 故事中的主人翁吉姆（Jim Hawkins）10岁时，他们家在黑山海湾旁经营一家「海军上将本保」（Admiral Benbow）的旅馆。有一天碰到一位有一道刀疤的旅客，名叫「比尔」，可是他要吉姆叫他「比尔船长」，这样吉姆每天就会听到关于海盗的冒险故事。比尔船长有个习惯，就是每天到下午日落的时候，他都会带副望远镜到海边观看是否有船只。这样的日子不到几日，比尔船长收到海盗的「黑丸子 (black spot)」，只要收这玩意的人，每个海贼都可以通缉他，并且可以杀他。比尔平日有酗酒习惯，此时因极度害怕中风而死。之后吉姆在他的箱子里找到一张「金银岛」藏宝图，就这样展开了一场寻宝的冒险任务。在寻宝航海的旅途中，吉姆一行人碰上许许多多惊险的冒险故事，如：幽灵船事件，和海盗的斗争，还有来到岛上的霍乱以及凶猛暴风雨等等，最后是以找到宝藏的喜剧收场。 |
| Treasure IslandChapter XXXIV THE next morning we fell early to work, for the transportation of this great mass of gold near a mile by land to the beach, and thence three miles by boat to the Hispaniola, was a considerable task for so small a number of workmen. The three fellows still abroad upon the island did not greatly trouble us; a single sentry on the shoulder of the hill was sufficient to insure us against any sudden onslaught, and we thought, besides, they had had more than enough of fighting. Therefore the work was pushed on briskly. Gray and Ben Gunn came and went with the boat, while the rest during their absences, piled treasure on the beach. Two of the bars, slung in a rope's-end, made a good load for a grown man - one that he was glad to walk slowly with. For my part, as I was not much use at carrying, I was kept busy all day in the cave, packing the minted money into bread-bags. It was a strange collection, like Billy Bones hoard for the diversity of coinage, but so much larger and so much more varied that I think I never had more pleasure than in sorting them. English, French, Spanish, Portugese, Georges, and Louises, doubloons and double guineas and moindores and sequins, the pictures of all the kings of Europe for the last hundred years, strange Oriental pieces stamped with what looked like wisps of string or bits of spider's web, round pieces and square pieces, and pieces bored through the middle, as if to wear them round your neck - nearly every variety of money in the world must, I thin, have found a place in that collection; and for number, I am sure they were like autumn leaves, so that my back ached with stooping and my fingers with sorting them out. Day after day this work went on; by every evening a fortune had been stowed aboard, but there was another fortune waiting for the morrow; and all this time we heard nothing of the three surviving mutineers. At last - I think it was on the third night - the doctor and I were strolling on the shoulder of the hill where it overlooks the lowlands of the isle, when, from out the thick darkness below, the wind brought us a noise between shrieking and singing. It was only a snatch that reached our ears, followed by the former silence. `Heaven forgive them,' said the doctor; `'tis the mutineers!' `All drunk, sir,' struck in the voice of Silver from behind us. Silver, I should say, was allowed his entire liberty, and, in spite of daily rebuffs, seemed to regard himself once more as quite a privileged and friendly dependant. Indeed, it was remarkable how well he bore these slights, and with what unwearying politeness he kept on trying to ingratiate himself with all. Yet, I think, none treated him better than a dog; unless it was Ben Gunn, who was still terribly afraid of his old quartermaster, or myself, who had really something to thank him for; although for that matter, I suppose, I had reason to think even worse of him than anybody else, for I had seen him meditating a fresh treachery upon the plateau. Accordingly, it was pretty gruffly that the doctor answered him. `Drunk or raving,' said he. `Right you were, sir,' replied Silver; `and precious little odds which, to you and me.' `I suppose you would hardly ask me to call you a humane man,' returned the doctor, with a sneer, `and so my feelings may surprise you, Master Silver. But if I were sure they were raving - as I am morally certain one, at least, of them is down with fever - I should leave this camp, and, at whatever risk to my own carcase, take them the assistance of my skill.' `Ask your pardon, sir, you would be very wrong,' quoth Silver. `You would lose your precious life, and you may lay to that. I'm on your side now, hand and glove; and I shouldn't wish for to see the party weakened, let alone yourself, seeing as I know what I owes you. But these men down there, they couldn't keep their word - no, not supposing they wished to; and what's more, they couldn't believe as you could.' `No,' said the doctor. `You're the man to keep your word, we know that.' Well, that was about the last news we had of the three pirates. Only once we heard a gunshot a great way off, and supposed them to be hunting. A council was held, and it was decided that we must desert them on the island - to the huge glee, I must say, of Ben Gunn, and with the strong approval of Gray. We left a good stock of powder and shot, the bulk of the salt goat, a few medicines, and some other necessaries, tools, clothing, a spare sail, a fathom or two of rope, and, by the particular desire of the doctor, a handsome present of tobacco. That was about our last doing on the island. Before that, we had got the treasure stowed, and had shipped enough water and the remainder of the goat meat, in case of any distress; and at last, one fine morning, we weighed anchor, which was about all that we could manage, and stood out of North Inlet, the same colours flying that the captain had flown and fought under at the palisade. The three fellows must have been watching us closer than we thought for, as we soon had proved. For, coming through the narrows, we had to lie very near the southern point, and there we saw all three of them kneeling together on a spit of sand, with their arms raised in supplication. It went to all our hearts, I think, to leave them in that wretched state; but we could not risk another mutiny; and to take them home for the gibbet would have been a cruel sort of kindness. The doctor hailed them and told them of the stores we had left, and where they were to find them. But they continued to call us by name, and appeal to us, for God's sake, to be merciful, and not leave them to die in such a place. At last, seeing the ship still bore on her course, and was now swiftly drawing out of earshot, one of them - I know not which it was - leapt to his feet with a hoarse cry, whipped his musket to his shoulder, and sent a shot whistling over Silver's head and through the mainsail. After that, we kept under cover of the bulwarks, and when next I looked out they had disappeared from the spit, and the spit itself had almost melted out of sight in the growing distance. That was, at least, the end of that; and before noon, to my inexpressible joy, the highest rock of Treasure Island had sunk into the blue round of sea. We were so short of men, that everyone on board had to bear a hand - only the captain lying on a mattress in the stern and giving his orders; for, though greatly recovered he was still in want of quiet. We laid her head for the nearest port in Spanish America, for we could not risk the voyage home without fresh hands; and as it was, what with baffling winds and a couple of fresh gales, we were all worn out before we reached it. It was just at sundown when we cast anchor in a most beautiful land-locked gulf, and were immediately surrounded by shore boats full of negroes, and Mexican Indians, and half-bloods, selling fruits and vegetables, and offering to dive for bits of money. The sight of so many good-humoured faces (especially the blacks), the taste of the tropical fruits, and above all, the lights that began to shine in the town, made a most charming contrast to our dark and bloody sojourn on the island; and the doctor and the squire, taking me along with them, went ashore to pass the early part of the night. Here they met the captain of an English man-of-war, fell in talk with him, went on board his ship, and, in short, had so agreeable a time, that day was breaking when we came alongside the Hispaniola. Ben Gunn was on deck alone, and, as soon as we came on board, he began, with wonderful contortions, to make us a confession. Silver was gone. The maroon had connived at his escape in a shore boat some hours ago, and he now assured us he had only done so to preserve our lives, which would certainly have been forfeit if `that man with the one leg had stayed aboard.' But this was not all. The sea-cook had not gone empty handed. He had cut through a bulkhead unobserved, and had removed one of the sacks of coin, worth, perhaps, three or four hundred guineas, to help him on his further wanderings. I think we were all pleased to be so cheaply quit of him. Well, to make a long story short, we got a few hands on board, made a good cruise home, and the Hispaniola reached Bristol just as Mr Blandly was beginning to think of fitting out her consort. Five men only of those who had sailed returned with her. `Drink and the devil had done for the rest,' with a vengeance; although, to be sure, we were not quite in so bad a case as that other ship they sang about: `With one man of her crew alive, What put to sea with seventy-five.' All of us had an ample share of the treasure, and used it wisely or foolishly, according to our natures. Captain Smollett is now retired from the sea. Gray not only saved his money, but, being suddenly smit with the desire to rise, also studied his profession; and he is now mate and part owner of a fine full-rigged ship; married besides, and the father of a family. As for Ben Gunn, he got a thousand pound-which he spent or lost in three weeks, or, to be more exact, in nineteen days, for he was back begging on the twentieth. Then he was given a lodge to keep, exactly as he had feared upon the island; and he still lives, a great favourite, though something of a butt, with the country boys, and a notable singer in church on Sundays and saints' days. Of Silver we have heard no more. That formidable seafaring man with one leg has at last gone clean out of my life; but I daresay he met his old negress, and perhaps still lives in comfort with her and Captain Flint. It is to be hoped so, I suppose, for his chances of comfort in another world are very small. The bar silver and the arms still lie, for all that I know, where Flint buried them; and certainly they shall lie there for me. Oxen and wain-ropes would not bring me back again to that accursed island; and the worst dreams that ever I have are when I hear the surf booming about its coasts, or start upright in bed, with the sharp voice of Captain Flint still ringing in my ears: `Pieces of eight! pieces of eight!' 宝岛三十四 尾声 第二天一大早，我们就开始干活，因为要把那么多财宝搬到岸边，在陆地上要走近一英里，再坐小船划三英里水路运到伊斯班袅拉号上去，这工作够我们忙的了，因为我们人太少。至今还在岛上的那几个人并不会让我们太担忧，只要在山顶上派一名岗哨，就可以确保我们不致于遭到他们的突袭。再说我们以为他们已尝够了厮杀的滋味。 因此工作进展很快，葛雷和本•葛恩划着小船来回于郎姆酒湾与伊斯班袅拉号之间，其余的人把财宝堆在岸边。两锭金条一前一后用绳子搭在肩上，就够一个大人走一趟，而且只能慢慢走。因为我力气小，扛不了什么，就被留在洞穴里，整天忙着把铸币装进面包袋。 这里收集的铸币跟比尔•彭斯箱子里的一样，五花八门包罗万象。不过面值要大得多，种类也多。我觉得整理这些钱币是一件莫大的乐事。其中有英国的金基尼、双基尼，法国的金路易，西班牙的杜布龙，葡萄牙的姆瓦多，威尼斯的塞肯，有最近一百年欧洲各国君主的头像，有古怪的东方货币，上面像是缕缕细绳、张张蛛网；有圆的有方的，有中间带孔的，好像可以串起来挂在脖子上。我估计差不多世界上每一种货币都被搜罗全了。至于数量，我相信大概跟秋天的落叶一样多，我总是弯着腰，手不断地整理着，一天下来弄得疲惫不堪。 就这样一天一天地干着，每天都有一大笔财产装上大船，而每天晚上洞穴里都有一大笔财产等待明天装载。在这段日子里，我们没有听到关于那三个幸存的反叛者的任何消息。 最后那几天，大概是第三天晚上，医生和我漫步登上一座小山顶。在山顶上可以看到岛上的低地。这时，从黑糊糊的山下吹来一阵风，传来的不知是尖叫还是歌声。送到我们耳边的只是一小段，接着又恢复了原来的沉寂。 “愿上帝宽恕他们，”医生说，“那是反叛分子！” “他们都喝醉了，先生。”西尔弗在我们后面插了一句。 我可以说，西尔弗现在自由自在。尽管每天遭到冷眼，他还自认为是一个得到特殊待遇的朋友和随从。大家都瞧不起他，他却不在乎，始终低三下四地讨好每个人而毫不灰心，这种本领真是无人能比。然而，我估计没有谁对待他比对待一条狗客气些，只有本•葛恩除外，因为他对昔日的舵手至今仍怕得要命。此外还有我，我确实在某种程度上应该感谢他，尽管我也有更多的理由比任何人更根他，因为我曾目睹他在高地上策划新计谋，打算出卖我。由此可见，医生为什么那样不客气地回了他一句。 “喝醉？恐怕是在胡说八道。”医生说。 “没错，”西尔弗随声附和道，“鸡毛蒜皮的小事，反正跟你我无关。” “西尔弗先生，你大概别指望我把你当人看，”医生冷笑着说，“所以我的想法也许会使你感到惊奇。我要是能肯定他们在说胡话——我敢说他们至少有一个人在发高烧，我一定要离开这儿，不管我自身会遇到多大的危险，也要尽我一个做医生的职责去看看他们。” “恕我直言，先生，你这样做会酿成大祸的，”西尔弗说，“你将会失去你宝贵的生命，你可以相信我的话。如今我也与你们并肩而战，我不愿看到我方的力量被削弱，更不愿听到你遇到不测，要知道我对你可是感恩戴德呀。可是山下那帮家伙可是说话不算数的——就是他们想，也没有用了。再说，他们也不会相信你会讲信义的。” “这倒是，”医生说，“你是个说话算数的人，我们可领教过了。” 关于那三个海盗，我们最后得知的消息便是这些。只有一次，我们听到老远一声熗响，估计他们是在打猎。我们经过商议决定只得把他们扔在这个岛上。这个决定得到本•葛恩和葛雷的坚决拥护。我们留下相当多的弹药，一大堆腌羊肉、一部分药品以及其它必需品、工具、衣服、一张多余的帆和十来英尺绳子。根据大夫特别提出的建议，我们还留下了相当多的烟草。 我们在岛上无需再做什么了，我们把财宝装上了船，贮备了足够的淡水，把剩余的山羊肉也带走了，以防万一。在某天早上，我们一切都准备妥当，终于起锚登程，把船驶出北汊。这面曾被船长升上屋顶且在其下同敌人作战的旗子又重新迎风飘扬在我们上空。 我们不久就发现那三个家伙比我们料想的更为密切地注意着我们的一举一动。船通过海峡时，我们曾离南面的岬岛非常近；我们看到他们三个人一起跪在那里的沙尖嘴上，举起双手做哀求状。我们每个人都不忍心把他们撇在这样可悲的境地。但是我们不能再冒险以防再发生叛乱。如果把他们带回国去再送上绞架，那也算不得仁慈。大夫向他们喊话，告诉他们我们留下了补给品给他们，并告诉他们上哪儿去找。可他们还是呼叫我们的名字，哀求我们看在上帝分上可怜可怜他们，不要让他们死在这个地方。 最后，他们看船还不停下来，而且愈走愈远，眼看着听不到喊声了。其中一个——我叫不准是哪一个——便大叫一声跳起来举起滑膛熗就放。一颗子弹嗖的一声从西尔弗头顶上飞过，把主帆打了个窟窿。 在这以后，我们不得不躲在舷墙后面。我再次探出头来时，沙尖嘴上已看不见他们的踪影，连沙尖嘴本身也变得愈来愈模糊了。那三个人的结局我知道的仅止于此。将近中午时分，藏宝岛最高的岩峰也沉到蔚蓝色的地平线下去了，这一切使我无比兴奋激动。 我们的人手实在少得很，船上的每一个人都得出把力。只有船长躺在船尾的一张垫子上下命令。他的伤势虽然大有好转，但还需要静养。我们把船头对着西属美洲最近的一个港口，因为我们如不补充水手，返航时恐怕会有危险。由于风向不停地转换，再加遇上两次大风浪，我们到达那个港口时都已累垮了。 当我们在一个陆地环抱、景色优美的海港里下错停船时，太阳已经落山。许多小船立即围住我们，船上的黑人、墨西哥人、印第安人和混血儿纷纷向我们兜销水果蔬菜，而且愿意表演潜下水去捡你扔下的钱币。那么多和颜悦色的面孔（尤其是黑人）、热带水果的风味，特别是华灯初上的小镇景象，简直太可爱了。同我们在岛上时那种杀机四伏、血雨腥风的气氛形成鲜明的对比。医生和乡绅带我上岸去准备玩一个晚上。在城里，他们碰到了一艘英国军舰的舰长，并同他聊了起来，还到他们的军舰上去了。总之，我们玩的很高兴。当我们回到伊斯班袅拉号上时，天都快亮了。 甲板上只有本•葛恩一个人。我们刚一登上大船，他就比比划划地急于向我们仟悔。西尔弗跑了。是这个放荒滩的水手在几个钟头以前放他坐驳船逃走的。本噶恩要我们相信，他这样做纯粹是为了保住我们的性命，要是“那个只有一条腿的人留在船上”，我们总有一天会死在他手上。但事情并未完。那个厨子不是空手走的。他乘人不备凿穿舱壁，偷走了一袋值三四百基尼的金币，这下子他今后的漂泊生涯可不用犯愁了。 我认为我们大家都为这么便宜就摆脱了他而感到高兴。 长话短说，我们补充了几名水手，一路平安回到英国。当伊斯班袅拉号抵达布里斯托尔时，布兰德利先生正开始考虑组织一支后援队前来接应，随伊斯班袅拉号出航的全体人员只有五个人归来。“余下的都死于酒桶旁，见了阎王。”——这话得到应验。当然我们的遭遇还没有像歌中唱到的另外一艘船那样悲惨。其中有两句是这样唱的： 七十五个汉子驾船出海，只剩一人活着回来。 我们每个人都分得一份丰厚的财宝。至于这笔钱怎么个花法，明智不明智，那要依人而定。斯莫列特船长现已退休，不再航海了。葛雷不仅没有乱花他的钱，还用功钻研航海技术。这是出于一种想出人头地的强烈愿望，现在他是一艘装备优良的大商船的合股船主兼大副，他结了婚还做了父亲。至于本•葛恩分得一千磅后，在三个星期内就把这笔钱花光或丢掉了。还不到三星期，更确切地说，只有十九天，因为到第二十天，他回来时已变成一个乞丐了。于是他在岛上时最担心的局面出现了：乡绅给了他一份看门的差事。他至今还活着，乡下顽童非常喜欢他，但总拿他开心。每逢星期日和教会的节日，教堂里总少不了他的歌声。 关于西尔弗，我们再也没听到任何消息。我们总算彻底摆脱了这个可怕的瘸腿海盗。不过，我相信他一定找到了他的黑老婆，还带着“弗林特船长”，也许过得挺舒服。我看就让他舒服几年吧，因为他到另一个世界想过好日子，可不那么容易。 据我所知，银锭和武器至今仍在原来弗林特埋藏的地方。我当然宁愿让那些东西永远留在那里。就是用牛来拖，用绳来拉，都不能把我带回那个该死的岛上去。我在最可怕的恶梦中老是听到怒涛拍击海岸的轰鸣声。有时我会从床上猛然跳起来，而“弗林特船长”尖锐的叫声——“八个里亚尔、八个里亚尔”还在我耳边激荡着。 |
Treasure IslandChapter XXXIII THERE never was such an overturn in this world. Each of these six men was as though he had been struck. But with Silver the blow passed almost instantly. Every thought of his soul had been set full- stretch, like a racer, on that money; well, he was brought up in a single second, dead; and he kept his head, found his temper, and changed his plan before the others had had time to realise the disappointment. `Jim,' he whispered, `take that, and stand by for trouble.' And he passed me a double-barrelled pistol. At the same time he began quietly moving northward, and in a few steps had put the hollow between us two and the other five. Then he looked at me and nodded, as much as to say, `Here is a narrow corner,' as, indeed, I thought it was. His looks were now quite friendly; and I was so revolted at these constant changes, that I could not forbear whispering, `So you've changed sides again.' There was no time left for him to answer in. The buccaneers, with oaths and cries, began to leap, one after another, into the pit, and to dig with their fingers, throwing the boards aside as they did so. Morgan found a piece of gold. He held it up with a perfect spout of oaths. It was a two-guinea piece, and it went from hand to hand among them for a quarter of a minute. `Two guineas!' roared Merry, shaking it at Silver. `That's your seven hundred thousand pounds, is it? You're the man for bargains, aint you? You're him that never bungled nothing, you wooden-headed lubber!' `Dig away, boys,' said Silver, with the coolest insolence; `you'll find some pig-nuts and I shouldn't wonder.' `Pig-nuts!' repeated Merry, in a scream. `Mates, do you hear that? I tell you, now, that man there knew it all along. Look in the face of him, and you'll see it wrote there.' `Ah, Merry,' remarked Silver, `standing for cap'n again? You're a pushing lad, to be sure.' But this time everyone was entirely in Merry's favour. They began to scramble out of the excavation, darting furious glances behind them. One thing I observed, which looked well for us: they all got out upon the opposite side from Silver. Well, there we stood, two on one side, five on the other the pit between us, and nobody screwed up high enough to offer the first blow. Silver never moved; he watched them very upright on his crutch, and looked as cool as ever I saw him. He was brave, and no mistake. At last, Merry seemed to think a speech might help matters. `Mates,' says he, `there's two of them alone there; one's the old cripple that brought us all here and blundered us down to this; the other's that cub that I mean to have the heart of. Now, mates--' He was raising his arm and his voice, and plainly meant to lead a charge. But just then - crack! crack! crack! - three musket-shots flashed out of the thicket. Merry tumbled head foremost into the excavation; the man with the bandage spun round like a teetotum, and fell all his length upon his side, where he lay dead, but still twitching; and the other three turned and ran for it with all their might. Before you could wink, Long John had fired two barrels of a pistol into the struggling Merry; and as the man rolled up his eyes at him in the last agony, `George,' said he, `I reckon I settled you.' At the same moment the doctor, Gray, and Ben Gunn joined us, with smoking muskets, from among the nutmeg trees. `Forward!' cried the doctor. `Double quick, my lads. We must head 'em off the boats.' And we set off at a great pace, sometimes plunging through the bushes to the chest. I tell you, but Silver was anxious to keep up with us. The work that man went through, leaping on his crutch till the muscles of his chest were fit to burst, was work no sound man ever equalled; and so thinks the doctor. As it was, he was already thirty yards behind us, and on the verge of strangling, when we reached the brow of the slope. `Doctor,' he hailed, `see there! no hurry!' Sure enough there was no hurry. In a more open part of the plateau, we could see the three survivors still running in the same direction as they had started, right for Mizzen-mast Hill. We were already between them and the boats; and so we four sat down to breathe, while Long John, mopping his face, came slowly up with us. `Thank ye kindly, doctor,' says he. `You came in in about the nick, I guess, for me and Hawkins. And so it's you, Ben Gunn!' he added. `Well, you're a nice one to be sure.' `I'm Ben Gunn, I am,' replied the maroon, wriggling like an eel in his embarrassment. `And,' he added, after a long pause, `how do, Mr Silver? Pretty well, I thank ye, says you.' `Ben, Ben,' murmured Silver, `to think as you've done me!' The doctor sent back Gray for one of the pickaxes, deserted, in their flight, by the mutineers; and then as we proceeded leisurely down hill to where the boats were lying, related, in a few words, what had taken place. It was a story that profoundly interested Silver; and Ben Gunn, the half-idiot maroon, was the hero from beginning to end. Ben, in his long, lonely wanderings about the island, had found the skeleton - it was he that had rifled it; he had found the treasure; he had dug it up (it was the haft of his pickaxe that lay broken in the excavation); he had carried it on his back, in many weary journeys, from the foot of the tall pine to a cave he had on the two-pointed hill at the north-east angle of the island, and there it had lain stored in safety since two months before the arrival of the Hispaniola. When the doctor had wormed this secret from him, on the afternoon of the attack, and when, next morning he saw the anchorage deserted, he had gone to Silver, given him the chart, which was now useless - given him the stores, for Ben Gunn's cave was well supplied with goats' meat salted by himself - given anything and everything to get a chance of moving in safety from the stockade to the two-pointed hill, there to be clear of malaria and keep a guard upon the money. `As for you, Jim,' he said, `it went against my heart, but I did what I thought best for those who had stood by their duty; and if you were not one of these, whose fault was it?' That morning, finding that I was to be involved in the horrid disappointment he had prepared for the mutineers, he had run all the way to the cave, and, leaving the squire to I guard the captain, had taken Gray and the maroon, and started, making the diagonal across the island, to be at hand beside the pine. Soon, however, he saw that our party had the start of him; and Ben Gunn, being fleet of foot, had been despatched in front to do his best alone. Then it had occurred to him to work upon the superstitions of his former shipmates; and he was so far successful that Gray and the doctor had come up and were already ambushed before the arrival of the treasure-hunters. `Ah,' said Silver, `it were fortunate for me that I had Hawkins here. You would have let old John be cut to bits, and never given it a thought, doctor.' `Not a thought,' replied Doctor Livesey, cheerily. And by this time we had reached the gigs. The doctor, with the pick-axe, demolished one of them, and then we all got aboard the other, and set out to go round by sea for North Inlet. This was a run of eight or nine miles. Silver, though he was almost killed already with fatigue, was set to an oar, like the rest of us, and we were soon skimming swiftly over a smooth sea. Soon we passed out of the straits and doubled the south-east corner of the island, round which, four days ago, we had towed the Hispaniola. As we passed the two-pointed hill, we could see the black mouth of Ben Gunn's cave, and a fire standing by it, leaning on a musket. It was the squire; and we waved a handkerchief and gave him three cheers, in which the voice of Silver joined as heartily as any. Three miles, farther, just inside the mouth of North Inlet, what should we meet but the Hispaniola, cruising by herself? The last flood had lifted her; and had there been much wind, or a strong tide current, as in the southern anchorage, we should never have found her more, or found her stranded beyond help. As it was, there was little amiss, beyond the wreck of the mainsail. Another anchor was got ready, and dropped in a fathom and a half of water. We all pulled round again to Rum Cove, the nearest point for Ben Gunn's treasure-house; and then Gray, single-handed, returned with the gig to the Hispaniola, where he was to pass the night on guard. A gentle slope ran up from the beach to the entrance of the cave. At the top, the squire met us. To me he was cordial and kind, saying nothing of my escapade, either in the way of blame or praise. At Silver's polite salute he somewhat flushed. `John Silver,' he said, `you're a prodigious villain and impostor - a monstrous impostor, sir. I am told I am not to prosecute you. Well, then, I will not. But the dead men, sir, hang about your neck like millstones.' `Thank you kindly, sir,' replied Long John, again saluting. `I dare you to thank me!' cried the squire. `It is a gross dereliction of my duty. Stand back.' And thereupon we all entered the cave. It was a large, airy place, with a little spring and a pool of clear water, overhung with ferns. The floor was sand. Before a big fire lay Captain Smollett; and in a far corner, only duskily flickered over by the blaze, I beheld great heaps of coin and quadrilaterals built of bars of gold. That was Flint's treasure that we bad come so far to seek, and that had cost already the lives of seventeen men from the Hispaniola. How many it had cost in the amassing, what blood and sorrow, what good ships scuttled on the deep, what brave men walking the plank blindfold, what shot of cannon, what shame and lies and cruelty, perhaps no man alive could tell. Yet there were still three upon that island - Silver, and old Morgan, and Ben Gunn - who had each taken his share in these crimes, as each had hoped in vain to share in the reward. `Come in, Jim,' said the captain. `You're a good boy in your line, Jim; but I don't think you and me'll go to sea again. You're too much of the born favourite for me. Is that you, John Silver? What brings you here, man?' `Come back to my dooty, sir,' returned Silver. `Ah!' said the captain; and that was all he said. What a supper I had of it that night, with all my friends around me; and what a meal it was, with Ben Gunn's salted goat, and some delicacies and a bottle of old wine from the Hispaniola. Never, I am sure, were people gayer or happier. And there was Silver, sitting back almost out of the firelight, but eating heartily, prompt to spring forward when anything was wanted, even joining quietly in our laughter - the same bland, polite, obsequious seaman of the voyage out. 