The Burial of the Rats 1 Leaving Paris by the Orleans road, cross the Enceinte, and, turning to the right, you find yourself in a 2 somewhat wild and not at all savoury district. Right and left, before and behind, on every side rise great heaps 3 of dust and waste accumulated by the process of time. 4 Paris has its night as well as its day life, and the sojourner who enters his hotel in the Rue de Rivoli or the 5 Rue St. Honore late at night or leaves it early in the morning, can guess, in coming near Montrouge−− if he 6 has not done so already−−the purpose of those great waggons that look like boilers on wheels which he finds 7 halting everywhere as he passes. 8 Every city has its peculiar institutions created out of its own needs; and one of the most notable institutions of 9 Paris is its rag−picking population. In the early morning−−and Parisian life commences at an early 10 hour−−may be seen in most streets standing on the pathway opposite every court and alley and between every 11 few houses, as still in some American cities, even in parts of New York, large wooden boxes into which the 12 domestics or tenement−holders empty the accumulated dust of the past day. Round these boxes gather and 13 pass on, when the work is done, to fresh fields of labour and pastures new, squalid hungry−looking men and 14

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11 stand (to) – estar colocado (pôr de pé, colocar em posição vertical) 11 pathway (s) - caminho 11 opposite (adj) – oposto, contrário 11 court (s) – pátio, beco sem saída 11 alley (s) – viela, beco 12 still (adv) – ainda 13 domestic (s) – empregado doméstico 13 tenement (s) – edifício dividido em habitações, condomínio 13 holder (s) – dono, possuidor 13 empty (to) – esvaziar, descarregar 13 accumulated (adj) - acumulado 13 dust (s) – lixo (pó) 13 gather (to) – reunir, juntar 14 pass on (to) – afastar-se, seguir o seu caminho 14 fresh (adj) – novo, diferente 14 field (s) – sector, área, campo 14 pasture (s) – fonte de rendimento (pastagem) 14 squalid (adj) – descorado e fraco, macilento

3 somewhat (pron) – um pouco 3 At all – realmente, de facto, afinal 3 savoury (adj) – um lugar livre de maus cheiros 3 behind (adv) - (prep) – atrás de, detrás 3 heap (s) – monte, montão, pilha 4 dust (s) – lixo (pó) 4 waste (s) – desperdício, lixo 5 sojourner (s) – hóspede, pessoa que está de passagem 6 guess (to) - adivinhar 7 wagon=waggon (s) – carroça grande 8 halt (to) – parar, fazer alto 9 peculiar (adj) – estranho, singular, peculiar 9 create out (to) – criar, inventar ♣♣♣ rag (s) – trapo, farrapo ♣♣♣ pick (to) - apanhar 10 rag-picking (s) - trapeiro

women, the implements of whose craft consist of a coarse bag or basket slung over the shoulder and a little 15 rake with which they turn over and probe and examine in the minutest manner the dustbins. They pick up and 16 deposit in their baskets, by aid of their rakes, whatever they may find, with the same facility as a Chinaman 17 uses his chopsticks. 18 Paris is a city of centralisation−−and centralisation and classification are closely allied. In the early times, 19 when centralisation is becoming a fact, its forerunner is classification. All things which are similar or 20 analogous become grouped together, and from the grouping of groups rises one whole or central point. We 21 see radiating many long arms with innumerable tentaculae, and in the centre rises a gigantic head with a 22 comprehensive brain and keen eyes to look on every side and ears sensitive to hear−−and a voracious mouth 23 to swallow. 24 Other cities resemble all the birds and beasts and fishes whose appetites and digestions are normal. Paris 25 alone is the analogical apotheosis of the octopus. Product of centralisation carried to an ad absurdum, it fairly 26 represents the devil fish; and in no respects is the resemblance more curious than in the similarity of the 27 digestive apparatus. 28

2 25 resemble (to) – assemelhar-se a, parecer-se com 25 Paris alone – só Paris 26 analogical (adj) – analógico, 1. relação de semelhança entre objectos diferentes, quer por motivo de semelhança, quer por motivo de dependência causal; 26 apotheosis (s) - glorificação 26 octopus (s) - polvo 26 ad absurdum – é Latim e significa absurdo 26 fairly (adv) – completamente 27 no (adj) - nenhum 27 respect (s) – aspecto, ponto 27 resemblance (s) – semelhança, parecença 27 similarity (s) – semelhança, parecença 28 apparatus (s) - aparelho

15 implement (s) – instrumento, ferramenta, utensílio 15 whose (pron) - cujo/a 15 craft (s) – ofício, profissão, arte 15 coarse (adj) – grosseiro, vulgar, áspero 15 sling (to) – atirar, lançar 16 rake (s) – ancinho, 1. instrumento agrícola em forma de pente para juntar palha, feno, etc.; 16 probe (to) – examinar cuidadosamente 16 minutest (adj) – minucioso, pormenorizado 16 dustbin (s) – lata do lixo 16 pick up (to) – apanhar do chão, levantar 18 chopstick (s) – pauzinho para os chineses comerem 20 forerun (to) – preceder, anteceder 22 radiate (to) – espalhar-se, irradiar 22 tentaculae – estrangeirismo? Significa tentáculo 23 comprehensive (adj) – grande, vasto 23 keen (adj) – penetrante, profundo, intenso, agudo 24 swallow (to) – engolir, tragar

Those intelligent tourists who, having surrendered their individuality into the hands of Messrs. Cook or Gaze, 29 'do' Paris in three days, are often puzzled to know how it is that the dinner which in London would cost about 30 six shillings, can be had for three francs in a cafe in the Palais Royal. They need have no more wonder if they 31 will but consider the classification which is a theoretic speciality of Parisian life, and adopt all round the fact 32 from which the chiffonier has his genesis. 33 The Paris of 1850 was not like the Paris of to−day, and those who see the Paris of Napoleon and Baron 34 Hausseman can hardly realise the existence of the state of things forty−five years ago. 35 Amongst other things, however, which have not changed are those districts where the waste is gathered. Dust 36 is dust all the world over, in every age, and the family likeness of dust−heaps is perfect. The traveller, 37 therefore, who visits the environs of Montrouge can go back in fancy without difficulty to the year 1850. 38 In this year I was making a prolonged stay in Paris. I was very much in love with a young lady who, thought 39 she returned my passion, so far yielded to the wishes of her parents that she had promised not to see me or to 40 correspond with me for a year. I, too, had been compelled to accede to these conditions under a vague hope of 41 parental approval. During the term of probation I had promised to remain out of the country and not to write 42

3 29 tourist (s) - turista 29 surrender (to) – abandonar, entregar 29 Cook and Gaze – primeiros fundadores de Agências de Viagens 30 “do” - fazem 33 chiffonier (s) – estrangeirismo? Significa trapeiro 33 genesis (s) – criação, origem 35 ago (adj) - (adv) – passado, decorrido 37 over (adv) – por completo, completamente 37 likeness (s) – parecença, semelhança 37 heap (s) – monte, montão, pilha 38 therefore (adv) - (conj) – por isso, portanto 38 environs (s plural) – subúrbios, arredores 40 return (to) – corresponder a, retribuir 40 so far – neste momento, até agora 40 yield (to) – render-se, submeter-se 40 parent (s) – pai ou mãe (no plural significa pais) 41 compel (to) – obrigar, forçar 41 accede (to) – concordar, consentir, aceder 42 approval (s) – aprovação, autorização 42 probation (s) – período de prova 42 remain (to) – permanecer, ficar 42 country (s) - país

to my dear one until the expiration of the year. 43 Naturally the time went heavily with me. There was not one of my own family or circle who could tell me of 44 Alice, and none of her own folk had, I am sorry to say, sufficient generosity to send me even an occasional 45 word of comfort regarding her health and well−being. I spent six months wandering about Europe, but as I 46 could find no satisfactory distraction in travel, F determined to come to Paris, where, at least, I would be 47 within easy hail of London in case any good fortune should call me thither before the appointed time. That 48 'hope deferred maketh the heart sick' was never better exemplified than in my case, for in addition to the 49 perpetual longing to see the face I loved there was always with me a harrowing anxiety lest some accident 50 should prevent me showing Alice in due time that I had, throughout the long period of probation, been 51 faithful to her trust and my own love. Thus, every adventure which I undertook had a fierce pleasure of its 52 own, for it was fraught with possible consequences greater than it would have ordinarily borne. 53 Like all travellers I exhausted the places of most interest in the first month of my stay, and was driven in the 54 second month to look for amusement whithersoever I might. Having made sundry journeys to the 55 better−known suburbs, I began to see that there was a terra incognita, in so far as the guide book was 56

4 51 throughout (adv) – ao longo de tudo 51 probation (s) – período de prova 52 faithful (adj) – fiel, leal 52 trust (s) - confiança 52 thus (adv) – assim, deste modo, portanto 52 undertake (to) – empreender 52 fierce (adj) – cruel, feroz 52 of its own – sozinho, por si próprio 53 fraught (adj) – carregado, repleto, cheio 53 bear (to) – aguentar, suportar, tolerar 54 exhaust (to) – esgotar, acabar 54 drive (to) – passar, atravessar 55 look for (to) – procurar, andar à procura de 55 amusement (s) - divertimento 55 whithersoever (adv) – seja para onde for, para onde quer que 55 sundry (adj) – vários, diversos 55 journey (s) – viagem relativamente extensa, viagem por terra, jornada, percurso 56 suburb (s) - subúrbio 56 terra incognita – estrangeirismo que significa terra desconhecida 56 in so far as - até ao ponto de;

44 heavily (adv) – lentamente, pesadamente 45 folk (s) – pessoas, povo ♣♣♣ folks (s plural) – pais, familiares, família, parentes 46 wander about (to) – vaguear, percorrer 47 At least – pelo menos 48 hail (s) – saudação 48 thither (adv) – para lá 48 appointed (adj) – fixado, determinado, combinado 49 defer (to) – adiar, diferir, demorar, deixar para outra ocasião 49 make (to) - fazer 49 sick (adj) – doente 49 addition (s) – acrescento, soma 50 longing (adj) – ansioso, que deseja ardentemente, nostálgico 50 harrowing (adj) – lancinante, pungente, cruciante 50 lest (conj) – para evitar que 51 prevent (to) – impedir, obstar, evitar 51 show (to) – ver, deixar ver

concerned, in the social wilderness lying between these attractive points. Accordingly I began to systematise 57 my researches, and each day took up the thread of my exploration at the place where I had on the previous 58 day dropped it. 59 In the process of time my wanderings led me near Montrouge, and I saw that hereabouts lay the Ultima Thule 60 of social exploration−−a country as little known as that round the source of the White Nile. And so I 61 determined to investigate philosophically the chiffonier −−his habitat, his life, and his means of life. 62 The job was an unsavoury one, difficult of accomplishment, and with little hope of adequate reward. 63 However, despite reason, obstinacy prevailed, and I entered into my new investigation with a keener energy 64 than I could have summoned to aid me in any investigation leading to any end, valuable or worthy. 65 One day, late in a fine afternoon, toward the end of September, I entered the holy of holies of the city of dust. 66 The place was evidently the recognised abode of a number of chiffoniers, for some sort of arrangement was 67 manifested in the formation of the dust heaps near the road. I passed amongst these heaps, which stood like 68 orderly sentries, determined to penetrate further and trace dust to its ultimate location. 69 As I passed along I saw behind the dust heaps a few forms that flitted to and fro, evidently watching with 70

