulls which haunted the outlying rocks in a prodigious number. 数不清的海鸥在遥远的岩石上栖息。 来自辞典例句

7 swooped   

俯冲，猛冲( swoop的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The aircraft swooped down over the buildings. 飞机俯冲到那些建筑物上方。
• The hawk swooped down on the rabbit and killed it. 鹰猛地朝兔子扑下来，并把它杀死。

8 dangling   

悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口

参考例句：

• The tooth hung dangling by the bedpost, now. 结果，那颗牙就晃来晃去吊在床柱上了。
• The children sat on the high wall,their legs dangling. 孩子们坐在一堵高墙上，摇晃着他们的双腿。