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2006-8-19 15:56 【大中小】【打印】【我要纠错】【加入收藏】
Chapter XXXI.
We dasn't stop again at any town for days and days；kept right along down theriver. 从那以后的日子,我们没有在任何一个镇上停留过.随着日子悄悄地流逝,一直往大河的下游漂去.We was down south in the warmweather now， and a mighty long ways fromhome. 如今我们到了气候暖和的南方了,离家已经很远很远了We begun to come to treeswith Spanish moss on them，hangingdown from the limbs like long， gray beards. .我们逐渐见到了生着长长苔藓的树木,苔藓从树桠上垂下来,好像长长的白胡子似的.It was the first I ever see itgrowing， and it made the woods look solemn anddismal. 我有生以来第一回见到这样生长的树木,这样,树林子就带上了庄严.惨淡的色彩. So now the frauds reckoned theywas out of danger，and they begun to work the villagesagain.这两个骗子以为他们现在已经摆脱了危险,又想到了要到村子里去表演一番了.
First they done a lecture on temperance； but they didn't make enough for them bothto get drunk on. 他们的第一个活动就是举办戒酒演讲.不过他们从中捞到的钱还不够他们喝回酒的.Then in another village theystarted a dancing-school；but theydidn't know no more how to dance than a kangaroo does；so the first prance they madethe general public jumped in and pranced them out oftown. 随后在另一个村落,他们办了一所跳舞学校,不过他们对舞蹈的知识并不比一只袋鼠高明多少.他们刚开始练舞步,公众就跳将进来,把他们轰出了镇子. Another timethey tried to go at yellocution； but theydidn't yellocute long till the audience got up and give them asolid good cussing， andmade them skip out. 还有一次,他们想教朗诵,不过他们教了没有多长时间,听众便起来把他们痛骂了一顿,他们只好逃之夭夭.They tackledmissionarying， and mesmerizing， and doctoring， and telling fortunes， and a little of everything； but they couldn't seem to have noluck. 他们也曾干过传教.讲道.治病.催眠.算命,样样都干了一下,可就是命运不济.So at last they got just aboutdead broke， and laid around the raft as she floatedalong， thinking andthinking， and neversaying nothing， by thehalf a day at a time， and dreadful blue and desperate.因此到后来不得不快要穷死了,整天躺在木筏子上.木筏子一路往下漂去,他们一路想啊,想啊,有时候整整半天,一声不吭,神情暗淡而绝望.
And at last they took a change and begun to lay their headstogether in the wigwam and talk low and confidential two or threehours at a time临了他们起了一点变化,两个家伙把脑袋靠在一起,在窝棚里交头接耳.谈机密的话,有时一谈就是两三个钟头.. Jim and me got uneasy.杰姆和我开始不安起来. We didn't like the look of it..这样的一种情景,可不是我们所喜欢的. We judged they was studying upsome kind of worse deviltry than ever. 我们断定,他们这是正在策划什么比往常更加狠毒的主意. We turned it over andover， and at last we made up our minds they was going tobreak into somebody's house or store， or was going into the counterfeit- moneybusiness， orsomething. 我们猜来猜去,最后我们断定他们是想闯进什么一个人家的家里,或者哪一家店铺里,或是想搞伪钞的生意,So then we was prettyscared， and made up an agreement that we wouldn't havenothing in the world to do with such actions， and if we ever got the least show we wouldgive them the cold shake and clear out and leave thembehind. 或是其他什么东西.所以我们吓得不轻,我们商量好了,走遍天下,也决不跟这样的胡作非为沾上一点点儿的边.并且讲定,只要一有机会,我们便会给他们一个冷不防突然溜开不管他们,把他们甩在身后.Well， early onemorning we hid the raft in a good， safe place about two mile below a little bit of ashabby village named Pikesville， and the king he went ashore and told us all tostay hid whilst he went up to town and smelt around to see ifanybody had got any wind of the Royal Nonesuch thereyet. 一天清早,我们在离一个又小又破,叫做比克斯维尔的村落两英里路的地方,找到了隐藏木筏的安全地方.国王上了岸.临走时说,他到镇上去,去到处看看情况,看有没有人得到过《王室异兽》的风声.还告诉我们在他走后躲起来,（“House torob， you mean，”says I to myself；“and when you get throughrobbing it you'll come back here and wonder what has become of meand Jim and the raft —— and you'll have to take it out inwondering.”） (我这时对自个儿说,"你是说,去看有哪家人家好下手去抢吧.等到一抢完,你们转回来的那个时刻,可就不知道我和杰姆.还有那木筏子哪里去啦......那时候,你就只有干瞪眼,无计可施啦.")And he said if he warn't backby midday the duke and me would know it was allright， and we was to come along他还说,要是中午时分他还没有回来,那我和公爵就应该知道,那就是一切平安无事,我们就可以去会合了.