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65 valuable (adj) – valioso, precioso 65 worthy (adj) – merecedor, digno 66 holy (adj) - sagrado 67 abode (s) – residência, domicílio ♣♣♣ abide (to intras) – subsistir, habitar, viver, aguardar, esperar, durar (to trans) – submeter-se a, suportar, tolerar, aguentar 67 arrangement (s) – disposição, arranjo 68 heap (s) – monte, montão, pilha 69 orderly (adj) – alinhado, bem arranjado, ordenado, metódico 69 sentry (s) – sentinela, guarda, vigilante 69 trace (to) – encontrar, localizar 69 ultimate (adj) – derradeiro, final 69 location (s) – localização, demarcação, situação 70 form (s) - forma 70 flit (to) – passar rapidamente 70 To and fro – de um lado para o outro

57 wilderness (s) – deserto, vastidão, imensidão, lugar selvagem, ermo, selva 57 accordingly (adv) – em conformidade, por consequência 57 systematize (to) - sistematizar 2. ordenar segundo determinados critérios, organizar; 58 research (s) – investigação, pesquisa, estudo 58 take up (to) – iniciar, tratar de 58 thread (s) – fio, linha 59 drop (to) – abandonar, renunciar a, deixar ficar 60 In process of time – com o decorrer dos tempos 60 hereabouts (adv) – por estas redondezas, por aqui, perto daqui 60 Ultima Thule – lenda em que se designa uma ilha situada a Norte de Inglaterra considerada pelos Romanos o limite extremo do norte do mundo conhecido e que inspirou criações artísticas a Goethe a Gounod e a Berlioz 61 source (s) – fonte, nascente, manancial, origem 62 chiffonier (s) - trapeiro 63 unsavoury (adj) – desagradável, repugnante, nojento 63 accomplishment (s) - realização 63 reward (s) – recompensa, retribuição 64 despite (prep) – apesar de 64 obstinacy (s) – teimosia, obstinação 64 prevail (to) – prevalecer, predominar, triunfar 64 keen (adj) – forte, intenso, agudo 65 summon (to) – chamar, convocar

interest the advent of any stranger to such a place. The district was like a small Switzerland, and as I went 71 forward my tortuous course shut out the path behind me. 72 Presently I got into what seemed a small city or community of chiffoniers. There were a number of shanties 73 or huts, such as may be met with in the remote parts of the Bog of Allan−−rude places with wattled walls, 74 plastered with mud and roofs of rude thatch made from stable refuse−−such places as one would not like to 75 enter for any consideration, and which even in water−colour could only look picturesque if judiciously 76 treated. In the midst of these huts was one of the strangest adaptations−−I cannot say habitations−−I had ever 77 seen. An immense old wardrobe, the colossal remnant of some boudoir of Charles VII, or Henry II, had been 78 converted into a dwelling−house. The double doors lay open, so that the entire manage was open to public 79 view. In the open half of the wardrobe was a common sitting−room of some four feet by six, in which sat, 80 smoking their pipes round− a charcoal brazier, no fewer than six old soldiers of the First Republic, with their 81 uniforms torn and worn threadbare. Evidently they were of the mauvais sujet class; their bleary eyes and limp 82 jaws told plainly of a common love of absinthe; and their eyes had that haggard, worn look of slumbering 83 ferocity which follows hard in the wake of drink. The other side stood as of old, with its shelves intact, save 84

6 77 habitation (s) – habitação, moradia, casa 77 ever (adv) – alguma vez, nunca 78 wardrobe (s) – guarda-roupa, guarda-fatos 78 remnant (s) – restos, sobra, sobejo 78 boudoir (s) – aposento privativo de senhora 79 dwelling house – moradia, casa de habitação 79 manage (s) – pertences 80 sitting-room (s) - sala de estar 81 charcoal (s) – carvão de lenha, carvão vegetal 81 fewer (adj) - (pron) - menos 82 threadbare (adj) – gasto, coçado, puído, velho 82 mauvais sujet class – estrangeirismo que significa a classe das más pessoas 82 bleary (adj) – turvo, embaciado 82 limp (adj) – mole, frouxo, flácido 83 absinthe (s) – absinto, 2. bebida alcoólica, muito forte, de cor esverdeada e sabor amargo, preparada com as folhas desta planta; 83 haggard (s) – aspecto alterado, desvairado, esgazeado, fatigado, pálido 83 worn (adj) – fatigado, cansado 83 slumbering (adj) – sonolento, entorpecido 84 wake (s) – sulco, esteira, caminho 84 of old - de outrora, de antigamente, de há muito 84 shelf (s) - prateleira

71 advent (s) – vinda, chegada, advento 71 district (s) – zona, bairro, sector, região 72 tortuous (adj) - tortuoso 72 course (s) – direcção, caminho 72 shut out (to) – ignorar, afastar 73 shanty (s) – barraca, cabana, choupana 74 hut (s) – cabana, barraca, choupana 74 bog (s) – brejo, lodaçal, paúl 74 rude (adj) – rude, grosseiro 74 wattled (adj) – feito de ramos ou canas ou vimes 75 plaster (s) – reboco, estuque, argamassa, gesso 75 mud (s) - lama 75 thatch (s) – cobertura de colmo ou palha em telhado 75 stable (adj) – de estábulo ou cavalariça ou estrebaria 75 refuse (s) – restos, refugo, resíduos, detritos 75 as (adv) - (conj) - (pron) - que 76 consideration (s) – razão, ponderação, reflexão, consideração 76 picturesque (adj) – pitoresco, imaginoso, original 76 judiciously (adv) – sensatamente, prudentemente, judiciosamente 77 adaptation (s) – adaptação, ajuste

that they were cut to half their depth, and in each shelf of which there were six, was a bed made with rags and 85 straw. The half−dozen of worthies who inhabited this structure looked at me curiously as I passed; and when 86 I looked back after going a little way I saw their heads together in a whispered conference. I−did not like the 87 look of this at all, for the place was very lonely, and the men looked very, very villainous. However, I did not 88 see any cause for fear, and went on my way, penetrating further and further into the Sahara. The way was 89 tortuous to a degree, and from going round in a series of semi−circles, as one goes in skating with the Dutch 90 roll, I got rather confused with regard to the points of the compass. 91 When I had penetrated a little way I saw, as I turned the corner of a half−made heap, sitting on a heap of 92 straw an old soldier with threadbare coat. 93 'Hallo!' said I to myself; 'the First Republic is well represented here in its soldiery.' 94 As I passed him the old man never even looked up at me, but gazed on the ground with stolid persistency 95 Again I remarked to myself: 'See what a life of rude warfare can do! This old man's curiosity is a thing of the 96 past.' 97 When I had gone a few steps, however, I looked back suddenly, and saw that curiosity was not dead, for the 98

7 85 depth (s) - profundidade 85 bed (s) - cama 85 rag (s) – farrapo, trapo 86 straw (s) - palha 86 worthy (s) – pessoa de distinção, sumidade, personalidade ilustre 86 inhabit (to) – habitar em, residir em, viver em, morar em 88 At all – realmente, de facto, afinal 88 lonely (adj) – isolado, ermo, solitário, abandonado 88 villainous (adj) – mau, perverso, ignóbil, infame 90 in some degree/ to a (certain) degree - de certa maneira; em certa medida 90 skating (s) - patinagem 90 Dutch (adj) - holandês 91 roll (s) – rolo mas aqui significa uma figura Holandesa típica 91 the points of the compass - os pontos cardeais e colaterais; 93 straw (s) - palha 93 threadbare (adj) – gasto, coçado 94 soldiery (s) – tropa, soldados 95 stolid (adj) – fleumático, imperturbável, impassível, calmo, apático, estúpido, estólido 96 remark (to) – reparar, comentar, notar 96 warfare (s) – guerra, estado de guerra

veteran had raised his head and was regarding me with a very queer expression. He seemed to me to look 99 very like one of the six worthies in the press. When he saw me looking he dropped his head; and without 100 thinking further of him I went on my way, satisfied that there was a strange likeness between these old 101 warriors. 102 Presently I met another old soldier in a similar manner. He, too, did not notice me whilst I was passing. 103 By this time it was getting late in the afternoon, and I began to think of retracing my steps. Accordingly I 104 turned to go back, but could see a number of tracks leading between different mounds and could not ascertain 105 which of them I should take. In my perplexity I wanted to sec someone of whom to ask the way, but could 106 see no one. I determined to go on a few mounds further and so try to see someone−−not a veteran. 107 I gained my object, for after going a couple of hundred yards I saw before me a single shanty such as I had 108 seen before−−with, however, the difference that this was not one for living in, but merely a roof with three 109 walls open in front. From the evidences which the neighbourhood exhibited I look it to be a place for sorting. 110 Within it was an old woman wrinkled and bent with age; I approached her to ask the way. 111 She rose as I came close and I asked her my way. She immediately commenced a conversation; and it 112

8 99 queer (adj) – estranho, esquisito 100 worthy (s) – personalidade ilustre, sumidade, pessoa de distinção 100 press (s) – armário com prateleiras para roupa (pressão, compressão) 100 drop (to) – deixar cair, baixar, descer, tombar 102 warrior (s) – guerreiro, soldado 103 presently (adv) – dentro em pouco, embreve 104 to retrace one's steps - voltar atrás; arrepiar caminho 104 accordingly (adv) – em conformidade, por conseguinte 105 mound (s) – monte, pilha, grande quantidade 105 ascertain (to) – averiguar, indagar, verificar, comprovar 106 sec (to) – significa um segundinho um momentinho, parar alguém por um segundinho, fazer qualquer coisa num muito curto espaço de tempo 108 gain (to) - conseguir 108 object (s) – finalidade, objectivo 108 hundred (num) - cem 108 shanty (s) – barraca, cabana, choupana 110 sorting (s) – selecção, triagem, classificação

occurred to me that here in the very centre of the Kingdom of Dust was the place to gather details of the 113 history of Parisian rag−picking−−particularly as I could do so from the lips of one who looked like the oldest 114 inhabitant. 115 I began my inquiries, and the old woman gave me most interesting answers−−she had been one of the 116 ceteuces who sat daily before the guillotine and had taken an active part among the women who signalised 117 themselves by their violence in the revolution. While we were talking she said suddenly: 'But m'sieur must be 118 tired standing,' and dusted a rickety old stool for me to sit down. I hardly liked to do so for many reasons; but 119 the poor old woman was so civil that I did not like to run the risk of hurting her by refusing, and moreover the 120 conversation of one who had been at the taking of the Bastille was so interesting that I sat down and so our 121 conversation went on. 122 While we were talking an old man−−older and more bent and wrinkled even than the woman−−appeared 123 from behind the shanty. 'Here is Pierre,' said she. 'M'sieur can hear stories now if he wishes, for Pierre was in 124 everything, from the Bastille to Waterloo.' The old man took another stool at my request and we plunged into 125 a sea of revolutionary reminiscences. This old man, albeit clothed like a scarecrow, was like any one of the 126

