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