彼得·潘 作者:[英]詹姆斯·巴里 翻译:杨静远
PETER PAN


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    Chapter 5 THE ISLAND COME TRUE
    第五章 来到了真正的岛
    
    
    Feeling that Peter was on his way back, the Neverland had again woke into life. We ought to use the pluperfect and say wakened, but woke is better and was always used by Peter.
    感到彼得已经在往回飞的路上,永无乡苏醒过来,重新变得生气勃勃。我们应该说它被唤醒了,不过说苏醒了更好,彼得老是这么说的。
    In his absence things are usually quiet on the island. The fairies take an hour longer in the morning, the beasts attend to their young, the redskins feed heavily for six days and nights, and when pirates and lost boys meet they merely bite their thumbs at each other. But with the coming of Peter, who hates lethargy, they are under way again: if you put your ear to the ground now, you would hear the whole island seething with life.
    他不在的时候,岛上变得怪冷清的。仙子们早晨多睡一个小时,野兽们照看着它们的幼崽,印第安人大吃大喝整整六天六夜,遗失的孩子们和海盗相遇,只是咬着大拇指互相对视。可是彼得一回来,他最恨死气沉沉,于是他们又全都活跃起来了。要是你把耳朵贴在地上,你就会听见,整个岛都沸腾着生机。
    On this evening the chief forces of the island were disposed as follows. The lost boys were out looking for Peter, the pirates were out looking for the lost boys, the redskins were out looking for the pirates, and the beasts were out looking for the redskins. They were going round and round the island, but they did not meet because all were going at the same rate.
    这个晚上,岛上的主力正在进行着以下的部署:遗失的孩子守望着彼得,海盗守望着遗失的孩子,印第安人守望着海盗,野兽守望着印第安人。他们全都绕着岛团团转,可是,谁也碰不上谁,因为他们行动的速度是相等的。
    All wanted blood except the boys, who liked it as a rule, but to-night were out to greet their captain. The boys on the island vary, of course, in numbers, according as they get killed and so on; and when they seem to be growing up, which is against the rules, Peter thins them out; but at this time there were six of them, counting the twins as two. Let us pretend to lie here among the sugar-cane and watch them as they steal by in single file, each with his hand on his dagger.
    除孩子外,全都怀着杀心,要看流血。孩子们通常也爱看流血,不过今晚他们是来欢迎队长的。岛上的孩子的数目时常变动,因为有的被杀,或其他缘故;他们眼看就要长大的时候——这是不合乎规定的,彼得就把他们饿瘦了,直到饿死。不过眼下他们是六个人,那对孪生兄弟算两个人。我们现在假设是伏在甘蔗林里,窥视着他们。他们排成单行,一个个手按着刀柄,偷偷地向前进。
    They are forbidden by Peter to look in the least like him, and they wear the skins of the bears slain by themselves, in which they are so round and furry that when they fall they roll. They have therefore become very sure-footed.
    彼得不许他们的模样有一丁点像他。他们穿的是亲手杀死的熊的皮,一身圆滚滚、毛茸茸的,只要一跌倒,就会在地上打滚。所以,他们的脚步变得很稳。
    The first to pass is Tootles, not the least brave but the most unfortunate of all that gallant band. He had been in fewer adventures than any of them, because the big things constantly happened just when he had stepped round the corner; all would be quiet, he would take the opportunity of going off to gather a few sticks for firewood, and then when he returned the others would be sweeping up the blood. This ill-luck had given a gentle melancholy to his countenance, but instead of souring his nature had sweetened it, so that he was quite the humblest of the boys. Poor kind Tootles, there is danger in the air for you to-night. Take care lest an adventure is now offered you, which, if accepted, will plunge you in deepest woe. Tootles, the fairy Tink, who is bent on mischief this night is looking for a tool (for doing her mischief), and she thinks you are the most easily tricked of the boys. 'Ware Tinker Bell.
    头一个走过的是图图。在这支英勇的队伍里,他不能说最不英勇,而是最不走运。他比所有的人冒险的次数都少,因为总是在他一过拐角的时候,大事件才发生。等事情平静了,他就趁机走开,去抢点烧火的柴草。等他回来时,别人已经在打扫血迹了。运道不佳,使得他脸上老是带着愁容;不过,这没使他的性格变酸,反而变甜了,所以他是孩子中最谦逊的一个。可怜的、善良的图图,今晚危险在等着你。要留神哪,否则,冒险的机会就会叫你碰上;你要是承受下来,就会落选一场大灾祸。图图,仙女叮叮铃今天晚上一心要捣乱,正想找一个人作工具,她认为你是孩子们当中最容易受骗的一个。提防着叮叮铃啊!
    Would that he could hear us, but we are not really on the island, and he passes by, biting his knuckles.