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114 rag (s) – trapo, farrapo 114 pick (to) – apanhar, colher, seleccionar 117 ceteuses – estrangeirismo não se sabendo bem o que significa 117 guillotine (s) – guilhotina da Revolução Francesa 117 signalise (to) – distinguir-se, notabilizar-se 119 dust (to) – limpar o pó 119 rickety (adj) – frágil, pouco seguro, vacilante 119 stool (s) – banco, banquinho, tamorete 120 moreover (adv) – além disso 125 request (s) – pedido, solicitação, instância 125 plunge (to) – mergulhar, submergir 126 reminiscences (s plural) – memórias, recordações, reminiscências 126 albeit (conj) - embora 126 scarecrow (s) - espantalho

six veterans. 127 I was now sitting in the centre of the low; hut with the woman on my left hand and the man on my right, each 128 of them being somewhat in front of me. The place was full of all sorts of curious objects of lumber, and of 129 many things that I wished far away. In one corner was a heap of rags which seemed to move from the number 130 of vermin it contained, and in the other a heap of bones whose odour was something shocking. Every now 131 and then, −glancing at the heaps, I could see the gleaming eyes of some of the rats which infested the place. 132 These loathsome objects were bad enough, but what looked even more dreadful was an −old butcher's axe 133 with an iron handle stained with clots of blood leaning up against the wall on the right hand side. Still, these 134 things did not give me much concern. The talk of the two old people was so fascinating that I stayed on and 135 on, till the evening came and the dust heaps threw dark shadows over the vales between them. 136 After a time I began to grow uneasy. I could not tell how or why, but somehow I did not feel satisfied. 137 Uneasiness is an instinct and means warning. The psychic faculties are often the sentries of the intellect, and 138 when they sound alarm the reason begins to act, although perhaps not consciously. 139 This was so with me. I began to bethink me where I was and by what surrounded, and to wonder how I 140

10 128 low hut – barraca baixa 129 somewhat (adv) – um tanto, um pouco 129 lumber (s) - madeira 130 far away (adj) - (adv) – afastado, longe, distante 130 heap (s) – monte, montão, pilha 131 every now and then - de vez em quando 132 rat (s) – ratazana, rato grande 133 loathsome=loathly (adj) – repugnante, nojento, que causa aversão 133 butcher (adj) – de talho, de carniceiro 133 axe (s) - machado 134 handle (s) – cabo, punho 134 stained (adj) – manchado, sujo 134 clot (s) - coágulo 134 lean up (to) – inclinar-se, com posição inclinada 134 still (adv) – todavia, contudo, ainda 135 concern (s) – preocupação, ansiedade 135 stay on (to) – demorar-se ainda algum tempo 136 vale (s) - vale 137 uneasy (adj) – inquieto, preocupado 138 sentry (s) - sentinela 140 bethink (to) – reflectir, reconsiderar

should fare in case I should be attacked; and then the thought suddenly burst upon me, although without any 141 overt cause, that I was in danger. Prudence whispered: 'Be still and make no sign,' and so I was still and made 142 no sign, for I knew that four cunning eyes were on me. 'Four eyes−−if not more.' My God, what a horrible 143 thought! The whole shanty might be surrounded on three sides with villains! I might be in the midst of a band 144 of such desperadoes as only half a century of periodic revolution can produce. 145 With a sense of danger my intellect and observation quickened, and I grew more watchful than was my wont. 146 I noticed that the old woman's eyes were constantly wandering towards my hands. I looked at them too, and 147 saw the cause−−my rings. On my left little finger I had a large signet and on the right a good diamond. 148 I thought that if there was any danger my first care was to avert suspicion. Accordingly I began to work the 149 conversation round to rag−picking−−to the drains−−of the things found there; and so by easy stages to jewels. 150 Then, seizing a favourable opportunity, I asked the old woman if she knew anything of such things. She 151 answered that she did, a little. I held out my right hand, and, showing her the diamond, asked her what she 152 thought of that. She answered that her eyes were bad, and stooped over my hand. I said as nonchalantly as I 153 could: 'Pardon me! You will see better thus!' and taking it off handed it to her. An unholy light came into her 154

11 141 fare (to) – sair-se, arranjar-se, desenrascar-se 142 overt (adj) – evidente, manifesto, claro, notório 142 cause (s) – causa, razão, motivo 143 cunning (adj) – astuto, matreiro 144 shanty (s) – barraca, cabana 145 desperado (adj) – pessoa pronta a qualquer crime, facínora 145 periodic (adj) - periódico 146 quicken (to) – acelerar, avivar, estimular, despertar, apressar 146 watchful (adj) – atento, vigilante 146 wont (s) – hábito, costume 148 ring (s) – anel 148 signet (s) – sinete, selo, anel com sinete 149 avert (to) – evitar, desviar, afastar 149 suspicion (s) – suspeita, desconfiança, dúvida 149 accordingly (adv) – por conseguinte, por consequência 150 drains (s plural) – sistema de esgotos, canos de esgoto 150 stage (s) – fase, grau, período 150 jewel (s) – jóia, pedra preciosa 151 seize (to) – aproveitar, agarrar, apanhar 153 stoop (to) – inclinar-se, vergar-se 153 nonchalantly (adv) – desinteressadamente, descontraidamente, despreocupadamente 154 unholy (adj) – terrível, tremendo, enorme, ímpio, pecaminoso

withered old face, as she touched it. She stole one glance at me swift and keen as a flash of lightning. 155 She bent over the ring for a moment, her face quite concealed as though examining it. The old man looked 156 straight out of the front of the shanty before him, at the same time fumbling in his pockets and producing a 157 screw of tobacco in a paper and a pipe, which he proceeded to fill. I took advantage of the pause and the 158 momentary rest from the searching eyes on my face to look carefully round the place, now dim and shadowy 159 in the gloaming. There still lay all the heaps of varied reeking foulness; there the terrible blood−stained axe 160 leaning against the wall in the right hand corner, and everywhere, despite the gloom, the baleful glitter of the 161 eyes of the rats. I could see them even through some of the chinks of the boards at the back low down close to 162 the ground. But stay! these latter eyes seemed more than usually large and bright and baleful! 163 For an instant my heart stood still, and I felt in that whirling condition of mind in which one feels a sort of 164 spiritual drunkenness, and as though the body is only maintained erect in that there is no time for it to fall 165 before recovery. Then, in another second, I was calm−−coldly calm, with all my energies in full vigour, with 166 a self−control which I felt to be perfect and with all my feeling and instincts alert. 167 Now I knew the full extent of my danger: I was watched and surrounded by desperate people! I could not 168

12 161 despite (prep) – apesar de 161 baleful (adj) – sinistro, terrível 162 chink (s) – fenda, abertura 162 board (s) - tábua 163 latter (adj) – último, mais recente 163 baleful (adj) – sinistro, terrível 164 whirling (adj) – rodopiante, que redemoinha 165 drunkenness (s) - embriaguez 166 recovery (s) – regresso ao estado normal, recuperação 166 vigour (s) – vigor, força, energia 167 feeling (s) - sensibilidade 168 desperate (adj) – desesperado, violento, terrível

155 withered (adj) – seco, murcho, mirrado 155 to steal a glance at - lançar um olhar furtivo para; 155 keen (adj) – agudo, penetrante 156 ring (s) - anel 156 conceal (to) – esconder, ocultar 157 fumble (to) – remexer desajeitadamente em 158 screw (s) – pacotinho de tabaco 158 proceed (to) – ocupar-se, tratar de 158 advantage (s) - proveito 159 dim (adj) – obscuro, sombrio 160 gloaming (s) – crepúsculo da noite, anoitecer 160 reeking (adj) - fumegante 160 foulness (s) - imundície 160 stain (to) - manchar 161 corner (s) – canto, recanto

even guess at how many of them were lying there on the ground behind the shanty, waiting for the moment to 169 strike. I knew that I was big and strong, and they knew it, too. They knew also, as I did. that I was an 170 Englishman and would make a fight for it; and so we waited. I had, I felt, gained an advantage in the last few 171 seconds, for I knew my danger and understood the situation. Now, I thought, is the test of my courage−−the 172 enduring test: the fighting test may come later! 173 The old woman raised her head and said to me in a satisfied kind of way: 174 'A very tine ring, indeed−−a beautiful ring! Oh, me! I once had such rings, plenty of them, and bracelets and 175 earrings! Oh! Sir, in those fine days I led the town a dance! But they've forgotten me now! They've forgotten 176 me! They? Why they never heard of me! Perhaps their grandfathers remember me, some of them!' and she 177 laughed a harsh, croaking laugh. And then I am bound to say that she astonished me, for she handed me back 178 the ring with a certain suggestion of old−fashioned grace which was not without its pathos. 179 The old man eyed her with a sort of sudden ferocity, half rising from his stool, and said to me suddenly and 180 hoarsely: 181 'Let me see!' 182

13

170 strike (to) – assaltar, atacar 173 enduring (adj) – de resistência 175 tine (adj) – significará metal? 175 bracelet (s) - pulseira 176 earring (s) - brinco 178 harsh (adj) – irritante, desagradável, áspero 178 croak (adj) – muito rouco e áspero 178 bind (to) – ser obrigado a (prender, atar) 179 suggestion (s) – insinuação, indício, alusão 179 fashioned (adj) – requintado, elegante 179 pathos (s) – patético, que suscita piedade, que comove 181 hoarsely (adv) - roucamente

I was about to hand the ring when the old woman said: 183 'No! no. do not give it to Pierre! Pierre is eccentric. He loses things; and such a pretty ring!' 184 'Cat!' said the old man, savagely. Suddenly the old woman said, rather more loudly than was necessary: 185 'Wait! I shall tell you something about a ring.' There was something in the sound of her voice that jarred upon 186 me. Perhaps it was my hyper−sensitiveness, wrought up as I was to such a pitch of nervous excitement, but 1' 187 seemed to think that she was not addressing me. As I stole a glance round the place I saw the eyes of the rats 188 in the bone heaps, but missed the eyes along the back. But even as, I looked I saw them again appear. The old 189 woman's 'Wait!' had given me a respite from attack, and the men had sunk back to their reclining posture. 190 'I once lost a ring−−a beautiful diamond hoop that had belonged to a queen, and which was given to me by a 191 farmer of the taxes, who afterwards cut his throat because I sent him away. I thought it must have been stolen, 192 and taxed my people; but I could get no trace. The police came and suggested that it had found its way to the 193 drain. We descended−−I in my fine clothes, for I would not trust them with my beautiful ring! I know more 194 of the drains since then, and of rats, too! but I shall never forget the horror of that place−−alive with blazing 195 eyes, a wall of them just outside the light of our torches. Well, we got beneath my house. We searched the 196