So we stayed where we was. 于是我们就在木筏上等着.The duke he fretted and sweatedaround， and was in a mighty sour way.公爵焦躁不安,脾气不好.He scolded us for everything， and wecouldn't seem to do nothing right；he found fault with every littlething. 他总是责怪我们,仿佛我们一无是处,连一点点儿小事他都要找岔儿Something wasa-brewing， sure. 很明显,他们正在酝酿着什么玩意儿. I was good and glad when midday come and noking； we could have a change， anyway —— and maybe a chance for the chance on top ofit. 到了中午,还不见国王的影子,这让我非常快乐.我们的生活好歹能有点儿变化了.......也许是有个机会搞点儿盼望着的变化吧. So me and the duke went up tothe village， and hunted around there for theking， and by and by wefound him in the back room of a little low doggery，very tight， and a lot of loafers bullyragging him forsport， and he a-cussingand a-threatening with all his might， and so tight he couldn't walk， and couldn't do nothing tothem. 于是我和公爵朝村子里走去,四处寻觅国王的踪迹.后来在一家下等酒馆的后边房间里找到了他.他已经喝得酩酊大醉,一些游手好闲之徒正在拿他取笑.他呢,正使劲一边骂人,一边唬人,醉得路也走不了,对人家更无还手之力.The duke he begun to abuse him for an oldfool， and the king begun to sass back，and the minute they was fairlyat it I lit out and shook the reefs out of my hind legs，and spun down the river roadlike a deer， for I seeour chance；and I made upmy mind that it would be a long day before they ever see me and Jimagain. 公爵呢,就骂他是个老傻瓜,国王也马上还嘴,乘他们闹得不可开交的时候,我便溜出了酒馆,活象一只小鹿沿着河边大路往前飞奔,撒开腿就跑......因为我看到机会来啦,便下定了决心,从此以后,他们要是想再见到我和杰姆,那就不知道是何年何月啦. I got down there all out of breath but loaded upwith joy， and sung out：
“Set herloose，Jim！we're all rightnow！”.我奔到了那里,差一点连气都喘不过来,但是我从心底往外高兴.我大声地叫:
"放开木筏,杰姆,我们这回可好啦!"
But there warn't no answer， and nobody come out of the wigwam.但是没有人应声.窝棚里也并没有人钻出来. Jim was gone！杰姆已经离开啦! I set up a shout —— and thenanother —— and thenanother one； and runthis way and that in the woods， whooping and screeching； but it warn't no use —— old Jim was gone. 我又一次大叫一声......又叫......再叫,又奔到林子里,一边使劲吆喝,一边尖声叫唤,可是一点用也没有,......老杰姆已经不在啦.Then I set down and cried；I couldn'thelp it. 于是我坐了下来,一边哭喊.这是我无可奈何的. But I couldn't set still long. 不过我不能老是坐等啊.Pretty soon I went out on theroad， trying to think what I better do，and I run across a boywalking， and asked himif he'd seen a strange nigger dressed so and so， and he says：
“Yes.”
“Whereabouts？”says I.我立即走到了大路上,一边思量该怎么办才好.我遇见一个男孩正在路上走,我问他有没有见到一个外地来的黑奴,穿着是怎么样.他说:
"见到的."
"在哪里?"我问.
“Down to Silas Phelps'place， two mile belowhere. He's a runaway nigger，and they've got him. Was you looking forhim？”"在下面西拉斯.费尔贝斯那边,离这里只有两英里地.他是个逃亡的黑奴,后来人家把他给逮住啦.你是想找他么?"
“You bet I ain't！ I run across him in the woods about an hour or twoago， and he said if Ihollered he'd cut my livers out —— and told me to lay down and stay where Iwas； and I done it. Beenthere ever since； afeardto come out.” "我才不要寻找他呢!我是在两个钟头以前在林子里遇见他的.他说,要是我叫喊起来,他就开我的膛......还叫我躺着别动,呆在原地,我按他的话一五一十的做着.就这样,一直耽在那一边,不敢出来."
“Well，” he says， “you needn't be afeard no more， becuz they've got him. He run off f'm downSouth， som'ers.”"啊,"他说,"你不用再害怕啦,因为他已经被别人抓住了.他是从下边南方什么地方逃出来的."
“It's a good job they gothim.”
