英语读物《神奇树屋》 第十四册 Day of the Dragon King 2 The Cowherd

　　"Oh, wow," Annie said. "These clothes feel so soft.

And look, I have a pocket for my secret library card."Jack¹ opened his eyes. Their clothes had magicallychanged.

They no longer wore jeans, T-shirts, and sneakers.

Instead, they had on baggy² pants, loose shirts, strawshoes, and round hats. Annie's shirt had a pocket in it.

Jack saw that his backpack had become a roughcloth sack. Inside were his research book, hisnotebook, his library card, and the bamboo strip.

"Cows," said Annie, looking out the window.

Jack looked out, too. The tree house had landed in alone tree in a sunny field. Cows grazed, and a youngman stood watching over them. At the edge of thefield was a farm-house. Beyond the house was awalled city.

"It looks so peaceful," said Annie.

"You can never be sure," said Jack. "Remember,Pompeii looked peaceful before the volcano went off.""Oh, yeah," said Annie.

"Let's see what the book says," said Jack.

He reached in the sack and pulled out the Chinabook. He opened it and read aloud:

Over 2,000 years ago, China was ruled by its firstemperor. Because he chose the dragon to be hissymbol, he was called the "Dragon King." In China,dragons are seen as brave and powerful creatures.

"Dragon King? That sounds a little scary," said Jack.

"I like his outfit," said Annie.

Next to the writing was a picture. It showed a manwearing a rich, flowing robe with wide sleeves. Healso wore a tall hat with beads³ hanging from it.

Jack pulled out his notebook and wrote:

First emperor called Dragon King"The book we need must be in the Dragon King'slibrary," said Annie. "I bet his palace is in that city."Jack looked up.

"Right," he said. "And that's how to get there." HePointed across the field to a dirt road that led to thewalled city.

"Good plan," said Annie.

She climbed out of the tree house and started downthe rope ladder.

Jack threw the China book and his note-book intohis sack, He slung⁴ the sack over his shoulder andfollowed Annie.

When they reached the ground, they startedthrough the field.

"Look, that guy's waving at US," said Annie.

The man tending the cows was shouting andwaving, He Started running toward them.

"Uh-oh, what's he want?" said Jack.

A moment later, the man stood in their path. Hewas young and handsome with a kind face.

"Can you do me a great favor?" he asked. "I wouldbe most grateful.""Of course," said Annie.

"Give a message to the silk weaver⁵. You will see herat the farmhouse," said the young man. "Tell her tomeet me here at twilight⁶.""Sure, no problem," said Annie.

The young man smiled.

"Thank you," he said. Then he started to leave.

"Wait, excuse me--" said Jack. "Do you know wherewe can find the Imperial Library?"A look of horror crossed the man's kind face.

"Why?" he whispered.

"Oh, I--I just wondered," said Jack. The young manshook his head.

"Beware of the Dragon King," he said. "Whateveryou do, beware."Then he turned and ran back to his cows.

"Oh, man," whispered Jack. "Now we know onething for sure.""What?" asked Annie.

"This place is not as peaceful as it seems," Jack said.

1 jack   

n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克

参考例句：

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

2 baggy   

adj.膨胀如袋的，宽松下垂的

参考例句：

• My T-shirt went all baggy in the wash.我的T恤越洗越大了。
• Baggy pants are meant to be stylish,not offensive.松松垮垮的裤子意味着时髦，而不是无礼。

3 beads   

n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链

参考例句：

• a necklace of wooden beads 一条木珠项链
• Beads of perspiration stood out on his forehead. 他的前额上挂着汗珠。

4 slung   

抛( sling的过去式和过去分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往

参考例句：

• He slung the bag over his shoulder. 他把包一甩，挎在肩上。
• He stood up and slung his gun over his shoulder. 他站起来把枪往肩上一背。

5 weaver   

n.织布工；编织者

参考例句：

• She was a fast weaver and the cloth was very good.她织布织得很快，而且布的质量很好。
• The eager weaver did not notice my confusion.热心的纺织工人没有注意到我的狼狈相。

6 twilight   

n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期

参考例句：

• Twilight merged into darkness.夕阳的光辉融于黑暗中。
• Twilight was sweet with the smell of lilac and freshly turned earth.薄暮充满紫丁香和新翻耕的泥土的香味。