14 192 tax (s) - imposto 192 afterwards (adv) – depois, mais tarde 193 tax (to) – acusar, censurar (lançar imposto) 194 drain (s) – cano de esgoto 194 descend (to) - descer 195 alive (adj) - (adv) - vivo 196 outside (prep) – para além de, do outro lado 196 torch (s) – tocha, archote 196 beneath (prep) – debaixo de

184 eccentric (adj) – excêntrico, extravagante, original 185 cat! (s) - 3. depreciativo (mulher má) víbora; 185 rather (adv) – um tanto, um pouco 185 loudly (adv) – em voz alta 186 jar upon (to) - irritar 187 work up (to) – excitar, enervar 187 pitch (s) – grau, intensidade, nível 188 to steal a glance at- lançar um olhar furtivo para; 190 respite (s) – pausa, intervalo, descanso 190 reclining (adj) – reclinado, inclinado, dobrado, deitado 190 posture (s) – posição, postura 191 hoop (s) - anel 192 farmer (s) – arrematador de impostos aquele que compra vende ou leiloa em hasta pública no fundo que labora com dinheiros de impostos

outlet of the drain, and there in the filth found my ring, and we came out. 197 'But we found something else also before we came! As we were coming toward the opening a lot of sewer 198 rats−−human ones this time−−came towards us. They told the police that one of their number had gone into 199 the drain, but had not returned. He had gone in only shortly before we had, and, if lost, could hardly be far 200 off. They asked help to seek him, so we turned back. They tried to prevent me going, but I insisted. It was a 201 new excitement, and had I not recovered my ring? Not far did we go till we carne on something. There was 202 but little water, and the bottom of the drain was raised with brick, rubbish, and much matter of the kind. He 203 had made a fight for it, even when his torch had gone out. But they were too many for him! They had not 204 been long about it! The bones were still warm; but they were picked clean. They had even eaten their own 205 dead ones and there were bones of rats as well as of the man. They took it cool enough those other−−the 206 human ones−−and joked of their comrade when they found him dead, though they would have helped him 207 living. Bah! what matters it−−life or death?' 208 'And had you no fear?' I asked her. 209 'Fear!' she said with a laugh. 'Me have fear? Ask Pierre! But I was younger then, and, as I came through that 210

15

197 outlet (s) – saída, escoadouro 197 filth (s) – imundície, porcaria 198 sewer (adj) – de esgoto 199 number (s) - grupo 200 go in (to) - entrar 200 far off - longe 201 seek (to) - procurar 201 prevent (to) – impedir, evitar 202 carne - ?? 203 brick (s) - tijolo 203 rubbish (s) - lixo, desperdícios 203 matter (s) – substância, material (assunto) 206 take (to) – aceitar, reagir a, receber (levar, tirar) 207 comrade (s) – companheiro, camarada 208 living (adj) - vivo

horrible drain with its wall of greedy eyes, always moving with the circle of the light from the torches, I did 211 not feel easy. I kept on before the men, though! It is a way I have. I never let the men get it before me. All I 212 want is a chance and a means! And they ate him up−−took every trace away except the bones; and no one 213 knew it, nor no sound of him was ever heard!' Here she broke into a chuckling fit of the ghastliest merriment 214 which it was ever my lot to hear and see. A great poetess describes her heroine singing: 'Oh! to see or hear 215 her singing! Scarce I know which is the divinest.' 216 And I can apply the same idea to the old crone−− in all save the divinity, for I scarce could tell which was the 217 most hellish−−the harsh, malicious, satisfied, cruel laugh, or the leering grin, and the horrible square opening 218 of the mouth like a tragic mask, and the yellow gleam of the few discoloured teeth in the shapeless gums. In 219 that laugh and with that grin and the chuckling satisfaction I knew as well as if it had been spoken to me in 220 words of thunder that my murder was settled, and the murderers only bided the proper time for its 221 accomplishment. I could read between the lines of her gruesome story the commands to herb accomplices. 222 'Wait,' she seemed to say, 'bide your time. I shall Strike the first blow. Find the weapon for me, and I shall 223 make the opportunity! He shall not escape! Keep him quiet, and then no one will be wiser. There will be no 224

16 218 leering (adj) – de esguelha, de soslaio, mal intencionado 218 grin (s) - sorriso 218 square (adj) – anguloso, quadrado 219 shapless (adj) – feio, desproporcionado 219 gum (s) - gengiva 220 chuckling (adj) – que se ri por entre dentes, com riso abafado 221 bide (to) – aguardar, esperar 222 accomplishment (s) – realização, concretização 222 gruesome (adj) – terrível, horrível, arrepiante 222 command (s) – ordem, comando 222 herb – erro é “her” 222 accomplice (s) - cúmplice 223 bide (to) – aguardar, esperar 223 to bide one's time - esperar a sua hora; esperar pelo momento certo 223 blow (s) – golpe, pancada, murro 224 wise (adj) – sensato, sábio

211 greedy (adj) – insaciável, voraz 211 torch (s) – tocha, archote, lanterna 212 keep on (to) - continuar 213 means (s plural) – meios de ou para 213 eat up (to) – comer tudo, devorar 214 chuckling (adj) – que se ri por entre dentes, com riso abafado 214 fit (s) – ataque, acesso 214 ghastly (adj) – monstruoso, horroroso, pavoroso 214 merriment (s) – alegria, regozijo 215 lot (adj) - ocasião, acaso, fado, sorte 216 scarce (adv) – dificilmente, mal 217 crone (s) – (ofensivo) velha de pele murcha e rugosa; 217 save (conj) - (prep) – excepto, salvo 218 hellish (adj) – diabólico, infernal, medonho, terrível 218 harsh (adj) – áspero, desagradável 218 malicious (adj) – maldoso, malicioso

outcry, and the rats will do their work!' 225 It was growing darker and darker; the night was coming. I stole a glance round the shanty, still all the same! 226 The bloody axe in the corner, the heaps of filth, and the eyes on the bone heaps and in the crannies of the 227 floor. 228 Pierre had been still ostensibly filling his pipe; he now struck a light and began to puff away at it. The old 229 woman said: 230 'Dear heart, how dark it is! Pierre, like a good lad, light the lamp!' 231 Pierre got up and with the lighted match in his hand touched the wick of a lamp which hung at one side of the 232 entrance to− the shanty, and which had a reflector that threw the light all over the place. It was evidently that 233 which was used for their sorting at night. 234 'Not that, stupid! Not that! The lantern!' she called out to him. 235 He immediately blew it out, saying: 'All right, mother I'll find it,' and he hustled about the left corner of the 236 room−−the old woman saying through the darkness: 237 'The lantern! the lantern! Oh! That is the light that is most useful to us poor folks. The lantern was the friend 238

17

225 outcry (s) – gritaria, tumulto, alarido, clamor, algazarra, protesto 226 to steal a glance at - lançar um olhar furtivo para 227 filth (s) – imundície, porcaria 227 heap (s) – monte, montão, pilha 227 cranny (s) – greta, fenda 229 puff away (to) – fumar lançando baforadas 231 lad (s) - rapaz 232 wick (s) – pavio, torcida, morrão, mecha 234 sorting (s) – triagem, selecção 235 call out (to) - gritar 236 blow out (to) – apagar uma chama 236 hustle about (to) – apressar-se, empurrar 238 folk (s) – pessoa, povo

of the revolution! It is the friend of the chiffonier! It helps us when all else fails.' 239 Hardly had she said the word when there was a kind of creaking of the whole place, and something was 240 steadily dragged over the roof. 241 Again I seemed to read between the lines of her words. I knew the lesson of the lantern. 242 'One of you get on the roof with a noose and strangle him as he passes out if we fail within.' 243 As I looked out of the opening I saw the loop of a rope outlined black against the lurid sky. I was now, 244 indeed, beset! 245 Pierre was not long in finding the lantern. I kept my eyes fixed through the darkness on the old woman. Pierre 246 struck his light, and by its flash I saw the old woman raise from the ground beside her where it had 247 mysteriously appeared, and then hide in the folds of her gown, a .long sharp knife or dagger. It seemed to be 248 like a butcher's sharpening iron fined to a keen point. 249 The lantern was lit. 250 'Bring it here, Pierre,' she said. 'Place it in the doorway where we can see it. See how nice it is! It shuts out 251 the darkness from us; it is just right!' 252

18 245 beset (adj) – cercado, encurralado, rodeado 247 beside (adv) - (prep) – ao lado de 248 fold (s) – prega, dobra, vinco 248 gown (s) - vestido 248 dagger (s) – punhal, adaga 249 sharpening (adj) – de amolar, de afiar 249 keen (adj) – afiado, agudo, penetrante ♣♣♣ doorway (s) – porta, entrada 251 in the doorway - à entrada 251 shut out (to) – afastar, pôr lá fora, não deixar entrar 252 right (adj) – conveniente, adequado, apropriado

239 fail (to) - falhar 240 creaking (s) – chiadeira 241 steadily (adv) - firmemente 241 drag (to) – arrastar, puxar 243 get on (to) – colocar, pôr 243 noose (s) – laço, nó corredio 243 pass out (to) – passar, avançar 243 within (adv) - dentro 244 look out (to) – olhar para fora 244 loop (s) - laço 244 outlined (adj) - delineado/a 244 lurid (adj) - sinistro

Just right for her and her purposes! It threw all its light on my face, leaving in gloom the faces of both Pierre 253 and the woman, who sat outside of me on each side. 254 I felt that the time of action was approaching; but I knew now that the first signal and movement would come 255 from the woman, and so watched her. 256 I was all unarmed, but I had made up my mind what to do. At the first movement I would seize the butcher's 257 axe in the right−hand corner and fight my way out. At least, I would die hard. I stole a glance round to fix its 258 exact locality so that I could not fail to seize it at the first effort, for then, if ever, time and accuracy would be 259 precious. 260 Good God! It was gone! All the horror of the situation burst upon me; but the bitterest thought of all was that 261 if the issue of the terrible position should be against me Alice would infallibly suffer. Either she would 262 believe me false−−and any lover, or any one who has ever been one, can imagine the bitterness of the 263 thought−−or else she would go on loving long after I had been lost to her and to the world, so that her life 264 would be broken and embittered, shattered with disappointment and despair. The very magnitude of the pain 265 braced me up and nerved me to bear the dread scrutiny of the plotters. 266