    但愿他能听我们的话就好了,不过我们并不真在岛上,他咬着手指头走过去了。
    Next comes Nibs, the gay and debonair, followed by Slightly, who cuts whistles out of the trees and dances ecstatically to his own tunes. Slightly is the most conceited of the boys. He thinks he remembers the days before he was lost, with their manners and customs, and this his given his nose an offensive tilt. Curly is fourth; he is a pickle, (a person who gets in pickles-predicaments) and so often has he had to deliver up his person when Peter said sternly, "Stand forth the one who did this thing," that now at the command he stands forth automatically whether he has done it or not. Last come the Twins, who cannot be described because we should be sure to be describing the wrong one. Peter never quite knew what twins were, and his band were not allowed to know anything he did not know, so these two were always vague about themselves, and did their best to give satisfaction by keeping close together in a apologetic sort of way.
    第二个过来的是尼布斯,他欢快而彬彬有礼;后面跟着斯莱持利,他用树枝削成哨子,随着自己吹的曲调,狂欢起舞。斯莱特利是孩子们中最自高自大的一个,他认为他还记得丢失以前的事,记得那些礼节,习俗等等。这使得他的鼻子向上翘着,招人讨厌。第四个是卷毛,他是个小淘气。每次彼得板着面孔说“谁干的谁站出来”时,站出来的常常都是他。所以现在一听到这命令,他就自动站出来,也不管是不是他干的。走在最后的是那对孪生兄弟,我们无法形容他们,因为,只要一形容,准会把他们两个弄错。彼得从不知道什么叫孪生子,他不知道的事,他的队员也不许知道。所以,这两兄弟对他们自己也糊里糊涂,他们只好带着歉意寸步不离地厮守在一起,尽可能让别人感到满意。
    The boys vanish in the gloom, and after a pause, but not a long pause, for things go briskly on the island, come the pirates on their track. We hear them before they are seen, and it is always the same dreadful song:
    孩子们在黑暗中不见踪影了,过了一段时间,短短的一段时间,因为岛上的事都发生得很快,海盗们跟踪而来。在我们看见他们以前,就听到了他们的声音,而且听到的总是那支可怕的歌:
    "Avast belay, yo ho, heave to, A-pirating we go, And if we're parted by a shot We're sure to meet below!"
    系上缆绳,唷嗬,抛锚停船,我们打劫去喽!即使一颗炮弹,将我们打散,在深深的海底,我们还会碰头!
    A more villainous-looking lot never hung in a row on Execution dock. Here, a little in advance, ever and again with his head to the ground listening, his great arms bare, pieces of eight in his ears as ornaments, is the handsome Italian Cecco, who cut his name in letters of blood on the back of the governor of the prison at Gao. That gigantic black behind him has had many names since he dropped the one with which dusky mothers still terrify their children on the banks of the Guadjo-mo. Here is Bill Jukes, every inch of him tattooed, the same Bill Jukes who got six dozen on the WALRUS from Flint before he would drop the bag of moidores (Portuguese gold pieces); and Cookson, said to be Black Murphy's brother (but this was ever proved), and Gentleman Starkey, once an usher in a public school and still dainty in his ways of killing; and Skylights (Morgan's Skylights); and the Irish bo'sun Smee, an oddly genial man who stabbed, so to speak, without offence, and was the only Non-conformist in Hook's crew; and Noodler, whose hands were fixed on backwards; and Robt. Mullins and Alf Mason and many another ruffian long known and feared on the Spanish Main.
