ThelightfromthecampfirebrightenedthedarknessbutitcouldnotpreventthedampcoldofDennis’sSwamp(沼泽地)creepingintotheirbones.Itwasastrangeplace.MartinandTomwishedthattheyhadnotacceptedJack’sdare.The
ThelightfromthecampfirebrightenedthedarknessbutitcouldnotpreventthedampcoldofDennis’sSwamp(沼泽地)creepingintotheirbones.Itwasastrangeplace.MartinandTomwishedthattheyhadnotacceptedJack’sdare.Theylikedcampingbutnotnearthisswamp.
“So”Martinaskedastheysatwatchingthehotcoals.“Howdidthisplacegetitsname?”
“Areyousureyouwanttohearit?It’sascarystory”warnedJack.
“Ofcourse!”criedoutTom.“Iftherewereanythingtobescaredofyouwouldn’thavechosenthisplace!”
“Okbutdon’tsayIdidn’twarnyou”saidJackandhebeganthistale.
“WaybackintimeamancalledDennistriedtostartafarmhere.Hebuiltthatcottageovertheretolivein.Inthosedaysthearealookedquitedifferent----itwascoveredwithtalltreesandtheswampwasacrystal-clearriver.AfterthreehardyearsDennishadclearedseveralfieldsandplantedcrops.Hewassoproudofhissuccessthatherefusedtolistentoadvice.
“‘Youareclearingtoomuchland’warnedoneoldman.‘Thelandisalivingthing.Itwillhitbackatyouifyouabuseit.’
“‘Sillyfool’saidDennistohimself.‘IfIclearmorelandIcangrowmorecrops.I’llbecomewealthier.He’sjustjealous!’”
“Denniscontinuedtochopdowntrees.Smallanimalsthatreliedonthemforfoodandshelterweredestroyed.Hewassoeagertoexpandhisfarmthathedidnotnoticetheriverflowingslowlytowardshisdoor.Hedidnotnoticesaltseepingtothesurfaceoftheland.Hedidnotnoticeswampplantschokingallthenativeplants.”
“Whathappened?”Martinasked.Itwasgrowingcolder.Hetrembledtwistinghisbodyclosertothefire.
“Thelandhitback----justastheoldmanwarned”Jackshrugged.“DennisdisappearedOldfolksaroundherebelievethatswampplantsmovedupfromtheriveranddraggedhimunderwater.Hisbodywasneverfound.”
“Whatastupidstory”laughedTom.“Plantscan’t…”Beforehehadfinishedspeakinghescreamedandfainted(晕倒).TheothertwoboysjumpedupwithfrightstaringatTom.Suddenlytheyburstoutlaughing.Somegreenswampivy(常春藤)hadcoveredTom’sface.ItwasawhilebeforeTomcouldappreciatethejoke.
1.Theunderlinedword“dare”inParagraph1isclosedinmeaningto________.
A.cour