19

254 outside (prep) – para além de 257 unarmed (adj) – desarmado, indefeso 258 fight out (to) – resolver à pancada, resolver lutando 259 seize (to) – agarrar, apanhar 259 if ever – como nunca 259 accuracy (s) – precisão, exactidão 261 burst upon (to) – rebentar, irromper 261 bitter (adj) – amargo, azedo 262 issue (s) – resultado, consequência (questão, problema) 264 or else - ou então; se não 265 embittered (adj) - amargurado 265 shattered (adj) – despedaçado, desfeito, destroçado, esmigalhado 265 despair (s) - desespero 266 to brace oneself up - retemperar-se; animar-se; 266 dread (adj) - terrível 266 scrutiny (s) – olhar atento 266 plotter (s) – conspirador, pessoa que entra em maquinações

I think I did not betray myself. The old woman was watching me as a cat does a mouse; she had her right 267 hand hidden in the folds of her gown, clutching, I knew, that long, cruel−looking dagger. Had she seen any 268 disappointment in my face she would, I felt, have known that the moment had come, and would have sprung 269 on me like a tigress, certain of taking me unprepared. 270 I looked out into the night, and there I saw new cause for danger. Before and around the hut were at a little 271 distance some shadowy forms; they were quite still, but I knew that they were all alert and on guard. Small 272 chance for me now in that direction. 273 Again I stole a glance round the place. In moments of great excitement and of great danger, which is 274 excitement, the mind works very quickly, and the keenness of the faculties which depend on the mind grows 275 in proportion. I now felt this. In an instant I took in the whole situation. I saw that the axe had been taken 276 through a small hole made in one of the rotten boards. How rotten they must be to allow of such a thing being 277 done without a particle of noise. 278 The hut was a regular murder−trap, and was guarded all around. A garroter lay on the roof ready to entangle 279 me with his noose if I should escape the dagger of the old hag. In front the way was guarded by I know not 280

20 267 betray (to) – trair, revelar, denunciar 268 clutch (to) – agarrar, prender 268 cruel (adj) - cruel 269 he sprang it on me - apanhou-me de surpresa ♣♣♣ spring on (to) – surpreender com ♣♣♣ spring (to) – saltar, pular 270 unprepared (adj) - desprevenido 277 rotten (adj) – podre, carcomido, carunchoso 277 board (s) - tábua 278 particle (s) – pedaço mínimo, partícula 279 trap (s) – ratoeira, armadilha 279 regular (adj) - perfeito 279 guarded (adj) – defendido, sob vigilância 279 garrotter (s) - estrangulador 279 entangle (to) – emaranhar, enredar 280 noose (s) - laço 280 hag (s) – bruxa, feiticeira

how many watchers. And at the back was a row of desperate men−−I had seen their eyes still through the 281 crack in the boards of the floor, when last I looked−− as they lay prone waiting for the signal to start erect, If 282 it was to be ever, now for it! 283 As nonchalantly as I could I turned slightly on my stool so as to get my right leg well under me. Then with a 284 sudden jump, turning my head, and guarding it with my hands, and with the fighting instinct of the knights of 285 old, I breathed my lady's name, and hurled myself against the back wall of the hut. 286 Watchful as they were, the suddenness of my movement surprised "both Pierre and the old woman. As I 287 crashed through the rotten timbers I saw the old woman rise with a leap like a tiger and heard her low gasp of 288 baffled rage. My feet lit on something that moved, and as I jumped away I knew that I had stepped on the 289 back of one of the row of men lying on their faces outside the hut. I was torn with nails and splinters, but 290 otherwise unhurt. Breathless I rushed up the mound in front of me, hearing as I went the dull crash of the 291 shanty as it collapsed into a mass. 292 It was a nightmare climb. The mound, though but low, was awfully steep, and with each step I took the mass 293 of dust and cinders tore down with me and gave way under my feet. The dust rose and choked me; it was 294

21

288 rotten (adj) – podre, apodrecido 288 gasp (s) – arquejo, arfada, ofego 289 baffled (adj) - contrariado/a, frustrado/a, perplexo/a 289 light on (to) – encontrar por acaso 290 nail (s) - unha 290 splinter (s) – lasca, estilha, esquírola 291 otherwise (adv) – fora disso 291 mound (s) – monte, pilha 291 dull (adj) – som surdo e abafado 291 crash (s) – estrépito 292 mass (s) – montão, pilha 293 nightmare (adj) – de pesadelo 293 climb (s) – ascensão, subida 294 cinder (s) - cinza 294 tear down (to) – deitar abaixo 294 give way (to) - ceder 294 choke (to) – sufocar, estrangular

281 row (s) - fila 281 still (adj) – silencioso, quieto 282 crack (s) – racha, fenda 282 board (s) - tábua 282 prone (adj) – deitado de barriga para baixo 282 start (to) – levantar, pôr-se em ou a 283 ever (adv) – alguma vez 284 nonchalantly (adv) – despreocupadamente, descontraidamente 284 slightly (adv) – ligeiramente, um pouco 285 guard (to) – proteger, defender, guardar 285 knight (s) - cavaleiro 286 breathe (to) - pronunciar 286 hurl (to) – atirar violentamente 287 watchful (adj) – atento, vigilante, alerta 287 suddenness (s) - brusquidão 288 crash (to) – partir ou deixar cair com estrondo

sickening, foetid, awful; but my climb was, I felt, for life or death, and I struggled on. The seconds seemed 295 hours; but the few moments I had in starting, combined with my youth and strength, gave me a great 296 advantage, and, though several forms struggled after me in deadly silence which was more dreadful than any 297 sound,, I easily reached the top. Since then I have climbed the cone of Vesuvius, and as I struggled up that 298 dreary steep amid the sulphurous fumes the memory of that awful night at Montrouge came back to me so 299 vividly that I almost grew faint. 300 The mound was one of the tallest in the region of dust, and as I struggled to the top, panting for breath and 301 with my heart beating like a sledge−hammer, I saw away to my left the dull red gleam of the sky, and nearer 302 still the flashing of lights. Thank God! I knew where I was now and where lay the road to Paris! 303 For two or three seconds I paused and looked back. My pursuers were still well behind me, but struggling up 304 resolutely, and in deadly silence. Beyond, the shanty was a wreck−−a mass of timber and moving forms. I 305 could see it well, for flames were already bursting out; the rags and straw had evidently caught fire from the 306 lantern. Still silence there! Not a sound! These old wretches could die game, anyhow. 307 I had no time for more than a passing glance, for as I cast an eye round the mound preparatory to making my 308

22 306 burst out (to) – começar a, principiar 306 rag (s) – farrapo, trapo 306 straw (s) - palha 307 wretch (s) – patife, canalha 307 die game (to) – morrer a lutar 308 passing (adj) – breve, passageiro 308 cast (to) - lançar 308 preparatory (adj) – preliminar, preparatório

295 sickning (adj) – repugnante, asqueroso 295 foetid (adj) – fétido, nauseabundo, fedorento 295 awful (adj) – terrível, horrível 295 struggle on (to) – continuar a lutar 296 youth (s) - juventude 297 deadly (adj) – mortal, implacável 298 since (adv) - desde essa altura 298 struggle up (to) – subir à custa de esforço, fazer um grande esforço 299 dreary (adj) – desolador, monótono 299 amid (prep) – entre, no meio de 302 sledge (s) – malho de martelo 302 dull (adj) – sem brilho 303 still (adv) - ainda 304 pursuer (s) - perseguidor 304 to struggle up - subir à custa de esforço 305 wreck (s) – ruína, destruição 306 flame (s) – chama, labareda

descent I saw several dark forms rushing round on either side to cut me off on my way. It was now a race for 309 life. They were trying to head me on my way to Paris, and with the instinct of the moment I dashed down to 310 the right−hand side. I was just in time, for, though I came as it seemed to me down the steep in a few steps, 311 the wary old men who were watching me turned back, and one, as I rushed by into the opening between the 312 two mounds in front, almost struck me a blow with that terrible butcher's axe. There could surely not be two 313 such weapons about! 314 Then began a really horrible chase. I easily ran ahead of the old men, and even when some younger ones and 315 a few women joined in the hunt I easily distanced them. But I did not know the way, and I could not even 316 guide myself by the light in the sky, for I was running away from it. I had heard that, unless of conscious 317 purpose, hunted men turn always to the left, and so I found it now; and so, I suppose, knew also my pursuers, 318 who were more animals than men, and with cunning or instinct had found out such secrets for themselves: for 319 on finishing a quick spurt, after which I intended to take a moment's breathing space, I suddenly saw ahead of 320 me two or three forms swiftly passing behind a mound to the right. 321 I was in the spider's web now indeed! But with the thought of this new danger came the resource of the 322

23

310 head (to) – meter-se à frente de (orientar, dirigir) 310 dash down (to) – precipitar-se, mover-se rapidamente 312 wary (adj) - matreiro 313 blow (s) - golpe 313 There could surely not be two such weapons about! – certamente que não existiam duas armas como esta nas redondezas 317 unless of conscious purpose – a não ser que tivessem uma razão para fazerem o contrário 319 cunning (s) – astúcia, manha 320 spurt (s) – corrida, sprint 322 resource (s) – capacidade, habilidade, expediente

hunted, and so I darted down the next turning to the right. I continued in this direction for some hundred 323 yards, and then, making a turn to the left again, felt certain that I had, at any rate, avoided the danger of being 324 surrounded. 325 But not of pursuit, for on came the rabble after me, steady, dogged, relentless, and still in grim silence. 326 In the greater darkness the mounds seemed now to be somewhat smaller than before, although−−for the night 327 was closing−−they looked bigger in proportion. I was now well ahead of my pursuers, so I made a dart up the 328 mound in front. 329 Oh joy of joys! I was close to the edge of this inferno of dustheaps. Away behind me the red light of Paris 330 was in the sky, and towering up behind rose the heights of Montmarte−−a dim light, with here and there 331 brilliant points like stars. 332 Restored to vigour in a moment, I ran over the few remaining mounds of decreasing size, and found myself 333 on the level land beyond. Even then, however, the prospect was not inviting. All before me was dark and 334 dismal, and I had evidently come on one of those dank, low−lying waste places which are found here and 335 there in the neighbourhood of great cities. Places of waste and desolation, where the space is required for the 336