"人家把他抓住,这可是一笔利润丰厚的买卖啊."
“Well， I reckon！ There's two hunderd dollars reward on him. It'slike picking up money out'n the road.”"是啊,我看是这样!人家出三百元大洋的悬赏呢.这正是如同在大路上捡到的一笔钱啊."
“Yes， itis —— and I could a hadit if I'd been big enough； I see him first. Who nailed him？”"是啊,真是这么一回事......如果我要是大人的话,这笔钱就属于我了,我是第一个看到他的呢.到底是谁把他抓住的?"
“It was an old fellow—— a stranger ——and he sold out his chance inhim for forty dollars， becuz he's got to go up the river and can't wait. Think o'that， now！You bet I'D wait，if it was seven year.”"是一个老家伙......一个外乡人......他才只要了几十块钱,就把得悬赏的机会卖给了人家,说是因为他有事非得往上游去不可,不能多等了.你想想看吧!如果要是我的话,等十年我也干啊."
“That's me，every time，” says I. “But maybe his chance ain't worth no more than that，if he'll sell it so cheap.Maybe there's something ain't straight about it.”"我也是这样,一点儿也不差,"我说."不过,既然他以这么便宜的价钱就卖掉了,可见他的这个机会也许只值这个价罢了.也许里边有什么我们不知道的秘密吧."
“But it is，though —— straight as a string. I see the handbill myself.It tells all about him， to a dot —— paints him like a picture， and tells the plantation he's frum，below Newrleans.No-sirree-bob， theyain't no trouble 'bout that speculation， you bet you. Say， gimme a chaw tobacker， won't ye？”
"可是这是实情......事情清清楚楚.我亲眼看到了那张传单.传单上把他的所有情况都说得详详细细......把他描绘得简直是给他画了一幅画,还说了他是从哪一家庄园逃出来的,是在新良斯下游那边的.不,绝对错不了,这笔投机买卖不会出差错,不用担心.喂,给我一口烟叶嚼嚼,行不行?"
I didn't have none， so he left. I went to the raft， and set down in the wigwam to think.我没有给,他也就走开了.我走到了木筏上,在窝棚里坐着前思后想起来But I couldn't come tonothing. 但是总想不出个道道来.I thought till I wore my headsore， but I couldn't see no way out of thetrouble. 想得头也发疼了,可就是找不到摆脱困境的办法.After all this longjourney， and after all we'd done for themscoundrels， here it wasall come to nothing， everything all busted up and ruined，because they could have the heart to serveJim such a trick as that， and make him a slave again all his life，and amongst strangers， too， for forty dirty dollars..经过了这么一段长途跋涉中的种种辛苦,在这一段时间里,我们又如此这般地为这两个流氓殚精竭力,却落得个白辛苦一场,什么样的打算都砸了锅,全都给毁了.这全只是因为这些人心狠手辣,竟然使出了这样的狡计,叫他再一次成为了终身的黑奴,并且一个人孤单地飘泊在他乡.而一切就只是为了四十块大洋.
Once I said to myself it would be a thousand times betterfor Jim to be a slave at home where his family was，as long as he'd got to be aslave， and so I'd betterwrite a letter to Tom Sawyer and tell him to tell Miss Watson wherehe was. 我曾经心里想,杰姆要是注定做奴隶的话,在家乡做要比在外地干强一千倍.在家乡,他有家啊.为此,我曾经想,不如由我写封信给汤姆.莎耶,让他把杰姆目前的情况告诉华珍小姐.But I soon give up that notionfor two things： she'd be mad and disgusted at hisrascality and ungratefulness for leaving her， and so she'd sell him straight down theriver again； and if shedidn't， everybodynaturally despises an ungrateful nigger， and they'd make Jim feel it all the time，and so he'd feel ornery anddisgraced. 不过我很快就放弃了这个念头.原因有两个.她肯定会发火,又气又恨,认为他不该如此忘恩负义,竟然从她那儿逃跑.这样,她会干脆把他卖掉,再一次把他卖到下游去.如果她不是这么干,大伙儿自然会一个个都瞧不起忘恩负义的黑奴,他们势必会叫杰姆时刻意识到这一点,搞得他狼狈不堪.无地自容.And then think ofme！.并且再想想我自己吧!It would get all around thatHuck Finn helped a nigger to get his freedom； and if Iwas ever to see anybody from that town again I'd be ready to getdown and lick his boots for shame很快便会授人以柄,说赫克.芬出力相助一个黑奴重获自由.这样,要是我再遇见到这个镇子上的随便哪一个人,我肯定会羞愧得无地自容,愿意趴在地下求饶That's just theway： a person does a low-down thing， and then he don't want to take noconsequences of it. 一般的情况往往是这样的嘛.