英語聽書《白鯨記》第320期

But it was startling to see this excellent hearted Quakeress coming on board, as she did the last day, with a long oil-ladle in one hand, and a still longer whaling lance in the other. Nor was Bildad himself nor Captain Peleg at all backward. As for Bildad, he carried about with him a long list of the articles needed, and at every fresh arrival, down went his mark opposite that article upon the paper. Every once in a while Peleg came hobbling out of his whalebone den, roaring at the men down the hatchways, roaring up to the riggers at the mast-head, and then concluded by roaring back into his wigwam.

但是,使人一楞的是,在最后一天,看到這個心地極好的女桂克,一手拿著一只長長的油勺子,一手拿著一把更長的捕鯨槍走上船來。至于比勒達本人和法勒船長的忙勁可也不差。且說比勒達,他隨身帶著一張記上所需的東西的長單子,每當(dāng)一樣新東西送到時,他就在單子上所列的東西旁邊做個記號。法勒則每隔一會兒就從那鯨骨的小窠里一步一點地走出來,在艙口對下面的人咆哮一陣,又對那些在上面桅頂上工作的帆手們咆哮一陣,然后又大肆咆哮地回到他那小屋里去。

During these days of preparation, Queequeg and I often visited the craft, and as often I asked about Captain Ahab, and how he was, and when he was going to come on board his ship. To these questions they would answer, that he was getting better and better, and was expected aboard every day; meantime, the two Captains, Peleg and Bildad, could attend to everything necessary to fit the vessel for the voyage. If I had been downright honest with myself, I would have seen very plainly in my heart that I did but half fancy being committed this way to so long a voyage, without once laying my eyes on the man who was to be the absolute dictator of it, so soon as the ship sailed out upon the open sea. But when a man suspects any wrong, it sometimes happens that if he be already involved in the matter, he insensibly strives to cover up his suspicions even from himself. And much this way it was with me. I said nothing, and tried to think nothing.

在這些準(zhǔn)備開航的日子里,我和魁魁格經(jīng)常去探望那條船,也經(jīng)常探問一下亞哈船長,他身體怎樣了,什么時候準(zhǔn)備到船上來。對于這些問題,他們都回答說,他已逐漸恢復(fù)健康,預(yù)料隨時可以上船;同時還說,一切有關(guān)這條船的航程必需品,法勒和比勒達這兩個船東都可以對付。如果要我自己說句真正的老實話,那我自己的心里是挺明白的,我這樣投身到一個時間非常長的航程中,完全是一種異想天開的做法,因為眼看這條船就要駛到遼闊的海洋上去,我卻連那個要做這只船的絕對的獨裁者的人還一面未見。不過,當(dāng)一個人在疑心有什么錯失的時候,往往因為他已經(jīng)做了局中人,甚至他對自己也會不知不覺地設(shè)法把他的疑惑給掩蓋起來。我就正是這樣。我一點也不說什么,也盡量什么都不去想它。

At last it was given out that some time next day the ship would certainly sail. So next morning, Queequeg and I took a very early start.

最后,據(jù)通知,那條船大概在明天什么時候一定要啟碇了。因此,隔天早晨,我和魁魁格就很早地出發(fā)。