宝岛三十三 西尔弗的垮台 世上再也没有比这更让人失望的事了。那六个人一下子都被击垮了，但西尔弗几乎马上从这次打击中清醒过来。刚才他一门心思地全速向“钱”冲刺，像个参加赛马的骑师。可转眼间又发现是死路一条。不过他仍保持头脑冷静，沉住了气，在别人还没意识到这一切幻想都破灭时，他已改变了他的计划。 “吉姆，”他悄悄地对我说，“把这个拿去，准备应付叛乱。” 说着他递给我一支双筒手熗。 同时，他若无其事地向北走了几步，让土坑把我们俩同他们五个隔开。然后他看看我点头示意，好像说：“形势危急。”——这一点我已意识到了。他的表情现在是非常友善，我对他这种反复无常的作法十分反感，竟忍不住嘀咕了一句： “这回你又变脸啦。” 他来不及回答我的话。那些海盗连骂带叫一个个跳下坑去，开始用手扒土，又把木板向旁边乱扔一气。摩根找到一枚金币，它在海盗们的手里传来传去足有十几秒钟。 “两基尼，”墨利向西尔弗扬起金币叫嚷着，“这就是你说的七十万镑的财宝吗？你不是谈判的老手吗？你个坏事的木鱼脑袋。” “挖吧，孩子们，”西尔弗国空一切地冷嘲热讽道，“兴许你们还能挖出两颗花生豆呢。” “花生豆？”墨利尖叫了一声，“伙计们，你们听见没有？我告诉你们，这家伙早就心里有数，看看他那张脸，上面写的清清楚楚的。” “啊，墨利，”西尔弗讽刺了他一句，“又准备当船长啦？痛头可真不小，没说的。” 但这一回所有的人都倾向于墨利，他们一边开始爬出土坑，一边回头用愤怒的眼光瞥一眼我们。我发现对我们有利的一面是：他们都爬向面对西尔弗的那边。 我们就这样对峙着，一方两个人，另一方五个人，中间隔着土坑，任何一方都不敢先动手。西尔弗拄着拐杖直挺挺地站在那儿，一动不动盯着他们，看上去和平时一样镇定自如。他确实有胆量，不可否认。 后来，墨利似乎想用一番话打破僵局。 “伙计们，”他说，“他们只有两个人：一个是老瘸鬼，他把咱们骗到这儿来上这么大的当；另一个是个小杂种，我早就想把他的心掏出来。现在，伙计们——” 他扬起胳膊，高声呼喊，显然准备带头发动攻击。但就在这时，只听得砰！砰！砰！——从矮树丛中闪出滑膛熗的三道火光。墨利一头栽进土坑里；头上缠绷带的那个家伙像陀螺似地转了个圈，也直挺挺地掉下坑去呜呼哀哉了，不过手脚还抽动了几下，其余三个掉头就跑。 一眨眼的功夫，高个儿约翰的手熗对准还在挣扎的墨利双筒齐响。墨利在断气前翻起一双眼睛瞪着他。“乔治，”西尔弗说，“这下我可让你闭上嘴了。” 这时，利弗西大夫、葛雷和本•葛恩从肉豆灌丛中向我们跑来，滑膛熗还冒着烟。 “追上去！”大夫喊道。“快，快点，伙伴们！我们必须赶在他们前头把小船夺过来。” 于是我们飞似地奔向海边，不时拨开齐胸高的灌木丛开路前进。 西尔弗拼着老命想跟上我们。他拄着拐杖一蹦一跳，简直能把胸大肌撕裂。医生认为，这样剧烈的运动即使是个没落残疾的人也受不了。尽管如此，当我们到达高地的坡顶时，他还是落在我们后面三十码远，而且已经上气不接下气了。 “大夫，”他喊道，“瞧那儿！不用急！” 的确不用着急，在高地比较开阔的地方，我们看得见三个幸存的海盗还在朝着他们开始跑的方向直奔后桅山。我们已跑到了他们和小船之间，于是我们四人坐下来歇了口气，高个儿约翰抹着脸上的汗慢慢地走过来。 “衷心感谢你，大夫，”他说，“你来的正是时候，救了我和霍金斯。哦，是你呀，本•葛恩？”他说，“嗯，你可真是个好样的。” “是的，我是本•葛恩。”放荒滩的水手答道，他窘得像条黄鳝似的，扭了几下。“你还好吗，西尔弗先生？”隔了许久他才问了这么一句，“想来一向可好。” “本啊本，”西尔弗喃喃地说，“没想到是你干的好事。” 大夫派葛雷回去将反叛者逃跑时扔下的镐头拿一把来。然后我们不紧不慢地走下山坡，向停木船的地方走去。一路上，大夫把刚才发生的事简要地说了一遍，这使西尔弗极感兴趣。本•葛恩这个放荒滩的傻小子从头到尾扮演了一个英雄角色。 长期孤身流浪在海岛上的本•葛恩发现了那副骨架，并把它身边的东西搜掠一空。发现宝藏的也是他，他把金银财宝都掘了出来（坑里留下的镐头断柄就是他的），把财宝扛着从大松树下搬到海岛东北角双峰山上的一个洞穴里。不知返了多少越，终于在伊斯班袅拉号抵达前两个月把所有的宝藏都安全运到那里。 在海盗们发动强攻的那天下午，医生就从本•葛恩口中套出了这些秘密。第二天早晨，医生发现锚地里的大船不见了，便去找西尔弗，并把废地图给了他，把补给品也给了他（因为本•葛恩的洞穴里贮存了大量他自己腌制的山羊肉），总之什么都给了他，以换取安全撤离寨子的机会向双峰山转移，避开沼泽地，这样也便于看管财宝。 “对于你，吉姆，”他说，“我一直不放心。不过，我首先应当为那些坚守岗位的人着想。既然你没能做到这一点，那还能怨谁呢？” 今天下午，他发现原来本打算让反叛者们空欢喜一场，没料到把我也卷了进去。于是他急忙跑回洞穴，留下乡绅照料船长，自己带领葛雷和放荒滩的水手，按对角线斜穿全岛直奔大松树那边。但不久他发现我们这一小队已走在他们前头，于是飞毛腿本•葛恩被派到前面去设法牵制住他们。本•葛恩想到利用他过去同船伙伴很迷信这一事实来吓唬他们。他这招十分灵验，终于使葛雷和医生在猎宝的海盗抵达之前及时赶到目的地预先埋伏下来。 “啊，”西尔弗说，“幸亏有霍金斯在我身边。否则，即使老约翰让他们碎尸万段，你也不会动心的，大夫。” “当然不会。”利弗西大夫爽快地回答。 这时我们已来到停小船的地方。医生用镐头把其中的一只小船砸破，我们所有的人登上另一只准备从海上绕到北汊。 这段路有八九英里。西尔弗尽管已经累得半死，还是像我们大家一样划桨。不一会，我们已划出海峡，绕过岛的东南角，在平静的海面上划得飞快，四天前我们曾拖着伊斯班袅拉号经过那里进入海峡。 我们经过双峰山时，可以看得见本•葛恩的黑洞口，有一个人倚着滑膛熗站在洞口旁边，那是乡绅，我们向他挥手致意，并欢呼三声，其中西尔弗喊得十分卖力。 又划了三英里左右，刚进北汊的入口，我们就看到伊斯班袅拉号在自动漂流。潮水把它冲离了浅滩。要是风大或者像南锚地那样有强大的潮流，我们也许从此就找不到它，或者发现它触了礁，再也无济于事。而现在除了一面主帆外，其余部位并无重大损伤。我们取来另一只锚抛人一英尺深的水中，然后坐小船折回最靠近本•葛恩的藏宝洞的郎姆酒湾。再由葛雷单熗匹马地坐小船回到伊斯班袅拉号上去看船过夜。 从岸边到洞口是一段较平坦的斜坡。乡绅在坡顶上迎接我们。他对我既亲切又和蔼，对我逃跑的事只字不提，既不责骂，也不赞赏。当西尔弗恭恭敬敬向他行礼时，他却一下子气得满脸通红。 “约翰•西尔弗，”他说，“你这个大坏蛋、大骗子——一个十恶不赦的大骗子，先生。他们告诉我不让我控告你。好吧，那我就不提。不过，先生，死了那么多人你难道就心安理得吗？” “衷心感谢你，先生。”高个儿约翰答道，又敬了个礼。 “少谢我！”乡绅喝住他，“我已违背了我应尽的义务，滚进去吧！” 我们都进了洞穴。这地方既宽敞又通风。有一小股清泉流入围着蕨草的池子，地是沙地。斯莫列特船长躺在一大堆火前；闪烁的火光隐约照到远处的一个角落，我看见那里有几大堆金币银币和架成四边形的金条。这就是我们万里迢迢来寻找的弗林特的宝藏，伊斯班袅拉号上已有十七个人为此送了命。这些财宝聚集了多少人的血和泪，多少艘大船沉入海底，多少勇敢的人被逼着蒙住眼睛走在伸出船外的板子上，然后一头栽进海水里，多少次战火硝烟，多少耻辱、欺诈和残暴的行为，恐怕没有一个活着的人能够讲清楚。这个岛上幸存者中有三个人——西尔弗、老摩根和本•葛恩——曾参与这些罪行，并且他们每个人都曾幻想从中分得一份财宝。 “进来，吉姆，”船长说，“从某种意义上讲，你是个好孩子，吉姆，但是下次我决不再带你出海，你简直就是一个天生的宠儿，我可受不了，喔，是你呀，约翰•西尔弗，什么风把你给吹来啦？” “我回来履行我的义务，先生。”西尔弗答道。 船长“啊”了一声后就再也没说什么。 这天晚上，我和朋友们一起吃的晚饭，可香着哪！本•葛恩的腌羊肉，加上其它好饭菜，还有从伊斯班袅拉号上拿来的一瓶陈年葡萄酒，味道妙极了。我相信没有谁比我们更幸福更快活。西尔弗坐在我们后面火光几乎照不到的地方，尽情地吃着——谁要是需要什么东西，他就立即跑去取来；我们放声大笑，他也过来凑热闹——总之，他又成了航海途中那个爱献殷勤、溜须拍马的船上厨子。 |
Treasure IslandChapter XXXII PARTLY from the damping influence of this alarm, partly to rest Silver and the sick folk, the whole party sat down as soon as they had gained the brow of the ascent. The plateau being somewhat tilted towards the west, this spot on which we had paused commanded a wide prospect on either hand. Before us, over the tree-tops, we beheld the Cape of the Woods fringed with surf; behind, we not only looked down upon the anchorage and Skeleton Island, but saw - clear across the spit and the eastern lowlands - a great field of open sea upon the east. Sheer above us rose the Spy-glass, here dotted with single pines, there black with precipices. There was no sound but that of the distant breakers, mounting from all round, and the chirp of countless insects in the brush. Not a man, not a sail upon the sea; the very largeness of the view increased the sense of solitude. Silver, as he sat, took certain bearings with his compass. `There are three "tall trees" ' said he, `about in the right line from Skeleton Island. "Spy-glass Shoulder," I take it, means that lower p'int there. It's child's play to find the stuff now. I've half a mind to dine first.' `I don't feel sharp,' growled Morgan. `Thinkin' o' Flint - I think it were - as done me.' `Ah, well, my son, you praise your stars he's dead,' said Silver. `He were an ugly devil,' cried a third pirate, with a shudder; `that blue in the face, too!' `That was how the rum took him,' added Merry. `Blue! well, I reckon he was blue. That's a true word.' Ever since they had found the skeleton and got upon this train of thought, they had spoken lower and lower, and they had almost got to whispering by now, so that the sound of their talk hardly interrupted the silence of the wood. All of a sudden, out of the middle of the trees in front of us, a thin, high, trembling voice struck up the well-known air and words:- `Fifteen men on the dead man's chest-- You-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!' I never have seen men more dreadfully affected than the pirates. The colour went from their six faces like enchantment; some leaped to their feet, some clawed hold of others; Morgan grovelled on the ground. `It's Flint, by - !' cried Merry. The song had stopped as suddenly as it began - broken off, you would have said, in the middle of. a note, as though someone had laid his hand upon the singer's mouth. Coming so far through the clear, sunny atmosphere among the green tree-tops, I thought it had sounded airily and sweetly; and the effect on my companions was the stranger. `Come,' said Silver, struggling with his ashen lips to get the word out, `this won't do. Stand by to go about. This is a rum start, and I can't name the voice: but it's someone skylarking - someone that's flesh and blood, and you may lay to that.' His courage had come back as he spoke, and some of the colour to his face along with it. Already the others had begun to lend an ear to this encouragement, and were coming a little to themselves, when the same voice broke out again - not this time singing, but in a fainter distant hail, that echoed yet faint among the clefts of the Spy-glass. `Darby M'Graw,' it wailed - for that is the word that best describes the sound - `Darby M'Graw! Darby M'Graw!' again and again and again; and then rising a little higher, and with an oath that I leave out, `Fetch aft the rum, Darby!' The buccaneers remained rooted to the ground, their eyes starting from their heads. Long after the voice had died away they still stared in silence, dreadfully, before them. `That fixes it!' gasped one. `Let's go.' `They was his last words,' moaned Morgan, `his last words above board.' Dick had his Bible out, and was praying volubly. He had been well brought up, had Dick, before he came to sea and fell among bad companions. Still, Silver was unconquered. I could hear his teeth rattle in his head; but he had not yet surrendered. `Nobody in this here island ever heard of Darby,' he muttered; `not one but us that's here.' And then, making a great effort, `Shipmates,' he cried, `I'm here to get that stuff, and I'll not be beat by man nor devil. I never was feared of Flint in his life, and, by the powers, I'll face him dead. There's seven hundred thousand pound not a quarter of a mile from here. When did ever a gentleman o' fortune show his stern to that much dollars, for a boosy old seaman with a blue mug - and him dead, too?' But there was no sign of re-awakening courage in his followers; rather, indeed, of growing terror at the irreverence of his words. `Belay there, John!' said Merry. `Don't you cross a sperrit.' And the rest were all too terrified to reply. They would have run away severally had they dared; but fear kept them together, and kept them close by John, as if his daring helped them. He, on this part, had pretty well fought his weakness down. `Sperrit? Well, maybe,' he said. `But there's one thing not clear to me. There was an echo. Now, no man ever seen a sperrit with a shadow; well, then, what's he doing with an echo to him, I should like to know? That aint in natur', surely?' This argument seemed weak enough to me. But you can never tell what will affect the superstitious, and, to my wonder, George Merry was greatly relieved. `Well, that's so,' he said. `You've a head upon your shoulders, John, and no mistake. `Bout ship, mates! This here crew is on a wrong tack, I do believe. And come to think on it, it was like Flint's voice, I grant you, but not just so clearaway like it, after all. It was liker somebody else's voice now - it was liker--' `By the powers, Ben Gunn!' roared Silver. `Ay, and so it were,' cried Morgan, springing on his knees. `Ben Gunn it were!' `It don't make much odds, do it, now?' asked Dick. `Ben Gunn's not here in the body, any more'n Flint.' But the older hands greeted this remark with scorn. `Why nobody minds Ben Gunn,' cried Merry; `dead or alive, nobody minds him.' It was extraordinary how their spirits had returned, and how the natural colour had revived in their faces. Soon they were chatting together, with intervals of listening; and not long after, hearing no further sound, they shouldered the tools and set forth again, Merry walking first with Silver's compass to keep them on the right line with Skeleton Island. He had said the truth: dead or alive, nobody minded Ben Gunn. Dick alone still held his Bible, and looked around him as he went, with fearful glances; but he found no sympathy, and Silver even joked him on his precautions. `I told you,' said he - `I told you, you had sp'iled your Bible. If it aint no good to swear by, what do you suppose a sperrit would give for it? Not that!' and he snapped his big fingers, halting a moment on his crutch. But Dick was not to be comforted; indeed, it was soon plain to me that the lad was falling sick; hastened by heat, exhaustion, and the shock of his alarm, the fever, predicted by Doctor Livesey, was evidently growing swiftly higher. It was fine open walking here, upon the summit; our way lay a little downhill, for, as I have said, the plateau tilted towards the west. The pines, great and small, grew wide apart; and even between the clumps of nutmeg and azalea, wide open spaces baked in the hot sunshine. Striking, as we did, pretty near north- west across the island, we drew, on the one hand ever nearer under the shoulders of the Spy-glass, and on the other, looked ever wider over that western bay where I had once tossed and trembled in the coracle. The first of the tall trees was reached, and by the bearing, proved the wrong one. So with the second. The third rose nearly two hundred feet into the air above a clump of underwood; a giant of a vegetable, with a red column as big as a cottage, and a wide shadow around in which a company could have manoeuvred. It was conspicuous far to sea both on the east and west, and might have been entered as a sailing mark upon the chart. But it was not its size that now impressed my companions; it was the knowledge that seven hundred thousand pounds in gold lay somewhere buried below its spreading shadow. The thought of the money, as they drew nearer, swallowed up their previous terrors. Their eyes burned in their heads; their feet grew speedier and lighter; their whole soul was bound up in that fortune, that whole lifetime of extravagance and pleasure, that lay waiting there for each of them. Silver hobbled, grunting, on his crutch; his nostrils stood out and quivered; he cursed like a madman when the flies settled on his hot and shiny countenance; he plucked furiously at the line that held me to him, and, from time to time, turned his eyes upon me with a deadly look. Certainly he took no pains to hide his thoughts; and certainly I read them like print. In the immediate nearness of the gold, all else had been forgotten; his promise and the doctor's warning were both things of the past; and I could not doubt that he hoped to seize upon the treasure, find and board the Hispaniola under cover of night, cut every honest throat about that island, and sail away as he had at first intended, laden with crimes and riches. Shaken as I was with these alarms, it was hard for me to keep up with the rapid pace of the treasure- hunters. Now and again I stumbled; and it was then that Silver plucked so roughly at the rope and launched at me his murderous glances. Dick, who had dropped behind us, and now brought up the rear, was babbling to himself both prayers and curses, as his fever kept rising. This also added to my wretchedness, and, to crown all, I was haunted by the thought of the tragedy that had once been acted on that plateau, when that ungodly buccaneer with the blue face - he who died at Savannah, singing and shouting for drink - had there, with his own hand, cut down his six accomplices. This grove, that was now so peaceful, must then have rung with cries, I thought; and even with the thought I could believe I heard it ringing still. We were now at the margin of the thicket. `Huzza, mates, altogether!' shouted Merry; and the foremost broke into a run. And suddenly, not ten yards further, we beheld them stop. A low cry arose. Silver doubled his pace, digging away with the foot of his crutch like one possessed; and next moment he and I had come also to a dead halt. Before us was a great excavation, not very recent, for the sides had fallen in and grass had sprouted on the bottom. In this were the shaft of a pick broken in two and the boards of several packing-cases strewn around. On one of these boards I saw, branded with a hot iron, the name Walrus - the name of Flint's ship. All was clear to probation. The cache had been found and rifled: the seven hundred thousand pounds were gone! 宝岛三十二 猎宝记——树丛中的人声 部分是由于太紧张而迈不动步，部分是由于西尔弗和那些生病的海盗想休息一会，总之，这一伙人刚一登上高地的坡顶，就坐了下来。 高地稍稍有些向西斜，因此从我们歇脚的地方向两头都可以看得很远。在我们的前方，越过树梢可以望见森林岬角四周波浪翻腾；在我们后方，不仅看得见锚地和骷髅岛，还可以看到沙尖嘴和东岸低地外大片开阔的海面。我们头顶上耸立着望远镜山，近处的地方长有几棵独松，远处是黑乎乎的峭壁。四周一片寂静，只有远处惊涛拍击礁石的轰鸣声，还有无数昆虫在灌木丛中悉索作响。一个人影也没有，海上也不见有帆动，空旷的景象更使人感到孤独。 西尔弗坐下来，用他的罗盘测了几个方位。 “共有三棵‘大树’，”他说，“在从骷髅岛到那边的直线上。我认为所谓的‘望远镜的肩膀’就是那块低点的山顶。现在看来找到宝藏如同儿戏。我看，先在这儿吃点饭再说。” “我肚子不饿，”摩根嘀咕道，“想起弗林特就什么也不想吃。” “是呀，我的宝贝，他死了算是你的造化大。” “他五得像个恶鬼，”第三个海盗说着打了个寒战，“脸铁青铁青的。” “那都是喝朗姆酒喝的，”墨利插了一句，“铁青的脸。对，他的脸确实是铁青色的。” 自从发现了那副骨架，又想起弗林特的模样，他们害怕得说话声变得愈来愈小，后来甚至低声耳语起来，树林中仍很寂静，丝毫没受他们谈话声的干扰。摹地，从我们前方的树丛中传来了我们早已熟悉的曲调，声音又尖又高，还颤悠悠的。 十五个汉子扒上了死人胸——哟——嗬——嗬，再来郎姆酒一大瓶， 我从未见过别人会像那群海盗那样吓得魂飞魄散。他们像中了邪似的面如死灰，有的跳将起来，有的紧紧抓住别人，摩根趴倒在地。 “那是弗林特，我的——！”墨利失声叫道。 歌声嘎然而止，如同开始时一样出乎意料，简直可以说是只唱了半拍，像是让人用手捂住了嘴。天气晴朗，阳光明媚。歌声从苍翠的树林中飘过来，我觉得悠扬动听，因此就更加不能理解为什么他们会如此害怕。“走，”西尔弗勉强说出话来，嘴唇都吓成紫灰色了，“这样可不行，起身出发！这事确实怪，我听不出是谁唱的。不过，定是个有血有肉的大活人，你们放心好了。” 他说着说着胆子就大了些，脸上也恢复了些血色。其它的人经他这么一说，也开始稳定下来。正在这时那声音又响了起来，这回不是唱歌，而是远处有气无力的呼喊声，它的回声使望远镜山的山谷显得更加空荡荡的。 “达比•麦克——格劳！”那声音简直是哀号，——我只能用这两个字来形容它。“达比•麦克——格劳！达比•麦克——格劳！”这样一遍又一遍地重复着，后来声音略高了些喊道：“达比，拿郎姆酒来！”还跟着一句脏话，我就不提了。 海盗们像脚底生了根，站在那里直翻白眼。声音消失后，又过了很长一段时间，他们还呆呆地失魂落魄地望着前方。 “这回可用不着怀疑什么了！”一个海盗心急火燎地说，“咱们快走吧。” “这正是他咽气之前说的最后一句话。”摩根呻吟道。 狄克取出他那本《圣经》，振振有词地开始祷告。狄克在出海交上这帮坏蛋之前受过良好的教育。 然而，西尔弗未被吓倒，我听得出他的牙在上下打颤，但他没有屈服。 “除了我们这里的几个人，”他自言自语说，“这岛上没有谁听说过有达比这个人哪。”他强打起精神来叫了一声，“伙计们，我是来找宝藏的，不管是人还是鬼，都不能把我吓跑。弗林特活着时，我就没怕过他。现在，我敢说，就是他的鬼魂来，我也不怕。离这儿不到四分之一英里地，埋着价值七十万镑的财宝。身为海盗怎能撇下这么一大堆财宝，掉头逃跑呢？难道就因为害怕一个在海上混的铁青脸的老醉鬼——况且他已经死了？” 但是没有任何迹象表明他的同伙能重振旗鼓；相反，他用这样不敬的口气提到死者，使他们感到更加恐惧。 “行了，约翰！”墨利说，“别埋汰一个死鬼。” 其它人都吓得说不出一句话。他们要是敢动早就跑光了，但是因为害怕，他们不敢四处逃散，都向约翰靠拢过来，似乎他的胆量能帮助他们克服恐惧心里。西尔弗本人则已经在相当程度上消除了一时的怯弱。 “鬼？也许是鬼。”他说。“但有件事我不明白。这声音有回声，可谁见过鬼有影子，是不是？好，那么我倒想知道：鬼叫怎么会有回声呢？这难道正常吗？” 这条理由在我看来不能说明问题，但是你绝对说不出怎样才能说服迷信的人，使我惊奇的是，乔治•墨利居然相信了。 “对，有理，”他说，“你肩上长的确实是脑袋，约翰，没错。走吧！伙计们！我看我们这帮人都想歪了。现在想想看那声音是有点儿像弗林特，我承认，但并不完全一样，更像另一个人的声音，嗯，更像——” “对了，更像本•葛恩！”西尔弗嚷了起来。 “对，就是他，” 趴在地下的摩根一下子用膝盖撑起上身。“是本•葛恩的声音！” “这又有什么区别？”狄克问道，“本•葛恩也死了，和弗林特一样。” 但经历较多的老水手觉得他问的可笑极了。 “谁也不会在乎一个本•葛恩，”墨利说，“是死是活，都没人怕他。” 说来也怪，他们又都恢复常态，脸上又恢复了血色，不久他们又谈开了。偶尔停下来，听听，又过了一会儿，听听没再有什么动静，就扛起工具又出发了。墨利带着西尔弗的罗盘走在前头，以保证他们的方向始终与骷髅岛成一条直线。他说的是实情，不管本•葛恩是死是活，谁也不会把他放在眼里。 只有狄克一个仍然捧着他那本《圣经》，一边走一边心惊胆战地向四周张望。但没人同情他，西尔弗甚至还笑话他疑神疑鬼的。 “我跟你说过，”他说——“你已经把《圣经》弄坏了，凭着它祷告不顶用。你还指望鬼会吃你那套？甭想！”他拄着拐杖暂时停了下来，用他粗大的指头打了个响儿。 但是狄克已不可能感到舒服，我很快就看出来，这家伙病得不轻，再加上酷暑、疲惫和恐惧的催化，利弗西大夫断言的热病显然使狄克的体温急剧升高。 高地上很开阔，树木稀疏，走起来无遮无挡。刚才我说过高地略有些朝西倾斜，所以我们走的可以说是下坡路。大大小小的松树间隔很远，甚至在一丛丛的肉豆蔻和杜鹃花之间也有大片空地曝晒于烈日下。我们这样朝西北方向横贯全岛，一方面愈来愈靠近望远镜山的肩膀，另一方面也愈来愈看清楚了不久前我坐着颠簸的小艇经过的西海湾。 我们来到第一棵大树下，但经过测定方向，证明不是这棵。第二棵也是如此。第三棵松树耸立于一簇矮树丛中，约有两百英尺高。这是植物中的巨将，深红的树干有小屋那么大。宽阔的树阴下可以容得下一个连在此演习。东西两岸都清晰可见这棵树，完全可以作为航标注在地图上。 不过，他们感兴趣的倒不是这棵树的高大，而是他们知道在宽阔的松阴下埋有七十万镑的金银财宝。他们愈走愈近，先前的恐惧已被发财的念头吞噬了。他们个个红着眼睛，脚步变得又轻又快；他们的心思都在那宝藏上，向往着、等待着他们每个人的好运——一辈子的荣华富贵。 西尔弗嘟哝着一瘸一拐朝前走，鼻孔张得大大的，不住地翕动着。当苍蝇叮在他那红通通的满是汗水的脸上时，他像个疯子似地破口大骂。他凶狠地拽过把我拴在他后面的那根绳子，不时恶狠狠地瞪着我。他已没有耐心掩饰自己，我看得一清二楚。财宝近在飓尺，其余的一切都被忘得一千二净，他的承诺和医生的警告都成了过眼烟云。我确信他一定巴望着挖到宝藏，趁天黑找到伊斯班袅拉号，然后把每个好人都杀死在岛上，满载邪恶和金银扬帆出海，这正是他最初的意愿。 在这样忧心忡忡的情况下，我很难跟上猎宝者们飞快的步伐。我不时跌跌撞撞，那时西尔弗就狠呆呆地拽绳子，恶狠狠地瞪着我，眼里充满杀机。落在我们后面殿后的狄克，一会儿骂上几句一会儿又祷告一阵，但他烧的也愈来愈厉害，这更加使我感到痛苦万分，当年这片高地上上演的一幕幕惨剧死死地缠住我。我好像看到了，那个无法无天的青脸海盗（他后来死在萨凡纳，死时还唱着歌，嚷着要酒喝），在这儿亲手杀死了他的六个伙伴。现在这片树丛中如此安静，当时想必是激荡着阵阵惨叫声。我想我又听到了那惨叫声在回响。 我们已经来到丛林的边缘。 “快点，伙计们，都过来！”墨利一声呐喊，走在前头的人拼命跑过去。 忽然，不到十码远，我们就看见他们停了下来。一阵尖叫声由弱转强。西尔弗拄着拐杖，像中了邪似地飞奔上前。紧跟着，他和我都停下来，发了呆。 呈现在我们面前的是一个大土坑，不像是新挖的。坑壁已经塌下去，坑底已长出了青草。土坑里有一把断成两截的镐柄，还扔有一些货箱的破木板。我看到其中一块木板上用烙铁烙过的字样是“海象号”——这是弗林特的船名。 一望便知，宝藏已被别人发现并掠夺一空。七十万镑的财宝已经统统不翼而飞了。 |