一个人如果做了什么下流的勾当,但是又并不想承担什么责任, Thinks as long as he canhide， it ain't no disgrace. 自以为只要把事情遮盖起来便万事大吉,这多么丢人现眼啊. That was my fix exactly..这正好是我的情况.The more I studied about thisthe more my conscience went to grinding me， and themore wicked and low-down and ornery I got to feeling.我越是想到这件事,我的良心越是受到折磨,我也就越是觉得自己邪恶.没出息. And at last， when ithit me all of a sudden that here was the plain hand of Providenceslapping me in the face and letting me know my wickedness was beingwatched all the time from up there in heaven，whilst I was stealing a poor old woman'snigger that hadn't ever done me no harm， and now was showing me there's One that's alwayson the lookout， andain't a- going to allow no such miserable doings to go only just sofur and no further， Imost dropped in my tracks I was so scared.到后来,我突然之间猛然醒悟了,认识到这明明是上帝的手在打我的耳光,让我知道,我的种种邪恶,始终逃不开上天的眼睛.一个可怜的老妇人一生从没有损害过我一根毫毛,我却把她的黑奴拐到别处,为了这个,上帝正指引着我,让我自己清楚什么都逃不过"他"那高悬的明镜,"他"决不允许这类不幸的事再发展下去,只能到此为止.一想到这一些,我差一点儿就立刻摔倒在地,我的确吓得不得了啦. Well， I triedthe best I could to kinder soften it up somehow for myself bysaying I was brung up wicked， and so I warn't so much to blame."but something inside of me keptsaying， “There was the Sunday-school， you could a gone to it； and if you'd a done it they'd a learnt youthere that people that acts as I'd been acting about that niggergoes to everlasting fire.” ；于是我就想方设法,试图为自己解脱.我对自个儿说:我从小就是在邪恶的环境中长大的,因此不能过于怪罪我啊.可是,在我的心里,潜意识有另外的一种想法,"还有主日学校哩.你本该到那儿去啊.假如你早去的话,他们会在那儿教导你的嘛,教导你说,谁要象我那样为了黑奴所干的这一切,是要下地狱受到熊熊的烈火的煎熬的
It made me shiver. 我全身簌簌发抖 And I about made up my mind topray， and see if I couldn't try to quit being the kindof a boy I was and be better. 我正要立意跪下祈祷,但愿能和过去那个孩子的所作所为一刀两断,重做一个新人.So I kneeled down.于是我双膝跪下. But the words wouldn't come..但是啊,偏偏话到了口边却说不出口. Why wouldn'tthey？为了什么,话出不了口啊?It warn't no use to try andhide it from Him. 企图瞒过"他",那是做不到的嘛.Nor from me， neither. 要想瞒过我,那也是做不到的嘛. I knowed very well why theywouldn't come. 我深深地明白,为什么那些话说不出口来.It was because my heart warn'tright； it was because I warn't square； it was because I was playingdouble. 这是因为我的这心还不正啊;因为这颗心还有私心啊.这全是因为我在玩两面倒的把戏啊I wasletting on to give up sin，but away inside of me I washolding on to the biggest one of all. 我一面装做要改邪归正,可是在私下里,在心里,我却黏住了其中最最大的邪恶不放.I was try.ing to make my mouth say Iwould do the right thing and the clean thing， and go andwrite to that nigger's owner and tell where he was；but deep down in me I knowed itwas a lie，and He knowedit. You can't pray a lie —— I found that out.我试图让我的嘴巴说什么我要干正当的事,干干净净的事,还打算给这个黑奴的主人去信,告诉她他如今在那里.但是在我心底深处,我知道那是在撒谎......而上帝也知道.你可不能对上帝撒谎啊......这个道理,我现在算是弄清楚啦.
So I was full of trouble， full as I could be； and didn't know what to do.我因此就心里乱糟糟,可说乱到了极点,不知道该怎么办才好. At last I had an idea； and Isays， I'll go and writethe letter —— and thensee if I can pray. 到后来,我产生了一个想法,我对自个儿说,我要把信写出来......然后再看我到时候能不能祈祷. Why，it was astonishing，the way I felt as light as afeather right straight off， and my troubles all gone. 有多奇怪啊!我这么一想,就好像立时立刻自己身轻得如一片羽毛,我的痛苦和烦恼都在这时候飞到九霄云外去了.So I got a piece of paper and apencil， all glad and excited， and set down and wrote：这于是我找来了纸和笔,既高兴,又激动,坐下写了起来:
MissWatson， your runaway nigger Jim is down here two milebelow Pikesville， andMr. Phelps has got him and he will give him up for the reward ifyou send.
