The Nautilus wasn't going to strike the double-decker where it was clad in impenetrable iron armor, but below its waterline, where the metal carapace no longer protected its planking.
它不想攻打雙層裝甲戰(zhàn)艦那難以穿透的裝甲板,而是想攻打它的浮標線下那金屬裝甲層保護不到的部位。
We were prisoners once more, unwilling spectators at the performance of this gruesome drama. But we barely had time to think. Taking refuge in my stateroom, we stared at each other without pronouncing a word. My mind was in a total daze. My mental processes came to a dead stop. I hovered in that painful state that predominates during the period of anticipation before some frightful explosion. I waited, I listened, I lived only through my sense of hearing!
我們被重新囚禁了,被迫充當準備發(fā)生的悲劇海難的見證人。再說,我們幾乎沒有時間思考。我們躲進我的房間,大家面面相覷,說不出一句話來。我精神恍惚,思維停止活動,處在一種等待可怕的爆炸來臨的艱難狀況之中。我等待著,傾聽著,我只能靠聽覺來生活!
Meanwhile the Nautilus's speed had increased appreciably. So it was gathering momentum. Its entire hull was vibrating.
然而,“鸚鵡螺號”船只的速度明顯加快:它就這樣沖過去。整個船殼都在顫動。
Suddenly I let out a yell. There had been a collision, but it was comparatively mild. I could feel the penetrating force of the steel spur. I could hear scratchings and scrapings. Carried away with its driving power, the Nautilus had passed through the vessel's mass like a sailmaker's needle through canvas!
突然,我大叫一聲。撞擊發(fā)生了,但相對來說比我想象的撞得還算輕。我感覺到鋼鐵沖角穿透的力量,我聽到劃破聲和刮扯聲?!胞W鵡螺號”在強大的推動力作用下,像帆船的尖桿穿過帆布一樣橫穿過這艘大戰(zhàn)艦!
I couldn't hold still. Frantic, going insane, I leaped out of my stateroom and rushed into the lounge. Captain Nemo was there. Mute, gloomy, implacable, he was staring through the port panel.
我再也控制不住自己。我發(fā)瘋了,神經(jīng)失常了,我跑出房間,沖進客廳里。尼摩船長在那里。他神情陰沉,默不作聲,冷酷無情地透過左舷嵌板看著外面。