Treasure IslandChapter XXXI `JIM,' said Silver, when we were alone, `if I saved your life, you saved mine; and I'll not forget it. I seen the doctor waving you to run for it - with the tail of my eye, I did; and I seen you say no, as plain as hearing. Jim, that's one to you. This is the first glint of hope I had since the attack failed, and I owe it you. And now, Jim, we're to go in for this here treasure hunting, with sealed orders, too, and I don't like it; and you and me must stick close, back to back like, and we'll save our necks in spite o' fate and fortune. Just then a man hailed us from the fire that breakfast was ready, and we were soon seated here and there about the sand over biscuit and fried junk. They had lit a fire fit to roast an ox; and it was now grown so hot that they could only approach it from the windward, and even there not without precaution. In the same wasteful spirit, they had cooked, I suppose, three times more than we could eat; and one of them, with an empty laugh, threw what was left into the fire, which blazed and roared again over this unusual fuel. I never in my life saw men so careless of the morrow; hand to mouth is the only word that can describe their way of doing; and what with wasted food and sleeping sentries, though they were bold enough for a brush and be done with it, I could see their entire unfitness for anything like a prolonged campaign. Even Silver, eating away, with Captain Flint upon his shoulder, had not a word of blame for their recklessness. And this the more surprised me, for I thought he had never shown himself so cunning as he did then. `Ay, mates,' said he, `it's lucky you have Barbecue to think for you with this here head. I got what I wanted, I did. Sure enough, they have the ship. Where they have it, I don't know yet; but once we hit the treasure, we'll have to jump about and find out. And then, mates, us that has the boats, I reckon, has the upper hand.' Thus he kept running on, with his mouth full of the hot bacon: thus he restored their hope and confidence, and, I more than suspect, repaired his own at the same time. `As for hostage,' he continued, `that's his last talk, I guess with them he loves so dear. I've got my piece o' news, and thanky to him for that; but it's over and done. I'll take him in a line when we go treasure- hunting, for we'll keep him like so much gold, in case of accidents, you mark, and in the meantime. Once we got the ship and treasure both, and off to sea like jolly companions, why, then, we'll talk Mr Hawkin over, we will, and we'll give him his share, to be sure, for all his kindness. It was no wonder the men were in a good humour now. For my part, I was horribly cast down. Should the scheme he had now sketched prove feasible, Silver, already doubly a traitor, would not hesitate to adopt it. He had still a foot in either camp, and there was no doubt he would prefer wealth and freedom with the pirates to a bare escape from hanging, which was the best he had to hope on our side. Nay, and even if things so fell out that he was forced to keep his faith with Dr Livesey, even then what danger lay before us! What a moment that would be when the suspicions of his followers turned to certainty, and he and I should have to fight for dear life - he, a cripple, and I, a boy - against five strong and active seamen! Add to this double apprehension, the mystery that still hung over the behaviour of my friends; their unexplained desertion of the stockade; their inexplicable cession of the chart; or harder still to understand, the doctor's last warning to Silver, `Look out for squalls when you find it;' and you will readily believe how little taste I found in my breakfast, and with how uneasy a heart I set forth behind my captors on the quest for treasure. We made a curious figure, had anyone been there to see us; all in soiled sailor clothes, and all but me armed to the teeth. Silver had two guns slung about him - one before and one behind - besides the great cutlass at his waist, and a pistol in each pocket of his square-tailed coat. To complete his strange appearance, Captain Flint sat perched upon his shoulder and gabbling odds and ends of purposeless sea-talk. I had a line about my waist, and followed obediently after the sea-cook, who held the loose end of the rope, now in his free hand, now between his powerful teeth. For all the world, I was led like a dancing bear. The other men were variously burthened; some carrying picks and shovels - for that had been the very first necessary they brought ashore from the Hispaniola - others laden with pork, bread, and brandy for the midday meal. All the stores, I observed, came from our stock; and I could see the truth of Silver's words the night before. Had he not struck a bargain with the doctor, he and his mutineers, deserted by the ship, must have been driven to subsist on clear water and the proceeds of their hunting. Water would have been little to their taste; a sailor is not usually a good shot; and, besides all that, when they were so short of eatables, it was not likely they would be very flush of powder. Well, thus equipped, we all set out - even the fellow with the broken head, who should certainly have kept in shadow - and straggled, one after another, to the beach, where the two gigs awaited us. Even these bore trace of the drunken folly of the pirates, one in a broken thwart, and both in their muddy and unbailed condition. Both were to be carried along with us, for the sake of safety; and so, with our numbers divided between them, we set forth upon the bosom of the anchorage. As we pulled over, there was some discussion on the chart. The red cross was, of course, far too large to be a guide; and the terms of the note on the back, as you will hear, admitted of some ambiguity. They ran, the reader may remember, thus:-- `Tall tree, Spy-glass shoulder, bearing a point to the N. of N.N.E. `Skeleton Island E.S.E. and by E. `Ten feet.' A tall tree was thus the principal mark. Now, right before us, the anchorage was bounded by a plateau from two to three hundred feet high, adjoining on the north the sloping southern shoulder of the Spy- glass, and rising again towards the south into the rough, cliffy eminence called the Mizzen-mast Hill. The top of the plateau was dotted thickly with pine trees of varying height. Every here and there, one of a different species rose forty or fifty feet clear above its neighbours, and which of these was the particular `tall tree' of Captain Flint could only be decided on the spot, and by the readings of the compass. Yet, although that was the case, every man on board the boats had picked a favourite of his own ere we were half way over, Long John alone shrugging his shoulders and bidding them wait till they were there. We pulled easily, by Silver's directions, not to weary the hands prematurely; and, after quite a long passage, landed at the mouth of the second river - That which runs down a woody cleft of the Spy-glass. Thence, bending to our left, we began to ascend the slope towards the plateau. At the first outset, heavy, miry ground and a matted, marish vegetation, greatly delayed our progress; but by little and little the hill began to steepen and become stony under foot, and the wood to change its character and to grow in a more open order. It was, indeed, a most pleasant portion of the island that we were now approaching. A heavy-scented broom and many flowering shrubs had almost taken the place of grass. Thickets of green nutmeg trees were dotted here and there with the red columns and the broad shadow of' the pines; and the first mingled their spice with the aroma of the others. The air, besides, was fresh and stirring, and this, under the sheer sunbeams, was a wonderful refreshment to our senses. The party spread itself abroad, in a fan shape, shouting and leaping to and fro. About the centre, and a good way behind the rest, Silver and I followed - I tethered by my rope, he ploughing, with deep pants, among the sliding gravel. From time to time, indeed, I had to lend him a hand, or he must have missed his footing and fallen backward down the hill. We had thus proceeded for about half a mile, and were approaching the brow of the plateau, when the man upon the farthest left began to cry aloud, as if in terror. Shout after shout came from him, and the others began to run in his direction. `He can't 'a' found the treasure,' said old Morgan, hurrying past us from the right, `for that's clean a-top.' Indeed, as we found when we also reached the spot, it was something very different. At the foot of a pretty big pine, and involved in a green creeper, which had even partly lifted some of the smaller bones, a human skeleton lay, with a few shreds of clothing, on the ground. I believe a chill struck for a moment to every heart. `He was a seaman,' said George Merry, who, bolder than the rest, had gone up close, and was examining the rags of clothing. `Leastways, this is good sea-cloth.' `Ay, ay,' said Silver, `like enough; you wouldn't look to find a bishop here, I reckon. But what sort of a way is that for bones to lie? 'Tain't in natur'.' Indeed, on a second glance, it seemed impossible to fancy that the body was in a natural position. But for some disarray (the work, perhaps, of the birds that had fed upon him, or of the slow-growing creeper that had gradually enveloped his remains) the man lay perfectly straight - his feet pointing in one direction, his hands, raised above his head like a diver's, pointing directly in the opposite. `I've taken a notion into my old numskull,' observed Silver. `Here's the compass; there's the tip-top pint o' Skeleton Island, stickin' out like a tooth. Just take a bearing will you, along the line of them bones.' It was done. The body pointed straight in the direction of the island, and the compass read duly E.S.E. and by E. `I thought so,' cried the cook; `this here is a p'inter. Right up there is our line for the Pole Star and the jolly dollars. But, by thunder! if it don't make me cold inside to think of Flint. This is one of his jokes, and no mistake. Him and these six was alone here; he killed em, every man; and this one he hauled here and laid down by compass, shiver my timbers! They're long bones, and the hair's been yellow. Ay, that would be Allardyce. You mind Allardyce, Tom Morgan?' `Ay, ay,' returned Morgan, `I mind him; he owed me money, he did, and took my knife ashore with him.' `Speaking of knives,' said another, `why don't we find his'n lying round? Flint warn't the man to pick a seaman's pocket; and the birds, I guess, would leave it be.' `By the powers, and that's true!' cried Silver. `There aint a thing left here,' said Merry, still feeling round among the bones, `not a copper doit nor a baccy box. It don't look nat'ral to me.' `No, by gum, it don't,' agreed Silver; `not nat'ral, nor not nice, says you. Great guns! messmates, but if Flint was living, this would be a hot spot for you and me. Six they were, and six are we; and bones is what they are now. `I saw him dead with these here dead-lights,' said Morgan. `Billy took me in. There he laid with penny- pieces on his eyes. `Dead - ay, sure enough he's dead and gone below,' said the fellow with the bandage; `but if ever sperrit walked, it would be Flint's. Dear heart, but he died bad, did Flint!' `Ay, that he did,' observed another; `now he raged, and now he hollered for the rum, and now he sang. "Fifteen Men" were his only song, mates; and I tell you true, I never rightly liked to hear it since. It was main hot, and the windy was open, and I hear that old song comin' out as clear as clear - and the death- haul on the man already.' `Come, come,' said Silver, `stow this talk. He's dead, and he don't walk, that I know; leastways, he won't walk by day and you may lay to that. Care killed a cat. Fetch ahead for the doubloons.' We started, certainly; but in spite of the hot sun and the staring daylight, the pirates no longer ran separate and shouting through the wood, but kept side by side and spoke with bated breath. The terror of the dead buccaneer had fallen on their spirits. 宝岛三十一 猎宝记——弗林特的指针 “吉姆，”西尔弗说，这时只剩我们两人，“如果说我救了你的命，那么你也救了我的命，我决不会忘记的。我看到大夫刚才招手唤你逃跑，我是凭眼梢瞥见的；我看见你说不行，就跟我的耳朵听到一样。吉姆，这件事你做得真像个正人君子。自从强攻失败之后，我这才第一次看到了一线希望，这应该归功于你。吉姆，现在咱们不得不闭着两眼去探宝，我总觉得这样做很危险。你我必须形影不离，相依为命。那样的话，即使运气再不好，咱们也不致于掉脑袋。” 就在这时，一个人从火堆那边招呼我们，说早饭准备好了。大家纷纷散坐在沙地上吃着干面包和煎成肉。他们点起的火堆能烤一头牛，现在火旺得很，只能从背风面靠近它，即使这样也得倍加小心。海盗们对食物也是同样浪费，他们准备的饭菜相当于饭量的三倍。一个海盗傻呵呵地笑着把吃剩的东西一下子全都扔进火里；火堆添上这样不寻常的燃料，顿时烈焰冲天、劈啪乱响。我从未见过这样的人，今朝有酒今朝醉，明朝没酒喝凉水。这样形容他们再恰当不过了。像这样糟蹋吃的，放哨时睡大觉，尽管他们能凭着一股蛮劲打一仗，但一旦遇到挫折，我看他们根本应付不了持久战。 西尔弗独自坐在一边吃，让鹦鹉弗林特船长蹲在他肩上。他一句话也不说，也不责骂他们的鲁莽妄动，使我感到特别惊讶的是他比以往任何时候更显得老谋深算。 “喂，伙计们，”他说，“有我‘大叉烧’用这颗脑袋为你们着想，我已经偷听到了我要了解的一切。船的确在他们手里。我目前还不知道他们把船藏在什么地方；但只要一发现宝藏，咱们就豁出命来找遍整个海岛，那时定会找到船。伙计们，咱们有两只小船，我想是咱们占上风。” 他就这样不停地鼓吹着，嘴里塞满了热的煎成肉。他用这样的办法恢复他们的希望和对他的信任，我猜想同时他也在给自己打气。 “至于这个人质，”他继续说，“我想这是他跟他亲爱的人的最后一次谈话了。我听出一些门道，这还得感谢他呢。但现在事情已过去了。咱们去探宝的时候，我要用一根绳子挂住他。要像保护金子那样看牢他，以防万一。这点你们要记住。一旦船和宝藏都到了咱们手里，咱们就高高兴兴地回到海上去。那时再跟霍金斯先生算总账，我们不会亏待他的，会好好答谢他干的好事。” 无疑他们现在情绪好得很，而我却再也没心情了。要是他刚才提出的计划可行的话，西尔弗，这个两面三刀的叛徒，将毫不犹豫地按计行事。他至今还是脚踏两只船。他毫无疑问更乐于同海盗们一起满载金银财宝逍遥法外，而他们寄托在我们这边的希望只是免去上绞架而已。 再说，即使事态发展到他不得不履行他向利弗西大夫作的保证时，我们的处境也会很危险。一旦他的同伙们的怀疑得到证实，我和他不得不拼死保护自己的小命。他一个瘸子，而我又是一个孩子，如何能对付过五个身强体壮的水手？ 除了这双重的担忧，我的朋友们所采取的行动对我来说始终是个谜：他们为什么会舍弃这个寨子？为什么要交出地图？这些都无法得到解释，还有大夫对西尔弗提出的最后警告：“你们快找到宝藏时，可别大喊大叫的。”读者如果设身处地替我想想，就很容易理解，我吃的早饭为什么味同嚼蜡，为什么跟在海盗们后面出发探宝时会心惊胆颤。 要是有人在旁，定会看到我们一个个奇特的形象：所有的人都身穿脏兮兮的水手服，除了我人人都全副武装。西尔弗身上一前一后挎着两只步熗，腰间还挂着一把大弯刀，他的衣服两边开又，两边口袋里各放了一支手熗。最能体现他这副怪模样的是，鹦鹉弗林特船长蹲在他肩上，无意义地学着水手谈话，不时发出片言只语来。我腰间拴着一条绳子，顺从地跟在厨子后面。他时而腾出一只手抓住松散的绳子的另一端，时而用牙齿紧紧咬住不放。不管怎么说，我都像是头被牵去表演跳舞的狗熊。 其它人都扛着各种各样的东西；有的扛着铁锹和镐头——这是他们最先从伊斯班袅拉号带上来的工具；有的扛着午饭时吃的猪肉、干面包和白兰地。我看得出，所有这些东西都是我们贮备下来的。可见昨晚说的是真话。若不是他跟大夫做成了这笔交易，他和他的同伙船丢后只能靠喝凉水，靠打猎过日子了。凉水是不怎么好喝的，而水手又不擅于打猎。再说，水手在吃不上饭的时候，弹药也不会太充裕。 我们就带着这样的装备出发的，连脑袋开花的那个也去了，他本应在阴凉处呆着的。我们就这样一个跟一个拖拖拉拉地来到停有两只小船的岸边。小船里还可以看到海盗们纵酒胡闹的痕迹；一只座板被砸断了，两只小船都沾满泥，船内还有水未被舀干。为了安全起见，我们决定把两只小船都带走，我们分坐在两只船里向锚地底部驶去。 途中，我们对地图发生了争论，上面的红叉叉画得太大了，看不出确切的地点。背面的字说明的又不清楚。读者也许还记得，上面写着： 望远镜山肩一大树，指向东北偏北，骷髅岛东南东，再向东十英尺， 大树是最重要的标记。在我们前方，锚地与一片高约两百至三百英尺的高地连接着。高地的北端与望远镜山的南坡相接，向南则逐渐拱起，形成崎岖多石的后桅山。高矮不一的松树星罗棋布地点缀在高地上。随处可见某一棵四五十英尺高的不同种类的松树鹤立于鸡群。然而弗林特船长所说的“大树”究竟是哪一棵呢，只有到达高地后用罗盘才能测定出来。 虽然实际情况就是这样，我们还没到半路，可是小船上的每个人却都认定自己倾心的一棵树。只有高个儿约翰耸了耸肩，建议到了高地上再作打算。 按照西尔弗的指令，我们划得不很用力，以免过早消耗完体力。经过相当长的路程后，我们在第二条河——就是从望远镜山树多的那面斜坡上流下来的那条——河口处登上了岸。从那向左拐弯，开始沿着山坡攀登高地。 一开始，泥泞难走的地面和乱蓬蓬的沼泽植物大大地耽误了我们赶路。但坡面逐渐趋于陡峭，脚下的土质趋于结实，树木变得高大稀疏，我们正走近的是整个海岛最迷人的地方。草地上到处都是香味浓郁的金雀花和茂盛的灌木丛，一丛丛碧绿的肉豆蔻同村干深红、树阴宽广的松树掩映成趣，肉豆蔻的芳香同松树的清香相得益彰。此外，新鲜的空气振奋人心，在烈日炎炎下，这无疑是一份难得的清心剂。 海盗们成扇形散开，大声叫嚷，跳来跳去，西尔弗和我处于扇面的中心和偏后一点的位置上。我被绳子拴住了，他气喘吁吁地在又松又滑的砾石中开路。有时，我不得不拉他一把，否则他定会失足摔下山崖。 我们这样走了大约半英里，快要到达高地顶坡时，忽然最左面的一个人大声叫了起来，好像是受了惊吓似的。他叫了一声又一声，惹得其它人都向他那边跑去。 “他不可能是发现了宝藏，”老摩根说着也从右边跑过来，打我们面前匆匆经过，“还没到山顶呢。” 的确，当我们也到达那边时，我们发现根本不是发现什么宝藏了。在一棵相当高大的松树脚下横着一具死人骨架，被绿色的蔓草缠住了，有几块较小的骨头被局部向上提起，地上残留有一些烂布条。我相信此时每个人心中都不寒而栗。 “他是个水手，”乔治•墨利说，他比其它人要胆大些，敢走上前看看衣服的碎片，“至少，他穿的是水手服。” “嗯，嗯，”西尔弗说，“十有八九是个水手，不可能有主教上这儿来。我想，这骨头架子的姿势可真奇怪，不太自然。” 的确，再一看，简直想象不出这个死人怎么会保持这个姿势。除了一些地方乱糟糟而外（也许是吃尸体的大鸟或是逐步缠住尸体的蔓草造成的），死人笔直地躺着，脚指向一方。手像跳水时那样举过头顶，正指着相反的方向。 “我这个死脑瓜骨看出点门道来了，”西尔弗说，“这有罗盘，那是骷髅岛的岬角尖，像颗牙似的支出来。只要顺着这骨头架子测一下方位就知道了。” 于是就取出罗盘来照办。尸体正指向骷髅岛那一边，罗盘标明的方位正是东南东偏东。 “不出所料，”厨子叫了起来，“这骨头架子就是指针，从这里对准北极星走定会找到金灿灿的财宝。不过我一想到弗林特就会手脚冰凉。这是他的鬼把戏，肯定错不了。当初只有他和六个人在岸上，他们全都被他杀了，一个被拖到这里放在罗盘对准了的位置上。我敢打赌错不了。瞧，长长的骨头棒、黄黄的头发丝儿，那一定是阿拉代斯。你还记得阿拉代斯，是不是汤姆•摩根？” “嗯嗯，”摩根回答，“我记得他还欠我钱呢，上岸时还把我的刀子带走了。” “提起刀子，”另一个海盗说，“为什么他身上没发现刀子？弗林特不会掏一个水手的口袋，也不可能是被乌叼走了？” “这话不假，没错！”西尔弗大声说。 “这里什么也没留下，”墨利说，一边还在骨头架子旁搜寻。“既没有一个铜板也不见烟盒。我觉得有点不对劲。” “是有些不对头，”西尔弗表示同意，“还有点叫人不自在。你们说，心肝们！要是弗林特还活着，这可能就是你我的葬身之地。他们那时是六个人，我们现在正是六个人，可是如今他们只剩下一堆骨头了。” “不，我亲眼看见他睁着眼死的，”摩根说，“是比尔带我进去的。他躺在那儿，两眼上各放一枚一便士的铜币，好让他瞑目。” “死了，他确实死了，下了地狱。”头上缠着绷带的那个说，“不过要是真有鬼魂的话，那定是弗林特。天哪，他死时好一阵折腾！” “嗯，的确如此，”另一个说，“他一会儿发脾气，一会儿吵着要郎姆酒，一会儿又唱起歌来。他生平只唱一支歌，叫《十五个汉子》。我讲的是真事，我从此以后就讨厌听那支歌。当时天气热得很，窗子开着，我清楚地听到歌声从窗子飘出来，那是小鬼来勾他的魂了。” “得了，得了，”西尔弗说，“别谈那些事了，人已经死了，不会再出来了，我知道，至少大白天鬼魂不会出来游荡，你们可以相信我的话。提心吊胆反而会吓破胆。走，搬金币去。” 经他这么一说，大伙自然又出发了。尽管是烈日炎炎的大白天，海盗们也不再独自乱跑，或在树林中大喊大叫，而是肩并肩一起走。说话也屏住气。他们对死去的海盗头子怕得要死，至今还心有余悸。 |
| Treasure IslandChapter XXX I WAS wakened - Indeed, we were all wakened, for I could see even the sentinel shake himself together from where he had fallen against the door-post - by a clear, hearty voice hailing us from the margin of the wood:-- `Block-house, ahoy!' it cried. `Here's the doctor.' And the doctor it was. Although I was glad to hear the sound, yet my gladness was not without admixture. I remembered with confusion my insubordinate and stealthy conduct; and when I saw where it had brought me - among what companions and surrounded by what dangers - I felt ashamed to look him in the face. He must have risen in the dark, for the day had hardly come; and when I ran to a loophole and looked out, I saw him standing, like Silver once before, up to the mid-leg in creeping vapour. `You, doctor! Top o' the morning to you, sir!' cried Silver, broad awake and beaming with good-nature in a moment. `Bright and early, to be sure; and it's the early bird, as the saying goes, that gets the rat.ions. George, shake up your timbers, son, and help Dr Livesey over the ship's side. All a-doin' well, your patients was - all well and merry.' So he pattered on, standing on the hill-top, with his crutch under his elbow, and one hand upon the side of the log-house - quite the old John in voice, manner, and expression. `We've quite a surprise for you, too, sir,' he continued. `We've a little stranger here - he! he! A noo boarder and lodger, sir, and looking fit and taut as a fiddle; slep' like a supercargo, he did, right alongside of John - stem to stem we was, all night.' Dr Livesey was by this time across the stockade and pretty near the cook; and I could hear the alteration in his voice as he said:-- `Not Jim?' `The very same Jim as ever was,' says Silver. The doctor stopped outright, although he did not speak, and it was some seconds before he seemed able to move on. `Well, well,' he said, at last, `duty first and pleasure afterwards, as you might have said yourself, Silver. Let us overhaul these patients of yours.' A moment afterwards he had entered the block-house, and, with one grim nod to me, proceeded with his work among the sick. He seemed under no apprehension, though he must have known that his life, among these treacherous demons, depended on a hair; and he rattled on to his patients as if he were paying an ordinary professional visit in a quiet English family. His manner, I suppose, reacted on the men; for they behaved to him as if nothing had occurred - as if he were still ship's doctor, and they still faithful hands before the mast. `You're doing well, my friend,' he said to the fellow with the bandaged head, `and if ever any person had a close shave, it was you; your head must be as hard as iron. Well, George, how goes it? You're a pretty colour, certainly; why, your liver, man, is upside down. Did you take that medicine? Did he take that medicine, men?' `Ay, ay, sir, he took it, sure enough,' returned Morgan. `Because, you see, since I am mutineers' doctor, or prison doctor, as I prefer to call it,' says Dr Livesey, in his pleasantest way, `I make it a point of honour not to lose a man for King George (God bless him!) and the gallows.' The rogues looked at each other, but swallowed the home-thrust in silence. `Dick don't feel well, sir,' said one. `Don't he?' replied the doctor. `Well, step up here, Dick, and let me see your tongue. No, I should be surprised if he did! the man's tongue is fit to frighten the French. Another fever.' `Ah, there,' said Morgan, `that comed of sp'iling Bibles.' `That comed - as you call it - of being arrant asses, retorted the doctor, `and not having sense enough to know honest air from poison, and the dry land from a vile, pestiferous slough. I think it most probable - though, of course, it's only an opinion - that you'll all have the deuce to pay before you get that malaria out of your systems. Camp in a bog, would you? Silver, I'm surprised at you. You're less of a fool than many, take you all round; but you don't appear to me to have the rudiments of a notion of the rules of health.' `Well,' he added, after he had dosed them round, and they had taken his prescriptions, with really laughable humility, more like charity school-children than blood-guilty mutineers and pirates - `well, that's done for to-day. And now I should wish to have a talk with that boy, please.' And he nodded his head in my direction carelessly. George Merry was at the door, spitting and spluttering over some bad-tasted medicine; but at the first word of the doctor's proposal he swung round with a deep flush, and cried `No!' and swore. Silver struck the barrel with his open hand. `Si-lence!' he roared, and looked about him positively like a lion. `Doctor,' he went on, in his usual tones, `I was a-thinking of that, knowing as how you had a fancy for the boy. We're all humbly grateful for your kindness, and, as you see, puts faith in you, and takes the drugs down like that much grog. And I take it I've found a way as'll suit all. Hawkins, will you give me your word of honour as a young gentleman - for a young gentleman you are, although poor born - your word of honour not to slip your cable? I readily gave the pledge required. `Then, doctor,' said Silver, `you just step outside o' that stockade, and once you're there, I'll the bring the boy down on the inside, and I reckon you can yarn through the spars. Good-day to you, sir, and all our dooties to the squire and Cap'n Smollett.' The explosion of disapproval, which nothing but Silver's black looks had restrained, broke out immediately the doctor had left the house. Silver was roundly accused of playing double - of trying to make a separate peace for himself - of sacrificing the interests of his accomplices and victims; and, in one word, of the identical, exact thing that he was doing. It seemed to me so obvious, in this case, that I could not imagine how he was to turn their anger. But he was twice the man the rest were; and his last night's victory had given him a huge preponderance on their minds. He called them all the fools and dolts you can imagine, said it was necessary I should talk to the doctor, fluttered the chart in their faces, asked the if they could afford to break the treaty the very day they we bound a-treasure-hunting. `No, by thunder!' he cried, `it's us must break the treaty when the time comes; and till then I'll gammon that doctor, if I have to ile his boots with brandy.' And then he bade them get the fire lit, and stalked out upon his crutch, with his hand on my shoulder, leaving them in a disarray, and silenced by his volubility rather than convinced. `Slow, lad, slow,' he said. `They might round upon us in a twinkle of an eye, if we was seen to hurry.' Very deliberately, then, did we advance across the sand to where the doctor awaited us on the other side of the stockade, and as soon as we were within easy speaking distance, Silver stopped. `You `Il make a note of this here also, doctor,' says he, `and the boy'll tell you how I saved his life, and were deposed for it, too, and you may lay to that. Doctor, when a man's steering as near the wind as me - playing chuck-farthing with the last breath in his body, like - you wouldn't think it too much, mayhap, to give him one good word? You'll please bear in mind it's not my life only now - it's that boy's into the bargain; and you'll speak me fair, doctor, and give me a bit o' hope to go on, for the sake of mercy.' Silver was a changed man, once he was out there and had his back to his friends and the block-house; his cheeks seemed to have fallen in, his voice trembled; never was a soul more dead in earnest. `Why, John, you're not afraid?' asked Dr Livesey. `Doctor, I'm no coward; no, not I - not so much!' and he snapped his fingers. `If I was I wouldn't say it. But I'll own up fairly, I've the shakes upon me for the gallows. You're a good man and a true; I never seen a better man! And you'll not forget what I done good, not any more than you'll forget the bad, I know. And I step aside - see here - and leave you and Jim alone. And you'll put that down for me, too, for it's a long stretch, is that!' So saying, he stepped back a little way, till he was out of earshot, and there sat down upon a tree-stump and began to whistle; spinning round now and again upon his seat so as to command a sight, sometimes of me and the doctor, and sometimes of his unruly ruffians as they went to and fro in the sand, between the fire - which they were busy rekindling - and the house, from which they brought forth pork and