英语听书《白鲸记》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,看到这个心地极好的女桂克,一手拿着一只长长的油勺子,一手拿着一把更长的捕鲸枪走上船来。至于比勒达本人和法勒船长的忙劲可也不差。且说比勒达,他随身带着一张记上所需的东西的长单子,每当一样新东西送到时,他就在单子上所列的东西旁边做个记号。法勒则每隔一会儿就从那鲸骨的小窠里一步一点地走出来,在舱口对下面的人咆哮一阵,又对那些在上面桅顶上工作的帆手们咆哮一阵,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.

在这些准备开航的日子里,我和魁魁格经常去探望那条船,也经常探问一下亚哈船长,他身体怎样了,什么时候准备到船上来。对于这些问题,他们都回答说,他已逐渐恢复健康,预料随时可以上船;同时还说,一切有关这条船的航程必需品,法勒和比勒达这两个船东都可以对付。如果要我自己说句真正的老实话,那我自己的心里是挺明白的,我这样投身到一个时间非常长的航程中,完全是一种异想天开的做法,因为眼看这条船就要驶到辽阔的海洋上去,我却连那个要做这只船的绝对的独裁者的人还一面未见。不过,当一个人在疑心有什么错失的时候,往往因为他已经做了局中人,甚至他对自己也会不知不觉地设法把他的疑惑给掩盖起来。我就正是这样。我一点也不说什么,也尽量什么都不去想它。

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,据通知,那条船大概在明天什么时候一定要启碇了。因此,隔天早晨,我和魁魁格就很早地出发。