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儿童英语读物 The Mystery Horse CHAPTER 9 Danger Strikes!

时间:2017-07-27 02:49来源:互联网 提供网友:qing   字体: [ ]
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    (单词翻译:双击或拖选)

The following morning, Violet told Henry and Jessie about the tire tracks she and Benny had spotted1 near the old pond.

“You’re sure they were fresh tracks?” Henry asked.

Violet shrugged2. “I think so.”

“They might have been left by visitors,” Jessie suggested. “Maybe the Morgans drove down there after dinner. The pine forest looks so pretty in the moonlight.”

“The pine trees!” Violet exclaimed. “I almost forgot to tell you something else important.” She quickly explained about seeing pine needles on Jed Owens’s sweater.

Henry frowned. “I don’t know what to say, Violet. The pine needles don’t really prove anything one way or the other. Maybe he was in the woods earlier in the day.”

“Maybe,” Violet said doubtfully.

“Anyway, we can’t do anything unless we’re really sure,” Henry added.

Later that morning, Violet spotted Mr. Morgan waving to her from the cornfield, and she hurried over to him.

“Violet,” he said pleasantly. “You’re just the person I’ve been looking for. I’ve got a surprise for you.”

“You do?”

Mr. Morgan glanced over his shoulder and said in a low voice, “I just found out that Wind Dancer is going home tomorrow. His owners will be here first thing in the morning to pick him up.”

“He’s leaving? But we never got to see him up close,” Violet said. She couldn’t hide her disappointment. She knew she would probably never have a chance to see a real racehorse again.

“Don’t worry, you’re going to get your chance tonight,” Mr. Morgan told her. “You can even feed him a little treat if you want.”

“I can?” Violet was thrilled.

Mr. Morgan nodded. “I’m taking Wind Dancer out to the old pond for the last time, and you’re all welcome to come see him.” Mr. Morgan’s blue eyes twinkled. “After all, if it weren’t for you Aldens, he might have been stolen by now.”

“We’ll all be there!” She couldn’t wait to tell the others.

“Oh, and why don’t you bring Daisy with you? She’s gotten over her fear of horses, and I think it would mean a lot to her.”

“It means a lot to all of us,” Violet told him. “Thanks!”

Violet hurried over to Benny, Jessie, and Henry, who were eating lunch with Daisy at the picnic table.

“You mean we’ll get to ride Wind Dancer?” Benny said, munching3 on a ham-and-cheese sandwich. He had taken off his tool belt and had laid it carefully on the table.

“No, I don’t think so,” Violet said. “We’ll just watch him exercise with Mr. Morgan.”

Benny’s face fell. “Oh, I wanted to pretend I was a real jockey.”

“Cheer up, Benny,” Jessie said. “You’ll probably see him trot4 and gallop5 and do all the things that racehorses do.”

“Maybe Mr. Morgan will let you hold the reins,” Daisy piped up. “He lets me lead Oliver in and out of his stall.” Daisy giggled6.

Violet smiled at her. Daisy was completely different from the shy, frightened little girl who had come to Sunny Oaks. She was happy and full of confidence.

There was a full moon later that evening when the Aldens crept quietly out of the bunkhouse. Daisy was waiting for them, a big smile on her face.

“We’re really going to see Wind Dancer,” she whispered, taking Jessie’s hand. “I can hardly believe it.”

They had crossed the yard and were just heading down the dusty path to the old pond when they spotted Mr. Morgan walking rapidly toward them.

“Hi, kids,” he greeted them. “I forgot Wind Dancer’s blanket, and I’m going to dash back to the stable and get it. Why don’t you go ahead and see him? He’s tethered to a tree at the edge of the pond.”

“We’ll take good care of him,” Violet promised.

They walked steadily7 for the next quarter mile, but when they rounded the bend, they were in for a shock. The two men who’d tried to steal Wind Dancer were loading him into a horse van!

“Oh, no!” Jessie cried. “They’re stealing him!”

The men turned at the sound of her voice. “C’mon, move it!” Ryan said gruffly to Hank. They quickly slammed the van doors shut and jumped into the cab.

“They’re getting away!” Henry said as the men gunned the engine. He sprinted8 after the van, but stopped when it made a tight U-turn and headed back toward them. Jessie reacted immediately and pulled Daisy and Benny into a shallow gully next to the path.

“I’ll go for help!” Violet yelled. She darted9 through the woods back to the stable, her heart beating fast. She had to get to Mr. Morgan in time or Wind Dancer would be gone forever!

Meanwhile Benny wriggled10 free from Jessie’s hand and watched the horse van roaring down the path. In just a few seconds, the van would pass them and it would be too late. Suddenly, he knew what he had to do. He scrambled11 out of the gully and reached into the leather pouch12 Bob Tyndall had given him at the barn raising. His fingers closed over the roofing nails and just as the van approached, he flung them into the center of the road. When the van passed over them, there was a satisfying pop, and Benny grinned. The nails had done their job. The van had a flat tire!