bread to make the breakfast. `So, Jim,' said the doctor, sadly, `here you are. As you have brewed, so shall you drink, my boy. Heaven knows, I cannot find it in my heart to blame you; but this much I will say, be it kind or unkind: when Captain Smollett was well, you dared not have gone off; and when he was ill, and couldn't help it, by George, it was downright cowardly!' I will own that I here began to weep. `Doctor,' I said, `you might spare me. I have blamed myself enough; my life's forfeit anyway, and I should have been dead by now, if Silver hadn't stood for me; and doctor, believe this, I can die - and I daresay I deserve it - but what I fear is torture. If they come to torture me--' `Jim,' the doctor interrupted, and his voice was quite changed, `Jim I can't have this. Whip over, and we'll run for it.' `Doctor,' said I, `I passed my word.' `I know, I know,' he cried. `We can't help that, Jim, now. I'll take it on my shoulders, holus bolus, blame and shame, my boy; but stay here, I cannot let you. Jump! One jump, and you're out, and we'll run for it like antelopes.' `No,' I replied, `you know right well you wouldn't do the thing yourself; neither you, nor squire, nor captain; and no more will I. Silver trusted me; I passed my word, and back I go. But, doctor, you did not let me finish. If they come to torture me, I might let slip a word of where the ship is; for I got the ship, part by luck and part by risking, and she lies in North Inlet, on the southern beach, and just below high water. At half- tide she must be high and dry.' `The ship!' exclaimed the doctor. Rapidly I described to him my adventures, and he heard me out in silence. `There is a kind of fate in this,' he observed, when I had done `Every step, it's you that saves our lives; and do you suppose by any chance that we are going to let you lose yours? That would be a poor return, my boy. You found out the plot; you found Ben Gunn - the best deed that ever you did, or will do, though you live to ninety. Oh, by Jupiter, and talking of Ben Gunn! why this is the mischief in person. Silver!' he cried, `Silver - I'll give you a piece of advice,' he continued, as the cook drew near again; `don't you be in any great hurry after that treasure.' `Why, sir, I do my possible, which that aint,' said Silver. `I can only, asking your pardon, save my life and the boy's by seeking for that treasure; and you may lay to that.' `Well, Silver,' replied the doctor, `if that is so, I'll go one step further: look out for squalls when you find it.' `Sir,' said Silver, `as between man and man, that's too much and too little. What you're after, why you left the block-house, why you given me that there chart, I don't know, now, do I? and yet I done your bidding with my eyes shut and never a word of hope! But no, this here's too much. If you won't tell me what you mean plain out, just say so, and I'll leave the helm.' `No,' said the doctor, musingly, `I've no right to say more; it's not my secret, you see, Silver, or, I give you my word, I'd tell it you. But I'll go as far with you as I dare go, and a step beyond; for I'll have my wig sorted by the captain or I'm mistaken! And, first, I'll give you a bit of hope: Silver, if we both get alive out of this wolf-trap, I'll do my best to save you, short of perjury.' Silver's face was radiant. `You couldn't say more, I'm sure, sir, not if you was my mother,' he cried. `Well, that's my first concession,' added the doctor. `My second is a piece of advice: Keep the boy close beside you, and when you need help, halloo. I'm off to seek it for you, and that itself will show you if I speak at random. Good-bye, Jim.' And Dr Livesey shook hands with me through the stockade, nodded to Silver, and set off at a brisk pace into the wood. 宝岛三十 君子一言 从树林边缘传来一个清晰爽朗的声音，把我——应该说把我们大家都惊醒了，我看到连靠在门柱上打盹的岗哨也猛地弹起来。 “木屋里的人听着，大夫来了。” 真是医生来了。虽然我很高兴听到他的声音，但高兴里边也掺杂有别的滋味。一想到自己不听指挥，偷偷溜掉的事就感到惭愧；再看看现在处于什么境地，落入敌手，身陷虎穴，我简直没脸见他。 他想必是天还没亮就起身的，因为现在天还没大亮。我跑到熗眼前往外一看，见他站在齐膝的晨雾中，就跟以前西尔弗来谈判的那次一样。 “是你呀，大夫！大清早可好哇！”西尔弗一下子醒过来，满脸堆笑地招呼道。“来的早、来的好哇，俗话说，早起的鸟吃个饱。乔治，精神精神，乖乖，去扶利弗西大夫一把，让他跨过栅栏。一切都好，你的病人都挺好挺快活。” 他站在山头上说了一堆废话，拐杖拄在腋下，一只手撑在木屋墙上，声音、举止、表情还是原来老约翰的样。 “我们还给你准备了一件意想不到的礼物，”他接着说，“我们这儿来了个小客人——他呀，嘿，嘿！一位新乘客或是新房客。先生，他身强体壮、精神饱满，昨天夜里还整整一宿跟我老约翰挨在一起，睡得香着哩！” 这时，利弗西大夫已跨过栅栏，离厨子很近，我听出他的声音都变了。 “难道是吉姆？” “正是吉姆，一点没错。”西尔弗说。 医生顿时停下来，但没说什么，有几秒钟过去了，他才又走了几步。 “好吧，好吧，”他终于开了口，“先办正事，后叙友情，这话好像是你说的，西尔弗。我先去看看你们的病人。” 他随即走进木屋，向我冷冷地点了点头，直奔向病人。他看来无所顾忌，尽管他知道，身处这群好背信弃义的魔鬼中间，随时都会有生命危险。他跟病人闲聊，好像是给国内一户安分守己的人家看病。他的举动大概对那些人有一定影响，他们对他的态度好像什么也没发生过，好像他还是船上的医生，而他们还是忠心耿耿的水手。 “你的病情在好转，我的朋友。”他对头上缠着绷带的那个人说：“你可真是白捡了一条命，你的头简直像铁打的，怎么样？乔治，好点儿了吗？脸色还差，正经人，你的肝功能紊乱得厉害，吃药了吗？喂，他吃没吃药？” “吃了，吃了，先生，他真吃了。”摩根应声道。 “你们看，自从我当上反叛分子的医生，我看还是叫狱医合适。”利弗西大夫以一种极其幽默而又令人愉快的口吻说，“我要保全你们每个人的性命且把它看成是无比荣耀的事情，以便把你们交给乔治国王（上帝保佑他）和绞架。” 那些匪徒面面相觑，这句击中了要害的话使他们无言以对。 “狄克觉得不大舒服，大夫。”有一个人说。 “是吗？”医生问。“过这儿来，狄克，让我看看舌头。他要是舒服才怪呢，他的舌苔能吓坏法国人，他也得上热病了。” “对了，”摩根说，“那是报应，就因为他弄坏了《圣经》。” “就因为一…像你们说的——像头蠢驴，”大夫反驳道，“连新鲜空气和瘴气，干燥的土地和臭泥潭都分不出来。我认为很可能——当然，这只是一种猜测——很可能你们都得上了疟疾，在彻底治好之前，罪可够你们受的。你们在沼泽地里宿营，是不是？西尔弗，我真感到不理解，这伙人中你还算聪明点的，但在我看来，你连最起码的卫生常识都不懂。” 医生依次发给他们药，他们听到医嘱时那种听话的样子，根本不像杀人不眨眼的叛逆海盗，倒更像是贫民小学的学生，实在可笑。 “好了，”大夫说，“今天就到此为止。现在，如果你们同意的话，我想跟那孩子说几句。” 说着，他不经心地向我这边点点头。 乔治•墨利正在门口吞服一种难吃的药，在那儿乱唾乱啐。但一听到大夫的这个请求，他立即转过血红大脸嚷道：“不行！”还骂了一句。 西尔弗在酒桶上猛地拍了一巴掌。 “住口！”他吼叫起来，环顾四周，像头雄狮。“大夫，”接下来又用平静的语调说，“我早就想到了，因为我知道你很喜欢这孩子。对你的一片好心，我们都不胜感激，你也看到了，我们相信你，你给的药我们都当甜酒似地喝了。我有办法把一切都安排稳妥，霍金斯，你能不能用人格担保，像个年轻绅士那样——虽然你生在穷人家，还称得上是个正人君子——你能不能发誓不逃跑？” 我爽快地向他做了保证。 “那好，大夫，”西尔弗说，“请你走到栅栏外面去。你到了那里，我就把这孩子带到下面，你们可以隔着栅栏尽情地聊。再见，先生，请代我们向乡绅和斯莫列特船长问好。” 大夫刚走出木屋，海盗们的不满情绪本来还靠西尔弗的疾声厉色勉强压制着，现在一下子炸开了。他们纷纷指责西尔弗耍两面派，企图牺牲同伙利益为自己谋求生路。总之，他们所言甚是，一点儿也不冤枉他。事情明摆着，我想不出这回他还有什么办法拨转他们愤怒的矛头，但其余的人毕竟连他的一半都不如，何况昨夜的胜利足可以压住他们。他骂他们是傻瓜、笨蛋，反正各种各样的词都骂遍了。他说不让我同医生谈一谈是不行的，还把地图在他们面前扬了扬，责问他们：“今天他们就要去找宝，难道要在这个节骨眼上撕毁协议？” “行就是行！”他嚷道，“时间成熟了，咱们当然要撕毁协议，但这时候，我要把那位大夫哄得团团转，哪怕用白兰地给他刷靴子，我都于。” 然后他吩咐他们点起火来，自己拄着拐杖，一手扶在我的肩膀上，大模大样走出屋，不管他们怎样想怎么办。他们也只是一时无言以对不知所措罢了，心里仍是不服。 “慢着点，小老弟，慢着点，”他对我说，“他们要是看见咱们急匆匆地走下去，会一下子扑过来的。” 于是我们不慌不忙地穿过沙地，向医生已在栅栏外等候的那一边走去。我们刚一走到可以听见说话的范围，西尔弗就停下来。 “大夫，请你把这发生的事儿都记下来，”他说，“那孩子会告诉你，我是怎么救了他的命，又怎样差点下台的。你尽可以相信我，大夫，当一个人像我这样豁出命来孤注一掷的时候，想听几句贴心话，还不至于让你多想吧。请你注意了，现在不光是我一条命，连这孩子的命都搭上了。大夫，说句公道话，行行好，给我点希望让我活下去。” 西尔弗一出来，背对着他的同伙和木屋，立刻像变了个人，两颊深陷、声音颤抖，没人能装得如此逼真。 “难道你害怕了吗？约翰？”利弗西大夫问。 “大夫，我不是胆小鬼！一丁点儿也算不上！”说着他用手指叭地打了个响。“我要是胆小鬼，就不会这样说了。可老实说，一想到上绞架我总是禁不住发抖。你是个好人，而且守信用，我从未见过比你还好的人，我做的好事你不会忘记的，正像你不会忘记我做过的坏事一样，我知道。你看我马上会退到一边，让你跟吉姆单独在一起。请你把这点也记上去，我可是真够朋友啊！” 说完，他退后一段路，直到听不到我们的谈话，才在一个树桩上坐下来开始吹口哨，不时转动身子向四周看，忽而看看我，忽而看看医生，忽而看看那些在沙地上晃来晃去的不安分的土匪们——他们正忙着重新点燃一堆火，并从屋子里拿出猪肉和于面包，做起早饭来。 “唉，吉姆，”医生难过地说，“你又回到这里来了。这叫自作自受，我的孩子，我实在不忍心怪你。但有句话我得说，不管你爱听不爱听，斯莫列特船长身体好的时候，你不敢逃跑；他负了伤，挡不住你的时候，你跑了。真的，这可真是十足的懦夫的作法。” 我承认并哭了起来。“大夫，”我说，“你别再责怪我了，我已把自己骂个够了，反正我只有用命才能补偿。这一损失要不是西尔弗护着我，我早就没命了。大夫，请你相信我，死我不怕，我也该死，可我怕受刑，万一他们给我上刑——” “吉姆，”医生打断我的话，他的声音完全变了，“吉姆，我不能让你受苦。你跳过来，我们一起逃跑。” “大夫，”我说，“可我发了誓不逃跑。” “我知道，我知道，”他激动地说，“现在顾不了那么多了，吉姆，快点，谴责、耻辱我会承担下来，我的孩子，我可不能让你呆在这儿。快跳，一跳你就出来了，我们可以跑得比羚羊还快。” “不，”我回答说，“你明明知道你也不会这么做，不光是你，乡绅、船长都不愿这样做，我也一样，西尔弗信得过我，我也保证过，我必须回去，可是，大夫你没听我说完。万一他们逼问我，给我上刑，我怕我会漏出船在哪儿，是我把船又弄到了手。一半是运气一半是冒险。现在船停在北汊口的南滩，就在高潮线下边。潮水不高时，她停在岸滩上。” “船！”他失声喊道。 我把自己的惊险历程匆匆地描述了一番，他一声不吱地听我讲完。 “这有点像命中注定的，”他听我讲完后说，“每次都是你救了我们的命，难道你以为我们会让你牺牲自己的生命吗？绝不能，我的孩子。你发现敌人的阴谋，你遇见了本•葛恩——这是你一生所做的最大的好事，包括现在的，将来的，哪怕你活到九十岁。哦，对了，提起本•葛恩，他真是调皮捣蛋。西尔弗！”他叫了一声，“西尔弗，我要劝你们一句，”他等厨子走近后，继续说，“可别急急忙忙地去找宝。” “先生，我一定尽可能地去做，只怕做不到。”西尔弗说。“请原谅，除非去找宝，否则我就无法救自己和这孩子的命。你可以相信我的话。” “好吧，西尔弗，”大夫说，“既然如此，我索性再走远点：你们快要找到宝藏时，可别大喊大叫的。” “大夫，”西尔弗说，“我认为这太不公平了。你们到底念的哪门子经，你们为什么离开这木屋，为什么又把那张地图给我，我可不知道，难道不是吗？我却闭着眼睛按你说的去做，可是连句见亮儿的话都听不到。不，这太过分了。如果你不讲明白这究竟是怎么回事，我可不给你干了。” “不，”医生若有所思地说，“我没有权利讲得更多。这不是我个人的秘密，你瞧，西尔弗，要不然我会告诉你的。但是，我敢告诉你的也就这些了，甚至还多了些。我已经要挨船长的骂了，没骗你！首先，我要给你一点希望；西尔弗，如果你我都活着离开陷阱，我一定会尽全力救你，只要不作伪证。” 西尔弗顿时容光焕发。 “你不能再多说了，我相信，先生，即使我亲娘也不能给我比这更大的安慰了。”他兴奋地说。 “这是第一点让步，”医生又说，“其次就是对你的忠告：让这孩子待在你身边，寸步不离；要帮忙，你就喊我。我现在就去想法救你们出去。那时你自会明白，我是不是说到做到。再会吧，吉姆。” 于是，利弗西隔着栅栏跟我握了握手，向西尔弗点了点头，然后快步向树林里走去。 |
Treasure IslandChapter XXIX THE council of the buccaneers had lasted some time, when one of them re-entered the house, and with a repetition of the same salute, which had in my eyes an ironical air, begged for a moment's loan of the torch. Silver briefly agreed; and this emissary retired again, leaving us together in the dark. `There's a breeze coming, Jim,' said Silver, who had, by this time, adopted quite a friendly and familiar tone. I turned to the loophole nearest me and looked out. The embers of the great fire had so far burned themselves out, and now glowed so low and duskily, that I understood why these conspirators desired a torch. About half way down the slope to the stockade, they were collected in a group; one held the light; another was on his knees in their midst, and I saw the blade of an open knife shine in his hand with varying colours, in the moon and torchlight. The rest were all somewhat stooping, as though watching the manoeuvres of this last. I could just make out that he had a book as well as a knife in his hand; and was still wondering how anything so incongruous had come in their possession, when the kneeling figure rose once more to his feet, and the whole party began to move together towards the house. `Here they come,' said I; and I returned to my former position, for it seemed beneath my dignity that they should find me watching them. `Well, let 'em come, lad - let 'em come,' said Silver, cheerily. `I've still a shot in my locker.' The door opened, and the five men, standing huddled together just inside, pushed one of their number forward. In any other circumstances it would have been comical to see his slow advance, hesitating as he set down each foot, but holding his closed right hand in front of him. `Step up, lad,' cried Silver. `I won't eat you. Hand it over, lubber. I know the rules, I do; I won't hurt a depytation.' Thus encouraged, the buccaneer stepped forth more briskly, and having passed something to Silver, from hand to hand, slipped yet more smartly back again to hi companions. The sea-cook looked at what had been given him. `The black spot! I thought so,' he observed. `Where might you have got the paper? Why, hillo! look here, now: this aint lucky! You've gone and cut this out of a Bible. What fool's cut a Bible?' `Ah, there!' said Morgan - there! Wot did I say? No good'll come o' that, I said.' `Well, you've about fixed it now, among you,' continue Silver. `You'll all swing now, I reckon. What soft- headed lubber had a Bible?' `It was Dick,' said one. `Dick, was it? Then Dick can get to prayers,' said Silver `He's seen his slice of luck, has Dick, and you may lay to that.' But here the long man with the yellow eyes struck in. `Belay that talk, John Silver,' he said. `This crew has tipped you the black spot in full council, as in dooty bound; just you turn it over, as in dooty bound, and see what's wrote there. Then you can talk.' `Thanky, George,' replied the sea-cook. `You always was brisk for business, and has the rules by heart, George, as I'm pleased to see. Well, what is it, anyway? Ah! "Deposed" - that's it, is it? Very pretty wrote, to be sure; like print, I swear. Your hand o' write, George? Why, you was gettin' quite a leadin' man in this here crew. You'll be cap'n next, shouldn't wonder. Just oblige me with that torch again, will you? this pipe don't draw.' `Come, now,' said George, `you don't fool this crew no more. You're a funny man, by your account; but you're over now, and you'll maybe step down off that barrel, and help vote.' `I thought you said you knowed the rules,' returned Silver contemptuously. `Leastways, if you don't, I do; and I wait here - and I'm still your cap'n, mind - till you outs with your grievances, and I reply, in the meantime, your black spot aint worth a biscuit. After that, we'll see.' `Oh,' replied George, `you don't be under no kind of apprehension; we're all square, we are. First, you've made a hash of this cruise - you'll be a bold man to say no to that. Second, you let the enemy out o' this here trap for nothing. Why did they want out? I dunno; but it's pretty plain they wanted it. Third, you wouldn't let us go at them upon the march. Oh, we see through you, John Silver; you want to play booty, that's what's wrong with you. And then, fourth, there's this here boy.' `Is that all?' asked Silver quietly. `Enough, too,' retorted George. `We'll all swing and sundry for your bungling.' `Well, now, look here, I'll answer these four p'ints; one after another I'll answer 'em. I made a hash o' this cruise, did I? Well, now, you all know what I wanted; and you all know, if that had been done, that we'd 'a' been aboard the Hispaniola this night as ever was, every man of us alive, and fit, and full of good plum-duff, and the treasure in the hold of her, by thunder! Well, who crossed me? Who forced my hand, as was the lawful cap'n? Who tipped me the black spot the day we landed, and began this dance? Ah, it's a fine dance - I'm with you there - and looks mighty like a hornpipe in a rope's end at Execution Dock by London town, it does. But who done it? Why, it was Anderson, and Hands, and you, George Merry! And you're the last above board of that same meddling crew; and you have the Davy Jones's insolence to up and stand for cap'n over me - you, that sank the lot of us! By the powers! but this tops the stiffest yarn to nothing.' Silver paused, and I could see by the faces of George and his late comrades that these words had not been said in vain. `That's for number one,' cried the accused, wiping the sweat from his brow, for he had been talking with a vehemence that shook the house. `Why, I give you my word, I'm sick to speak to you. You've neither sense nor memory, and I leave it to fancy where your mothers was that let you come to sea. Sea! Gentlemen o' fortune! I reckon tailors is your trade.' `Go on, John,' said Morgan. `Speak up to the others.' `Ah, the others!' returned John. `They're a nice lot, aint they? You say this cruise is bungled. Ah! by gum, if you could understand how bad it's bungled, you would see! We're that near the gibbet that my neck's stiff with thinking on it. You' seen 'em, maybe, hanged in chains, birds about 'em, seam p'inting 'em out as they go down with the tide. "Who's that? says one. `That! Why, that's John Silver. I knowed him well," says another. And you can hear the chains a-jangle as you go about and reach for the other buoy. Now, that about where we are, every mother's son of us, thanks to him, and Hands, and Anderson, and other ruination fools of you. And if you want to know about number four, and that boy, why, shiver my timbers! isn't he a hostage? Are we a-going to waste a hostage? No, not us; he mighty be our last chance, and I shouldn't wonder. Kill that boy? not me, mates! And number three? Ah, well, there's a deal to say to number three. Maybe you don't count it nothing to have a real college doctor come to see you every day - you, John, with your he broke - or you, George Merry, that had the ague shakes upon you not six hours agone, and has your eyes the colour of lemon peel to this same moment on the clock? And maybe, perhaps you didn't know there was a consort coming, either? But there is; and not so long till then; and we'll see who'll be glad have a hostage when it comes to that. And as for number two and why I made a bargain - well, you came crawling on your knees to me to make it - on your knees you came, you was that downhearted - and you'd have starved, too, if hadn't - but that's a trifle! you look there - that's why!' And he cast down upon the floor a paper that I instantly recognised - none other than the chart on yellow paper, with the three red crosses, that I had found in the oilcloth at the bottom of the captain's chest. Why the doctor had given to him was more than I could fancy. But if it were inexplicable to me, the appearance of the chart was incredible to the surviving mutineers. They leaped upon it like cats upon a mouse. It went from hand to hand, one tearing it from another; and by the oaths and the cries and the childish laughter with which they accompanied their examination, you would have thought, not only they were fingering the very gold, but were at sea with it, besides, it safety. `Yes,' said one, `that's Flint, sure enough. J F., and a score below, with a clove hitch to it; so he done ever.' `Mighty pretty,' said George. `But how are we to get away with it, and us no ship?' Silver suddenly sprang up, and supporting himself with a hand against the wall: `Now I give you warning, George,' he cried. `One more word of your sauce, and I'll call you down and fight you. How? Why, how do I know? You had ought to tell me that - you and the rest, that lost me my schooner, with your interference, burn you! But not you, you can't; you hain't got the invention of a cockroach. But civil you can speak, and shall, George Merry, you may lay to that.' `That's fair enow,' said the old man Morgan. `Fair! I reckon so,' said the sea-cook. `You lost the ship; I found the treasure. Who's the better man at that? And now I resign, by thunder! Elect whom you please to be your cap'n now; I'm done with it.' `Silver!' they cried. `Barbecue for ever! Barbecue for cap'n!' `So that's the toon, is it?' cried the cook. `George, I reckon you'll have to wait another turn, friend; and lucky for you as I'm not a revengeful man. But that was never my way. And now, shipmates, this black spot? 'Tain't much good now, is it? Dick's crossed his luck and spoiled his Bible, and that's about all.' `It'll do to kiss the book on still, won't it?' growled Dick, who was evidently uneasy at the curse he had brought upon himself. `A Bible with a bit cut out!' returned Silver, derisively. `Not it. It don't bind no more'n a ballad-book.' `Don't it, though?' cried Dick, with a sort of joy. `Well, I reckon that's worth having, too.' `Here, Jim - here's a cur'osity for you,' said Silver; and he tossed me the paper. It was a round about the size of a crown piece. One side was blank, for it had been the last leaf; the other contained a verse or two of Revelation - these words among the rest, which struck sharply home upon my mind: `Without are dogs and murderers.' The printed side had been blackened with wood ash, which already began to come off and soil in fingers; on the blank side had been written with the same material the one word `Depposed.' I have that curiosity beside me at this moment; but not a trace of writing now remain beyond a single scratch, such as a man might make with his thumb-nail. That was the end of the night's business. Soon after, with a drink all round, we lay down to sleep, and the outside of Silver's vengeance was to put George Merry up for sentinel and threaten him with death if he should prove unfaithful. It was long ere I could close an eye, and Heaven knows I had matter enough for thought in the man whom I had slain that afternoon, in my own most perilous position, and, above all, in the remarkable game that I saw Silver now engage upon - keeping the mutineers together with one hand, an grasping, with the other, after every means, possible an impossible, to make his peace and save his miserable life. He himself slept peacefully, and snored aloud; yet my heart was sore for him, wicked as he was, to think on the dark peril that environed, and the shameful gibbet that awaited him. 宝岛二十九 黑券又至 那几个海盗商量了半天，其中一个才回到木屋来，再次向西尔弗敬了个礼（在我看来，略带点讽刺意味），想借火把暂用一下。西尔弗爽快地同意了，于是这个使者又出去，把我们留在漆黑的木屋中。 “要刮风了，吉姆。”西尔弗说。这次，他对我已变得非常友好和亲见。 我走到最近的一个熗眼旁边向外看。一大堆火也烧得差不多了，烧剩下的灰反着又低又暗的光，我这才明白那些密谋者为什么要借火把。他们在木屋和栅栏之间的斜坡上聚成一堆：一个拿着火把，另一个跪在他们中间。我看见一把拔出的刀子在月光和火把下反射出五颜六色，其中几个像是俯身看着他在做什么；我只能看到他手里还拿着一本书。我正在纳闷他这会儿怎么会拿着这东西。这时，跪着的那个人已从地上重又站起来，于是他们全体一齐向木屋走来。 “他们过来了。”我说完又回到原来的位置上，好像让他们发觉我在偷看，将有损于我们的尊严。 “让他们来吧，孩子，让他们来吧，”西尔弗高兴地说，“我还留着一手对付他们呢。” 门开了，五个人站在屋门口挤做一堆，把其中一个往前一推。他慢慢地走过来，每跨一步都要犹豫一下，向前伸出的右手握得紧紧的，要是在平时的任何场合，你看着一定会觉得可笑极了。 “过来，伙计，”西尔弗喊道，“我不会吃了你的，把东西递给我，你这个傻大个儿。我懂得规矩，我不会难为一个使者。” 经他这么一说，那个海盗胆子大了点。他加快脚步走上前来，把一件东西放在西尔弗手中，然后麻利地回到同伴的身边。 厨子看了看交给他的东西。 “黑券！不出所料。”他说。“你们从哪儿弄来的纸？天哪，糟了，你们看看，这下完了！闯大祸了。你们是从《圣经》上撕下来的，是哪个混蛋干的？” “糟了！”摩根说，“糟了！我说过什么来着？这事准定没有好结果，让我说着了不是？” “哼，这大概就是你们刚才商量决定的。”西尔弗继续说：“现在你们个个都不得好报。《圣经》是哪个王八羔子的？” “狄克的。”一个海盗说。 “狄克，是你的吗？那就让狄克祷告吧。”西尔弗说，“狄克的好运这回算是到了头。你们瞧着我说的对不对。” 但这时那个黄眼珠的大个子插了嘴。 “收起你那套唬人的鬼话，约翰•西尔弗。”他说，“大伙一致决定按老规矩把黑券给你，你也按规矩把它翻过来看看上面写着什么，然后再说。” “谢了，乔治，”厨子应道，“你一向办事干脆，而且我很高兴地看到，乔治，你把规矩牢记在心。好吧，不管怎么说，让我看看上面写的是什么？啊！‘下台’，是这么回事吗？字写得漂亮，跟铅印的一样，我敢保证，乔治，这不是你写的吗？你在这伙人中间的确是出类拔萃，你会当选下一届船长的，我不觉得奇怪。再将火把借我用一用，好吗？这烟斗吸起来不大通畅。” “行了，”乔治说，“你休想再骗人。你凭三寸不烂之舌尽装好人，可现在不顶用了。你还是从酒桶上跳下来，让我们投票选举。” “我还以为你真懂规矩呢，”西尔弗轻蔑地回了几句，“你要是不懂的话，我教你。别忘了，眼前我还是你们的船长。我要在这里直等到你们提出对我不满意的理由来，我再给你们答复。眼下的黑券连口饭都不顶。这以后，咱们再走着瞧。” “哦，”乔治答道，“你尽管听着，我们都照实说。首先，这趟买卖都让你给弄砸了，要是你敢推卸责任，算是一条好汉。其次，你让敌人白白溜出了这个鬼地方，我不晓得他们为什么想离开，但显然他们是希望这样的。再其次，你不让我们追击。哦，我们算把你看透了，约翰•西尔弗，你想脚踏两只船，这就是你的错处。还有最后一条，你竟偏向这小子。” “还有吗？”西尔弗沉着冷静地问道。 “这些就足够了，”乔治反击道。“你这么不仁义，我们不会落得什么好下场，早晚得死在烈日下，被晒成鱼干。” “好吧，现在我来答复这四条，让我一条一条地解释。你说这趟买卖都坏在我身上，是不是？你们都晓得我想要干什么，你们也知道，如果一切顺利的话，今晚我们早就该回到伊斯班袅拉号船上，一个人也不会送死，稳稳当当的，而且我担保船舱里会装满了金银财宝！可是是谁碍了我们的事儿？是谁逼我下台，是你们选出来的合法船长吗？是谁在我们上岸的头一天就把黑券塞到我手里，弄这么个鬼把戏？啊，这把戏可真绝——也算上我一个。还真像伦敦城外正法码头上脖子上套着绳圈跳舞的水手玩的那套把戏。这到底是谁领的头？嗯，是安德森、汉兹还有你乔治•墨利！在这帮惹是生非的家伙中间，你是最后一个喂鱼的。你这个坏事的家伙居然还不要脸想谋权篡位当船长。老天有眼！这简直比天方夜谭还荒唐。” 西尔弗停顿了一下，我从乔治及其同伙的表情上可以看出，西尔弗这番话没白说。“这是第一条，”被指控的西尔弗喊将起来，抹去额头上的汗，大嗓门震得房子直响。“哼！告诉你们，我懒得跟你们说话。你们不明事理，还没记性，我真弄不懂你们的爹妈怎么会放心让你们到海上来做水手、碰运气！我看你们只配做个裁缝。” “往下说，约翰，”摩根说，“另外几条呢？” “啊，另外几条！”约翰反驳道，“好像罪过不少，是不是？你们说这趟买卖跑砸了，天老爷啊，你们要是知道事情糟到什么地步的话，你们就会明白了！咱们上绞架的日子不远了，想起来脖子就发硬。你们也许见识过：戴着锁链的犯人绞死在半空中，大鸟绕着尸体飞。会有水手趁涨潮出海时指着问：‘那是谁？’有人会回答说：‘那个，当然喽，那是约翰•西尔弗，我跟他熟得很。’这时你会听到尸体上的锁链被风吹得丁当响。直到船开到下一个浮标处还听得到。咱们都是爹娘的亲生骨肉，为什么要落到这样的下场呢？这都得感谢乔治•墨利，感谢汉兹，感谢安德森和你们中另外一些干蠢事的傻瓜们。如果你们要我答复有关这个孩子的第四条，那就听我的！他难道不是一个很好的人质吗？为什么不利用他一下呢？不，这不是我们的做法。他也许是我们最后一线希望，我看很有可能。杀了那孩子？我不干，伙计们！还有第三条，是不是？嗯，这第三条还真有些谈头，也许你们还有良心没忘了一位真正大学毕业的大夫每天来看你们这件事吧。你，杰克，脑袋开了花；还有你，乔治•墨利，不到六小时就跑肚一次，直到现在两眼还黄得跟桔子皮似的。难道你们忘了吗？也许你们没料到会有船来接他们吧？但确实有，用不了多久；到那时你们就会知道人质的用处。至于第二条，你们怪我为什么这么做，可明明是你们跪在地上爬到我跟前求我答应的。当时你们愁得要命，要不是我做了这笔交易，怕是你们早就饿死了！但这还是小事。你们往这儿看，这就是为什么！” 说着，他把一张纸扔在地板上，我立刻认出来那就是我在比尔•彭斯箱子底里发现的用油布包着的泛黄的地图，上面有三个红色的叉叉。我实在想不出为什么大夫要把这张地图给他。 但是，如果说这件事对我来说是无法解释的话，那么，剩下的那帮叛徒看到地图时的表情则更加难以置信。他们像一群猫发现一只耗子似地扑向那张纸，你抢我夺，扯来扯去，垂涎三尺地争着抢着看地图。听他们的叫骂声、呼喊声和孩子气的笑声，你也许以为他们不光是摸到了金银财宝，甚至已经安安全全地装在船上扬帆返航了。 “是的，”其中一个说，“这的确是弗林特的图。这‘杰•弗’两个字，还有下面的一道线和丁香结，正是他签名的花样。” “这当然好，”乔治说，“可我们没有船，怎么把财宝运走？” 西尔弗腾地跳起来，用一只手撑在墙上，喝斥道：“我警告你，乔治。你要是再啰嗦一句，我就跟你决斗。怎么运走？我哪里知道？你倒是应该说一说——你和另外那些蠢材，把我的船给丢掉了。一个个只会瞎嚷嚷！问你们也没用，你们蠢得还不如一只蟑螂。不过你说话定要讲点礼貌，乔治•墨利，不要等我教你，你听见没有。” “这话有理。”老摩根说。 “当然有理，”厨子说，“你们丢了船。我找到了宝藏。究竟谁更有能力？现在我宣布辞职不干了！你们要选谁就选谁当船长。我是受够了。” “西尔弗！”那些海盗齐声叫道，“我们永远跟‘大叉烧’走！‘大叉烧’永远当船长！” “嗯，这听起来还像句话！”厨子大声说，“乔治，我看你只好等下一轮了，朋友。也算你走运，我也不是个记仇的人，那可不是我的做法。那么，伙计们，这黑券怎么办？现在没用了吧？算狄克倒霉，糟蹋了他的《圣经》。” “我以后是不是还可以吻着这本书宣誓？”狄克嘟着嘴问，他显然是为自己招来的祸端感到十分紧张。 “用撕掉了书页的《圣经》宣誓？”西尔弗觉得非常可笑，就回了一句。“那怎么行！这跟凭着歌本儿起誓一样不能算数。” “不算数？”狄克忽然高兴起来了，“那我还是要留着它。” “给你，吉姆，让你见识见识。”西尔弗说着，把一小片纸扔给我。 这是一枚银币大小的圆纸片。一面空白，因为原来是《圣经》的最后一页；另一面印着《启示录》的最后几节，我在家时对其中一句印象特别深刻：“城内无狗和杀人犯。”印有经文的一面涂着炭末，染黑了我的手指头；空白的一面也是用炭写着“下台”两个字。这件纪念品至今还留在我身边，但已无法辨认上面的字，只剩下一些像是指甲刮出来的痕迹。 那夜风波到此算是暂时告一段落。不久，每人喝了一通酒以后，大家便躺下睡觉。西尔弗想出一个报复的办法——派乔治•墨利去站岗放哨，并扬言道：万一有什么反叛的行为，就结果了他。 我一直不能合眼。老天在上，我确实有太多的事情要考虑考虑。我在想下午我自己在危及性命的紧要关头杀死的那个人，我在寻思西尔弗目前玩弄的极其狡诈的手段：他一方面把那些叛逆者控制在手里，另一方面又不遗余力地抓住任何机会保住自己的狗命，为保平安，也不管是否行得通。他自己睡得挺香，呼嗜打得很响。可是，想到他处境这么险恶，等着他的又是上绞架这么可耻的下场，尽管他是个坏蛋，我还是替他感到难过。 |