24 323 dart (to) – precipitar-se 324 At any rate – de qualquer maneira, seja como for, pelo menos, ao menos 324 avoid (to) - evitar 326 rabble (s) – multidão, canalha, populaça, a ralé social 326 steady (adj) – constante, firme 326 dogged (adj) – teimoso, obstinado 326 relentless (adj) – inflexível, implacável 326 grim (adj) – terrível, sinistro 328 dart up (to) - subir 331 tower up (to) – destacar-se, elevar-se 333 decreasing (adj) - decrescente 334 level (adj) – plano, liso 334 beyond (adj) – mais longe 334 prospect (s) – perspectiva, esperança 335 dismal (adj) – sombrio, escuro 335 come on (to) – avançar, aproximar-se 335 dank (adj) – desagradavelmente húmido e frio 335 waste (adj) – por cultivar, por ocupar, ermo, maninho, inculto

ultimate agglomeration of all that is noxious, and the ground is so poor as to create no desire of occupancy 337 even in the lowest squatter. With eyes accustomed to the gloom of the evening, and away now from the 338 shadows of those dreadful dustheaps, I could see much more easily than I could a little while ago. It might 339 have been, of course, that the glare in the sky of the lights of Paris, though the city was some miles away, was 340 reflected here. Howsoever it was, I saw well enough to take bearings for certainly some little distance around 341 me. 342 In front was a bleak, flat waste that seemed almost dead level, with here and there the dark shimmering of 343 stagnant pools. Seemingly far off on the right, amid a small cluster of scattered lights, rose a dark mass of 344 Fort Montrouge, and away to the left in the dim distance, pointed with stray gleams from cottage windows, 345 the lights in the sky showed the locality of Bicetre. A moment's thought decided me to take to the right and 346 try to reach Montrouge. There at least would be some sort of safety, and I might possibly long before come 347 on some of the cross roads which I knew. Some« where, not far off, must lie the strategic road made to 348 connect the outlying chain of forts circling the city. 349 Then I looked back. Coming over the mounds, and outlined black against the glare of the Parisian horizon, I 350

25

337 ultimate (adj) – derradeiro, final, definitivo 337 noxious (adj) – prejudicial, tóxico, venenoso, insalubre 337 and the ground is so poor as to create no desire of occupancy even in the lowest squatter – a terra é tão miserável que nem mesmo um sem abrigo, dos mais pobres, sente vontade de ocupá-la (squatter-sem abrigo, ocupante ilegal) 339 a little while ago - há bocadinho; 341 howsoever=however (adv) - (conj) – todavia, contudo 341 bearing (s) – orientação, rumo 341 certainly (adv) - certamente 343 bleak (adj) – desabrigado, desolado, árido 343 waste (adj) – por cultivar, por ocupar, ermo, maninho, inculto 343 shimmering (adj) – reluzente, tremeluzente 344 cluster (s) – aglomeração, conjunto 344 scattered (adj) - disperso 345 stray (adj) – isolado, acidental 349 chain (s) – cadeia

saw several moving figures, and still a way to the right several more deploying out between me and my 351 destination. They evidently meant to cut me off in this direction, and so my choice became constricted; it lay 352 now between going straight ahead or turning to the left. Stooping to the ground, so as to get the advantage of 353 the horizon as a line of sight, I looked carefully in this direction, but could detect no sign of my enemies. I 354 argued that as they had not guarded or were not trying to guard that point, there was evidently danger to me 355 there already. So I made up my mind to go straight on before me. 356 It was not an inviting prospect, and as I went on the reality grew worse. The ground became soft and oozy, 357 and now and again gave way beneath me in a sickening kind of way. I seemed somehow to be going down, 358 for I saw round me places seemingly more elevated than where I was, and this in a place which from a little 359 way back seemed dead level. I looked around, but could sec none of my pursuers. This was strange, for all 360 along these birds of the night had followed me through the darkness as well as though it was broad daylight. 361 How I blamed myself for coming out in my light−coloured tourist suit of tweed. The silence, and my not 362 being able to see my enemies, whilst I felt that they were watching me, grew appalling, and in the hope of 363 some one not of this ghastly crew hearing me I raised my voice and shouted several times. There was not the 364

26 351 deploy (to) – colocar em linha ou desdobrar as tropas 352 cut off (to) – isolar (cortar, amputar) 353 stooping (adj) - inclinado 355 argue (to) – argumentar, discutir 357 oozy (adj) – lodoso, lamacento 358 beneath (prep) – debaixo de 358 sickening (adj) – chocante 360 dead level - nível perfeito; 360 sec (to) – fazer qualquer coisa num muito curto espaço de tempo 361 as well as – também, como também 361 broad (adj) – claro, aberto, nítido 362 blame (to) – culpar, censurar, responsabilizar 362 suit (s) – fato completo 363 appaling (adj) – chocante, aterrador, horrível 364 ghastly (adj) – monstruoso, horroroso, pavoroso 364 crew (s) – corja, súcia, canalha, ralé, marginais

slightest response; not even an echo rewarded my efforts. For a while I stood stock still and kept my eyes in 365 one direction. On one of the rising places around me I saw something dark move along, then another, and 366 another. This was to my left, and seemingly moving to head me off. 367 I thought that again I might with my skill as a runner elude my enemies at this game, and so with all my 368 speed darted forward. 369 Splash! 370 My feet had given way in a mass of slimy rubbish, and I had fallen headlong into a reeking, stagnant pool. 371 The water and the mud in which my arms sank up to the elbows was filthy and nauseous beyond description, 372 and in the suddenness of my fall I had actually swallowed some of the filthy stuff, which nearly choked me, 373 and made me gasp for breath. Never shall I forget the moments during which I stood trying to recover myself 374 almost fainting from the foetid odour of the filthy pool, whose white mist rose ghostlike around. Worst of all, 375 with the acute despair of the hunted animal when he sees the pursuing pack closing on him, I saw before my 376 eyes whilst I stood helpless the dark forms of my pursuers moving swiftly to surround me. 377 It is curious how our minds work on odd matters even when the energies of thought are seemingly 378

27

372 nauseous (adj) – nauseabundo, repugnante, nojento 373 swallow (to) – engolir, tragar 373 stuff (s) – substância 373 nearly (adv) - quase 375 foetid=fetid (adj) – fétido, mal cheiroso, nauseabundo 375 mist (s) – fumo, névoa 375 ghostlike (adj) – fantasmagórico, espectral 376 acute (adj) – agudo, intenso 376 despair (s) – desespero, aflição 376 pack (s) – bando, quadrilha 377 helpless (adj) – desamparado, impossibilitado, impotente 377 surround (to) – cercar, rodear, circundar 378 odd (adj) – estranho, extravagante 378 seemingly (adv) - aparentemente

365 slight (adj) – leve, ligeiro 365 reward (to) – recompensar, premiar 365 stock-still (adj) - imóvel 367 head off (to) - interceptar 368 skill (s) – perícia, aptidão, jeito, talento 368 elude (to) – iludir, fugir a, evitar 369 dart (to) – precipitar-se 370 splash! (s) – chape, esparrinhadela, salpico, borrifo 371 slimy (adj) – lamacento, lodoso 371 rubbish (s) – porcaria, detritos, entulho 371 headlong (adv) – impetuosamente, de cabeça 371 reeking (adj) – mal cheiroso, nauseabundo, fétido 371 stagnant (adj) – apodrecido, estagnado 372 mud (s) - lama 372 sink up (to) – afundar-se 372 elbow (s) - cotovelo 372 filthy (adj) – sujo, imundo

concentrated on some terrible and pressing need. I was in momentary peril of my life: my safety depended on 379 my action, and my choice of alternatives coming now with almost every step I took, and yet I could not but 380 think of the strange dogged persistency of these old men. Their silent resolution, their steadfast, grim, 381 persistency even in such a cause commanded, as well as fear, even a measure of respect. What must they 382 have been in the vigour of their youth. I could understand now that whirlwind rush on the bridge of Arcola, 383 that scornful exclamation of the Old Guard at Waterloo! Unconscious cerebration has its own pleasures, even 384 at such moments; but fortunately it does not in any way clash with the thought from which action springs. 385 I realised at a glance that so far I was defeated in my object, my enemies as yet had won. They had succeeded 386 in surrounding me on three sides, and were bent on driving me off to the left−hand, where there was already 387 some danger for me, for they had left no guard. I accepted the alternative−−it was a case of Hobson's choice 388 and run. I had to keep the lower ground, for my pursuers were on the higher places. However, though the 389 ooze and broken ground impeded me my youth and training made me able to hold my ground, and by 390 keeping a diagonal line I not only kept them from gaining on me but even began to distance them. This gave 391 me new heart and strength, and by this time habitual training was beginning to tell and my second wind had 392

28 386 succeed (to) – ser bem sucedido, sair-se bem 387 be bent on (to) - estar resolvido a; 387 drive off (to) - afugentar 390 ooze (s) – lodo, lama 390 impede (to) – impedir, dificultar 390 hold one's ground (to) - manter-se firme; não ceder terreno 391 gain on (to) – aproximar-se, reduzir a distância em relação a 392 tell (to) – fazer-se notar 392 second wind - respiração regular depois da excitação do esforço;

379 peril (s) – perigo, risco 380 alternative (s) – alternativa, opção, escolha 381 dogged (adj) – persistente, determinado, tenaz, obstinado, teimoso 381 resolution (s) – determinação, firmeza, resolução 381 steadfast (adj) – inabalável, inflexível 381 grim (adj) – implacável, cruel 382 even in such a cause commanded – mesmo por uma tal causa 382 measure (s) - quantidade 383 whirlwind (adj) – como um furacão ou um turbilhão 383 bridge (s) - ponte 384 scornful (adj) – desdenhoso, trocista, zombador 384 cerebration (s) – actividade intelectual 385 clash (to) – entrar em conflito, chocar, colidir 385 spring (to) – nascer, brotar, surgir 386 so far – neste momento, até agora 386 defeated (adj) – derrotado, vencido 386 as yet – até agora

come. Before me the ground rose slightly. I rushed up the slope and found before me a waste of watery slime, 393 with a low dyke or bank looking black and grim beyond. I felt that if I could but reach that dyke in safety I 394 could there, with solid ground under my feet and some kind of path to guide me, find with comparative ease a 395 way out of my troubles. After a glance right and left and seeing no one near, I kept my eyes for a few minutes 396 to their rightful work of aiding my feet whilst I crossed the swamp. It was rough, hard work, but there was 397 little danger, merely toil; and a short time took me to the dyke. I rushed up the slope exulting; but here again I 398 met a new shock. On either side of me rose a number of crouching figures. From right and left they rushed at 399 me. Each body held a rope. 400 The cordon was nearly complete. I could pass on neither side, and the end was near. 401 There was only one chance, and I took it. I hurled myself across the dyke, and escaping out of the very 402 clutches of my foes threw myself into the stream. 403 At any other time I should have thought that water foul and filthy, but now it was as welcome as the most 404 crystal stream to the parched traveller. It was a highway of safety! 405 My pursuers rushed after me. Had only one of them held the rope it would have been all up with me, for he 406