The van skidded13 to a stop and both men got out, looking furious. “Now look what you’ve done!” one of the men said to the other. “How are we going to fix it?”

“That won’t be necessary,” a male voice said firmly. Jessie and Daisy watched in amazement14 as a figure stepped out of the woods. It was Jed Owens! Benny’s mouth dropped open and he looked at Henry, puzzled. Had Jed Owens come to help them or had he come to steal Wind Dancer?

Both men turned in surprise as Jed Owens approached them. “Don’t bother fixing the flat,” he said in a friendly voice, “because you aren’t going anywhere. Except to jail.”

The thieves looked nervously15 at each other, and Hank started to back away. “Who are you?” he demanded hoarsely16.

“Jed Owens. And you don’t have to introduce yourselves. I know who both of you are. I’ve been watching you for a few weeks now.” He looked at Benny and gave him a big smile. “That was quick thinking.”

“But who are you?” Henry asked.

“We knew you weren’t a farmer,” Benny blurted17 out.

“You’re right. I’m a private security guard. Wind Dancer’s owners hired me to protect him.” He grinned at Benny. “Of course, it’s always nice to get a little help from my friends.” Suddenly they heard a siren, and a black-and-white car with flashing lights raced down the path toward them.

“It looks like the game is up, guys,” Jed Owens said to the thieves. “I hope you don’t have any plans for the next few years.”

Everything happened very quickly once the police cruiser pulled up. Two policemen jumped out and handcuffed the thieves, and Mr. Morgan and Violet hurried down the path to Henry and the others.

“Is everyone okay?” Mr. Morgan said.

“We’re fine,” Daisy piped up. “But what about Wind Dancer? Maybe he got scared by all the noise. Shouldn’t we check on him?”

Mr. Morgan laughed. “We’ll do that right now,” he said. Suddenly he spotted Jed Owens. “Jed?” he said hesitantly. “What are you doing here?”

“It’s okay,” Benny piped up. “He’s one of the good guys. He helped us save Wind Dancer!”

“Well, I’m glad to hear it,” Mr. Morgan said. He shook Jed Owens’s hand as one of the police officers approached them.

“We’ll need a statement from both of you. Can you come down to the station house first thing in the morning?”

“No problem,” Jed Owens said.

Mr. Morgan nodded. “We’ll be there.” He watched as the police cruiser pulled away with the thieves in the backseat. “Why don’t we all go back to the house and have some hot chocolate? We have a lot to talk about.”

Benny looked up at Jed Owens admiringly. “I have a zillion things I want to ask you.”

“Why did you tell us you were a farmhand?” Violet asked.

“Were you really in the woods that night?” Jessie demanded.

“How come you kept your identity a secret?” Henry chimed in.

“Wait a minute!” Daisy cried. She stood in the center of the group and crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re all so busy talking, you’ve forgotten all about Wind Dancer. He’s all by himself in the horse van, probably scared to death.”

“Don’t worry, Daisy,” Mr. Morgan said. “We’re going to fix that right now.” He took her by the hand and led her to the van. When he opened the rear doors, Wind Dancer gave a soft whinny and turned his head. He stomped18 his foot, impatient at being cooped up in the van.

“Easy now, boy.” Mr. Morgan’s voice was soothing19 as he eased the champion horse down the ramp20. He handed Daisy the lead rope. “He’s all yours, Daisy. You hold the rope good and tight, and stay to his left shoulder, like I showed you.”

“You mean I can take him back to the stables all by myself?”

Mr. Morgan smiled. “I don’t see why not.”

“Thanks,” Daisy said softly. She patted Wind Dancer’s cheek and then stepped out smartly, with just the right amount of tension on the rope. The horse trotted21 obediently next to her. She had never felt so proud in her whole life!
 