Huck Finn. 亲爱的华珍小姐,你的在逃黑奴杰姆现正在比克斯维尔下游英两里地被费尔贝斯先生逮住了,你如把悬赏金额给他,他会把他交还给你.
赫克.芬
I felt good and all washed clean of sin for the first timeI had ever felt so in my life， and I knowed I could pray now. 我觉得挺痛快,觉得已经把沉重的罪恶从身上卸下来了,这是我有生第一回有这样的感觉.我知道,如今我能祈祷啦. But Ididn't do it straight off， but laid the paper down and set there thinking ——thinking how good it was allthis happened so， andhow near I come to being lost and going to hell.不过我并没有立刻就祈祷,而是把纸放好,坐在那里想来想去......想到了这种种的一切终于能成现在这个样子,这该多么值得高兴啊,而我又怎样差点儿迷失路途,掉进地狱.And wenton thinking. And got to thinking over our trip down theriver； and I see Jimbefore me all the time： in the day and in the night-time， sometimes moonlight， sometimes storms， and we a-floating along， talking and singing and laughing.我又继续地想.想到了我们沿大河下游漂去的情景.我见到杰姆正在我的眼前,片刻不离,在白天,在深夜,有时在月夜,有时在暴风雨中.我们漂啊漂,说话啊,唱啊,笑啊. Butsomehow I couldn't seem to strike no places to harden me againsthim， but only the otherkind. 可是呢,不管你怎么说,我总是找不到任何事,能叫我对他心肠硬起来.并且情况正好相反I'd see him standing my watch on top of his'n，'stead of calling me，so I could go onsleeping； and see himhow glad he was when I come back out of the fog； and when I come to him again in theswamp， up there wherethe feud was； andsuch-like times； andwould always call me honey， and pet me and do everything he could think of forme， and how good healways was； and at lastI struck the time I saved him by telling the men we had small-poxaboard， and he was sograteful， and said I wasthe best friend old Jim ever had in the world， and the only one he's got now；and then I happened to lookaround and see that paper..我看到他才值完了班就替我值班,不愿意前来叫我,好让我继续睡大觉.我看到,当我从一片浓雾中回来,当我在世仇械斗那儿,在泥塘里又见到了他,在所有类似的时刻里,他是多么高兴,总要叫我乖乖,总要宠我,总要想尽一切方法为我设身处地着想,他对我始终如一这么好啊.最后我又想起了那一回的事:我对划拢来的人们说,我们木筏子上有害天花的人,因而搭救了他,这时他是多么地感激,说我是老杰姆在这个世上最好的朋友,也是他如今唯一的朋友.正是这时,我碰巧朝四周张望,一眼看到了那一张纸.
It was a close place. I took it up， and held it in my hand. I wasa-trembling，because I'dgot to decide， forever， betwixttwo things， and I knowedit. I studied a minute， sort of holding my breath， and then says to myself：
“All right， then， I'll go tohell” —— and tore itup. 这可是个让人左右为难的事啊.我把纸拣了起来,拿在手里.我在发抖.因为我得在两条路中选择一条,而且永远也不能反悔.这是我深深知道的.我仔细考虑了一分钟,而且几乎屏住了气考虑的,随后我对自个儿说:
"那好吧,就让我去下地狱吧."......随手把纸撕了.
It was awful thoughts and awful words， but they was said. And I let them staysaid； and never thoughtno more about reforming. I shoved the whole thing out of myhead， and said I wouldtake up wickedness again， which was in my line，being brung up to it， and the other warn't. And for a starter I would go to workand steal Jim out of slavery again； and if I could think up anything worse，I would do that，too； because as long as I was in， and in for good， I might as well go the whole hog.这可是可怕的念头,可怕的语言啊,不过我就是这么说了.并且我既然说了出来,我就从没有想过要改邪归正.我把整个儿这件事从脑袋里统统赶了出去.我说,我要重新走上邪恶这一条路,这是我的本行,从小我就这样长大的嘛.走别的路就不在行了.作为开头第一件事,我要去活动起来,把杰姆从奴隶的境地给救出来.如果我能想出更好的虽然有些邪恶的办法,我也会照干不误.因为既然我是干的这一行,那么,只要有利,我就要干到底.