    哪怕是在绞架上,也没见过这么凶神恶煞的一群匪帮。走在头里的是漂亮的意大利人切科。他赤裸着两条强壮的胳臂,两枚八比索的西班牙金币挂在耳朵上作饰物;在加奥时,他曾在典狱长的脊背上,用血字刻上了他自己的名字。这时,他频频把头贴近地面细听。走在他后面的彪形黑大汉,加若木河沿岸的黑母亲常用他的名字吓唬孩子们。自从他废弃了这个名字以后,又用了许多名字。接着是比尔·鸠克斯,浑身上下都刺满了花纹,就是那个在海象号船上被弗林特砍了七十二刀才丢下金币袋的比尔·鸠克斯。还有库克森,据说是黑默菲的兄弟(不过,从来没有证实过)。还有绅士斯塔奇,曾在一所中学当过助理教员,杀起人来,还是文质彬彬的。还有“天窗”(摩根的“天窗”)。还有爱尔兰水手长斯密,他是个特别和蔼的人,他就是捅人家一刀,也不会得罪人家;在胡克的水手班中,他是唯一不信国教的。还有努得勒,他老爱背剪着手。还有罗伯特·木林斯和阿尔夫·梅森,以及其他许多在西班牙土地上无人不知,无人不怕的恶棍。
    In the midst of them, the blackest and largest in that dark setting, reclined James Hook, or as he wrote himself, Jas. Hook, of whom it is said he was the only man that the Sea-Cook feared. He lay at his ease in a rough chariot drawn and propelled by his men, and instead of a right hand he had the iron hook with which ever and anon he encouraged them to increase their pace. As dogs this terrible man treated and addressed them, and as dogs they obeyed him. In person he was cadaverous (dead looking) and blackavized (dark faced), and his hair was dressed in long curls, which at a little distance looked like black candles, and gave a singularly threatening expression to his handsome countenance. His eyes were of the blue of the forget-me-not, and of a profound melancholy, save when he was plunging his hook into you, at which time two red spots appeared in them and lit them up horribly. In manner, something of the grand seigneur still clung to him, so that he even ripped you up with an air, and I have been told that he was a RACONTEUR (storyteller) of repute. He was never more sinister than when he was most polite, which is probably the truest test of breeding; and the elegance of his diction, even when he was swearing, no less than the distinction of his demeanour, showed him one of a different cast from his crew. A man of indomitable courage, it was said that the only thing he shied at was the sight of his own blood, which was thick and of an unusual colour. In dress he somewhat aped the attire associated with the name of Charles II, having heard it said in some earlier period of his career that he bore a strange resemblance to the ill-fated Stuarts; and in his mouth he had a holder of his own contrivance which enabled him to smoke two cigars at once. But undoubtedly the grimmest part of him was his iron claw.
    在这帮邪恶的匪徒中,最邪恶、最强横的要属詹姆斯·胡克;他自己写做詹·胡克,据说,他是海上库克唯一害怕的人。胡克安安逸逸地躺在一辆粗糙的大车子里,由他手下的人推拉着走。他没有右手,用一只铁钩代替。他不时挥动着那只铁钩,催手下的人赶快拉。这个凶恶的家伙,把他们像狗一样看待和使唤,他们也像狗一样服从他。说到相貌,他有一副铁青的面孔,他的头发弯成长长的发卷,远看像一支支黑蜡烛,使他那英俊的五官带上一种恶狠狠的神情。他的眼睛是蓝的,蓝得像勿忘我的花,透着一种深深的忧郁,除非在他把铁钩向你捅来的时候,这时,他眼睛里现出了两点红光,如同燃起了熊熊的火焰,使他的眼睛显得可怕极了。说到举止,他身上还残留着某种爵爷气派,他那种飞扬跋扈的神态,有时会使你心惊胆战。听说他以前还是个出了名的会讲故事的人。他最彬彬有礼的时候,也就是他最残暴恶毒的时候,这大概就是他出身高贵的最确凿的证据了。就是在他赌咒的时候,文雅的词句也丝毫不亚于他那显赫的仪态,表明他和他的水手们属于不同的阶层。这个人骁勇无比。据说,唯一使他畏怯的,是见到他自己的血。那血很浓,颜色异乎寻常。说到底,他多少有点模仿查理二世。因为,他在早年听说,他长得特像那位倒霉的斯图亚特君主。他嘴里叼着一根他自己设计的烟斗,那烟斗能使他同时吸两支雪茄。不过,他身上最阴森可怖的一部分,当然就是他的那只铁爪。
    Let us now kill a pirate, to show Hook's method. Skylights will do. As they pass, Skylights lurches clumsily against him, ruffling his lace collar; the hook shoots forth, there is a tearing sound and one screech, then the body is kicked aside, and the pirates pass on. He has not even taken the cigars from his mouth.
    现在让我们来杀一名海盗,看看胡克是怎样杀人的,就拿“天窗”做个样子吧。在海盗们行进的时候,“天窗”笨手笨脚、鬼鬼祟祟地凑到了胡克跟前,用手去乱摸他那镶着花边的衣领。铁钩伸了出来,只听得一声撕裂的声音,一声惨叫,“天窗”的尸体就给踢到了一边,海盗们照旧前进。胡克连雪茄也没有从嘴里拿出来。
    Such is the terrible man against whom Peter Pan is pitted. Which will win?
    彼得·潘要斗的,就是这样一个可怕的人。哪一个会赢呢?