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 spotted 7FEyj     
adj.有斑点的,斑纹的,弄污了的
参考例句:
  • The milkman selected the spotted cows,from among a herd of two hundred.牛奶商从一群200头牛中选出有斑点的牛。
  • Sam's shop stocks short spotted socks.山姆的商店屯积了有斑点的短袜。
2 shrugged 497904474a48f991a3d1961b0476ebce     
vt.耸肩(shrug的过去式与过去分词形式)
参考例句:
  • Sam shrugged and said nothing. 萨姆耸耸肩膀,什么也没说。
  • She shrugged, feigning nonchalance. 她耸耸肩,装出一副无所谓的样子。 来自《简明英汉词典》
3 munching 3bbbb661207569e6c6cb6a1390d74d06     
v.用力咀嚼(某物),大嚼( munch的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • He was munching an apple. 他在津津有味地嚼着苹果。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Munching the apple as he was, he had an eye for all her movements. 他虽然啃着苹果,但却很留神地监视着她的每一个动作。 来自辞典例句
4 trot aKBzt     
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
参考例句:
  • They passed me at a trot.他们从我身边快步走过。
  • The horse broke into a brisk trot.马突然快步小跑起来。
5 gallop MQdzn     
v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔;飞速发展
参考例句:
  • They are coming at a gallop towards us.他们正朝着我们飞跑过来。
  • The horse slowed to a walk after its long gallop.那匹马跑了一大阵后慢下来缓步而行。
6 giggled 72ecd6e6dbf913b285d28ec3ba1edb12     
v.咯咯地笑( giggle的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • The girls giggled at the joke. 女孩子们让这笑话逗得咯咯笑。
  • The children giggled hysterically. 孩子们歇斯底里地傻笑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
7 steadily Qukw6     
adv.稳定地;不变地;持续地
参考例句:
  • The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
  • Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。
8 sprinted cbad7fd28d99bfe76a3766a4dd081936     
v.短距离疾跑( sprint的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He sprinted for the line. 他向终点线冲去。
  • Sergeant Horne sprinted to the car. 霍恩中士全力冲向那辆汽车。 来自辞典例句
9 darted d83f9716cd75da6af48046d29f4dd248     
v.投掷,投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 );向前冲,飞奔
参考例句:
  • The lizard darted out its tongue at the insect. 蜥蜴伸出舌头去吃小昆虫。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The old man was displeased and darted an angry look at me. 老人不高兴了,瞪了我一眼。 来自《简明英汉词典》
10 wriggled cd018a1c3280e9fe7b0169cdb5687c29     
v.扭动,蠕动,蜿蜒行进( wriggle的过去式和过去分词 );(使身体某一部位)扭动;耍滑不做,逃避(应做的事等)
参考例句:
  • He wriggled uncomfortably on the chair. 他坐在椅子上不舒服地扭动着身体。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • A snake wriggled across the road. 一条蛇蜿蜒爬过道路。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
11 scrambled 2e4a1c533c25a82f8e80e696225a73f2     
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:
  • Each scrambled for the football at the football ground. 足球场上你争我夺。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • He scrambled awkwardly to his feet. 他笨拙地爬起身来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
12 pouch Oi1y1     
n.小袋,小包,囊状袋;vt.装...入袋中,用袋运输;vi.用袋送信件
参考例句:
  • He was going to make a tobacco pouch out of them. 他要用它们缝制一个烟草袋。
  • The old man is always carrying a tobacco pouch with him.这老汉总是随身带着烟袋。
13 skidded 35afc105bfaf20eaf5c5245a2e8d22d8     
v.(通常指车辆) 侧滑( skid的过去式和过去分词 );打滑;滑行;(住在)贫民区
参考例句:
  • The car skidded and hit a lamp post. 那辆汽车打滑撞上了路灯杆。
  • The car skidded and overturned. 汽车打滑翻倒了。
14 amazement 7zlzBK     
n.惊奇,惊讶
参考例句:
  • All those around him looked at him with amazement.周围的人都对他投射出惊异的眼光。
  • He looked at me in blank amazement.他带着迷茫惊诧的神情望着我。
15 nervously tn6zFp     
adv.神情激动地,不安地
参考例句:
  • He bit his lip nervously,trying not to cry.他紧张地咬着唇,努力忍着不哭出来。
  • He paced nervously up and down on the platform.他在站台上情绪不安地走来走去。
16 hoarsely hoarsely     
adv.嘶哑地
参考例句:
  • "Excuse me," he said hoarsely. “对不起。”他用嘶哑的嗓子说。
  • Jerry hoarsely professed himself at Miss Pross's service. 杰瑞嘶声嘶气地表示愿为普洛丝小姐效劳。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记
17 blurted fa8352b3313c0b88e537aab1fcd30988     
v.突然说出,脱口而出( blurt的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She blurted it out before I could stop her. 我还没来得及制止,她已脱口而出。
  • He blurted out the truth, that he committed the crime. 他不慎说出了真相,说是他犯了那个罪。 来自《简明英汉词典》
18 stomped 0884b29fb612cae5a9e4eb0d1a257b4a     
v.跺脚,践踏,重踏( stomp的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • She stomped angrily out of the office. 她怒气冲冲,重步走出办公室。
  • She slammed the door and stomped (off) out of the house. 她砰的一声关上了门,暮暮地走出了屋了。 来自辞典例句
19 soothing soothing     
adj.慰藉的;使人宽心的;镇静的
参考例句:
  • Put on some nice soothing music.播放一些柔和舒缓的音乐。
  • His casual, relaxed manner was very soothing.他随意而放松的举动让人很快便平静下来。
20 ramp QTgxf     
n.暴怒,斜坡,坡道;vi.作恐吓姿势,暴怒,加速;vt.加速
参考例句:
  • That driver drove the car up the ramp.那司机将车开上了斜坡。
  • The factory don't have that capacity to ramp up.这家工厂没有能力加速生产。
21 trotted 6df8e0ef20c10ef975433b4a0456e6e1     
小跑,急走( trot的过去分词 ); 匆匆忙忙地走
参考例句:
  • She trotted her pony around the field. 她骑着小马绕场慢跑。
  • Anne trotted obediently beside her mother. 安妮听话地跟在妈妈身边走。
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