29

402 escape out (to) – evitar, libertar 403 clutch (s) - garra 403 foe (s) – adversário, inimigo 404 foul (adj) – sujo, imundo 404 filthy (adj) – sujo, imundo 405 parched (adj) – cheio de sede 405 traveller (s) - viajante 405 highway (s) – estrada nacional, via pública 406 be all up with (to) - estar tudo liquidado com; não haver possibilidade de salvação;

393 slightly (adv) – ligeiramente, um pouco 393 waste (s) – baldio, terra inculta, imensidão, extensão 393 slime (s) – lodo, limo 394 dyke (s) – a long thick wall that is built to stop water flooding onto a low area of land, especially from the sea, a channel that carries water away from the land 394 bank (s) - margem 394 grim (adj) – terrível, sinistro 397 rightful (adj) – correcto, verdadeiro 397 aid (to) – ajudar, auxiliar, apoiar 397 swamp (s) – pântano, charco 398 toil (s) – trabalho árduo, fadiga 401 cordon (s) – cordão, barreira 402 hurl (to) – atirar violentamente

could have entangled me before I had time to swim a stroke; but the many hands holding it embarrassed and 407 delayed them, and when the rope struck the water I heard the splash well behind me. A few minutes' hard 408 swimming took me across the stream. Refreshed with the immersion and encouraged by the escape, I climbed 409 the dyke in comparative gaiety of spirits. 410 From the top I looked back. Through the darkness I saw my assailants scattering up and down along the dyke. 411 The pursuit was evidently not ended, and again I had to choose my course. Beyond the dyke where I stood 412 was a wild, swampy space very similar to that which I had crossed. I determined to shun such a place, and 413 thought for a moment whether I would take up or down the dyke. I thought I heard a sound−−the muffled 414 sound of oars, so I listened, and then shouted. 415 No response; but the sound ceased. My enemies had evidently got a boat of some kind. As they were on the 416 up side of me I took the down path and began to run. As I passed to the left of where I had entered the water I 417 heard several splashes, soft and stealthy, like the sound a rat makes as he plunges into the stream, but vastly 418 greater; and as I looked I saw the dark sheen of the water broken by the ripples of several advancing heads. 419 Some of my enemies were swimming the stream also. 420

30 407 entangle (to) – enredar, envolver 407 swim a stroke (to) - dar uma braçada; 407 embarass (to) – dificultar, impedir, embaraçar 408 delay (to) – demorar, atrasar 410 comparative (adj) - relativo 410 gaiety (s) – boa disposição, alegria 411 assailant (s) – atacante, agressor 411 scatter (to) – dispersar-se, espalhar-se 412 pursuit (s) - perseguição 412 course (s) – rumo, direcção 413 shun (to) – evitar, fugir a, esquivar-se a 415 oar (s) - remo 418 splash (s) – chape, salpico, borrifo 418 stealthy (adj) – disfarçado, dissimulado, furtivo 418 plunge (to) – mergulhar, submergir 419 sheen (s) – reflexo de luz, luminosidade, brilho 419 ripple (s) – pequena ondulação 419 advance (to) - avançar

And now behind me, up the stream, the silence was broken by the quick rattle and creak of oars; my enemies 421 were in hot pursuit. I put my best leg foremost and ran on. After a break of a couple of minutes I looked back, 422 and by a gleam of light through the ragged clouds I saw several dark forms climbing the bank behind me. The 423 wind had now begun to rise, and the water beside me was ruffled and beginning to break in tiny waves on the 424 bank. I had to keep my eyes pretty well on the ground before me, lest I should stumble, for I knew that to 425 stumble was death. After a few minutes I looked back behind me. On the dyke were only a few dark figures, 426 but crossing the waste, swampy ground were many more. What new danger this portended I did not 427 know−−could only guess. Then as I ran it seemed to me that my track kept ever sloping away to the right. I 428 looked up ahead and saw that the river was much wider than before, and that the dyke on which I stood fell 429 quite away, and beyond it was another stream on whose near bank I saw some of the dark forms now across 430 the marsh. I was on an island of some kind. 431 My situation was now indeed terrible, for my enemies had hemmed me in on every side. Behind came the 432 quickening roll of the oars, as though my pursuers knew that the end was close. Around me on every side was 433 desolation; there was not a roof or light, as far as I could see. Far off to the right rose some dark mass, but 434

31

421 rattle (s) – ruído, barulheira 421 creak (to) – chiar, ranger 422 foremost (adj) - (adv) – à frente, em primeiro lugar 422 run on (to) – continuar sem interrupção 423 ragged (adj) – irregular, com aspecto de farrapos 425 stumble (to) - tropeçar 427 portend (to) – prever, pressentir, pressagiar, agourar 428 ever (adv) - sempre 428 slope away/down (to) – descer a pique 430 fall away (to) - desaparecer 430 Quite (adv) – bastante, muito, completamente 431 marsh (s) – charco, pântano 432 hem in (to) – rodear, cercar, restringir, limitar 433 quickening (adj) – vivo, activo 433 roll (s) – ritmo, cadência 434 far off - longe

what it was I knew not. For a moment I paused to think what I should do, not for more, for my pursuers were 435 drawing closer. Then my mind was made up. I slipped down the bank and took to the water. I struck out 436 straight ahead so as to gain the current by clearing the backwater of the island, for such I presume it was, 437 when I had passed into the stream. I waited till a cloud came driving across the moon and leaving all in 438 darkness. Then I took off my hat and laid it softly on the water floating with the stream, and a second after 439 dived to the right and struck out under water with all my might. I was, I suppose, half a minute under water, 440 and when I rose came up as softly as I could, and turning, looked back. There went my light brown hat 441 floating merrily away. Close behind it came a rickety old boat, driven furiously by a pair of oars. The moon 442 was still partly obscured by the drifting clouds, but in the partial light I could see a man in the bows holding 443 aloft ready to strike what appeared to me to be that same dreadful pole−axe which I had before escaped. As I 444 looked the boat drew closer, closer, and the man struck savagely. The hat disappeared. The man fell forward, 445 almost out of the boat. His comrades dragged him in but without the axe, and then as I turned with all my 446 energies bent on reaching the further bank, I heard the fierce whir of the muttered 'Sacre!' which marked the 447 anger of my baffled pursuers. 448

32 444 aloft (adj) - (adv) – ao alto, no ar 444 appear (to) - parecer 444 pole (s) - bastão 444 axe (s) - machado 446 drag in (to) - arrastar 447 further (adj) – mais distante 447 whirr (s) – sussurro, zumbido 447 mutter (s) – murmúrio por entre dentes 447 sacre! – palavrão em língua Francesa 448 baffled (adj) – frustrados, contrariados

436 draw (to) – mover-se 436 slip down (to) - escorregar 436 strike out (to) – bater os braços na natação 437 straight (adv) – a direito, em linha recta 437 ahead (adj) - (adv) – em frente, à frente 437 to get clear of - fugir a 437 to keep clear of - evitar; 437 to clear the land - afastar-se da terra 437 backwater (s) – braço morto do rio 440 dive (to) - mergulhar 440 strike out (to) – bater os braços na natação 440 might (s) – força, poder 442 merrily (adv) - alegremente 442 rickety (adj) – frágil, raquítico, pouco seguro 443 bow (s) – proa, parte da frente do barco

That was the first sound I had heard from human lips during all this dreadful chase, and full as it was of 449 menace and danger to me it was a welcome sound for it broke that awful silence which shrouded and appalled 450 me. It was as though an overt sign that my opponents were men and not ghosts, and that with them I had, at 451 least, the chance of a man, though but one against many. 452 But now that the spell of silence was broken the sounds came thick and' fast. From boat to shore and back 453 from shore to boat came quick question and answer, all in the fiercest whispers. I looked back−−a fatal thing 454 to do−−for in the instant someone caught sight of my face, which showed white on the dark water, and 455 shouted, Hands pointed to me, and in a moment or two the boat was under weigh, and following hard after 456 me. I had but a little way to go, but quicker and quicker came the boat after me. A few more strokes and I 457 would be on the shore, but I felt the oncoming of the boat, and expected each second to feel the crash of an 458 oar or other weapon on my head. Had I not seen that dreadful axe disappear in the water I do not think that I 459 could have won the shore. I heard the muttered curses of those not rowing and the laboured breath of the 460 rowers. With one supreme effort for life or liberty touched the bank and sprang up it. There was not a single 461 second to spare, for hard behind me the boat grounded and several dark forms sprang after me. I gained the 462

33

450 menace (s) – ameaça, perigo 450 shroud (to) - envolver 450 appal (to) – horrorizar, chocar 453 spell (s) – período, temporada 453 fast (adj) - fácil 456 ship under weigh - navio em marcha 458 oncoming (s) - aproximação 460 muttered (adj) – que resmunga 460 curse (s) – praga, maldição 461 spring up (to) – levantar-se de um salto 462 spare (to) – perder, dispensar, ceder 462 ground (to) – encalhar, dar em terra, dar em seco

top of the dyke, and keeping to the left ran on again. The boat put off and followed down the stream. Seeing 463 this I feared danger in this direction, and quickly turning, ran down the dyke on the other side, and after 464 passing a short stretch of marshy ground gained a wild, open flat country and sped on. 465 Still behind me came on my relentless pursuers. Far away, below me, ] saw the same dark mass as before, but 466 now grown closer and greater. My heart gave a great thrill of delight, for I knew that it must be the fortress of 467 Bicetre, and with new courage I ran on. I had heard that between each and all of the protecting forts of Paris 468 there are strategic ways, deep sunk roads, where soldiers marching should be sheltered from an enemy. I 469 knew that if I could gain this road I would be safe, but in the darkness I could not see any sign of it, so, in 470 blind hope of striking it, I ran on. 471 Presently I came to the edge of a deep cut, and found that down below me ran a road guarded on each side by 472 a ditch of water fenced on either side by a straight, high wall. 473 Getting fainter and dizzier, I ran on; the ground got more broken−−more and more still, till I staggered and 474 fell, and rose again, and ran on in the blind anguish of the hunted. Again the thought of Alice nerved me. I 475 would not be lost and wreck her life: I would fight and struggle for life to the bitter end. With a great effort I 476