    On the trail of the pirates, stealing noiselessly down the war- path, which is not visible to inexperienced eyes, come the redskins, every one of them with his eyes peeled. They carry tomahawks and knives, and their naked bodies gleam with paint and oil. Strung around them are scalps, of boys as well as of pirates, for these are the Piccaninny tribe, and not to be confused with the softer-hearted Delawares or the Hurons. In the van, on all fours, is Great Big Little Panther, a brave of so many scalps that in his present position they somewhat impede his progress. Bringing up the rear, the place of greatest danger, comes Tiger Lily, proudly erect, a princess in her own right. She is the most beautiful of dusky Dianas (Diana = goddess of the woods) and the belle of the Piccaninnies, coquettish (flirting), cold and amorous (loving) by turns; there is not a brave who would not have the wayward thing to wife, but she staves off the altar with a hatchet. Observe how they pass over fallen twigs without making the slightest noise. The only sound to be heard is their somewhat heavy breathing. The fact is that they are all a little fat just now after the heavy gorging, but in time they will work this off. For the moment, however, it constitutes their chief danger.
    尾随在海盗后面,悄无声息地潜行过来的,是印第安人;他们走过的那条小径,缺乏经验的眼睛是很难觉察的;他们一个个把眼睛睁得溜圆。他们手持战斧和刀,赤裸的身躯上涂着的油彩闪闪发光。身上挂着成串的头皮,有孩子们的,也有海盗的。因为这些印第安人属皮卡尼尼族,和那些心肠较软的德拉华族和休伦族印第安人完全不同。在前锋,匍匐蛇行的是魁伟的小豹子,他是一员骁将,他脖子上挂着那么多头皮,爬行时,坠得他几乎都爬不快了。殿后的、处在最危险的位置的,是虎莲——她骄傲地直立着,生来就是一位公主。她是肤色黝黑的女将中最标致的一个,是皮卡尼尼族的大美人;她时而卖弄风骚,时而冷若冰霜,时而热情如火。武士们没有一个不想娶这个尤物为妻的,可是她用她那把斧子挡开了所有的求婚者。瞧他们是怎样穿过落在地上的枝叶,不发出一点声响,唯一能听到的,是他们那粗重的喘息声。原来他们在饱食之后,都有点发胖了;不过,他们渐渐地就会消瘦下去。眼下,胖却是他们的主要危险。
    The redskins disappear as they have come like shadows, and soon their place is taken by the beasts, a great and motley procession: lions, tigers, bears, and the innumerable smaller savage things that flee from them, for every kind of beast, and, more particularly, all the man-eaters, live cheek by jowl on the favoured island. Their tongues are hanging out, they are hungry to-night.
    印第安人像影子一样地过来,又像影子一样地消失了;紧接着,野兽取代了他们的位置。那是杂七杂八的一大群:狮子,老虎,熊,还有在它们前面奔窜逃命的数不清的小野兽。因为各种各样的兽类,特别是所有吃人的野兽,都在这个得天独厚的岛上杂处并存。它们的舌头拖得老长,今晚,它们都饿了。
    When they have passed, comes the last figure of all, a gigantic crocodile. We shall see for whom she is looking presently.
    野兽过去以后,最后的一个角色上场了,那是一只巨大无比的鳄鱼,它追逐的目标是谁,我们很快就会看到。
    The crocodile passes, but soon the boys appear again, for the procession must continue indefinitely until one of the parties stops or changes its pace. Then quickly they will be on top of each other.
    鳄鱼过去了,没过多久,孩子们又出现了。因为这个队列必须无穷尽地进行下去,直到某一部分停止前进,或者改变前进的速度。于是他们彼此之间很快就会相扑厮杀起来。
    All are keeping a sharp look-out in front, but none suspects that the danger may be creeping up from behind. This shows how real the island was.
    谁都在敏锐地注视着前方,只是没有一个想到,危险可能从背后偷袭上来。这就可以看出,这个岛是多么真实了。
    The first to fall out of the moving circle was the boys. They flung themselves down on the sward (turf), close to their underground home.
    头一个脱离这个转动着的圈子的,是孩子们。他们躺倒在草地上,离他们地下的家很近。
    "I do wish Peter would come back," every one of them said nervously, though in height and still more in breadth they were all larger than their captain.
    “我真希望彼得回来呀。”他们全都心神不宁地说,虽然他们个头儿都比他们的队长高,腰身也比他粗。
    "I am the only one who is not afraid of the pirates," Slightly said, in the tone that prevented his being a general favourite; but perhaps some distant sound disturbed him, for he added hastily, "but I wish he would come back, and tell us whether he has heard anything more about Cinderella."
    “只有我一个人不怕海盗。”斯莱特利说,他说话的腔调使他很不招大伙儿喜欢。不过也许远处有什么响声惊动了他,因为他赶紧又说,“不过,我也希望彼得回来,给我们讲讲灰姑娘后来又怎样。”
    They talked of Cinderella, and Tootles was confident that his mother must have been very like her.
    于是,他们谈起了灰姑娘。图图相信,他母亲当初一定很像她。
    It was only in Peter's absence that they could speak of mothers, the subject being forbidden by him as silly.