Then I set to thinking over how to get at it，and turned over someconsiderable many ways in my mind； and at last fixed up a plan that suited me.随后我就寻思着该怎样下手.我在心里盘算过好多条路子,最后决定了一个最适合于我的计划. So then I took the bearings of a woody island that was downthe river a piece， andas soon as it was fairly dark I crept out with my raft and went forit， and hid itthere， and then turnedin. 接下来,我认准了大河下游一 处林木森森的小岛,等到天一黑,我就把木筏子偷偷划到那一边去,把木筏子就藏在那里,然后钻进窝棚去Islept the night through， and got up before it was light， and had my breakfast， and put on my store clothes， and tied up some others and one thing oranother in a bundle， andtook the canoe and cleared for shore. 我睡了整整一夜,天刚亮前爬了起来,吃过了早饭,穿上了我那套现成的新衣服,把一些零星东西绑成一捆,坐上独木小舟,就划到对岸去了.I landedbelow where I judged was Phelps's place， and hid my bundle in the woods， and then filled up the canoe withwater，and loaded rocksinto her and sunk her where I could find her again when I wantedher， about a quarter ofa mile below a little steam sawmill that was on thebank..我在我估计是费尔贝斯家的下边上了岸,把我的东西藏在林子里,接着把独木舟灌满了水,装满了石块沉到了水里去.沉下去的地方是我需要时能够找到的地方,离岸上那家小小的机器锯木厂,有三分之一英里地那么远.
Then I struck up the road， and when I passed the mill I see a sign onit， “Phelps'sSawmill，” and when Icome to the farm-houses， two or three hundred yards further along，I kept my eyes peeled，but didn't see nobodyaround， though it wasgood daylight now. ：随后我就上了路.我走过锯木厂的时候,看到了一块牌子"费尔贝斯锯木厂".又走了几百码,就走到农庄了.附近没有见到什么人,虽然天已经快亮了.But Ididn't mind， because Ididn't want to see nobody just yet —— I only wanted to get the lay of the land.不过我对这些并不在意,因为我暂时还不想见到什么人......我只想看看这一带的地形. According to my plan， I was going to turn up there from the village，not from below. So I just tooka look， and shovedalong， straight fortown. 按照我原来的计划,我本来应该是从下游不远的一个村子来的.所以我只是随便看了一眼,不顾别的往镇子里走着. Well， the veryfirst man I see when I got there was the duke. 啊,一到那里,我第一个遇见的人却是公爵.He wassticking up a bill for the Royal Nonesuch —— three-night performance ——like that other time. They hadthe cheek，themfrauds！ I was right onhim before I could shirk. He looked astonished， and says他正在张贴一张《王室异兽》的海报......只演三个晚上......和早先一个样.他们还是这么死不要脸......这群骗子!我刚好跟他面对面,躲也躲不及了.我大吃一惊.他说:
“Hel-lo！ Where'dyou come from？” Then hesays， kind of glad andeager， “Where's theraft？ —— got her in agood place？”哈......喽!你从哪儿来啊?"随后他好像很高兴.很关心的样子说,"木筏在哪里啊?......把它藏在一个好地方了么?"
I says：我说:
“Why， that's justwhat I was going to ask your grace.” "哈,这正是我早就想问你的,大人."
Then he didn't look so joyful， and says：他就显得不那么高兴了,他说:
“What was your idea for asking me？” he says. "
"你问起了我,这是什么意思?"
“Well，” Isays， “when I see theking in that doggery yesterday I says to myself， we can't get him home for hours，till he's soberer；so I went a-loafing around townto put in the time and wait. "啊,"我说,"昨晚上,我在小酒馆里看到国王的时候,我自己在自言自语道,在他醒过来以前,在几个钟点内,我们是无法把他弄回家的了.所以我就在镇上到处闲逛,一边消磨时间,一边等. A manup and offered me ten cents to help him pull a skiff over the riverand back to fetch a sheep， and so I went along； but when we was dragging him to the boat，and the man left me a-holt ofthe rope and went behind him to shove him along， he was too strong for me and jerked looseand run， and we afterhim. 有一个人找到我,愿出一角钱,让我把一条小船划到对河去,把一只羊给赶回来,于是我就去了.我们把羊拖到船边,那个人让我一个 人抓住绳子,他在羊的后面把羊往船上推,可是羊力气太大,我顶不住,一松手,它就挣脱掉了,我们就在后面追.Wedidn't have no dog， andso we had to chase him all over the country till we tired himout. 我们身旁没有带狗,于是只能在四野里到处追赶,一直到羊累得跑不动为止.We nevergot him till dark； thenwe fetched him over， andI started down for the raft.天快黑了,我们这才把它捉住,然后把它带过河来.When Igot there and see it was gone， I says to myself， 'They've got into trouble and had toleave；and they've tookmy nigger， which is theonly nigger I've got in the world， and now I'm in a strange country，and ain't got no property nomore， nornothing， and no way tomake my living；' so Iset down and cried. I slept in the woods all night. But what didbecome of the raft， then？ —— andJim —— poorJim！”我呢,就去下游找我们的木筏子.可是到了那个地方一看,木筏不见了.我对自已说,"定是他们遇到了麻烦,不能不溜之大吉吧.可是他们把我的黑奴也带走了,那是我在世上唯一的一个黑奴啊.现在我流落他乡,身无分文,连生计也没有着落,因此我就趴在地上呜呜地哭了起来.我在林子里睡了整整一个晚上.不过,木筏子到底怎么样啦?......还有杰姆呢,那可怜的杰姆?"