34 463 put off (to) – lançar barco à água (adiar, desencorajar) 465 stretch (s) - extensão 465 marshy (adj) – pantanoso, alagadiço 465 speed on (to) – seguir a grande velocidade, apressar-se 466 come on (to) – aproximar-se 466 relentless (adj) – implacável, inflexível, feroz 466 below (adv) - (prep) – abaixo de 467 thrill (s) – estremecimento, emoção 468 run on (to) – continuar sem interrupção 469 sunk (adj) – escavado, embutido 472 presently (adv) – dentro em pouco, em breve 473 ditch (s) – corrente de água, fosso, vala 473 fenced (adj) - cercado 474 faint (adj) – fraco, débil 474 dizzy (adj) – tonto, com vertigens 474 stagger (to) – cambalear, vacilar 475 anguish (s) - angústia 475 nerve (to) – revigorar, fortalecer 476 to the bitter end - até ao fim; até à última

caught the top of the wall. As, scrambling like a catamount, I drew myself up, I actually felt a hand touch the 477 sole of my foot. I was now on a sort of causeway, and before me I saw a dim light. Blind and dizzy, ran on, 478 staggered, and fell, rising, covered with dust and blood. 479 'Halt la!' 480 The words sounded like a voice from heaven. A blaze of light seemed to enwrap me, and I shouted with joy. 481 'Qui va la?' The rattle of musketry, the flash of steel before my eyes. Instinctively I stopped, though close 482 behind me came a rush of my pursuers. 483 Another word or two, and out from a gateway poured, as it seemed to me, a tide of red and blue, as the guard 484 turned out. All around seemed blazing with light, and the flash of steel, the clink and rattle of arms, and the 485 loud, harsh voices of command. As I fell forward, utterly exhausted, a soldier caught me. I looked back in 486 dreadful expectation, and saw the mass of dark forms disappearing into the night. Then I must have fainted. 487 When I recovered my senses I was in the guard room. They gave me brandy, and after a while I was able to 488 tell them something of what had passed. Then a commissary of police appeared, apparently out of the empty 489 air, as is the way of the Parisian police officer. He listened attentively, and then had a moment's consultation 490

35

477 scramble (to) – trepar, escalar 477 catamount (s) – leopardo, gato-bravo 477 he drew himself up - endireitou-se; 478 sole (s) - sola 478 causeway (s) – calçada em terreno húmido 478 dizzy (adj) – tonto, com vertigens 478 run on (to) – continuar sem interrupção 479 staggered (adj) – espantado, pasmado 480 halt la – alto lá em Francês 481 blaze (s) – luz brilhante 481 enwrap (to) - envolver 482 qui va la – quem vem lá? em Francês 482 rattle (s) – ruído, estalido metálico das armas 482 musketry (s) – armas, mosquetes 482 flash (s) - brilho 485 turn out (to) – aparecer, sair 486 utterly (adv) – completamente, totalmente 489 out of the empty air – de parte nenhuma 490 way (s) – hábito, método, modo

with the officer in command. Apparently they were agreed, for they asked me if I were ready now to come 491 with them. 492 'Where to?' I asked, rising to go. 493 'Back to the dust heaps. We shall, perhaps, catch them yet!' 494 'I shall try!' said I. 495 He eyed me for a moment keenly, and said suddenly: 496 'Would you like to wait a while or till tomorrow, young Englishman?' This touched me to the quick, as, 497 perhaps, he intended, and I jumped to my feet. 'Come now!' I said: 'now! now! An Englishman is always 498 ready for his duty!' 499 The commissary was a good fellow, as well as a shrewd one; he slapped my shoulder kindly. 'Brave garcon!' 500 he said. 'Forgive me, but I knew what would do you most good. The guard is ready. Come!' 501 And so, passing right through the guard room, and through a long vaulted passage, we were out into the 502 night. A few of the men in front had powerful lanterns. Through courtyards and down a sloping way we 503 passed out through a low archway to a sunken road, the same that I had seen in my flight. The order was 504

36 496 keenly (adv) - vivamente 497 quick (s) – âmago, medula, interior 498 intend (to) – ter em mente, planear, tencionar 500 shrewd (adj) – sensato, astuto 502 vaulted (adj) - abobadado 503 courtyard (s) - pátio 503 sloping (adj) – inclinado, em declive 504 pass out (to) - passar 504 sunken (adj) – fundo, cavado 504 flight (s) – fuga, evasão, retirada 504 order (s) - ordem

given to get at the double, and with a quick, springing stride, half run, half walk, the soldiers went swiftly 505 along. I felt my strength renewed again−−such is the difference between hunter and hunted. A very short 506 distance took us to a low−lying pontoon bridge across the stream, and evidently very little higher up than I 507 had struck it. Some effort had evidently been made to damage it, for the ropes had all been cut, and one of the 508 chains had been broken. I heard the officer say to the commissary: 509 'We are just in time! A few more minutes, and they would have destroyed the bridge. Forward, quicker still!' 510 and on we went. Again we reached a pontoon on the winding stream; as we came up we heard the hollow 511 boom of the metal drums as the efforts to destroy the bridge was again renewed. A word of command was 512 given, and several men raised their rifles. 513 'Fire!' A volley rang out. There was a muffled cry, and the dark forms dispersed. But the evil was done, and 514 we saw the far end of the pontoon swing into the stream. This was a serious delay, and it was nearly an hour 515 before we had renewed ropes and restored the bridge sufficiently to allow us to cross. 516 We renewed the chase. Quicker, quicker we went towards the dust heaps. 517 After a time we came to a place that I knew. There were the remains of a fire−−a few smouldering wood 518

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505 at the double/on the double - imediatamente 505 stride (s) – passo largo 506 renew (to) – renovar-se, dar novas energias 507 pontoon (s) – como um pontão 508 damage (to) – danificar, prejudicar 511 winding (adj) – em curvas, sinuoso 511 come up (to) - chegar 511 hollow (adj) – som surdo 512 boom (s) - estrondo 512 drum (s) – cilindro, tambor 512 renew (to) – renovar, retomar, reatar 514 volley (s) – salva de tiros 514 ring out (to) – soar, ouvir-se 514 muffled (adj) – abafado, surdo 515 swing (to) – oscilar, agitar 518 smouldering (adj) – que arde a fogo lento

ashes still cast a red glow, but the bulk of the ashes were cold. I knew the site of the hut and the hill behind it 519 up which I had rushed, and in the flickering glow the eyes of the rats still shone with a sort of 520 phosphorescence. The commissary spoke a word to the officer, and he cried: 521 'Halt!' 522 The soldiers were ordered to spread around and watch, and then we commenced to examine the ruins. The 523 commissary himself began to lift away the charred boards and rubbish. These the soldiers took and piled 524 together. Presently he started back, then bent down and rising beckoned me. 525 'See!' he said. 526 It was a gruesome sight. There lay a skeleton face downwards, a woman by the lines−−an old woman by the 527 coarse fibre of the bone. Between the ribs rose a long spike−like dagger made from a butcher's sharpening 528 knife, its keen point buried in the spine. 529 'You will observe,' said the commissary to the officer and to me as he took out his note book, 'that the woman 530 must have fallen on her dagger. The rats are many here −−see their eyes glistening among that heap of 531 bones−− and you will also notice'−−I shuddered as he placed his hand on the skeleton−−'that but little time 532

38 519 ash (s) - cinza 519 cast (to) – atirar, lançar 519 glow (s) – brilho, clarão 519 bulk (s) – maior parte 520 flickering (adj) – tremeluzente, tremente, tremulante, oscilante 520 glow (s) – brilho, clarão 524 lift away (to) – levantar, erguer 524 charred (adj) – reduzido a carvão 524 board (s) - tábua 524 rubbish (s) - lixo 525 start back (to) – recuar sobressaltado 525 beckon (to) – acenar, fazer sinais 527 gruesome (adj) – terrível, horrível 527 skeleton (adj) - magricela 527 downward (adj) – para baixo 528 coarse (adj) - áspero 528 rib (s) – costela 529 bury (to) - enterrar 529 spine (s) – espinha dorsal neste caso da velha 531 glisten (to) - brilhar 532 skeleton (s) - esqueleto

was lost by them, for the bones are scarcely cold!' 533 There was no other sign of any one near, living or dead; and so deploying again into line the soldiers passed 534 on. Presently we came to the hut made of the old wardrobe. We approached. In five of the six compartments 535 was an old man sleeping−−sleeping so soundly that even the glare of the lanterns did not wake them. Old and 536 grim and grizzled they looked, with their gaunt, wrinkled, bronzed faces and their white moustaches. 537 The officer called out harshly and loudly a word of command, and in an instant each one of them was on his 538 feet before us and standing at 'attention!' 539 'What do you here?' 540 'We sleep,' was the answer. 541 'Where are the other chiffoniers?' asked the commissary. 542 'Gone to work.' 543 'And you?' 544 'We are on guard!' 545 'Peste!' laughed the officer grimly, as he looked at the old men one after the other in the face and added with 546

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533 scarcely (adv) – dificilmente, mal 534 deploy (to) - colocar 534 pass on (to) – avançar, seguir o seu caminho 535 presently (adv) – dentro em pouco, em breve 535 make of (to) – fazer de 535 wardrobe (s) – guarda-fatos 537 grim (s) – sinistro, terrível 537 grizzled (adj) – grisalho, encanecido, que tem cabelos brancos 537 gaunt (adj) – magro, doentio 537 bronzed (adj) - bronzeado 538 harshly (adv) - rudemente 546 peste (adj) – peste! em língua Francesa 546 grimly (adv) - sinistramente

cool deliberate cruelty: 'Asleep on duty! Is this the manner of the Old Guard? No wonder, then, a Waterloo!' 547 By the gleam of the lantern I saw the grim old faces grow deadly pale, and almost shuddered at the look in 548 the eyes of the old men as the laugh of the soldiers echoed the grim pleasantry of the officer. 549 I felt in that moment that I was in some measure avenged. 550 For a moment they looked as if they would throw themselves on the taunter, but years of their life had 551 schooled them and they remained still. 552 'You are but five,' said the commissary; 'where is the sixth?' The answer came with a grim chuckle. 553 'He is there!' and the speaker pointed to the bottom of the wardrobe. 'He died last night. You won't find much 554 of him. The burial of the rats is quick!" 555 The commissary stooped and looked in. Then he turned to the officer and said calmly: 556 'We may as well go back. No trace here now; nothing to prove that man was the one wounded by your 557 soldiers' bullets! Probably they murdered him to cover up the trace. See!' again he stooped and placed his 558 hands on the skeleton. 'The rats work quickly and they are many. These bones are warm!' 559 I shuddered, and so did many more of those around me. 560

40 548 shudder (to) - estremecer 549 pleasantry (s) – gracejo, jocosidade 550 avenged (adj) - vingado 551 taunter (s) - escarnecedor 552 schooled (adj) – treinado, habituado 553 chuckle (s) – riso abafado 558 cover up (to) – dissimular, ocultar, encobrir 558 stoop (to) – inclinar-se, vergar-se 560 shudder (to) - estremecer

'Form!' said the officer, and so in marching order, with the lanterns swinging in front and the manacled 561 veterans in the midst, with steady tramp we took ourselves out of the dustheaps and turned backward to the 562 fortress of Bicetre. 563 My year of probation has long since ended, and Alice is my wife. But when I look back upon that trying 564 twelvemonth one of the most vivid incidents that memory recalls is that associated with my visit to the City 565 of Dust. 566 567 568 569 FIM 570 571 572 573 574

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561 manacled (adj) – algemado, agrilhoado 562 tramp (s) – passo pesado 564 probation (s) – período de prova 564 long since – há muito 565 recall (to) – recordar

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