    只有当彼得不在的时候,他们才能谈起母亲,彼得禁止谈这个话题,因为他觉得这很无聊。
    "All I remember about my mother," Nibs told them, "is that she often said to my father, `Oh, how I wish I had a cheque-book of my own!' I don't know what a cheque-book is, but I should just love to give my mother one."
    “关于我母亲,我只记得一件事,”尼布斯告诉大伙儿,“就是,她老是对父亲说,‘啊,我真希望能有我自己的支票簿。’我不知道支票簿是什么,可我真想给我母亲一个。”
    While they talked they heard a distant sound. You or I, not being wild things of the woods, would have heard nothing, but they heard it, and it was the grim song:
    正谈着,他们听到远处传来一种声音。你我不是林中的野物,是不会听到的,可他们听到了,那就是海盗的那首凄厉的歌:
    "Yo ho, yo ho, the pirate life, The flag o' skull and bones, A merry hour, a hempen rope, And hey for Davy Jones."
    唷嗬,唷嗬,海盗的生活,骷髅和白骨的旗帜,欢乐一时,麻绳一根,好啊,大卫琼斯。
    At once the lost boys -- but where are they? They are no longer there. Rabbits could not have disappeared more quickly.
    转眼间,遗失的孩子们——都上哪儿去啦?他们已经不在那儿啦。兔子都没有他们溜得快。
    I will tell you where they are. With the exception of Nibs, who has darted away to reconnoitre (look around), they are already in their home under the ground, a very delightful residence of which we shall see a good deal presently. But how have they reached it? for there is no entrance to be seen, not so much as large stone, which if rolled away, would disclose the mouth of a cave. Look closely, however, and you may note that there are here seven large trees, each with a hole in its hollow trunk as large as a boy. These are the seven entrances to the home under the ground, for which Hook has been searching in vain these many moons. Will he find it tonight?
    我告诉你们他们都上哪儿去了,除了尼布斯——他跑到别处侦察敌情去了——他们全都回到了地下的家里,那真是个美妙的住处,下面我们就要细说。可他们是怎么进去的呢?因为地面上一个入口也看不见,连一堆树枝也没有;要是有一堆树枝,搬开就会露出一个洞口。要是你仔细瞧,你会看见那儿有几株大树,树干是空的,每个树干下面都有一个洞,像孩子的身体那么大小。这就是通向地下的家的七个入口,几个月来,胡克一直在找,却没有找到。今天他会找到吗?
    As the pirates advanced, the quick eye of Starkey sighted Nibs disappearing through the wood, and at once his pistol flashed out. But an iron claw gripped his shoulder.
    海盗们走近时,斯塔奇眼快,他瞧见尼布斯穿过树林逃跑了,他立刻亮出了手枪,可是一只铁钩抓住了他的肩膀。
    "Captain, let go!" he cried, writhing.
    “放开我,船长。”他扭动着身子叫道。
    Now for the first time we hear the voice of Hook. It was a black voice. "Put back that pistol first," it said threateningly.
    现在,我们第一次听到了胡克的声音,那是阴险狠毒的。“先把手枪放回去。”那声音威胁着。
    "It was one of those boys you hate. I could have shot him dead."
    “那是你恨的一个男孩,我本来是可以打死他的。”
    "Ay, and the sound would have brought Tiger Lily's redskins upon us. Do you want to lose your scalp?"
    “是啊,不过枪声会引来虎莲公主的印第安人。你愿意断送你的头皮吗?”
    "Shall I after him, Captain," asked pathetic Smee, "and tickle him with Johnny Corkscrew?" Smee had pleasant names for everything, and his cutlass was Johnny Corkscrew, because he wiggled it in the wound. One could mention many lovable traits in Smee. For instance, after killing, it was his spectacles he wiped instead of his weapon.
    “我可以去追他吗,船长?”可怜巴巴的斯密问,“我可以用我的约翰开瓶钻给他挠痒痒吗?”斯密喜欢给什么东西都起一个好听的名字,他管他的短弯刀叫约翰开瓶钻,因为他喜欢用刀在伤口里旋转。你可以列举出斯密的许多可爱的特征。例如,杀过人之后,他不去擦拭武器,却总是擦拭眼镜。
    "Johnny's a silent fellow," he reminded Hook.
    “我的约翰是个不声不响的家伙。”他提醒胡克说。
    "Not now, Smee," Hook said darkly. "He is only one, and I want to mischief all the seven. Scatter and look for them."
    “现在还不要,斯密.”胡克阴险地说,“他只是一个,我要把他们七个统统干掉。分散开来,去找他们。”
    The pirates disappeared among the trees, and in a moment their Captain and Smee were alone. Hook heaved a heavy sigh, and I know not why it was, perhaps it was because of the soft beauty of the evening, but there came over him a desire to confide to his faithful bo'sun the story of his life. He spoke long and earnestly, but what it was all about Smee, who was rather stupid, did not know in the least.
