新概念英语第二册37课课文
Lesson 37 Farewell to the River (2)
The moment we had dreaded had come. We were leaving. We tried to disguise our sadness as we said goodbye to the Boon family. Our sadness was not untinged with a feeling of guilt, for we were leaving them to face alone the hardships of life in the jungle. They, however, seemed unaffected by our departure. John's father told us that some men of the Kayan tribe had arrived in the village during our absence, and that they had come to ask for medicine for their sick. Since our departure would not make any difference to them, they showed no emotion at all.
We left the village immediately. The long descent was even more difficult than the climb, but the sight of the river below cheered us. It seemed to us like an old friend waiting to welcome us after a long absence. But our joy was short-lived, for the river, swollen by the heavy rain, was full of menacing whirlpools. John's father had asked us to be very careful, and we were. We also had a fair knowledge of how to handle a boat. We had been well trai
ned by the Kayan longhouse boatmen on the way up the river.
Despite all our care, our boat was swept by a powerful current into a whirling pool. We could do nothing but hold our breath and hope for the best. The boat spun round and round. When we thought it was going to capsize, it was suddenly thrown clear. Then we were caught by another current and carried downstream at a terrific speed. We kept a look-out for rocks. Just as it seemed that we were about to crash against one, the river turned sharply to the right. We shot past it, narrowly missing it.
The rest of the journey was uneventful, and the next day we arrived safely at the bazaar at Marudi. We looked back at the winding river and the dense jungle beyond it with a sense of nostalgia. Our little adventure was over, but it had left an indelible impression on our minds. We had lived close to nature and had experienced its wonders as well as its terrors. Above all, we had learnt that man can live in peace and understanding with his fellowmen, even in the heart of the jungle.
uneventful

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