Treasure IslandChapter XXVIII THE red glare of the torch, lighting up the interior of the block-house, showed me the worst of my apprehensions realised. The pirates were in possession of the house and stores: there was the cask of cognac, there were the pork and bread, as before; and, what tenfold increased my horror, not a sign of any prisoner. I could only judge that all had perished, and my heart smote me sorely that I had not been there to perish with them. There were six of the buccaneers, all told; not another man was left alive. Five of them were on their feet, flushed and swollen, suddenly called out of the first sleep of drunkenness. The sixth had only risen upon his elbow: he was deadly pale, and the blood-stained bandage round his head told that he had recently been wounded, and still more recently dressed. I remembered the man who had been shot and had run back among the woods in the great attack, and doubted not that this was he. The parrot sat, preening her plumage, on Long John's shoulder. He himself, I thought, looked somewhat paler and more stern than I was used to. He still wore the fine broadcloth suit in which he had fulfilled his mission, but it was bitterly the worse for wear, daubed with clay and torn with the sharp briers of the wood. `So,' said he, `here's Jim Hawkins, shiver my timbers! dropped in, like, eh? Well, come, I take that friendly.' And thereupon he sat down across the brandy cask, and began to fill a pipe. `Give me a loan of the link, Dick,' said he; and then, when he had a good light, `that'll do, lad,' he added; `stick the glim in the wood heap; and you, gentlemen, bring yourselves to! - you needn't stand up for Mr Hawkins; he'll excuse you, you may lay to that. And so, Jim' - stopping the tobacco - `here you were, and quite a pleasant surprise for poor old John I see you were smart when first I set my eyes on you; but this here gets away from me clean, it do.' To all this, as may be well supposed, I made no answer. They had set me with my back against the wall; and I stood there, looking Silver in the face, pluckily enough, I hope, to all outward appearance, but with black despair in my heart Silver took a whiff or two of his pipe with great composure, and then ran on again. `Now, you see, Jim, so be as you are here,' says he, `I'll give you a piece of my mind. I've always liked you, I have, for a lad of spirit, and the picter of my own self when I was young and handsome. I always wanted you to jine and take your share, and die a gentleman, and now, my cock, you've got to. Cap'n Smollett's a fine seaman, as I'll own up to any day, but stiff on discipline. "Dooty is dooty," says he, and right he is. Just you keep clear of the cap'n. The doctor himself is gone dead again you - "ungrateful scamp" was what he said; and the short and the long of the whole story is about here: you can't go back to your own lot, for they won't have you; and, without you start a third ship's company all by yourself, which mighty be lonely, you'll have to jine with Cap'n Silver.' So far so good. My friends, then, were still alive, and though I partly believed the truth of Silver's statement, that the cabin party were incensed at me for my desertion, I was more relieved than distressed by what I heard. `I don't say nothing as to your being in our hands,' continued Silver, `though there you are, and you may lay to it. I'm all for argyment; I never seen good come out o' threatening. If you like the service, well, you'll jine; and if you don't, Jim, why, you're free to answer no - free and welcome, shipmate; and if fairer can be said by mortal seaman, shiver my sides!' `Am I to answer, then?' I asked, with a very tremulous voice. Through all this sneering talk, I was made to feel the threat of death that overhung me, and my cheeks burned and my heart beat painfully in my breast. `Lad,' said Silver, `no one's a-pressing of you. Take your bearings. None of us won't hurry you, mate; time goes so pleasant in your company, you see.' `Well,' says I, growing a bit bolder, `if I'm to choose, I declare I have a right to know what's what, and why you're here, and where my friends are.' `Wot's wot?' repeated one of the buccaneers, in a deep growl. `Ah, he'd be a lucky one as knowed that!' `You'll, perhaps, batten down your hatches till you're spoke to, my friend,' cried Silver truculently to this speaker. And then, in his first gracious tones, he replied to me: `Yesterday morning, Mr Hawkins,' said he, `in the dog-watch, down came Doctor Livesey with a flag of truce. Says he, "Cap'n Silver, you're sold out. Ship's gone." Well, maybe we'd been taking a glass, and a song to help it round. I won't say no. Leastways, none of us had looked out. We looked out, and, by thunder! the old ship was gone. I never seen a pack o' fools look fishier; and you may lay to that, if I tells you that looked the fishiest. "Well," says the doctor, "let's bargain." We bargained, him and I, and here we are: stores, brandy, block-house, the firewood you was thoughtful enough to cut, and, in a manner of speaking, the whole blessed boat, from cross-trees to kelson. As for them, they've tramped; I don't know where's they are.' He drew again quietly at his pipe. `And lest you should take it into that head of yours,' he went on, `that you was included in the treaty, here's the last word that was said: "How many are you," says I, "to leave?" "Four," says he - "four, and one of us wounded. As for that boy, I don't know where he is, confound him," says he, "nor I don't much care. We're about sick of him." These was his words.' `Is that all?' I asked. `Well, it's all that you're to hear, my son,' returned Silver. `And now I am to choose?' `And now you are to choose, and you may lay to that,' said Silver. `Well,' said I, `I am not such a fool but I know pretty well what I have to look for. Let the worst come to the worst, it's little I care. I've seen too many die since I fell in with you. But there's a thing or two I have to tell you,' I said, and by this time I was quite excited; `and the first is this: here you are, in a bad way: ship lost, treasure lost, men lost; your whole business gone to wreck; and if you want to know who did it - it was I! I was in the apple barrel the night we sighted land, and I heard you, John, and you, Dick Johnson, and Hands, who is now at the bottom of the sea, and told every word you said before the hour was out. And as for the schooner, it was I who cut her cable, and it was I that killed the men you ha aboard of her, and it was I who brought her where you'll never see her more, not one of you. The laugh's on my side; I've had the top of this business from the first; I no more fear you than I fear a fly. Kill me, if you please, or spare me. But one thing I'll say, and no more; if you spare me, bygones are bygones, and when you fellows are in court for piracy, I'll save you all I can. It is for you to choose. Kill another and do yourselves no good, or spare me and keep a witness to save you from the gallows.' I stopped, for, I tell you, I was out of breath, and, to my wonder, not a man of them moved, but all sat staring at me like as many sheep. And while they were still staring, I broke out again:-- `And now, Mr Silver,' I said, `I believe you're the best man here, and if things go to the worst, I'll take it kind of you to let the doctor know the way I took it.' `I'll bear it in mind,' said Silver, with an accent so curious that I could not, for the life of me, decide whether he were laughing at my request, or had been favourably affected by my courage. `I'll put one to that,' cried the old mahogany-faced seaman - Morgan by name - whom I had seen in Long John's public house upon the quays of Bristol. `It was him that knowed Black Dog.' `Well, and see here,' added the sea-cook. `I'll put another again to that, by thunder! for it was this same boy that faked the chart from Billy Bones. First and last, we've split upon Jim Hawkins!' `Then here goes!' said Morgan, with an oath. And he sprang up, drawing his knife as if he had been twenty. `Avast, there!' cried Silver. `Who are you, Tom Morgan? Maybe you thought you was cap'n here, perhaps. By the powers, but I'll teach you better! Cross me, and you'll go where many a good man's gone before you, first and last, these thirty year back - some to the yard-arm, shiver my timbers! and some by the board, and all to feed the fishes. There's never a man looked me between the eyes and seen `a good day afterwards, Tom Morgan, you may lay to that. Morgan paused; but a hoarse murmur rose from the others. `Tom's right,' said one. `I stood hazing long enough from one,' added another. `I'll be hanged if I'll be hazed by you, John Silver.' `Did any of you gentlemen want to have it out with me?' roared Silver, bending far forward from his position on the keg, with his pipe still glowing in his right hand. `Put a name on what you're at; you aint dumb, I reckon. Him that wants shall get it. Have I lived this many years, and a son of a rum puncheon cock his hat athwart my hawse at the latter end of it? You know the way; you're all gentlemen o' fortune, by your account. Well, I'm ready. Take a cutlass, him that dares, and I'll see the colour of his inside, crutch and all, before that pipe's empty.' Not a man stirred; not a man answered. `That's your sort, is it?' he added, returning his pipe to his mouth. `Well, you're a gay lot to look at, anyway. Not much worth to fight, you aint. P'r'aps you can understand King George's English. I'm cap'n here by `lection. I'm cap'n here because I'm the best man by a long sea-mile. You won't fight, as gentlemen o' fortune should; then, by thunder, you'll obey, and you may lay to it! I like that boy, now; I never seen a better boy than that. He's more a man than any pair of rats of you in this here house, and what I say is this: let me see him that'll lay a hand on him - that's what I say, and you may lay to it.' There was a long pause after this. I stood straight up against the wall, my heart still going like a sledge- hammer, but with a ray of hope now shining in my bosom. Silver leant back against the wall, his arms crossed, his pipe in the corner of his mouth, as calm as though he had been in church; yet his eye kept wandering furtively, and he kept the tail of it on his unruly followers. They, on their part, drew gradually together towards the far end of the block-house, and the low hiss of their whispering sounded in my ear continuously, like a stream. One after another, they would look up, and the red light of the torch would fall for a second on their nervous faces; but it was not towards me, it was towards Silver that they turned their eyes. `You seem to have a lot to say,' remarked Silver, spitting far into the air. `Pipe up and let me hear it, or lay to.' `Ax your pardon, sir,' returned one of the men, `you're pretty free with some of the rules; maybe you'll kindly keep an eye upon the rest. This crew's dissatisfied; this crew don't vally bullying a marlin-spike; this crew has its rights like other crews, I'll make so free as that; and by your own rules, I take it we can talk together. I ax your pardon, sir, acknowledging you for to be capting at this present; but I claim my right, and steps outside for a council.' And with an elaborate sea-salute, this fellow, a long, ill-looking, yellow-eyed man of five-and-thirty, stepped coolly towards the door and disappeared out of the house. One after another, the rest followed his example; each making a salute as he passed; each adding some apology. `According to rules,' said one. `Fo'c's'le council,' said Morgan. And so with one remark or another, all marched out, and left Silver and me alone with the torch. The sea-cook instantly removed his pipe. `Now, look you here, Jim Hawkins,' he said, in a steady whisper, that was no more than audible, `you're within half a plank of death, and, what's a long sight worse, of torture. They're going to throw me off. But, you mark, I stand by you through thick and thin. I didn't mean to; no, not till you spoke up. I was about desperate to lose that much blunt, and be hanged into the bargain. But I see you was the right sort. I says to myself: You stand by Hawkins, John, and Hawkins `Il stand by you. You're his last card, and, by the living thunder, John, he's yours! Back to back, says I. You save your witness, and he'll save your neck!' I began dimly to understand. `You mean all's lost?' I asked. `Ay, by gum, I do!' he answered. `Ship gone, neck gone - that's the size of it. Once I looked into that bay, Jim Hawkins, and seen no schooner - well, I'm tough, but I gave out. As for that lot and their council, mark me, they're outright fools and cowards. I'll save your life - if so be as I can - from them. But, see here, Jim - tit for tat - you save Long John from swinging.' I was bewildered; it seemed a thing so hopeless he was asking - he, the old buccaneer, the ringleader throughout. `What I can do, that I'll do,' I said. `It's a bargain!' cried Long John. `You speak up plucky, and, by thunder! I've a chance.' He hobbled to the torch, where it stood propped among the firewood, and took a fresh light to his pipe. `Understand me, Jim,' he said, returning. `I've a head on my shoulders, I have. I'm on squire's side now. I know you've got that ship safe somewheres. How you done it, I don't know, but safe it is. I guess Hands and O'Brien turned soft. I never much believed in neither of them. Now you mark me. I ask no questions, nor I won't let others. I know when a game's up, I do; and I know a lad that's staunch. Ah, you that's young - you and me might have done a power of good together!' He drew some cognac from the cask into a tin cannikin. `Will you taste, messmate?' he asked; and when I had refused: `Well, I'll take a drain myself, Jim,' said he. `I need a caulker, for there's trouble on hand. And, talking o' trouble, why did that doctor give me the chart, Jim?' My face expressed a wonder so unaffected that he saw the needlessness of further questions. `Ah, well, he did, though,' said he. `And there's something under that, no doubt - something, surely, under that, Jim - bad or good.' And he took another swallow of the brandy, shaking his great fair head like a man who looks forward to the worst. 宝岛二十八 身陷敌营 火把的红光照亮了木屋的内部，我所料想的最坏的局面呈现出来。海盗们已占领木屋和补给品，一桶白兰地、猪肉和干面包都放在老地方，但使我万分恐惧的是没见到一名俘虏，我只能假定他们已全部遇害。我为自己没有能与他们同甘共苦而遭到良心的强烈谴责。 屋中一共只有六名海盗，此外活着的那个也死了。其中五个突然从醉梦中跳起来，满脸通红，杀气腾腾。第六个刚刚用胳膊撑起身子，面色死灰，缠在头上的绷带渗出血迹来，说明他是新近受伤的，而包扎伤口的时间则更近一些。我记得昨天熗战中被击中后逃回树林里去的那名海盗肯定就是这个人。 鹦鹉蹲在高个儿约翰肩上用嘴整理着身上的羽毛。西尔弗本人看起来面色更加苍白，脸部肌肉绷得比平时更紧。他还穿着跟我们谈判时穿的那套漂亮的绒面礼服，但衣服上蹭了不少泥，还被带刺的灌木扯破了好几处，远不如那时气派。 “哦，”他说，“原来是吉姆•霍金斯呀，好哇！上这儿来做客啦？来的好，欢迎欢迎！” 他在白兰地桶上坐下来，开始装一斗烟。 “让我借个火，狄克，”他说。在点着了烟斗后，他又加了一句：“行了，伙计，把火把插在柴堆上吧。诸位，你们可以随便些！不必站在那儿，霍金斯先生不会介意的，你们可以相信我。我说，吉姆，”他吸了一口烟，“你来这里真使我可怜的老约翰喜出望外。我第一次见到你就看出你是个机灵的小家伙，但这会儿你来，我却实在弄不明白为什么。” 我想对于这些话我还是一言不发为妙。他们把我按在墙壁上，背靠着站在那儿，我正盯着西尔弗的脸，表面上毫无惧色，但心里已经绝望了。 西尔弗不动声色地吸了一两口烟后又侃了起来。 “吉姆，既然你已来到这儿，”他说，“我想同你好好聊聊心里话。我一向很喜欢你，你是个有脑子的小家伙，就跟我年轻漂亮的时候一样。我一直希望你能加入我们这边，得了财宝分给你一份，保你一辈子吃不完用不尽。现在你到底来了，好孩子。斯莫列特船长是个好航海家，我一直这样说，可是他太墨守成规。他常说‘尽职尽责，尽职尽责’，这话在理儿。可你竟撇下你们的船长，一个人跑了。大夫对你恨得咬牙切齿，骂你是个‘没良心的狗东西’。说来说去，你不能再回到那边去了，因为他们不再想要你。除非你自立门户，做个光杆司令，否则你就不得不加入我西尔弗一伙。” 还好，我的朋友们还活着。虽然西尔弗的话我有一部分相信，比如他说大夫他们对我擅自逃跑极为恼火，但听了这番话，我与其说感到难过，毋宁说感到欣慰。 “你落到我们手里，这不用我说，”西尔弗继续讲下去，“你自己也清楚，我主张心平气和地讲道理，我以为强行逼压没有什么好处。你要是想干就加入我们这伙；你要是不干，吉姆，你尽可以回答不干，我绝不强求。伙计，要是哪个水手能说出比这更公道的话，让我不得好死！” “你要我回答吗？”我问，声音颤微微的。我感觉在这番捉弄人的言语背后隐藏着随时致我于死地的威胁。我的两颊发热，心嘣嘣跳。 “小家伙，”西尔弗说，“没人强迫你，好好想想。我们不催你。伙计，你看，跟你在一起的时间过得总是很愉快的。” “好吧，”我说，渐渐胆子也大起来，“如果让我选择的话，我想说我有权知道究竟发生了什么事，你们为什么在这儿，我的朋友哪去了？” “发生了什么事”？一个海盗用低沉的声音嘟囔着，“鬼知道究竟发生了什么事！” “没问你，你还是给我闭上你那臭嘴，朋友。”西尔弗狠狠地喝住开口的人。接着他还是用先前那种文雅的语气回答我说：“昨天早上，霍金斯先生，利弗西大夫打着白旗来找我们。他说，西尔弗船长，你们被扔下了。船已经开走了。是的，也许乘我们喝酒唱歌的当儿。他们把船开走了。这一点我不否认。至少我们没有谁发觉。我们跑过去一看，船果真不见了。我从来没见过这样一群傻瓜蛋干瞪着眼时的傻样，你尽量相信我的话，没有比这帮家伙更蠢的了。大夫说，那好，让我们谈谈条件吧。我跟他讲妥了条件，我们到这里来，补给品、白兰地、木屋，还有多亏你们想得周到的劈好的柴禾，用我们的话说，一条船从桅顶到龙头都归我们所有。至于他们，反正已离开此地，现在他们在哪儿，我可不知道。”他又不紧不慢地吸了几口烟。 “为了免得你误会，条约中也把你包括在内，”他继续说，“我可以把当时最后几句话告诉你。”我问：“你们一共几个人离开？”他说：“四个人，其中一个受了伤，至于那孩子，不知他跑哪儿去了，我管不了那许多了。想起他我们就生气。大夫就是这么说的。” “就这些吗？”我问。 “可以让你听的就这些了，我的孩子。”西尔弗答道。 “现在就要我做出选择，是不是？” “对，现在就决定，你可以相信我。”西尔弗说。 “好吧，”我说，“我不是个傻瓜蛋，不至于不知道该选择哪条道。我不在乎，你该怎么着就怎么着。自从认识你们以来，经我看到的就死了不少人。不过有几件事我要对你们讲。”我说，我这时非常激动：“首先，你们在这儿的处境不妙，船丢了，财宝丢了，人也丢了；你们整个计划都弄糟了。如果你们想知道是谁干的——告诉你们是我！是我在发现陆地的那天晚上，躲在苹果桶里听到了你约翰，还有你狄克•约翰逊，还有现在已沉海底的汉兹的谈话，不到一小时我就把你们说的每一句话都告诉了船长。至于那条船，也是我割断绳索，杀死了你们留在船上看守的人，是我把船开到你们任何人都见不到的地方。该嘲笑的是你们，这件事，刚开始我就占了上风。你们在我看来并不比一只苍蝇可怕，要杀要放随你们的便，我只想提一句，如果你们因为当过海盗受到审判，我将尽我所能救你们的命。现在该轮到你们选择了。再杀一个，这对你们没什么好处，要是放了我，留下一个证人，还可以让你们免受绞刑。” 我停下来歇了口气，因为我已说得上气不接下气。使我惊奇的是，他们一动不动，像一群绵羊似地盯着我。趁他们仍盯着我看的时候，我又讲开了。 “西尔弗先生，”我说，“我相信你是最聪明的人。万一我有个三长两短，烦你让大夫知道我是怎么牺牲的。” “我会记住的。”西尔弗说。他的语调令人费解，我这辈子也弄不明白，他究竟是在笑话我提出的请求呢，还是被我的勇气打动了呢。 “我还可以添一桩事，”一个面似红松的老水手说。他姓摩根，我是在高个儿约翰开设在布里斯托尔码头上的酒店里看见他的。“是他认出了黑狗。” “对了，还有，”船上的厨子又添了一句，“我还可以加上一件：就是这小子从比尔•彭斯那儿弄走了地图。总而言之，我们的事坏就坏在吉姆•霍金斯的手里！” “那就送他上西天！”摩根说着骂了一句。 他拔出刀子跳了起来，好像二十岁的小伙那样激动。 “站住！”西尔弗喝道，“你是什么人，汤姆•摩根？你大概以为你是一船之长吧？我要好好教训教训你！让你知道我的厉害。跟我作对，我就送你到死在你前面的那些人身边去。三十年来，凡是跟我过不去的人，有的被吊上帆桁顶上，有的扔到了海里，都喂了鱼。还没有谁敢跟我较量较量，否则他会有好日子过的。汤姆•摩根，不信你就走着瞧。” 摩根不言语了，但是其它人还在那儿嘀嘀咕咕的。 “汤姆说的对。”一个人说。 “我听剐人的话听够了，”另一个补充说，“要是再让你牵着鼻子走，约翰•西尔弗，我宁愿被绞死。” “诸位还有什么话要对我讲吗？”西尔弗吼道，从酒桶上弯身向前，右手握着还未灭的烟斗。“有话就讲，你们又不是哑巴，想说的就站出来。我活了这么大的岁数，到头来能让一个酒囊饭袋在我面前吵吵嚷嚷？你们晓得你们都是凭命运过日子，应该懂得这行的规矩。我准备好了，有能耐的把弯刀拔出来比试比试！虽然我只有一条腿，我要在一袋烟烧光之前，让他白刀子进去，红刀子出来。” 没有一个人动弹，没有一个人咬一声。 “你们可真算是好样的，嗯？”他又说了一句，把烟斗重新叼在嘴上。“瞧你们那副德性，站出来较量较量都不敢，连话都听不懂。我是你们推选出来的船长。我当船长是因为我比你们高明，高出一海里。既然你们不想象一个真正的海盗那样跟我较量，那就听我的，你们可以相信我的话！我喜欢那孩子，我还没见哪个孩子比他更聪明。他比你们这群胆小鬼中任何两个加在一起都更像男子汉。我倒要看看，谁要是敢碰他一下，我就对他不客气，信不信由你们。” 接着是一阵持续很久的沉默。我靠墙边站直了身，心还像敲鼓似的咚咚跳，但心中还闪现出一线希望。西尔弗双手交叉倚墙而坐，烟斗斜叼在嘴角上，像在教堂里一样平静。然而两只眼睛却滴溜溜地乱转，眼梢始终监视着那帮不顺从的家伙。那些海盗逐渐退到木屋的另一端，聚在一起，他们交头接耳的低语声一直像小河流水般源源不断地传到我耳朵里。他们一个接一个地抬头看看我们，这时，火把的红光就会把他们紧张的脸孔照亮一两秒钟。他们的视线对着的是西尔弗而不是我。 “你们好像有许多话要讲，”西尔弗说着向老远的空中啐了一口，说：“说出来让我听听，要么就闭嘴。” “请原谅，先生，”一个海盗应声答道，“你经常不遵守这一行的好些规矩，也许有些规矩你最好还是注意些好。大家都对你不满。我们可不是好欺负的，我们有同其它船上水手一样的权利——我就是敢这样说。根据你自己定下的规矩，我认为我们可以谈谈。请你原谅，先生，因为我承认目前你是我们的船长，但是我要行使我的权利：到外面去商量一下。” 这个大个家伙，是个黄眼珠、三十四五岁的丑八怪，他向西尔弗敬了个很像样的水手礼，拖着脚步向门外走去，其余的几个家伙也跟着他离开屋子，每个人经过西尔弗的身边都敬个礼，打声招呼。“按规矩，”有人说。“去开个水手会。”摩根说。就这样你一句我一句都走了出去，只剩下我和西尔弗在火把旁。 船上厨子立即把烟斗从嘴里拿出来。 “现在你看，吉姆•霍金斯，”他用勉强可以听到的声音在我耳边低语道，“你的生命正处在紧要关头，更可怕的是可能要受刑，不能让你痛快地死。他们打算把我推翻。不过，你也看到了，我一直在想尽办法保护你。起初我并没这个意识，是你的一番话提醒了我。我失去了那么多到头来还得上绞架，真让我失望。但我觉得你说得对。我心里对自己说：你替霍金斯说句公道话吧，约翰，将来霍金斯也会替你求情的。你是他最后一张王牌，这是事实。约翰，他能帮你忙！以恩报恩嘛，我说，你救了他这个证人，他自会搭救你的性命！” 我模模糊糊地开始明白他的意图了。 “你是说一切都完了吗？”我问。 “当然完了，老天作证，我说着了！”他回答说。“船丢了，脑袋也保不住了，就是这么一回事。那天我向海湾一看，没见到我们的船，吉姆•霍金斯，我知道这下子完蛋了，虽然我是个很不服输的人。至于那些饭桶，相信我，他们胆小如鼠，狗屁不如。我定会竭尽全力从他们手里把你救下来。但是你看现在，吉姆——你得以德报德——你可不能对不起我老约翰。” 我十分吃惊，看起来希望这么渺茫的事——他这个不折不扣的老海盗也想到了。 “能做的，我一定做到。”我说。 “就这么定了！”高个儿约翰高兴地喊道，“你的话像个大丈夫。娘的，我有机会活过来了。” 他一瘸一拐走到插在柴堆上的火炬旁边，重新点着烟斗。 “相信我，吉姆，”他走过来后说，“我是个有头脑的人。我现在已站到乡绅的一边。我知道你把船开到了一个安全的地方了，我不知道你是怎么干的，但船肯定是安全的。我猜汉兹和奥布赖恩的尸体已泡烂了。我一直信不过这两个家伙。你记着：我什么也不问，我也不希望别人问我。我知道自己输定了，我也知道你是个可靠的小家伙。啊，你是这么年轻。你和我一起可以干出一番大事业来。” 他从酒桶里倒了些白兰地。 “你要不要尝两口，伙计？”他问。我谢绝了。“那我就自己喝一口，吉姆，”他说，“我需要精神精神，麻烦事还多着呢。说起麻烦，我倒要问你：吉姆，大夫为什么把那张地图给了我？” 我脸上现出惊讶的表情，绝非做作。他明白再问已没有什么必要了。 “真的，他把地图给我了，”他说，“不过这里定有学问，毫无疑问。吉姆，是好是坏就不知道了。” 他又喝了一口白兰地，摇了摇他那大脑袋，像是预先知道了未来凶多吉少。 |