    海盗们在树林里散开了,不一会儿,只剩下船长和斯密两个人了。胡克沉重地叹了一口气;我不知道他为什么叹气,也许是因为那柔媚的夜色吧。他忽然起念,想把自己一生的故事推心置腹地讲给他忠实的水手长听。他讲了很久,很认真;可是,他讲的是什么,愚蠢的斯密,一点也没听明白。
    Anon (later) he caught the word Peter.
    忽然,斯密听到了彼得这个名字。
    "Most of all," Hook was saying passionately, "I want their captain, Peter Pan. 'Twas he cut off my arm." He brandished the hook threateningly. "I've waited long to shake his hand with this. Oh, I'll tear him!"
    “我最想抓到的,”胡克激动地说,“是他们的队长彼得·潘。就是他,砍掉了我的胳臂。”他恶狠狠地挥动着他那只铁钩。“我等了很久,要用这玩意儿和他握手。噢,我要把他撕碎。”
    "And yet," said Smee, "I have often heard you say that hook was worth a score of hands, for combing the hair and other homely uses."
    “可是,”斯密说,“我还听你说过,那钩子能顶二十只手,它能梳头,还能做别的家常事。”
    "Ay," the captain answered. "if I was a mother I would pray to have my children born with this instead of that," and he cast a look of pride upon his iron hand and one of scorn upon the other. Then again he frowned.
    “是啊,”船长回答说,“我要是个妈妈,我一定祈求我的孩子生下来有这件东西,而不是那件东西。”他得意地瞄了一眼他的那只铁钩,又轻蔑地瞄了一眼他的那只手。接着,他又皱起了眉头。
    "Peter flung my arm," he said, wincing, "to a crocodile that happened to be passing by."
    “彼得把我的胳臂,”他战战兢兢地说,“扔给了一条正好路过的鳄鱼。”
    "I have often," said Smee, "noticed your strange dread of crocodiles."
    “我常注意到,”斯密说,“你对于鳄鱼有一种奇怪的恐惧。”
    "Not of crocodiles," Hook corrected him, "but of that one crocodile." He lowered his voice. "It liked my arm so much, Smee, that it has followed me ever since, from sea to sea and from land to land, licking its lips for the rest of me."
    “我不是怕鳄鱼,”胡克纠正说,“而只是怕那一条鳄鱼。”他压低了嗓音说。“那条鳄鱼很喜欢吃我的胳臂,斯密。打那以后,它就跟定了我,穿山过海地跟着我,想吃我身体的其余部分,馋得直舐嘴唇。”
    "In a way," said Smee, "it's sort of a compliment."
    “也可以说,”斯密说,“这是一种赞美。”
    "I want no such compliments," Hook barked petulantly. "I want Peter Pan, who first gave the brute its taste for me."
    “我才不要这种赞美,”胡克暴躁地狂吼,“我要的是彼得·潘,是他第一个让鳄鱼尝到了我的滋味。”
    He sat down on a large mushroom, and now there was a quiver in his voice. "Smee," he said huskily, "that crocodile would have had me before this, but by a lucky chance it swallowed a clock which goes tick tick inside it, and so before it can reach me I hear the tick and bolt." He laughed, but in a hollow way.
    胡克在一只大蘑菇上坐下来,他的声音有点颤抖。“斯密,”他沙哑地说,“那条鳄鱼本来早该把我吃掉了,幸亏它碰巧吞下了一个钟,钟在它肚里滴答滴答响;所以,在它挨近我以前,我听到了那滴答声,就一溜烟逃跑了。”他放声大笑,可那是干笑。
    "Some day," said Smee, "the clock will run down, and then he'll get you."
    “总有一天,”斯密说,“那钟会停住不走了,那时,鳄鱼就会撵上你了。”
    Hook wetted his dry lips. "Ay," he said, "that's the fear that haunts me."
    胡克舐了舐干嘴唇。“可不是吗,”他说,“我没日没夜提心吊胆的就是这个。”
    Since sitting down he had felt curiously warm. "Smee," he said, "this seat is hot." He jumped up. "Odds bobs, hammer and tongs I'm burning."
    当他坐下来以后,他就觉得身上热得出奇。“斯密,”他说,“这个座位是热的。”他猛地跳了起来。“活见鬼,了不得啦,我都快烤糊了……”
    They examined the mushroom, which was of a size and solidity unknown on the mainland; they tried to pull it up, and it came away at once in their hands, for it had no root. Stranger still, smoke began at once to ascend. The pirates looked at each other. "A chimney!" they both exclaimed.