“Blamed if I know ——that is， what'sbecome of the raft. That old fool had made a trade and got fortydollars， and when wefound him in the doggery the loafers had matched half-dollars withhim and got every cent but what he'd spent for whisky；and when I got him home latelast night and found the raft gone， we said， 'That little rascal has stole our raft and shook us，and run off down theriver.'”"该死的,我从未想到过,怎么会知道?......我是说,我不清楚木筏子哪里去了.那个老傻瓜做了一笔买卖,得了四十块大洋.我们在小酒馆里找到他的时候,那些二流子正跟他赌钱,赌一块钱的赌.除了他付威士忌酒账的钱以外,他们把他所有的钱骗个精光.到了十二点,我把他弄回家,一看,木筏子不见了.我们说,'那个小流氓把我们的木筏子偷走啦,他撇下我们不管,往大河下游去啦.,"
“I wouldn't shake my nigger， would I？ —— the only nigger I had in the world， and the only property.”"我决不会撇下我自己的黑奴吧,难道不是么?那是我在世上唯一的一个黑奴,唯一的财产啊."
“We never thought of that. Fact is， I reckon we'd come to consider him ournigger； yes，we did consider him so—— goodness knows we hadtrouble enough for him. So when we see the raft was gone and weflat broke， there warn'tanything for it but to try the Royal Nonesuch another shake. AndI've pegged along ever since， dry as a powder-horn. Where's that ten cents？Give ithere.”
"这一点我们倒是没有想到.事实是,依我看,我们已经把他当成我们的黑奴啦,是啊,我们就是这么对待他的......他给我们惹的麻烦也够多啦.这样,发现木筏子不见了,我们已经穷得精光了,没有别的生路,只好把《王室异兽》再演上一次.为了这个,我一直忙得不亦乐乎.我已经好久没有润喉咙,干得象火药筒一样.你那个一角钱哪里去了?马上给我."
I had considerable money， so I give him ten cents， but begged him to spend it for something toeat， and give mesome， because it was allthe money I had， and Ihadn't had nothing to eat since yesterday. He never said nothing.The next minute he whirls on me and says：我身边还有不少钱,就给了他一角钱.不过我央求他要把钱用在吃食上,还得捎带分给我一些,说我就只这点儿钱了,从昨天起,我滴米未进,肚子还是空的,他没有吭一声.再一会儿以后,冲着我怒气冲冲地问:
“Do you reckon that nigger would blow on us？We'd skin him if he donethat！”"依你看,那个黑奴会告发我们么?他要是敢这么干啊,我们一定要剥他的皮,抽他的筋."
“How can he blow？Hain't he run off？”"他怎么会告发?他不是逃跑了么?"
“No！ That oldfool sold him， and neverdivided with me，and themoney's gone.” "不!那个老傻瓜把他给卖啦,连钱也没有分给我,如今钱也光啦."
“Sold him？” Isays， and begun tocry； “why，he was my nigger，and that was my money. Where ishe？ —— I want mynigger.” "卖了他?"我一边说,一边哭了起来."啊!他可是我的黑奴啊,他可是我的钱啊.他在哪里......我要我的黑奴."
“Well， you can'tget your nigger， that'sall —— so dry up yourblubbering. Looky here —— do you think you'd venture to blow on us？Blamed if I think I'd trustyou. Why， if you was toblow on us ——”
"嘿,你一定要不回你的黑奴啦,就是这么一回事......所以你哭哭啼啼也没什么用.听我说......你也曾想要告发我们么?我要是相信你,那才怪呢.嘿,你要是想告发我们的话......"