| Treasure IslandChapter XXVII OWING to the cant of the vessel, the masts hung far out over the water, and from my perch on the cross- trees I had nothing below me but the surface of the bay. Hands, who was not so far up, was, in consequence, nearer to the ship, and fell between me and the bulwarks. He rose once to the surface in a lather of foam and blood, and then sank again for good. As the water settled, I could see him lying huddled together on the clean, bright sand in the shadow of the vessel's sides. A fish or two whipped past his body. Sometimes, by the quivering of the water, he appeared to move a little, as if he were trying to rise. But he was dead enough, for all that, being both shot and drowned, and was food for fish in the very place where he had designed my slaughter. I was no sooner certain of this than I began to feel sick, faint, and terrified. The hot blood was running over my back and chest. The dirk, where it had pinned my shoulder to the mast, seemed to burn like a hot iron; yet it was not so much these real sufferings that distressed me, for these, it seemed to me, I could bear without a murmur; it was the horror I had upon my mind of falling from the cross-trees into that still green water, beside the body of the coxswain. I clung with both hands till my nails ached, and I shut my eyes as if to cover up the peril. Gradually my mind came back again, my pulses quieted down to a more natural time, and I was once more in possession of myself. It was my first thought to pluck forth the dirk; but either it stuck too hard or my nerve failed me; and I desisted with a violent shudder. Oddly enough, that very shudder did the business. The knife, in fact, had come the nearest in the world to missing me altogether; it held me by a mere pinch of skin, and this the shudder tore away. The blood ran down the faster, to be sure; but I was my own master again, and only tacked to the mast by my coat and shirt. These last I broke through with a sudden jerk, and then regained the deck by the starboard shrouds. For nothing in the world would I have again ventured, shaken as I was, upon the overhanging port shrouds, from which Israel had so lately fallen. I went below, and did what I could for my wound; it pained me a good deal, and still bled freely; but it was neither deep nor dangerous, nor did it greatly gall me when I used my arm. Then I looked around me, and as the ship was now, in a sense, my own, I began to think of clearing it from its last passenger - the dead man, O'Brien. He had pitched, as I have said, against the bulwarks, where he lay like some horrible, ungainly sort of puppet; life-sized, indeed, but how different from life's colour or life's comeliness! In that position, I could easily have my way with him; and as the habit of tragical adventures had worn off almost all my terror for the dead, I took him by the waist as if he had been a sack of bran, and, with one good heave, tumbled him overboard. He went in with a sounding plunge; the red cap came off, and remained floating on the surface; and as soon as the splash subsided, I could see him and Israel lying side by side, both wavering with the tremulous movement of the water. O'Brien, though still quite a young man, was very bald. There he lay, with that bald head across the knees of the man who had killed him, and the quick fishes steering to and fro over both. I was now alone upon the ship; the tide had just turned. The sun was within so few degrees of setting that already the shadow of the pines upon the western shore began to reach right across the anchorage, and fall in patterns on the deck. The evening breeze had sprung up, and though it was well warded off by the hill with the two peaks upon the east, the cordage had begun to sing a little softly to itself and the idle sails to rattle to and fro. I began to see a danger to the ship. The jibs I speedily doused and brought tumbling to the deck; but the mainsail was a harder matter. Of course, when the schooner canted over, the boom had swung out - board, and the cap of it and a foot or two of sail hung even under water. I thought this made it still more dangerous; yet the strain was so heavy that I half feared to meddle. At last, I got my knife and cut the halyards. The peak dropped instantly, a great belly of loose canvas floated broad upon the water; and since, pull as I liked, I could not budge the downhaul; that was the extent of what I could accomplish. For the rest, the Hispaniola must trust to luck, like myself. By this time the whole anchorage had fallen into shadow - the last rays, I remember, falling through a glade of the wood, and shining bright as jewels, on the flowery mantle of the wreck. It began to be chill; the tide was rapidly fleeting seaward, the schooner settling more and more on her beam-ends. I scrambled forward and looked over. It seemed shallow enough, and holding the cut hawser in both hands for a last security, I let myself drop softly overboard. The water scarcely reached my waist; the sand was firm and covered with ripple marks, and I waded ashore in great spirits, leaving the Hispaniola on her side, with her mainsail trailing wide upon the surface of the bay. About the same time the sun went fairly down, and the breeze whistled low in the dusk among the tossing pines. At least, and at last, I was off the sea, nor had I returned thence empty-handed. There lay the schooner, clear at last from buccaneers and ready for our own men to board and get to sea again. I had nothing nearer my fancy than to get home to the stockade and boast of my achievements. Possibly I might be blamed a bit for my truantry, but the recapture of the Hispaniola was a clenching answer, and I hoped that even Captain Smollett would confess I had not lost my time. So thinking, and in famous spirits, I began to set my face homeward for the block-house and my companions. I remembered that the most easterly of the rivers which drain into Captain Kidd's anchorage ran from the two-peaked hill upon my left; and I bent my course in that direction that I might pass the stream while it was small. The wood was pretty open, and keeping along the lower spurs, I had soon turned the corner of that hill, and not long after waded to the mid-calf across the water-course. This brought me near to where I had encountered Ben Gunn, the maroon; and I walked more circumspectly, keeping an eye on every side. The dusk had come nigh hand completely, and, as I opened out the cleft between the two peaks, I became aware of a wavering glow against the sky where, as I judged, the man of the island was cooking his supper before a roaring fire. And yet I wondered, in my heart that he should show himself so careless. For if I could see this radiance, might it not reach the eyes of Silver himself where he camped upon the shore among the marshes? Gradually the night fell blacker; it was all I could do to guide myself even roughly towards my destination; the double hill behind me and the Spy-glass on my right hand loomed faint and fainter; the stars were few and pale; and in the low ground where I wandered I kept tripping among bushes and rolling into sandy pits. Suddenly a kind of brightness fell about me. I looked up; a pale glimmer of moonbeams had alighted on the summit of the Spy-glass, and soon after I saw something broad and silvery moving low down behind the trees, and knew the moon had risen. With this to help me, I passed rapidly over what remained to me of my journey; and, sometimes walking, sometimes running, impatiently drew near to the stockade. Yet, as I began to thread the grove that lies before it, I was not so thoughtless but that I slacked my pace and went a trifle warily. It would have been a poor end of my adventures to get shot down by my own party in mistake. The moon was climbing higher and higher; its light began to fall here and there in masses through the more open districts of the wood; and right in front of me a glow of a different colour appeared among the trees. It was red and hot, and now and again it was a little darkened - as it were the embers of a bonfire smouldering. For the life of me, I could not think what it might be. At last I came right down upon the borders of the clearing. The western end was already steeped in moonshine; the rest, and the block-house itself, still lay in a black shadow, chequered with long, silvery streaks of light. On the other side of the house an immense fire had burned itself into clear embers and shed a steady, red reverberation, contrasted strongly with the mellow paleness of the moon. There was not a soul stirring, nor a sound beside the noises of the breeze. I stopped, with much wonder in my heart, and perhaps a little terror also. It had not been our way to build great fires; we were, indeed, by the captain's orders, somewhat niggardly of firewood; and I began to fear that something had gone wrong while I was absent. I stole round by the eastern end, keeping close in shadow, and at a convenient place, where the darkness was thickest, crossed the palisade. To make assurance surer, I got upon my hands and knees, and crawled, without a sound, towards the corner of the house. As I drew nearer, my heart was suddenly and greatly lightened. It is not a pleasant noise in itself, and I have often complained of it at other times; but just then it was like music to hear my friends snoring together so loud and peaceful in their sleep. The sea cry of the watch, that beautiful `All's well,' never fell more reassuringly on my ear. In the meantime, there was no doubt of one thing; they kept an infamous bad watch. If it had been Silver and his lads that were now creeping in on them, not a soul would have seen daybreak. That was what it was thought I, to have the captain wounded; and again I blamed myself sharply for leaving them in that danger with so few to mount guard. By this time I had got to the door and stood up. All was dark within, so that I could distinguish nothing by the eye. As for sounds, there was the steady drone of the snorers, and a small occasional noise, a flickering or pecking that I could in no way account for. With my arms before me I walked steadily in. I should lie down in my own place (I thought, with a silent chuckle) and enjoy their faces when they found me in the morning. My foot struck something yielding - it was a sleeper's leg; and he turned and groaned, but without awaking. And then, all of a sudden, a shrill voice broke forth out of the darkness: `Pieces of eight! pieces of eight! pieces of eight! pieces of eight! pieces of eight!' and so forth, without pause or change like the clacking of a tiny mill. Silver's green parrot, Captain Flint! It was she whom I had heard pecking at a piece of bark; it was she, keeping better watch than any human being, who thus announced my arrival with her wearisome refrain. I had no time left me to recover. At the sharp, clipping tone of the parrot, the sleepers awoke and sprang up; and with a mighty oath, the voice of Silver cried:-- `Who goes?' I turned to run, struck violently against one person recoiled, and ran full into the arms of a second, who, for his part, closed upon and held me tight. `Bring a torch, Dick,' said Silver, when my capture was thus assured. And one of the men left the log-house, and presently returned with a lighted brand. 宝岛二十七 八个里亚尔 由于船身的倾斜，桅杆都伸出水面上方很远。我坐在桅顶横桁上，下面只有一湾海水。汉兹刚才爬得不高，或是说离甲板不远，因此掉在我和舷墙之间的水里。他曾从鲜血染红的水沫中浮起一次，随后就又沉了下去，再也没浮上来。当水面恢复平静后，我看见他躺在船身侧影下，在澄净的沙底上缩成一团，有一两条鱼从他身旁游过。有时由于水微微颤动，他好像也稍稍动了几下，像是要站起来。但是他确实是死了，不管怎么说，他是被熗击中后又掉进水里淹个够呛。他本打算在这个地方把我干掉，没料到自己倒喂了鱼。 我刚肯定这一点，便开始感到恶心、头晕、恐慌。热血从背上胸前淌下来。把我钉在桅杆上的短剑像烙铁一般灼热难忍。然而，让我惊慌恐惧的倒不是这点皮肉之苦，老实说，这点痛苦我可以一声不哼地挺过去，我怕的是从桅顶横桁上掉进平静的碧水中，挨在副水手长的尸体旁。 我用双手死死抓住横桁，直弄得指甲疼痛。我闭上眼睛，不敢正视。渐渐地，我神志清醒过来，心跳恢复正常，又有了自制力。 我第一个念头就是把短剑拔出来，但也许它在桅杆上插得太深或是我力不从心，只好放弃这个念头。我猛地打了个寒战。说来也怪，正是这个寒战起了作用。那把短剑事实上差一点就伤不到我；它只擦着我一层皮，我这一哆嗦就把这层皮撕断了。血当然比先前淌得更厉害，但是我又自由了，只有上衣和衬衫还钉在桅杆上。 我猛地把衣服也从桅杆上扯了下来，然后从右舷软梯又回到甲板上，我已饱受惊吓，浑身颤抖，再也不敢从支在船外的软梯上下去，伊斯莱尔刚才就是从这里掉下水去的。 我下到船舱，想法子包扎伤口。肩膀疼得厉害，血还不停地淌。但伤口不深，没什么危险，也不太妨碍我活动胳膊。我向四周看了看，从某种意义上讲，这条船属于我的了，因此我开始考虑清除船上的最后一名乘客——奥布赖恩的尸体。 我刚才说过他已滑到舷墙边，躺在那里像个丑陋可怕的木偶，跟真人一样却没有一丝血色，也无活人的生气。处于这种状态的他很容易对付，我已习惯处于惊心动魄的悲惨境地，见了死人一点也不知道害怕，我拖住他的腰，像提一袋麦皮那样举起来用力扔出了船外。他扑通一声掉进了水里，红帽子掉下来，飘在水面上，等水面刚一平静下来，我就看到他跟伊斯莱尔肩并肩挨着，两人都在水的颤动下微微晃动。奥布赖恩虽然还很年轻，头却秃得厉害。他躺在那儿，光秃秃的脑袋枕在杀死他的那个人的膝盖上，一些鱼在他俩上方很快地游来游去。 船上只剩下我一个人，潮水刚开始转回，太阳只差几度就要落山，西海岸的松影开始向锚地渐移渐近，最终映在甲板上。晚风吹起来，虽然有东面的双峰山挡着，船上的索具开始嘤嘤轻唱，闲着的帆也来回晃得啪啦啪啦响。 我开始感到船面临着危险。我迅速放下三角帆扔到甲板上，但却难以对付主帆。船倾斜时，主帆的下桁当然斜到了船外，桅杆头连同两英尺左右的帆平垂在水下。我想这使得船更加危险。但是帆篷绷得那么紧，使我简直束手无策。后来，我终于掏出刀子割断升降索。桁端的帆角立即落下，松弛的帆挺着大肚子漂浮在水面上。我无论如何用力也拉不动帆索，我也只能做到这个程度了。除此以外，伊斯班袅拉号只好听天由命了，就像我一样。 这时整个锚地都笼罩在薄暮中，我记得夕阳的最后一丝余光穿过林间照在一片空隙开满鲜花的破船残骸上，像宝石样闪闪发光。我略感寒意，潮水很快地退回大海，大船愈来愈倾斜，眼看就要倒下去。 我爬到船头上向舷外看了一下。水已够浅了，我用两只手抓住断了的锚索以保安全，小心谨慎地翻到船外。水深仅及腰部，沙地坚实，有起伏的波浪。我神采奕奕地登上岸，撇下在海湾水面上张着主帆、歪倒向一旁的伊斯班袅拉号。差不多与此同时，日落西山，暮雹沉沉，在摇曳的松林间可以听到丝丝的风声。 至少，我总算从海上回到了陆地，而且不是空手回来的。船上反叛的海盗已被肃清。现在船横在那里，随时可以载着自己人重新回到海上去。我恨不得立即回到寨子里夸耀我的功劳。也许我会因为擅离职守而受到指责，但夺回伊斯班袅拉号则是最有力的答复。我希望就是斯莫列特船长也会承认我没有浪费时间。 我这样想着，心情好得不能再好。我开始朝木屋和我的同伴们所在的方向出发。我记得流入基德船长锚地的几条小河中最东的一条发源于我左边的双峰山。于是我就折回那座小山，打算在源头趟过小河。这里树木稀疏，我沿着较低的斜坡走，不久就绕过山脚。又过了一会儿，我趟着仅及小腿一半深的水过了小河。 这里已靠近我遇到放逐荒滩的本•葛恩的地方。现在我走得比较谨慎，眼睛留意着两边。天完全黑下来，当我通过双峰之间的裂谷时，我注意到天空有反射的光，我猜想是那个岛中人在烧得很旺的篝火前做饭。然而我心中暗暗纳闷，他太粗心了，我都能看到火光，难道住在岸边沼泽间的营地里的西尔弗就看不到吗？ 夜色越来越深，我只能大致向我的目的地前进。我背后的双峰山和我右侧的望远镜山轮廓愈来愈模糊，星星稀少而又暗淡。我走在低地上，常被灌木绊倒，滚进沙坑里。 忽然间，我周围有了一些光亮。我抬头一看，苍白的月光照在望远镜山的山峰上。随后，只见银盘似的东西从树丛后很低的地方徐徐升起，是月亮出来了。 我借着月光想赶快走完余下的路，走一阵，跑一阵，急于靠近寨子。不过，当我走人栅栏外围的树丛时，则没敢冒冒失失的，而是放慢了脚步，加小心了些，心想万一被自己人误伤的话，那我的惊险历程的结局就太惨了。 月亮愈升愈高，在树林较为稀疏的地方，处处洒有清清月色。但在我正前方的树丛中，却出现与月光不同的亮光。这是一种炽热的红光，忽而又暗淡下来，像是篝火的余烬还在冒烟，弄得我百思不得其解。 我终于来到寨子所在的林中空地边上。空地的西缘已沐浴在月光下，其它包括木屋在内的部分，还笼罩在黑影中，但也被一道道银色月光穿透，像是黑白相间的棋盘。在木屋的另一面，一大堆火已经烧得只剩下透明的灰烬，反射出通红的光，与柔和恬淡的月光形成了强烈的对比。一个人影也没有，除了风声，一片寂静。 我停了下来，心中直纳闷，也许还有点害怕，这么大的火不可能是我们点的。按船长的命令，我们非常节约柴禾。我开始担心是否在我离开的这段时间里发生了什么事。 我偷偷地绕到东端，尽可能躲在阴暗处，选择一块最暗的地方翻过栅栏。 为了确保安全，我趴在地上，用双手和膝盖一声不响地爬向木屋的一角。当我挨近那儿的时候，我的心一下子放下来。打鼾声本不中听，在平时我常抱怨人家打呼噜，但现在听到我的同伴们熟睡中一齐发出这样安宁的响声，听起来简直像奏乐，航行时值夜人那动听的“平安无事”的喊声也没有这样令人放宽心。 不过，有一点是无需怀疑的，他们的岗哨放的太不像样了。要是西尔弗一伙人现在偷袭我们的话，肯定没有一个人能活到天亮。我认为这是船长负了伤的结果，于是我又一次责怪自己，不该在几乎派不出人放哨的时候撇下他们，使其面临这样的危险。 此时，我已经爬到门口站了起来。屋里漆黑一片，什么也看不清楚。除了能听到不断的呼嗜声外，还能听到一种不寻常的响动，像是什么东西在扑扇着翅膀或啄食，我无法解释明白。 我伸手摸索着移步走出木屋，打算躺到自己的位置上去，心中暗暗在笑，准备欣赏他们明天早晨发现我时脸上惊讶的表情。 我在什么软乎乎的东西上绊了一下，那是一个人的腿。他翻身嘟囔了一句，但没醒。 这时，忽然从黑暗中响起一个尖锐的声音。 “八个里亚尔！八个里亚尔！八个里亚尔！八个里亚尔！” 这声音一直持续下去，既不停，也不走调，像一架极小的风车转个没完。 这是弗林特船长——西尔弗的绿鹦鹉！我刚才听到的原来是它啄树皮的声音。原来是它在放哨，而且比任何人尽职尽责。原来是它用这样不断的重复来发出警报，暗示我的到来。 我根本来不及恢复镇定。睡着的人被鹦鹉刺耳叫声惊醒后一个一个跳起来，我听到西尔弗那可怕的咒骂声： “什么人？” 我转身想跑，但猛地撞到一个人，刚退回来，又正好撞在另一个人怀里，那人立即紧紧抱住我。 “狄克，快拿火把来。”西尔弗吩咐道，看来我的被俘已成事实。 有人从木屋走出去，很快就带着一支火把回来了。 |
Treasure IslandChapter XXVI THE wind, serving us to a desire, now hauled into the west. We could run so much the easier from the north-east corner of the island to the mouth of the North Inlet. Only, as we had no power to anchor, and dared not beach her till the tide had flowed a good deal farther, time hung on our hands. The coxswain told me how to lay the ship to; after a good many trials I succeeded, and we both sat in silence, over another meal. `Cap'n,' said he, at length, with that same uncomfortable smile, `here's my old shipmate, O'Brien; s'pose you was to heave him overboard. I ain't partic'lar as a rule, and I don't take no blame for settling his hash; but I don't reckon him ornamental, now, do you?' `I'm not strong enough, and I don't like the job; and there he lies, for me,' said I. `This here's an unlucky ship - this Hispaniola, Jim,' he went on, blinking. `There's a power of men been killed in this Hispaniola - a sight o' poor seamen dead and gone since you and me took ship to Bristol. I never seen sich dirty luck, not I. There was this here O'Brien, now - he's dead, aint he? Well, now, I'm no scholar, and you're a lad as can read an figure; and, to put it straight, do you take it as a dead man is dead for good, or do he come alive again?' `You can kill the body, Mr Hands, but not the spirit; you must know that already,' I replied. `O'Brien there is in another world, and maybe watching us.' `Ah!' says he. `Well, that's unfort'nate - appears as if killing parties was a waste of time. Howsomever, sperrits don't reckon for much, by what I've seen. I'll chance it with the sperrits, Jim. And now, you've spoke up free, and I'll take it kind if you'd step down into that there cabin and get me a - well, a - shiver my timbers! I can't hit the name on't; well, you get me a bottle of wine, Jim - this here brandy's too strong for my head.' Now, the coxswain's hesitation seemed to be unnatural; and as for the notion of his preferring wine to brandy, I entirely disbelieved it. The whole story was a pretext. He wanted me to leave the deck - so much was plain; but with what purpose I could in no way imagine. His eyes never met mine; they kept wandering to and fro, up and down, now with a look to the sky, now with a flitting glance upon the dead O'Brien. All the time he kept smiling, and putting his tongue out in the most guilty, embarrassed manner, so that a child could have told that he was bent on some deception. I was prompt with my answer, however, for I saw where my advantage lay; and that with a fellow so densely stupid I could easily conceal my suspicions to the end. `Some wine?' I said. `Far better. Will you have white or red?' `Well, I reckon it's about the blessed same to me, shipmate,' he replied; `so it's strong, and plenty of it, what's the odds?' `All right,' I answered. `I'll bring you port, Mr Hands. But I'll have to dig for it.' With that I scuttled down the companion with all the noise I could, slipped off my shoes, ran quietly along the sparred gallery, mounted the forecastle ladder, and popped my head out of the fore companion. I knew he would not expect to see me there; yet I took every precaution possible; and certainly the worst of my suspicions proved too true. He had risen from his position to his hands and knees; and, though his leg obviously hurt him pretty sharply when he moved - for I could hear him stifle a groan - yet it was at a good, rattling rate that he trailed himself across the deck. In half a minute he had reached the port scuppers, and picked, out of a coil of rope, a long knife, or rather a short dirk, discoloured to the hilt with blood. He looked upon it for a moment, thrusting forth his under jaw, tried the point upon his hand, and then, hastily concealing it in the bosom of his jacket, trundled back again into his old place against the bulwark. This was all that I required to know. Israel could move about; he was now armed; and if he had been at so much trouble to get rid of. me, it was plain that I was meant to be the victim. What he would do afterwards - whether he would try to crawl right across the island from North Inlet to the camp among the swamps' or whether he would fire Long Tom, trusting that his own comrades might come first to help him, was, of course, more than I could say. Yet I felt sure that I could trust him in one point, since in that our interests jumped together, and that was in the disposition of the schooner. We both desired to have he stranded safe enough, in a sheltered place, and so that, when the time came, she could be got off again with as little labour and danger as might be; and until that was done I considered that my life would certainly be spared. While I was thus turning the business over in my mind, I had not been idle with my body. I had stolen back to the cabin, slipped once more into my shoes and laid my hand at random on a bottle of wine, and now, with this for an excuse, I made my reappearance on the deck. Hands lay as I had left him, all fallen together in a bundle, and with his eyelids lowered, as though he were too weak to bear the light. He looked up, however, at my coming, knocked the neck off the bottle, like a man who had done the same thing often, and took a good swig, with his favourite toast of `Here's luck!' Then he lay quiet for a little, and then, pulling out a stick of tobacco, begged me to cut him a quid. `Cut me a junk o' that,' says he, `for I haven't no knife, and hardly strength enough, so be as I had. Ah, Jim, Jim, I reckon I've missed stays! Cut me a quid, as 'll likely be the last, lad; for I'm for my long home, and no mistake.' `Well,' said I, `I'll cut you some tobacco; but if I was you and thought myself so badly, I would go to my prayers, like a Christian man.' `Why?' said he. `Now, you tell me why.' `Why?' I cried. `You were asking me just now about the dead. You've broken your trust; you've lived in sin and lies and blood; there's a man you killed lying at your feet this moment; and you ask me why! For God's mercy, Mr Hands, that's why.' I spoke with a little heat, thinking of the bloody dirk he had hidden in his pocket, and designed, in his ill thoughts, to end me with. He, for his part, took a great draught of the wine, and spoke with the most unusual solemnity. `For thirty years,' he said, `I've sailed the seas, and seen good and bad, better and worse, fair weather and foul, provisions running out, knives going, and what not. Well, now I tell you, I never seen good come o' goodness yet. Him as strikes first is my fancy; dead men don't bite; them's my views - amen, so be it. And now, you look here,' he added, suddenly changing his tone, `we've had about enough of this foolery. The tide's made good enough by now. You just take my orders, Cap'n Hawkins, and we'll sail slap in and be done with it.' All told, we had scarce two miles to run; but the navigation was delicate, the entrance to this northern anchorage was not only narrow and shoal, but lay east and west, so that the schooner must be nicely handled to be got in. I think I was a good, prompt subaltern, and I am very sure that Hands was an excellent pilot; for we went about and about, and dodged in, shaving the banks, with a certainty and a neatness that were a pleasure to behold. Scarcely had we passed the heads before the land closed around us. The shores of North Inlet were as thickly wooded as those of the southern anchorage; but the space was longer and narrower, and more like, what in truth it was, the estuary of a river. Right before us, at the southern end, we saw the wreck of a ship in the last stages of dilapidation. It had been a great vessel of three masts, but had lain so long exposed to the injuries of the weather, that it was hung about with great webs of dripping seaweed, and on the deck of it shore bushes had taken root, and now flourished thick with flowers. It was a sad sight, but it showed us that the anchorage was calm. `Now,' said Hands, `look there; there's a pet bit for to beach a ship in. Fine flat sand, never a catspaw, trees all around of it, and flowers a - blowing like a garding on that old ship.' `And once beached,' I inquired, `how shall we get her off again?' `Why, so,' he replied: `you take a line ashore there on the other side at low water.' take a turn about one o' them big pines; bring it back, take a turn round the capstan, and lie-to for the tide. Come high water, all hands take a pull upon the line, and off she comes as sweet as nature'. And now, boy, you stand by. We're near the bit now, and she's too much way on her. Starboard a little - so - steady - starboard - larboard a little - steady - steady!' So he issued his commands, which I breathlessly obeyed; till, all of a sudden, he cried, `Now, my hearty, luff!' And I put the helm hard up, and the Hispaniola swung round rapidly, and ran stem on for the low wooded shore. The excitement of these last manoeuvres had somewhat interfered with the watch I had kept hitherto, sharply enough upon the coxswain. Even then I was still so much interested waiting for the ship to touch, that I had quite forgot the peril that hung over my head, and stood craning over the starboard bulwarks and watching the ripples spreading wide before the bows. I might have fallen without a struggle for my life, had not a sudden disquietude seized upon me, and made me turn my head. Perhaps I had heard a creak, or seen his shadow moving with the tail of my eye; perhaps it was an instinct like a cat's; but sure enough, when I looked round, there was Hands, already half-way towards me, with the dirk in his right hand. We must both have cried out aloud when our eyes met; but while mine was the shrill cry of terror, his was a roar of fury like a charging bull's. At the same instant he threw himself forward and I leapt sideways towards the bows. As I did so, I let go of the tiller, which sprang sharp to leeward; and I think this saved my life, for it struck Hands across the chest, and stopped