    他们察看了这只蘑菇,它又大又硬,是英国本土上从未见过的。他们试着去拔它,一下子就把它拔了起来,原来这蘑菇没有根。更奇怪的是,立刻有一般烟冒了出来。两个海盗面面相觑,“烟囱!”他们异口同声地惊呼。
    They had indeed discovered the chimney of the home under the ground. It was the custom of the boys to stop it with a mushroom when enemies were in the neighbourhood.
    他们果真发现了地下的家的烟囱。这是孩子们的习惯,当敌人来到附近时,就用蘑菇把烟囱盖上。
    Not only smoke came out of it. There came also children's voices, for so safe did the boys feel in their hiding-place that they were gaily chattering. The pirates listened grimly, and then replaced the mushroom. They looked around them and noted the holes in the seven trees.
    不光是烟哩,孩子们的声音也传了出来。因为他们躲藏在这个窝里,觉得很安全,于是就快快活活地闲谈起来。海盗狞恶地听了一会,然后把蘑菇放回原处。他们四下里环视了一遭,发现了七棵树上的树洞。
    "Did you hear them say Peter Pan's from home?" Smee whispered, fidgeting with Johnny Corkscrew.
    “你听见他们说没有?彼得·潘不在家。”斯密小声说,手里掂动着他那只约翰开瓶钻。
    Hook nodded. He stood for a long time lost in thought, and at last a curdling smile lit up his swarthy face. Smee had been waiting for it. "Unrip your plan, captain," he cried eagerly.
    胡克点了点头,他站着,凝神思考了好一阵子,一丝冻结的微笑浮现在他黝黑的脸上。斯密等着他发话。“亮出你的计划来吧,船长。”斯密急切地喊道。
    "To return to the ship," Hook replied slowly through his teeth, "and cook a large rich cake of a jolly thickness with green sugar on it. There can be but one room below, for there is but one chimney. The silly moles had not the sense to see that they did not need a door apiece. That shows they have no mother. We will leave the cake on the shore of the Mermaids' Lagoon. These boys are always swimming about there, playing with the mermaids. They will find the cake and they will gobble it up, because, having no mother, they don't know how dangerous 'tis to eat rich damp cake." He burst into laughter, not hollow laughter now, but honest laughter. "Aha, they will die."
    “回到船上去,”胡克慢慢地从牙缝里挤出话来,“做一只厚厚的、油腻腻的、浇上绿糖的大蛋糕。下面一定只有一间屋子,因为只有一个烟囱。这些傻田鼠没头脑,竟不懂得他们不需要每人一个出口,可见他们没有母亲。我们把那只蛋糕放在人鱼的礁湖岸边,这些孩子常在那儿游泳,和人鱼戏耍。他们会看到蛋糕,会狼吞虎咽地把它吃下去。因为他们没有母亲,他们不懂得,吃油腻的、潮湿的蛋糕有多么危险。”他放声大笑,这回不是干笑,是开怀的畅笑。“哈哈,他们要死了。”
    Smee had listened with growing admiration.
    斯密越听越佩服。
    "It's the wickedest, prettiest policy ever I heard of!" he cried, and in their exultation they danced and sang:
    “我从来没听说过比这更歹毒、更漂亮的计策。”他叫了起来。在狂喜中,他们边舞边唱:
    "Avast, belay, when I appear, By fear they're overtook; Nought's left upon your bones when you Have shaken claws with Cook."
    系上缆绳,我来了,他们吓得浑身颤抖;只要你和胡克的铁钩握手,你的骨头上再也剩不下肉。
    They began the verse, but they never finished it, for another sound broke in and stilled them. The was at first such a tiny sound that a leaf might have fallen on it and smothered it, but as it came nearer it was more distinct.
    他们开始唱起了这首歌,可是再也没能把它唱完,因为响起了另外一个声音,止住了他们的歌。起初,那声音很小,掉下一片树叶,就能把它盖住;但是离得越近,就越清晰。
    Tick tick tick tick.!
    滴答,滴答,滴答,滴答。
    Hook stood shuddering, one foot in the air.
    胡克呆站着,嗦嗦发抖,一只脚提得高高的。
    "The crocodile!" he gasped, and bounded away, followed by his bo'sun.
    “鳄鱼。”他喘息着说,跳起脚来逃跑了,他的水手长紧跟在后面。
    It was indeed the crocodile. It had passed the redskins, who were now on the trail of the other pirates. It oozed on after Hook.
    真是那只鳄鱼,它赶过了印第安人。印第安人正在跟踪其他的海盗。鳄鱼身上淌着水,跟在胡克身后爬来。
    Once more the boys emerged into the open; but the dangers of the night were not yet over, for presently Nibs rushed breathless into their midst, pursued by a pack of wolves. The tongues of the pursuers were hanging out; the baying of them was horrible.
