From Historian

excursion

A usually short journey made for pleasure; an outing.

sinister

Suggesting or threatening evil

trepidation

A state of alarm or dread

contagion

Disease transmission by direct or indirect contact.

startle

To alarm, frighten, or surprise suddenly.

thump

A blow with a blunt object

confiscate

To seize (private property) for the public treasury

uncanny

Peculiarly unsettling, as if of supernatural origin or nature

ornate

Elaborately, heavily, and often excessively ornamented