him, for the moment, dead. Before he could recover, I was safe out of the corner where he had me trapped, with all the deck to dodge about. Just forward of the mainmast I stopped, drew a pistol from my pocket, took a cool aim, though he had already turned and was once more coming directly after me, and drew the trigger. The hammer fell, but there followed neither flash nor sound; the priming was useless with sea water. I cursed myself for my neglect. Why had not I, long before, reprimed and reloaded my only weapons? Then I should not have been as now, a mere fleeing sheep before this butcher. Wounded as he was, it was wonderful how fast he could move, his grizzled hair tumbling over his face, and his face itself as red as a red ensign with his haste and fury. I had no time to try my other pistol, nor, indeed, much inclination, for I was sure it would be useless. One thing I saw plainly: I must not simply retreat before him, or he would speedily hold me boxed into the bows, as a moment since he had so nearly boxed me in the stern. Once so caught, and nine or ten inches of the bloodstained dirk would be my last experience on this side of eternity. I placed my palms against the mainmast, which was of a goodish bigness, and waited, every nerve upon the stretch. Seeing that I meant to dodge, he also paused; and a moment or two passed in feints on his part, and corresponding movements upon mine. It was such a game as I had often played at home about the rocks of Black Hill Cove; but never before, you may be sure, with such a wildly beating heart as now. Still, as I say, it was a boy's game, and I thought I could hold my own at it, against an elderly seaman with a wounded thigh. Indeed, my courage had begun to rise so high, that I allowed myself a few darting thoughts on what would be the end of the affair; and while I saw certainly that I could spin it out for long, I saw no hope of any ultimate escape. Well, while things stood thus, suddenly the Hispaniola struck, staggered, ground for an instant in the sand, and then, swift as a blow, canted over to the port side, till the deck stood at an angle of forty-five degrees, and about a puncheon of water splashed into the scupper holes, and lay, in a pool, between the deck and bulwark. We were both of us capsized in a second, and both of us rolled, almost together, into the scuppers; the dead red-cap, with his arms still spread out, tumbling stiffly after us. So near were we, indeed, that my head came against the coxswain's foot with a crack that made my teeth rattle. Blow and all, I was the first afoot again; for Hands had got involved with the dead body. The sudden canting of the ship had made the deck no place for running on; I had to find some new way of escape, and that upon the instant, for my foe was almost touching me. Quick as thought, I sprang into the mizzen shrouds, rattled up hand over hand, and did not draw a breath till I was seated on the cross-trees. I had been saved by being prompt; the dirk had struck not half a foot below me, as I pursued my upward flight; and there stood Israel Hands with his mouth open and his face upturned to mine, a perfect statue of surprise and disappointment. Now that I had a moment to myself, I lost no time in changing the priming of my pistol, and then, having one ready for service, and to make assurance doubly sure, I proceeded to draw the load of the other, and recharge it afresh from the beginning. My new employment struck Hands all of a heap; he began to see the dice going against him; and after an obvious hesitation, he also hauled himself heavily into the shrouds, and, with the the dirk in his teeth, began slowly and painfully to mount. It cost him no end of time and groans to haul his wounded leg behind him; and I had quietly finished my arrangements before he was much more than a third of the way up. Then, with a pistol in either hand, I addressed him. `One more step, Mr Hands,' said I, `and I'll blow your brains out! Dead men don't bite, you know,' I added, with a chuckle. He stopped instantly. I could see by the working of his face that he was trying to think, and the process was so slow an laborious that, in my new-found security, I laughed aloud. At last, with a swallow or two, he spoke, his face still wearing the same expression of extreme perplexity. In order to speak he had to take the dagger from his mouth, but, in all else, he remained unmoved. `Jim,' says he, `I reckon we're fouled, you and me, and we'll have to sign articles. I'd have had you but for that there lurch: but I don't have no luck, not I; and I reckon I'll have to strike which comes hard, you see, for a master mariner to a ship's younker like you, Jim.' I was drinking in his words and smiling away, as conceited as a cock upon a wall, when, all in a breath, back went his right hand over his shoulder. Something sang like an arrow through the air; I felt a blow and then a sharp pang, and there I was pinned by the shoulder to the mast. In the horrid pain and surprise of the moment - I scarce can say it was by my own volition, and I am sure it was without a conscious aim - both my pistols went off, and both escaped out of my hands. They did not fall alone; with a choked cry, the coxswain loosed his grasp upon the shrouds, and plunged head first into the water. 宝岛二十六 伊斯莱尔•汉兹 风好像是特意讨好我们，现在转成了西风。我们不费吹灰之力地从岛的东北角驶到北汊的入口处。只是，因为我们没有锚索之类的东西，所以我们不敢让船停在岸滩上，必须等到潮水涨得再高些。时间真难熬。副水手长教我怎样掉转船头向风停驶，经过多次试验后终于成功地把船停下来。然后，我们静静地坐了下来，又吃了一顿。 “船长，”他终于开腔了，脸上还是那副叫人不愉快的笑容，“地上躺着的是我的老伙计奥布赖恩；让我说你还是把它扔到船外边去吧。这没什么了不起的，我没因为让他见了阎王而感到良心上有什么过不去。我只觉得让他这么躺在船上很碍眼，你说呢？” “我没那么大的劲，我也不愿意干这事。依我看，就让他在那儿呆着吧，我看挺好。”我答道。 “这条船可真不吉利——这倒霉的伊斯班袅拉号，吉姆，”他眨了眨眼睛继续说道。“这条船上已经死了好多人——自从你我离开布里斯托尔出海以来，死了多少可怜的水手！我从来未遇到过这样倒霉的事。就说这个奥布赖恩吧，他不是也送了命吗？哎，我学问不深，你是个能读会算的小家伙，直截了当地告诉我：一个人就这样完了吗？人是否还能转世？” “你可以杀死一个人的肉体，汉兹先生，但是却杀不死他的灵魂——你一定是早就知道了。”我答道，“奥布赖恩已经到了另一个世界，他也许正盯着我们看呢。” “哦！”他说。“那可真晦气——看来杀人这行当简直是浪费时间。不管怎样，照我说，鬼魂又算得了什么？我定要和他较量一番，要是有机会的话，吉姆，我俩已讲明白了，现在我想让你到船舱里给我拿——妈的！那玩意叫什么来着——你给我拿瓶葡萄酒吧。吉姆，这白兰地太烈，我的脑袋受不了。” 副水手长的健忘看起来不大自然；至于他想喝葡萄酒而不是白兰地，我绝不相信。他编造的这一切只不过是个借口罢了。他想让我离开甲板的意图很清楚，但他究竟目的何在我却怎么也想不出来。他总是避开我的视线，东张西望，左顾右盼；时而看看天，时而瞥一眼死去的奥布赖恩。这阵子，他始终脸上堆着笑，不时伸伸舌头做出抱歉或不好意思的样子，连小孩子也能看得出来这家伙没安什么好心。不过我爽快地答应下来，因为我知道优势在我这边。对付这个愚蠢的家伙轻而易举。我很容易做到自始至终让他看不出我有任何怀疑之心。 “葡萄酒？”我说，“很好。红的还是白的？” “我想什么样的对我来说都无所谓，朋友，”他回答说，“只要烈一些、多一些就好，其它的都不挑了！” “那好，”我答道，“我去给你拿红葡萄酒来，汉兹先生。不过我还得找一阵儿。” 说完，我急忙从升降口跑下去，一边尽量弄出很大的响声。然后，我脱了鞋，悄悄地穿过圆木走廊，登上水手舱的梯子，把头伸出前升降口。我知道他料不到我会躲在那里，不过我还是尽可能小心谨慎。果然不出所料，我的怀疑完全得到了证实。 他已离开原来的地方，用两手和两个膝盖爬行，很显然他爬行时一条腿疼得钻心——我能听出他想竭力压住呻吟声——然而他还是能够以很快的速度在甲板上匍匐前进。只有半分钟的工夫他已横越甲板爬到左舷的排水孔那里，从盘成一堆的绳子底下摸出一把长长的小刀，可以说是一把短剑，上面的血一直染到了刀柄上。汉兹伸出下巴审视了它一会，又用手试了试刀尖，然后急忙把它藏在上衣内侧，然后又爬回墙旁的老地方。 这正是我想要知道的。伊斯莱尔能够爬行，现在他又有了武器，既然他想尽办法支开我，很显然他想把我当成他的牺牲品。接下来他想干什么——从北汊爬过海岛回到沼泽地中的营地去呢，还是想开炮通知他的同党来救他呢？这我就很难说了。 不过有一点我可以相信，那就是：我们在如何对付伊斯班袅拉号的问题上毫无利害冲突。我俩都希望它能停泊在一个避风的地方，到时候才可能不费多大劲，不冒多大危险地把它带回去。在做到这一步之前，我想我肯定不会有多大危险。 我脑海里正思量这些事的时候，身体并没闲着。我偷偷溜回船舱，穿上鞋子，随手拿起一瓶酒作为借口，重新回到甲板上。 汉兹仍像我离开他时那样躺着，全身缩成一团，耷拉着眼皮，好像怕见光。不过我走过来时他还是抬头瞧了我一眼，熟练地砸断瓶口，照旧说一声“好运连连！”然后咕咚咕咚喝了个痛快。接着，他躺下来，取出一条烟叶，要我切下一小块。 “给我切一块来，”他说，“我没带刀子；即使有也没劲。唉，吉姆哇吉姆，我这回可算是完蛋了！给我切一块，这也许是最后一口了，我不久就要回老家了，没错。” “好的，”我说，“我给你切下来一点。不过我要是你现在这个样子，自己感觉要不行了的话，我一定会跪下来做祷告，这才像个虔诚的基督徒。” “为什么？”他问。“告诉我，我为什么要仟悔？”“为什么？”我惊讶地喊道。“你刚才还问我人死后会怎样，你放弃了你的信仰，你犯了许多罪，躺在那，满身是血。眼前你脚边就有一个被你杀死的人，你还问为什么！求上帝饶恕你吧，汉兹先生，这才是你该做的。” 我说得有些过火了，因为我想到了他怀里揣着那把沾满血迹的短剑准备结果我。他也许喝多了些，也用异常严肃的口气回答我。 “三十年了，”他说，“我一直航海，好的、赖的、走运的。背运的、风平浪静和大风大浪、缺粮食，拼刀子，什么没见识过。我老实对你讲，我从来就没见过好人有好报。我认为先下手为强、后下手遭殃。死人不咬活人——这就是我的看法。好了，”他忽然变了腔调，“咱们扯远了。潮水已涨得够高了，只要你听我指挥，霍金斯船长，咱们肯定会把船开进北汊的。” 我们的船只需再走两英里，但航行起来却不是一帆风顺的。北锚地的入口不仅又窄又浅，还东拐西拐的，因此大船要是没有高超的技术驾驶的话是开不进去的。我认为自己是个精明强干的驾驶员，我确信汉兹是个出色的领航员。我们绕来绕去，东躲西闪，擦过个个浅滩，船弄得平稳灵活，看着十分舒服。 船刚通过两个尖角，立即就被陆地包围起来。北汊的岸上同南锚地的沿岸一样，被茂密的树林覆盖着。但这里的水域比较狭长，实际上更像河湾。在船头正前方的南端，我们看见一艘船的残骸要烂得塌下来。那是一艘很大的三桅帆船，但天长日久、风吹日晒使它全身挂满湿漉漉的海藻，甲板上已扎根有灌木，盛开着艳丽的花朵，看起来则更是一片凄凉景象。但这一切表明锚地是平静而安全的。 “你看，”汉兹说，“从那里冲船上岸正合适。沙地平滑无比，一丝风也没有，周围有树，那条破船上的花开得跟花园似的。” “但是一旦上了岸，”我问道，“我们怎么才能再把船开出去呢？” “当然能了，”他答道，“你在潮低时拉一条绳到那边岸上去，把绳绕在一棵大树上，再拉回来绕在绞盘上，然后躺下来等着涨潮。等水涨船高，大伙一起拉绳子，船就会左扭右扭的。注意了，孩子，准备好。咱们现在已靠近沙滩，船走得太快。向右一点——对——稳住——再向右——向右一点——稳住——照直走！” 他这样发号施令，我聚精会神地听着，直到他突然大叫一声，“注意，我的心肝，转舵向风！”我使劲转舵，伊斯班袅拉号来了个急转弯，直冲向长有矮树的低岸。 这以前，我一直绷紧每根神经注意副水手长的一举一动，但刚才那一连串的紧张动作使我只留心船触岸的事了，完全顾不得还有生命危险。我伸长脖子探出右舷墙，看船头下面翻腾的浪花。要不是忽然感到一阵不安回过头去的话，我也许来不及挣扎就完蛋了。也许是我听到了吱嘎吱嘎声，或是眼角的余光扫到他移动的影子，再不就是出于一种猫似的本能；但是，总之我相信，当我回头望去，汉兹已握着那把短剑快到我眼前了。 当四目相遇时，我们两人想必都大叫起来。但是如果说我喊出的是恐怖的叫声，那么，他发出的则像是一头蛮牛进攻时的吼叫声。就在这一刹那，他已经扑过来，我朝船头那边闪过去。我躲开时，舵柄从我手里脱掉，立即反弹回来，我想正是这样一弹才救了我的命，舵柄击中汉兹的胸部，使他一时动弹不了。 在他回过神来之前，我已经安全地离开了被他逼进的角落。现在我可以在整个甲板上躲闪。我在主桅前站住，从口袋里取出一支手熗。尽管他已经转过身来，再次向我直扑过来。我还是镇定地瞄准后扣动扳机。撞针已经落下，可是既没有火光，也没有响声；原来火药被海水弄潮了。我怪自己不该这样粗心大意。我为什么不事先把我仅有的武器重新装上弹药呢？倘若如此，现在也不至于落得如此狼狈下场，像只待宰的羔羊。 汉兹虽然受伤了，但他动作之快却令我吃惊，他那斑白的头发披散在脸前，因气急败坏，脸色通红。我没有时间试试我的另一支手熗，实际上也不想试，因为我知道这是徒劳。有一点我看得很清楚：我不能在他面前一味退却，否则他很快就会把我逼到船头上去，正像刚才他几乎把我逼到船尾上去一样。一旦叫他抓住，他那把血淋淋的短剑的九或十英寸钢刃，将会是我有生以来尝到的最后一种滋味。我抱住相当粗的主桅等着，每一根神经都绷紧了。 他看到我有躲闪的意图，也停了下来。有一会儿时间他假装要从这边或那边围过来抓住我。我就相应地忽而向左闪，忽而向右闪。我经常在老家黑岗湾的岩石旁做这种游戏。但是，不用说，那时心可没像现在跳得这么厉害。然而，正像我说的，这是小孩子的把戏，我想我决不会输给一个腿上受了伤的老水手。事实上，我的勇气开始高涨，甚至开始盘算猜测事情的结局；我看得出我能够周旋一段时间，但最终逃生的希望却很渺茫。 就在这种情况下，伊斯班袅拉号突然一震，摇摇晃晃冲上浅滩，船底擦到了沙地上，船身迅速地向左舷倾斜，直到甲板成四十五度角竖了起来，大约有一百加仑的水从排水孔涌进来，在甲板和舷墙之间形成了一个水池子。 我俩一时间都失去了平衡，几乎扭在一起滚向排水孔，戴红帽的那个家伙仍然伸着两条胳膊，也直挺挺地随着我们滑了过去。我和副水手长挨得那么近，以至于我的头咚地一声撞在了他的脚上，差点把我的牙撞掉。尽管如此，我还是先站了起来，因为汉兹被尸体缠住了。船身突然倾倒使甲板上没有地方可以躲闪。我必须想出新的办法逃命，并且一秒钟也不能耽搁，因为我的对手几乎就要扑过来。说时迟，那时快，我一跃身爬上后桅支索的软梯上，两手交替着一节一节向上爬，直爬到桅顶横桁上坐下来，才松了一口气。 多亏我动作敏捷才得以脱身。我向上爬的时候，只见剑光在我下面不足半英尺处刷地一闪，刺了个空。伊斯莱尔•汉兹张口仰面站在那里，惊呆沮丧得如同一座雕像。 现在我可以暂时歇口气，我抓紧时机把手熗换上弹药。一支已准备好，但为保险起见，我索性把另一支手熗也重新装上弹药。 汉兹做梦也没想到我会来这一手，他开始明白这下时局对他可不利。但是一阵犹豫过后，他竟然也拖着沉重的身体费力抓住软梯往上爬，剑衔在口里。他爬得很慢，忍着疼痛，拖着那条受伤的腿好不容易爬上来。我已经把两支手熗都重新装好了弹药，他才刚刚爬了三分之一。于是我两手执熗，开始对他喊话。 “汉兹先生，”我说，“你再敢爬一步，我就打烂你的脑袋！你知道死人不咬活人的。”我忍住笑添了一句。 他立即停了下来。从他面部肌肉的抽动我可以看得出他正在冥思苦想。我倚仗我处在新的安全的地方，不禁大声嘲笑他想得太慢太费劲了。他咽了几口唾液才开口，脸上还带着极度困惑的表情。为了说话，他取下衔在口里的短剑，但仍保持原来的姿势。 “吉姆，”他说，“我想让我们来定个君子协定吧，你和我，彼此都耍了不少花招了。要不是船突然倾斜，我早就干掉你了。但是我不走运，实在是倒霉。看来我不得不服了。一个老水手败在你这样一个刚上船的毛孩子面前，真让人心里不好受，吉姆。” 我正陶醉于他这番讨好中，得意扬扬的样子像一只飞上墙的公鸡。忽然，只见他的右手向背后一挥，不知何物在空中嗖的一声像箭一般飞过来。我感到自己挨了一刀，接着一阵剧痛，一只肩膀竟被钉在桅杆上。痛得我大吃一惊。我的两支手熗顷刻间一齐射响，接着又都从我手中掉下去。我究竟是不是有意识地扣动了扳机，我说不清楚。但我敢肯定我并未有意识地瞄准。但是，掉下去的不只是我那两支手熗，随着一声从喉咙中卡出的叫喊，副水手长松开了抓住软梯的手，一头栽进水里去了。 |
| Treasure IslandChapter XXV I HAD scarce gained a position on the bowsprit, when the flying jib flapped and filled upon the other tack, with a report like a gun. The schooner trembled to her keel under the reverse; but next moment, the other sails still drawing, the jib flapped back again, and hung idle. This had nearly tossed me off into the sea; and now I lost no time, crawled back along the bowsprit, and tumbled head foremost on the deck. I was on the lee-side of the forecastle, and the main-sail, which was still drawing, concealed from me a certain portion of the after-deck. Not a soul was to be seen. The planks, which had not been swabbed since the mutiny, bore the print of many feet; and an empty bottle, broken by the neck, tumbled to and fro like a live thing in the scuppers. Suddenly the Hispaniola came right into the wind. The jibs behind me cracked aloud; the rudder slammed to; the whole ship gave a sickening heave and shudder, and at the same moment the main-boom swung inboard, the sheet groaning in the blocks, and showed me the lee after-deck. There were the two watchmen, sure enough: red-cap on his back, as stiff as a handspike, with his arms stretched out like those of a crucifix, and his teeth showing through his open lips; Israel Hands propped against the bulwarks, his chin on his chest, his hands lying open before him on the deck, his face as white, under its tan, as a tallow candle. For a while the ship kept bucking and sidling like a vicious horse, the sails filling, now on one tack, now on another, and the boom swinging to and fro till the mast groaned aloud under the strain. Now and again, too, there would come a cloud of light sprays over the bulwark, and a heavy blow of the ship's bows against the swell: so much heavier weather was made of it by this great rigged ship than by my homemade, lop-sided coracle, now gone to the bottom of the sea. At every jump of the schooner, red-cap slipped to and fro; but - what was ghastly to behold - neither his attitude nor his fixed teeth-disclosing grin was anyway disturbed by this rough usage. At every jump, too, Hands appeared still more to sink into himself and settle down upon the deck, his feet sliding ever the farther out, and the whole body canting towards the stern, so that his face became, little by little, hid from me; and at last I could see nothing beyond his ear and the frayed ringlet of one whisker. At the same time, I observed around both of them, splashes of dark blood upon the planks, and began to feel sure that they had killed each other in their drunken wrath. While I was thus looking and wondering, in a calm moment, when the ship was still, Israel Hands turned partly round, and, with a low moan, writhed himself back to the position in which I had seen him first. The moan, which told of pain and deadly weakness, and the way in which his jaw hung open, went right to my heart. But when I remembered the talk I had overheard from the apple barrel, all pity left me. I walked aft until I reached the mainmast. `Come aboard, Mr Hands,' I said ironically. He rolled his eyes round heavily; but he was too far gone to express surprise. All he could do was to utter one word, `Brandy.' It occurred to me there was no time to lose; and, dodging the boom as it once more lurched across the deck, I slipped aft, and down the companion-stairs into the cabin. It was such a scene of confusion as you can hardly fancy. All the lock-fast places had been broken open in quest of the chart. The floor was thick with mud, where ruffians had sat down to drink or consult after wading in the marshes round their camp. The bulkheads, all painted in clear white, and beaded round with gilt, bore a pattern of dirty hands. Dozens of empty bottles clinked together in corners to the rolling of the ship. One of the doctor's medical books lay open on the table, half of the leaves gutted out, I suppose, for pipelights. In the midst of all this the lamp still cast a smoky glow, obscure and brown as umber. I went into the cellar; all the barrels were gone, and of the bottles a most surprising number had been drunk out and thrown away. Certainly, since the mutiny began, not a man of them could ever have been sober. Foraging about, I found a bottle with some brandy left, for Hands; and for myself I routed out some biscuits, some pickled fruits, a great bunch of raisins, and a piece of cheese. With these I came on deck, put down my own stock behind the rudder-head, and well out of the coxswain's reach, went forward to the water-breaker, and had a good, deep drink of water, and then, and not till then, gave Hands the brandy. He must have drunk a gill before he took the bottle from his mouth. `Aye,' said he, `by thunder, but I wanted some o' that!' I had sat down already in my own corner and begun to eat. `Much hurt?' I asked him. He grunted, or, rather I might say, he barked. `If that doctor was aboard,' he said, `I'd be right enough in a couple of turns; but I don't have no manner of luck, you see, and that's what's the matter with me. As for that swab, he's good and dead, he is,' he added, indicating the man with the red cap. `He warn't no seaman, anyhow. And where mought you have come from?' `Well,' said I, `I've come aboard to take possession of this ship, Mr Hands; and you'll please regard me as your captain until further notice.' He looked at me sourly enough, but said nothing. Some of the colour had come back into his cheeks, though he still looked very sick, and still continued to slip out and settle down as the ship banged about. `By-the-bye,' I continued, `I can't have these colours, Mr Hands; and, by your leave, I'll strike 'em. Better none than these.' And, again dodging the boom, I ran to the colour lines, handed down their cursed black flag, and chucked it overboard. `God save the king!' said I, wavkng my cap; `and there's an end to Captain Silver!' He watched me keenly and slyly, his chin all the while on his breast. `I reckon,' he said at last - `I reckon, Cap'n Hawkins, you'll kind of want to get ashore, now. S'pose we talks.' `Why, yes,' says I, `with all my heart, Mr Hands. Say on.' And I went back to my meal with a good appetite. `This man,' he began, nodding feebly at the corpse - `O'Brien were his name - a rank Irelander - this man and me got the canvas on her, meaning for to sail her back. Well, he's dead now, he is - as dead as bilge; and who's to sail this ship, I don't see. Without I gives you a hint, you aint that man, as far's I can tell. Now, look here, you gives me food and drink, and a old scarf or ankecher to tie my wound up, you do; and I'll tell you how to sail her; and that's about square all round, I take it.' `I'll tell you one thing,' says I: `I'm not going back to Captain Kidd's anchorage. I mean to get into North Inlet, and beach her quietly there.' `To be sure you did,' he cried. `Why, I aint sich an infernal lubber, after all. I can see, can't I? I've tried my fling, I have, and I've lost, and it's you has the wind of me. North Inlet? Why, I haven't no ch'ice, not I! I'd help you sail her up to Execution Dock, by thunder! so I would.' Well, as it seemed to me, there was some sense in this. We struck our bargain on the spot. In three minutes I had the Hispaniola sailing easily before the wind along the coast of Treasure Island, with good hopes of turning the northern point ere noon, and beating down again as far as North Inlet before high water, when we might beach her safely, and wait till the subsiding tide permitted us to land. Then I lashed the tiller and went below to my own chest, where I got a soft silk handkerchief of my mother's. With this, and with my aid, Hands bound up the great bleeding stab he had received in the thigh, and after he had eaten a little and had a swallow or two more of the brandy, he began to pick up visibly, sat straighter up, spoke louder and clearer, and looked in every way another man. The breeze served us admirably. We skimmed before it like a bird, the coast of the island flashing by, and the view changing every minute. Soon we were past the high lands and bowling beside low, sandy country, sparsely dotted with dwarf pines, and soon we were beyond that again, and had turned the corner of the rocky hill that ends the island on the north. I was greatly elated with my new command, and pleased with the bright, sunshiny weather and these different prospects of the coast. I had now plenty of water and good things to eat, and my conscience, which had smitten me hard for my desertion, was quieted by the great conquest I had made. I should, I think, have had nothing left me to desire but for the eyes of the coxswain as they followed me derisively about the deck, and the odd smile that appeared continually on his face. It was a smile that had in it something both of pain and weakness - a haggard, old man's smile; but there was, besides that, a grain of derision, a shadow of treachery, in his expression as he craftily watched, and watched, and watched me at my work. 宝岛二十五 我降下了骷髅旗 我刚攀上船头的斜桅，三角帆就像放炮似地啪的一声被风吹得张了起来，转向另一边。大船转弯时全身无处不震动。但紧接着，虽然别的帆还张着，船头的三角帆却又啪啦一声被风刮回，无力地垂下来。 这一震差一点把我抛下海去，我及时地顺着斜桅爬过去，终于一头跌倒在甲板上。 我处在水手舱背风的一侧，主帆仍张满了风，挡住了我的视线，使我看不到后甲板的一部分。船上一个人影也没有，从内乱开始以来从未洗刷过的甲板上留有许多脚印，一只空酒瓶从颈口处被摔断，活蹦乱跳地在排水孔之间滚来滚去。 突然，伊斯班袅拉号又把船头正对风口。我身后的三角帆啪的一声响，接着是舵砰然巨响，整个船猛地一抖，简直要把我的五脏六腑都翻出来了。就在这一瞬间，主帆桁晃到舷内一侧，帆脚索的滑车呻吟了一声，下风面的后甲板一下子暴露在我面前。 那里赫然是两个留守的海盗。戴红帽的那个家伙四脚朝天躺在那里一动不动，龇着牙、咧着嘴，伸着两条胳膊，像被钉在了十字架上。伊斯莱尔靠舷墙坐着，两腿笔直地伸着，下巴耷拉在胸前，双手张开平放在他面前的甲板上，棕黑色的脸已苍白如蜡。 刹那间，大船如一匹劣马腾空跃起。帆张满了风，一会向这边，一会又向那边。帆桁来回晃荡，直到帆墙难以承受，痛得嗷嗷叫。不时有阵阵浪花飞过舷墙，船头和波浪重重地撞击着。总之，这艘装备良好的大船竟然比不过我那只已沉入海底的简陋的小船稳当。因为大船晃得实在太厉害了。 船每震动一下，戴红帽的那个家伙就跟着左右滑动，叫人害怕的是：尽管船晃来晃去，他的姿势和龇牙咧嘴的怪相却丝毫不受干扰。同样，船每震动一下，汉兹的腿就伸得更远些，整个身体愈来愈靠近船尾，我渐渐看不到他的脸，最后只能看到他的一只耳朵和一络稀少蓬松的胡子。 同时，我发觉他俩身边的甲板上血痕斑斑。我开始相信他们定是酒醉后暴跳如雷，自相残杀，同归于尽了。 我正惊讶地看着这情景，船停了下来。就在这片刻安宁中，伊斯莱尔•汉兹侧过半面身子低声地呻吟了一声，扭动了一下身子后又恢复我刚才看到他时的姿势。那一声呻吟表明他很痛苦，身体处于极度虚弱状态。他张着嘴、耷拉着下巴，让我不禁怜悯起他来。但一想到我躲在苹果桶里偷听到的那些话，怜悯之心顿时化为乌有。 我朝船尾走去，到主桅前边停了下来。 “向你报到，汉兹先生。”我嘲笑着说。 他勉强转动了一下眼珠，精疲力尽的样子，已顾不得惊讶，只嘟哝着说了句：“白兰地！” 我晓得我不能耽误一分钟。在帆桁再次晃荡着掠过甲板时，我一闪身滑到船尾，顺升降口的梯子爬进船舱。 我眼前的景象是一片混乱，简直令人难以置信。凡是上锁的地方都被撬开了，显然是为了找到那张地图。地板上厚厚地沾着一层泥浆，也许那群恶棍从营地那边的沼泽地里跑回来后就坐在这里喝酒或商量怎样办。漆成纯白、嵌着金色珠粒的舱壁上留着泥手印。好几打空酒瓶随船的颠簸而丁丁当当地碰撞着，从一个角落滚到另一个角落。医生的一本医学书被平放在桌子上，一半书页已被撕掉，我猜想是用去卷烟抽了。在桌子上方有一盏被熏成咖啡色的灯还发着微弱的光。 我走进窖舱，所有的酒桶都空了。空酒瓶扔得到处都是，多得让人感到惊奇。无疑，海盗们自从内乱以来没有一人能保持头脑清醒。 我找了半天，发现了一只酒瓶里还剩下一点点白兰地，打算拿给汉兹喝；我为自己找到了一些干面包、一些水果干、一大把葡萄干和一块奶酪。我把这些吃的都带到甲板上，放在舵柄后面副水手长够不着的地方；然后来到淡水桶旁，喝了个够；最后才把那点白兰地递给汉兹。 他一口气至少喝了四分之一品脱，然后才放下酒瓶子。 “暧！”他叹了口气，“他娘的，我刚才就缺几口这玩意儿！” 我已在角落里坐下来开始吃东西。 “伤得厉害吗？”我问他。 他咕嗜了一声，听起来更像是狗叫。“要是那个大夫在船上，”他说，“我过不了多久就能好起来；可是我不走运，你看，现在落得这份田地。那个狗杂种死了，”他指了指戴红帽的那个家伙说，“他一点也不像水手。你是打哪儿来的？” “哦，”我说，“我是来接管这艘船的，汉兹先生，在没有接到进一步指示之前，请把我看做你的船长。” 他轻蔑地看了我一眼，酸溜溜的，但什么也没说。他的两颊恢复了些血色，但是看起来还很弱，船颠簸时他的身体还继续侧向一边，贴着甲板。 “对了，”我继续说，“我不能要这面旗，汉兹先生；请允许我把它降下来。宁可不挂旗，也不能挂它。” 我再次躲过帆桁跑到旗索前，降下那该死的黑色的海盗旗，扔出船外。 “上帝保佑吾王！”我挥动帽子喊道，“让西尔弗船长见鬼去吧！” 汉兹很有心计，留心偷看我，下巴一直耷拉在胸前。 “我看，”他终于开口道，“我看，霍金斯船长，你大概打算到岸上去吧。来，让咱俩好好谈谈。” “好哇，”我说，“我相当愿意，汉兹先生，请说下去。”我回到角落里吃东西，胃口好极了。 “这个家伙，”他向死人那边点了点头示意道，“他叫奥布赖恩，是个臭爱尔兰人。他跟我扯起了帆，打算把船开回去。现在他死了，臭气冲天的。我不知道该由谁来掌舵。要是没有我指点你，你是应付不了的。只要你供我吃喝，再给我一条围巾或手绢把我的伤口包起来，我就告诉你怎样驾驶。这叫做公平交易。” “我可以告诉你一件事，”我说，“我不准备回到凯特船长锚地去。我打算把船开到北汊，慢慢地把船靠到岸边。” “那好极了！”他叫了起来，“归根结底，我也不是个笨蛋，难道我看不出来吗？我赌了一次运气，结果输得好惨，让你小子占了便宜。你说把船开进北汊，那就开进北汊，反正我也没办法！哪怕让我帮你把船升到正法码头，我也听你的，妈的！” 看来他的话似乎有点道理。我们的交易就此成交。三分钟后，我已使伊斯班袅拉号沿着藏宝岛的西海岸轻松地顺风行驶，很有希望在中午以前绕过北角，然后转回东南方向，在涨潮时赶紧开进北汊，让高涨的潮水把船冲上浅滩，再等退潮后上岸。 于是我拴牢舵柄，走到船舱里，从我自己的箱子里取出一条我母亲给我的柔软的丝绸手绢。我帮着汉兹用这条手绢把大腿上还在流血的伤口包扎好，那是被弯刀捅的。随后他吃了点东西又喝了两三口白兰地。他的精神状态明显地好转，能坐直了些，嗓门也高了，口齿也伶俐了，跟刚才简直判若两人。 风还真挺够朋友。船像鸟儿一般乘风飞翔，转眼间“轻舟已过万重山”，两岸美景尽收眼底。不久我们就驶过了高地，在稀稀拉拉点缀有几棵低矮的小松树的沙地旁滑行。不久，我们把沙丘也抛在了后面，并且绕过了海岛最北端的一座岩石丘。 我对这项新的职务感到得意扬扬。阳光明媚，风景恰人。我现在有足够的淡水和那么多好吃的东西，原来还因不辞而别感到内疚，现在由于获得这样大的胜利而倍感欣慰。我已没有什么奢求的了。只是副水手长总是盯着我，一副看不起我的架势；我在甲板上走到哪里，他那双眼睛就盯到那里，脸还呈现出一种皮笑肉不笑的表情。这是一个糟老头子的微笑，一定程度上显现出他的痛苦和衰竭；但是，除此之外，他的微笑总给人一种冷嘲热讽的感觉，好像有些图谋不轨。他始终盯着我的一举一动，以一种狡诈的目光向我注视着、注视着、注视着。 |