    孩子们又回到地面上来了,可是,夜间的危险还没有完,忽然间尼布斯气喘吁吁地跑到他们那儿,后面追着一群狼,舌头吐得老长,嚎叫声好不吓人。
    "Save me, save me!" cried Nibs, falling on the ground.
    “救救我,救救我!”尼布斯喊道,跌倒在地上。
    "But what can we do, what can we do?"
    “可我们怎么办,我们怎么办?”
    It was a high compliment to Peter that at that dire moment their thoughts turned to him.
    在这千钧一发的时刻,他们不由得都想到了彼得,这应该说是对彼得的最高的赞誉。
    "What would Peter do?" they cried simultaneously.
    “彼得会怎么办?”他们不约而同地喊道。
    Almost in the same breath they cried, "Peter would look at them through his legs."
    他们几乎异口同声地又说:“彼得会从两腿中间盯着它们看。”
    And then, "Let us do what Peter would do."
    那么,“我们就照彼得的办法做。”
    It is quite the most successful way of defying wolves, and as one boy they bent and looked through their legs. The next moment is the long one, but victory came quickly, for as the boys advanced upon them in the terrible attitude, the wolves dropped their tails and fled.
    那是一种对付狼的很有效的办法,他们一齐弯下腰去,从两腿中间往后看。随后的时间显得很长,可是胜利来得很快,孩子们用这种可怕的姿势朝着狼逼进时,那群狼全都耷拉着尾巴逃之夭夭了。
    Now Nibs rose from the ground, and the others thought that his staring eyes still saw the wolves. But it was not wolves he saw.
    尼布斯从地上爬起来了,他眼睛直瞪瞪的,别的孩子以为他还在望着那些狼,可是他看到的不是狼。
    "I have seen a wonderfuller thing," he cried, as they gathered round him eagerly. "A great white bird. It is flying this way."
    “我看见了一个更怪的东西,”他喊着,别的孩子急切地围拢过来,“一只大白鸟,正朝这边飞过来。”
    "What kind of a bird, do you think?"
    “你认为那是一只什么鸟?”
    "I don't know," Nibs said, awestruck, "but it looks so weary, and as it flies it moans, `Poor Wendy,'"
    “我不知道,”尼布斯惊魂不定地说,“可是看样子像是很疲倦,一面飞,一面哼哼,‘可怜的温迪’。”
    "Poor Wendy?"
    “可怜的温迪?”
    "I remember," said Slightly instantly, "there are birds called Wendies."
    “我想起来了,”斯莱特利马上接口说,“有一种鸟,名字就叫温迪。”
    "See, it comes!" cried Curly, pointing to Wendy in the heavens.
    “瞧,它来了。”卷毛喊,指着天空的温迪。
    Wendy was now almost overhead, and they could hear her plaintive cry. But more distinct came the shrill voice of Tinker Bell. The jealous fairy had now cast off all disguise of friendship, and was darting at her victim from every direction, pinching savagely each time she touched.
    温迪现在差不多已飞到了头顶上,孩子们能听到她悲哀的呼声。可是听得更清楚的,是叮叮铃的尖厉的叫喊。这个心怀嫉妒的仙子,现在已经抛开了一切友好的伪装,她从四面八方向受害的温迪冲击,每碰到她的身体,就狠狠地拧上一把。
    "Hullo, Tink," cried the wondering boys.
    “喂,叮叮铃。”惊奇的孩子们喊。
    Tink's reply rang out: "Peter wants you to shoot the Wendy."
    丁零零地响起了叮叮铃的回答:“彼得要你们射死温迪。”
    It was not in their nature to question when Peter ordered. "Let us do what Peter wishes!" cried the simple boys. "Quick, bows and arrows!"
    彼得有令,他们生来是不怀疑的。“我们照彼得的吩咐做罢。”这些头脑简单的孩子嚷嚷道。“快,拿弓箭来。”
    All but Tootles popped down their trees. He had a bow and arrow with him, and Tink noted it, and rubbed her little hands.
    除了图图,孩子们都钻进了树洞。图图手里拿着弓箭,叮叮铃看到了,搓着她的小手。
    "Quick, Tootles, quick," she screamed. "Peter will be so pleased."
    “快呀,快,图图!”她大声叫道,“彼得会喜欢极了。”
    Tootles excitedly fitted the arrow to his bow. "Out of the way, Tink," he shouted, and then he fired, and Wendy fluttered to the ground with an arrow in her breast.
    图图兴奋地张弓搭箭。“走开,叮叮铃。”他高声喊;跟着,他把箭射了出去。于是,温迪晃晃悠悠地落到地上,一支箭插在她胸口。

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