He stopped， butI never see the duke look so ugly out of his eyes before. I went ona-whimpering， andsays：说到这里,他没有说下去,可是他眼色里露出的凶相,是我从来没有见到过的.我继续抽抽嗒嗒地哭着说:
“I don't want to blow on nobody； and I ain't got no time to blow，nohow. I got to turn out andfind my nigger.” "我谁也不想告发,而且我也没有时间去告发哪一个,我得跑去把杰姆给找回来."
He looked kinder bothered， and stood there with his bills fluttering on hisarm， thinking，and wrinkling up his forehead.At last he says：他那个神情好像有点儿为难似的,就站在那里,一边胳膊上搭着的海报随风飘动,一边在左思右想,眉头紧锁.最后才说:
“I'll tell you something. We got to be here three days. Ifyou'll promise you won't blow， and won't let the nigger blow， I'll tell you where to findhim.”
"我来点拨你一下吧.我们得在这里耽三天.只要你保证不告发我们,也不让那个黑奴告发我们,那么我就会告诉你,哪里能找到他."
So I promised， and he says：我作了承诺,他就说:
“A farmer by the name of Silas Ph——” and then he stopped. You see，he started to tell me thetruth； but when hestopped that way， andbegun to study and think again， I reckoned he was changing his mind. And so he was. Hewouldn't trust me； hewanted to make sure of having me out of the way the whole threedays. So pretty soon he says：
"有一个农民,叫做西拉斯.费......"说到这里停住了.你可以看得出来,他一开始是要对我说实话的,可是如此这般一打住,他又仔细一想,我猜想他就变卦了.事实正是这样.他不愿信任我,他想的是要想方设法,在这三天中,不让我当他的伴脚石,坏了他的好事.所以很快便接着说,
“The man that bought him is named Abram Foster ——Abram G. Foster ——and he lives forty mile backhere in the country， onthe road to Lafayette.” "把他买下来的那个人,名字叫阿伯拉姆.福斯特......阿伯拉姆.格.福斯特......住在去拉法耶特的路上一个乡下,离这里三四十英里地."
“All right，” Isays， “I can walk it inthree days. And I'll start this very afternoon.”好啊",我说,"我走三天的路就可以走到.我今天下午就走."
“No you wont， you'll start now； and don't you lose any time about it， neither， nor do any gabbling by the way. Just keep a tighttongue in your head and move right along， and then you won't get into trouble withus， d'yehear？”"
"不,你不用等,你现在就得动身.千万别耽误时间,一路 上也不准你随便乱说.只许你把嘴巴紧紧封起来,赶你的路,否则你就会给我们惹麻烦了,你听清楚没有?"
That was the order I wanted， and that was the one I played for. I wanted to beleft free to work my plans. 这正是我期盼的一道命令,是我求之不得的.我就是盼望能自由自在地实现自己的计划.
“So clear out，” he says； “andyou can tell Mr. Foster whatever you want to. Maybe you can get himto believe that Jim is your nigger —— some idiots don't require documents ——leastways I've heard there'ssuch down South here. And when you tell him the handbill and thereward's bogus， maybehe'll believe you when you explain to him what the idea was forgetting 'em out. Go 'long now， and tell him anything you want to； but mind you don't work your jaw anybetween here and there.” "那就赶快走吧,"他说."不论你心里想要些什么,你可以对福斯特先生直说.说不定你能说服他杰姆是你的黑奴......世界上是有些傻瓜并不要求人家提出什么条件......至少我听说过,在这一带下游南方地区就有这样的人.只要你告诉他那张传单和悬赏都是假的,以及为什么要这套把戏,也许人家会相信你的话.好,现在就动身吧,你爱怎样对他说就怎么对他说,不过要记住,从这儿到那儿的一路上,可不许你多嘴."
So I left， andstruck for the back country. I didn't look around，but I kinder felt like he waswatching me. But I knowed I could tire him out at that. I wentstraight out in the country as much as a mile before Istopped； then I doubledback through the woods towards Phelps'. I reckoned I better startin on my plan straight off without fooling around，because I wanted to stop Jim'smouth till these fellows could get away. I didn't want no troublewith their kind. I'd seen all I wanted to of them，and wanted to get entirely shutof them. 这样我就走了,向内地乡间走去.我并没有回头望,不过我感觉到他正密切监视着我.但是我知道我有办法叫他盯得不耐烦.我在乡间一直走到一英里左右才停下来,然后一转身,加快穿过林子,朝费尔贝斯家而去.我思量,最好还是别再迟疑,马上按照我原来的计划就干起来.因为我要想办法在这两个家伙溜走之前封住杰姆的嘴.我不愿意跟这帮人再打什么交道.他们的那套把戏我已经看得厌了,我要的是跟他们一刀两断.