| Treasure IslandChapter XXIV IT was broad day when I awoke, and found myself tossing at the south-west end of Treasure Island. The sun was up, but was still hid from me behind the great bulk of the Spy-glass, which on this side descended almost to the sea in formidable cliffs. Haulbowline Head and Mizzen-mast Hill were at my elbow; the hill bare and dark, the head bound with cliffs forty or fifty feet high, and fringed with great masses of fallen rock. I was scarce a quarter of a mile to seaward, and it was my first thought to paddle in and land. That notion was soon given over. Among the fallen rocks the breakers spouted and bellowed; loud reverberations, heavy sprays flying and falling, succeeded one another from second to second; and I saw myself, if I ventured nearer, dashed to death upon the rough shore, or spending my strength in vain to scale the beetling crags. Nor was that all; for crawling together on flat tables of rocks or letting themselves drop into the sea with loud reports, I beheld huge slimy monsters - soft snails as it were, of incredible bigness - two or three score of them together, making the rocks to echo with their barkings. I have understood since that they were sea lions, and entirely harmless. But the look of them, added to the difficulty of the shore and the high running of the surf, was more than enough to disgust me of that landing-place. I felt willing rather to starve at sea than to confront such perils. In the meantime I had a better chance, as I supposed, before me. North of Haulbowline Head, the land runs in a long way, leaving, at low tide, a long stretch of yellow sand. To the north of that, again, there comes another cape - Cape of the Woods, as it was marked upon the chart - buried in tall green pines, which descended to the margin of the sea. I remembered what Silver had said about the current that sets northward along the whole west coast of Treasure Island; and seeing from my position that I was already under its influence, I preferred to leave Haulbowline Head behind me, and reserve my strength for an attempt to land upon the kindlier-looking Cape of the Woods. There was a great, smooth swell upon the sea. The wind blowing steady and gentle from the south, there was no contrariety between that and the current, and the billows rose and fell unbroken. Had it been otherwise, I must long ago have perished; but as it was, it is surprising how easily and securely my little and light boat could ride. Often, as I still lay at the bottom, and kept no more than an eye above the gunwale, I would see a big blue summit heaving close above me; yet the coracle would but bounce a little, dance as if on springs, and subside on the other side into the trough as lightly as a bird. I began after a little to grow very bold, and sat up to try my skill at paddling. But even a small change in the disposition of the weight will produce violent changes in the behaviour of a coracle. And I had hardly moved before the boat, giving up at once her gentle dancing movement, ran straight down a slope of water so steep that it made me giddy, and struck her nose, with a spout of spray, deep into the side of the next wave. I was drenched and terrified, and fell instantly back into my old position, whereupon the coracle seemed to find her head again, and led me as softly as before among the billows. It was plain she was not to be interfered with, and at that rate, since I could in no way influence her course, what hope had I left of reaching land? I began to be horribly frightened, but I kept my head, for all that. First, moving with all care, I gradually baled out the coracle with my sea-cap; then getting my eye once more above the gunwale, I set myself to study how it was she managed to slip so quietly through the rollers. I found each wave, instead of the big, smooth glossy mountain it looks from shore, or from a vessel's deck, was for all the world like any range of hills on the dry land, full of peaks and smooth places and valleys. The coracle, left to herself, turning from side to side, threaded, so to speak, her way through these lower parts, and avoided the steep slopes and higher, toppling summits of the wave. `Well, now,' thought I to myself, `it is plain I must lie where I am, and not disturb the balance; but it is plain, also, that I can put the paddle over the side, and from time to time, in smooth places, give her a shove or two towards land.' No sooner thought upon than done. There I lay on my elbows, in the most trying attitude, and every now and again gave a weak stroke or two to turn her head to shore. It was very tiring, and slow work, yet I did visibly gain ground; and, as we drew near the Cape of the Woods, though I saw I must infallibly miss that point, I had still made some hundred yards of easting. I was, indeed, close in. I could see the cool, green tree-tops swaying together in the breeze, and I felt sure I should make the next promontory without fail. It was high time, for I now began to be tortured with thirst. The glow of the sun from above, its thousandfold reflection from the waves, the seawater that fell and dried upon me caking my very lips with salt, combined to make my throat burn and my brain ache. The sight of the trees so near at hand had almost made me sick with longing; but the current had soon carried me past the point; and, as the next reach of sea opened out, I beheld a sight that changed the nature of my thoughts. Right in front of me, not half a mile away, I beheld the Hispaniola under sail. I made sure, of course, that I should be taken; but I was so distressed for want of water, that I scarce knew whether to be glad or sorry at the thought; and long before I had come to a conclusion, surprise had taken entire possession of my mind, and I could do nothing but stare and wonder. The Hispaniola was under her main-sail and two jibs, and the beautiful white canvas shone in the sun like snow or silver, When I first sighted her, all her sails were drawing; she was lying a course about north-west; and I presumed the men on board were going round the island on their way back to the anchorage. Presently she began to fetch more and more to the westward, so that I thought they had sighted me and were going about in chase. At last, however, she fell right into the wind's eye, was taken dead aback, and stood there a while helpless, with her sails shivering. `Clumsy fellows,' said I; `they must still be drunk as owls.' And I thought how Captain Smollett would have set them skipping. Meanwhile, the schooner gradually fell off, and filled again upon another tack, sailed swiftly for a minute or so, and brought up once more dead in the wind's eye. Again and again was this repeated. To and fro, up and down, north, south, east, and west, the Hispaniola sailed by swoops and dashes, and at each repetition ended as she had begun, with idly-flapping canvas. It became plain to me that nobody was steering. And, if so, where were the men? Either they were dead drunk, or had deserted her, I thought, and perhaps if I could get on board, I might return the vessel to her captain. The current was bearing coracle and schooner southward at an equal rate. As for the latter's sailing, it was so wild and intermittent, and she hung each time so long in irons, that she certainly gained nothing, if she did not even lose. If only I dared to sit up and paddle, I made sure that I could overhaul her. The scheme had an air of adventure that inspired me, and the thought of the water-breaker beside the fore companion doubled my growing courage. Up I got, was welcomed almost instantly by another cloud of spray, but this time stuck to my purpose; and set myself, with all my strength and caution, to paddle after the unsteered Hispaniola. Once I shipped a sea so heavy that I had to stop and bale, with my heart fluttering like a bird; but gradually I got into the way of the thing, and guided my coracle among the waves, with only now and then a blow upon her bows and a dash of foam in my face. I was now gaining rapidly on the schooner; I could see the brass glisten on the tiller as it banged about; and still no soul appeared upon her decks. I could not choose but suppose she was deserted. If not, the men were lying drunk below, where I might batten them down, perhaps, and do what I chose with the ship. For some time she had been doing the worst thing possible for me - standing still. She headed nearly due south, yawing, of course, all the time. Each time she fell off her sails partly filled, and these brought her, in a moment, right to the wind again. I have said this was the worst thing possible for me; for helpless as she looked in this situation, with the canvas cracking like cannon, and the blocks trundling and banging on the deck, she still continued to run away from me, not only with the speed of the current, but by the whole amount of her leeway, which was naturally great. But now, at last, I had my chance. The breeze fell, for some seconds, very low, and the current gradually turning her, the Hispaniola revolved slowly round her centre, and at last presented me her stern, with the cabin window still gaping open, and the lamp over the table still burning on into the day. The main- sail hung drooped like a banner. She was stock-still, but for the current. For the last little while I had even lost; but now, redoubling my efforts, I began once more to overhaul the chase. I was not a hundred yards from her when the wind came again in a clap; she filled on the port tack, and was off again, stooping and skimming like a swallow. My first impulse was one of despair, but my second was towards joy. Round she came, till she was broadside on to me - round still till she had covered a half, and then two-thirds, and then three-quarters of the distance that separated us. I could see the waves boiling white under her forefoot. Immensely tall she looked to me from my low station in the coracle. And then, of a sudden, I began to comprehend. I had scarce time to think - scarce time to act and save myself. I was on the summit of one swell when the schooner came stooping over the next. The bowsprit was over my head. I sprang to my feet, and leaped, stamping the coracle under water. With one hand I caught the jib-boom, while my foot was lodged between the stay and the brace; and as I still clung there panting, a dull blow told me that the schooner had charged down upon and struck the coracle, and that I was left without retreat on the Hispaniola. 宝岛二十四 小艇巡航 我醒来时天已大亮，发现自己已被冲到藏宝岛西南端。太阳已升起，但还是藏在望远镜山这个庞然大物的后面不让我看。这边的山坡几乎伸到海上，形成一堵堵峭壁。 帆索海角和后桅山就在眼前。后桅山是一座深色的秃山，帆索海角被四五十英尺高的峭壁和崩塌的大块岩石所包围。我距离海岸至多只有四分之一英里，所以我首先想到的就是划过去靠岸登陆。 但这个想法很快就被放弃。巨浪不断地拍击着岩石后又被弹了回来，呼啸着形成一股股水柱飞射着；不断地重重地压降下来。我寻思着，如果我贸然靠近的话，不是被大浪拍死在嶙峋的岩石上就是在攀登悬崖峭壁时耗尽精力。 问题不仅于此。我看到许多可怕的、软乎乎的东西，像是奇大无比的软体蜗牛，有的在陡峭的岩壁上爬行，有的则扑通扑通跳进海里。这些怪物大约有五六十只。狂叫声在悬崖之间激荡起阵阵回响。 后来我才知道那怪物是海狮，根本不会伤人。但是它们的怪样子，加上陡峭的海岸和喷射的海浪使我畏惧得不敢再登陆。我宁愿在海上饿死也不愿冒此风险。 此时，有一个我认为比较好的办法摆在我面前，帆索海角北面的陆地上随着海水的退潮应露出一长条黄沙滩来。在沙滩以北又是另一个岬角——正是地图上标注的森林岬角，它被岸边的高大而郁郁苍苍的松林所掩盖着。 我还记得西尔弗曾经提起过，在藏宝岛的整个西海岸有一股向北的海流。从我所处的位置上看，我已经受其影响了，我决定抛下帆索海角，保持体力准备向看起来温顺得多的森林岬角靠近。 海面上泛起大片大片涟漪。从南方吹拂过来的风柔和而有力，它与海流的方向一致，因此海浪一起一伏，平稳而有节奏。 要不是这样的话，我早就被海浪吞没了，但是即便如此，我这艘小得可怜的木舟能够如此轻易地闯过一道道难关也是够令人惊叹一阵子的了。我躺在船底，睁开一只眼睛从船边向上望去，常常看到一个蓝色巨浪耸立在我的头顶，小艇纵身一跃滑向浪涡处，像装上了弹簧一般。 不久我变得非常大胆，坐起来试着划桨。但只要重心稍有变动，对小船的航行就会产生严重的影响。我刚挪动一下身子，小船就一反先前轻柔的舞姿，顺着海浪的坡面陡然坠落，使我眼花缘乱，紧接着船头猛地扎人下一个浪头，溅起许多浪花来。 我浑身湿透，惊恐万分，急忙躺回老地方，小艇似乎又恢复常态，带着我在海浪中温柔地前行，像先前一样。显然，划桨只能妨碍它的前进。既然我无法调整它的航向，我又怎能妄想着让它靠岸呢？ 虽然这一惊非同小可，但我头脑仍然很清醒。我先是小心翼翼地用水手帽舀出小艇内的水，然后再一次从船边向上望，看看它何以能够在海浪中如此平稳地滑行。 我发现每个浪头从岸上或大船甲板上看起来都像座平整光滑的大山，实际上却像陆地上起伏的丘陵，既有山峰又有平地和山谷。小艇从一个浪头滑向另一个浪头时专挑低回的地方，避开浪峰和波尖，这样才会转过来扭过去穿梭自如。 “看起来，”我思量着，“很显然我必须老老实实躺在原处，不能破坏船的平衡。然而我也可以把桨伸出艇边，不时地在平浪处向岸边划两下。”主意已定，立刻行动。我用胳膊肘支撑住身体，以极其别扭的方式试着躺下来，不时轻轻地划上一两下。渐渐使船头朝向陆地。 这样做起来非常累，非常慢，但是效果显着。当我靠近森林岬角时，虽然我看得出我已经错过了在那里靠岸，我还是向东划了几百码。实际上我已靠近陆地，看得见被风吹得偏向一边的绿盈盈的树梢，心想一定不能错过下一个岬角。 现在正需要找一个阴凉处靠岸，因为我已口干舌燥。火辣辣的太阳光经波浪一反射发出千倍的光热；溅到脸上的海水蒸发后形成盐分很渍嘴。这一切的一切使我喉干如焚，头痛欲裂。近在飓尺的树林可望而不可即，使我更加难以忍受这种煎熬，但潮流很快把我冲过了岬角。当下一片海面出现后，我看到的景观使我改变了原来的想法。 就在我正前方不到半英里处，我看见伊斯班袅拉号正在航行，我坚信他们当然要把我抓住。但我实在口渴难忍，几乎不晓得这是喜是忧，就在我还未来得及下结论的当儿，我已惊愕得不知如何是好，睁大眼睛呆呆地望着。 伊斯班袅拉号扯着主帆和两张三角帆，美丽的白帆在阳光下银光闪闪，洁白如雪。我第一眼看到它的时候，所有的帆都张着。它正朝着西北方航行。我猜想船上的人可能想绕过小岛转回锚地。然而现在它开始愈来愈向西偏，因此我以为他们发现了我，追来要抓住我。可是，最终它却转向风吹来的方向，转过船头处于逆风状态，无助地停泊在那儿，船帆不住地颤抖。 “一群笨蛋！”我自言自语，“他们一定醉得像死猪。”我心想斯莫列特船长定会好好教训这群混蛋。 这时，大船逐渐偏向下风处，重新张开一张帆转向另一边，快速地航行一分钟左右，接着又转向风吹来的方向，无法前进。这样周而复始地转了几次。伊斯班袅拉号前前后后、东西南北横冲直撞。每次大转弯过后又恢复原状，只是船帆劈里啪啦地空飘一阵，我渐渐觉察到原来船上没有人驾驶。那么，人都哪儿去了呢？他们或是醉得像死人一般，或是已离开大船，我思量着，如果我能登上大船的话，我可能会使它重新回到船长手中。 潮流以同样的速度带着大船和小艇向南滑行。但大船的航行让人摸不清头绪，每次在风口处都停好长一段时间，即使是没有倒退一步，也无甚进展。我若是也坐起来划船的话定能追得上它。这个想法的惊险成分刺激着我，再想到前升降口旁放置的淡水桶，我就更加信心百倍。 我刚坐起来，几乎立刻又被溅得一身水，但这次我下定决心，竭尽全力地、同时又极其谨慎地朝着无人驾驶的伊斯班袅拉号划去。有一次一个大浪冲过来使小艇积了许多水，使我不得不停下来，心里焦急得像揣着小兔子似地往外舀水。但我已逐渐习惯了，能够划着小艇在波浪中上下滑行，只是偶尔有点水从船头泼过来，溅起一股飞沫喷在我脸上。 现在我快速地靠近大船，可以看到舵柄的铜管被撞?e@ 有一段时间大船对我来说糟糕透了——它不再打转了。船头几乎朝向正南方，当然不时略有偏差。它每次偏离，风就鼓起部分船帆，这样就又立刻使它对准风向。我刚才说对我来说糟糕透了是因为伊斯班袅拉号尽管看起来处于寸步难行的境地，船帆劈里啪啦地像放炮，滑车在甲板上滚来滚去，乒乓直响；但它不光是以潮流的速度继续往北移动，还加上了很大的风压，因此漂得极快，我怎么也赶不上他。 但我终于得到了机会。有那么一段时间，风速慢下来，几乎感受不到。伊斯班袅拉号在潮流旋转的带动下慢慢又开始打转，终于让我看到了船尾。船舱的窗子依旧大开着，挂在桌子上的那盏灯仍然点着。主帆像一面旗子耷拉着。要不是借着潮流的带动，船定会停滞不前。 刚才有一阵儿我几乎已经看不见它；现在我加倍努力，再次向它猛追过去。 我距离它不足一百码，风又猛地刮起来。船帆鼓满风向左舷一转又滑行起来，像燕子般掠过水面。 我先是感到一阵失望，继而又转忧为喜。伊斯班袅拉号掉转船头，把它的一面船身靠近我，直到把小艇和大船的距离缩短为一半、三分之一、四分之一。我已经看到波浪在船的龙头下翻腾的浪花。我从小艇上仰望大船，它显得异常高大。 这时我才突然意识到事情的不妙。我已来不及考虑，也来不及采取措施保护自己。当大船越过一个浪头时，小艇正处在另一个浪头上。船头倾斜的桅杆正好在我的头顶上方。我纵身一跃，小艇被踩人水中。我一只手攀住三角帆，一只脚夹在绳索和转帆索的缝隙中。就在我提心吊胆悬在那里的时候，一下不易被察觉的撞击提醒我：大船已把小艇撞沉了。我的退路已被切断，只能留在伊斯班袅拉号上了。 |
| Treasure IslandChapter XXIII THE coracle - as I had ample reason to know before I was done with her - was a very safe boat for a person of my height and weight, both buoyant and clever in a seaway; but she was the most cross- grained lop-sided craft to manage. Do as you please, she always made more leeway than anything else, and turning round and round was the manoeuvre she was best at. Even Ben Gunn himself has admitted that she was `queer to handle till you knew her way.' Certainly I did not know her way. She turned in every direction but the one I was bound to go; the most part of the time we were broadside on, and I am very sure I never should have made the ship at all but for the tide. By good fortune, paddle as I pleased, the tide was still sweeping me down; and there lay the Hispaniola right in the fairway, hardly to be missed. First she loomed before me like a blot of something yet blacker than darkness, then her spars and hull began to take shape, and the next moment, as it seemed (for, the further I went, the brisker grew the current of the ebb), I was alongside of her hawser, and had laid hold. The hawser was as taut as a bowstring, and the current so strong she pulled upon her anchor. All round the hull, in the blackness, the rippling current bubbled and chattered like a little mountain stream. One cut with my sea-gully, and the Hispaniola would go humming down the tide. So far so good; but it next occurred to my recollection that a taut hawser, suddenly cut, is a thing as dangerous as a kicking horse. Ten to one, if I were so foolhardy as to cut the Hispaniola from her anchor, I and the coracle would be knocked clean out of the water. This brought me to a full stop, and if fortune had not again particularly favoured me, I should have had to abandon my design. But the light airs which had begun blowing from the south-east and south had hauled round after nightfall into the south-west. Just while I was meditating, a puff came, caught the Hispaniola, and forced her up into the current; and to my great joy, I felt the hawser slacken in my grasp, and the hand by which I held it dip for a second under water. With that I made my mind up, took out my gully, opened it with my teeth, and cut one strand after another, till the vessel swung only by two. Then I lay quiet, waiting to sever these last when the strain should be once more lightened by a breath of wind. All this time I had heard the sound of loud voices from the cabin; but, to say truth, my mind had been so entirely take up with other thoughts that I had scarcely given ear. Now, however, when I had nothing else to do, I began to pay more heed. One I recognised for the coxswain's, Israel Hands, that had been Flint's gunner in former days. The other was, of course, my friend of the red night-cap. Both men were plainly the worse of drink, and they were still drinking; for, even while I was listening, one of them, with a drunken cry, opened the stern window and threw out something, which I divined to be an empty bottle. But they were not only tipsy; it was plain that they were furiously angry. Oaths flew like hailstones, and every now and then there came forth such an explosion as I thought was sure to end in blows. But each time the quarrel passed off, and the voices grumbled lower for a while, until the next crisis came, and, in its turn, passed away without result. On shore, I could see the glow of the great camp fire burning warmly through the shore-side trees. Someone was singing, a dull, old, droning sailor's song, with a droop and a quaver at the end of every verse, and seemingly no end to it at all but the patience of the singer. I had heard it on the voyage more than once, and remembered these words:-- `But one man of her crew alive, What put to sea with seventy-five.' And I thought it was a ditty rather too dolefully appropriate for a company that had met such cruel losses in the morning. But, indeed, from what I saw, all these buccaneers were as callous as the sea they sailed on. At last the breeze came; the schooner sidled and drew nearer in the dark; I felt the hawser slacken once more, and with a good, tough effort, cut the last fibres through. The breeze had but little action on the coracle, and I was almost instantly swept against the bows of the Hispaniola. At the same time the schooner began to turn upon her heel, spinning slowly, end for end, across the current. I wrought like a fiend, for I expected every moment to be swamped; and since I found I could not push the coracle directly off, I now shoved straight astern. At length I was clear of my dangerous neighbour; and just as I gave the last impulsion, my hands came across a light cord that was trailing overboard across the stern bulwarks. Instantly I grasped it. Why I should have done so I can hardly say. It was at first mere instinct; but once I had it in my hands and found it fast, curiosity began to get the upper hand, and I determined I should have one look through the cabin window. I pulled in hand over hand on the cord, and, when I judged myself near enough, rose at infinite risk to about half my height, and thus commanded the roof and a slice of the interior of the cabin. By this time the schooner and her little consort were gliding pretty swiftly through the water; indeed, we had already fetched up level with the camp fire. The ship was talking, as sailors say, loudly, treading the innumerable ripples with an incessant weltering splash; and until I got my eye above the window-sill I could not comprehend why the watchmen had taken no alarm. One glance, however, was sufficient; and it was only one glance that I durst take from that unsteady skiff. It showed me Hands and his companion locked together in deadly wrestle, each with a hand upon the other's throat. I dropped upon the thwart again, none too soon, for I was near overboard. I could see nothing for the moment but these two furious, encrimsoned faces, swaying together under the smoky lamp; and I shut my eyes to let them grow once more familiar with the darkness. The endless ballad had come to an end at last, and the whole diminished company about the camp fire had broken into the chorus I had heard so often:-- `Fifteen men on the dead man's chest - Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum! Drink and the devil had done for the rest - Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!' I was just thinking how busy drink and the devil were at that very moment in the cabin of the Hispaniola, where I was surprised by a sudden lurch of the coracle. At the same moment she yawed sharply and seemed to change her course. The speed in the meantime had strangely increased. I opened my eyes at once. All round me were little ripples, combing over with a sharp, bristling sound and slightly phosphorescent. The Hispaniola herself, a few yards in whose wake I was still being whirled along, seemed to stagger in her course, and I saw her spars toss a little against the blackness of the night; nay, as I looked longer, I made sure she also was wheeling to the southward. I glanced over my shoulder, and my heart jumped against my ribs. There, right behind me, was the glow of the camp fire. The current had turned at right angles, sweeping round along with it the tall schooner and the little dancing coracle; ever quickening, ever bubbling higher, ever muttering louder, it went spinning through the narrows for the open sea. Suddenly the schooner in front of me gave a violent yaw, turning, perhaps, through twenty degrees; and almost at the same moment one shout followed another from on board; I could hear feet pounding on the companion ladder; and I knew that the two drunkards had at last been interrupted in their quarrel and awakened to a sense of their disaster. I lay down flat in the bottom of that wretched skiff, and devoutly recommended my spirit to its Maker. At the end of the straits, I made sure we must fall into some bar of raging breakers, where all my troubles would be ended speedily; and though I could, perhaps, bear to die, I could not bear to look upon my fate as it approached. So I must have lain for hours, continually beaten to and fro upon the billows, now and again wetted with flying sprays, and never ceasing to expect death at the next plunge. Gradually weariness grew upon me; a numbness, an occasional stupor, fell upon my mind even in the midst of my terrors; until sleep at last supervened, and in my sea-tossed coracle I lay and dreamed of home and the old `Admiral Benbow.' 宝岛二十三 潮水急退 那只小艇对于我这样体重和身高的人来说，非常安全。我有充分的体会，直到不再用它为止。小艇既轻便又灵巧，但划起来又很别扭，好向一边偏。无论你怎样划，它总是比其它船更好偏向下风方向，还来回打转，且精于此道。甚至本•葛恩自己也承认，这小船“不好对付，除非你摸透了它的脾气”。 我当然不知道它的脾气。它能转向任何一个方向，就是不肯走我要去的方向，我大部分时间坐在船的内侧，要不是有潮水帮助，我相信我这辈子也无法靠近大船。算我运气好，无论我怎样划，潮水始终把我往下冲，而伊斯班袅拉号正巧在航道上，错过它也不太可能。 大船最初黑糊糊的一团出现在我面前。渐渐地显现出桅杆。帆桁和船体。紧接着由于我愈往前，退潮愈急，小船已接近锚索了，我就立刻把它抓在手里。 锚索绷得像弓弦一样紧，可见用多大的力量才把船拴住。夜色中泛着细浪的潮水在船身周围汩汩作响，犹如山间流淌的泉水。只要我用刀把锚索砍断，船就会被潮水冲走。 到目前为止，一切都很顺利，但我忽然意识到，绷紧的绳索一经砍断，我的小船就会像被马蹄踢了一样翻进水里。这是由于小船与大船的比例相差太悬殊了。 一想到这儿，我就停了下来，如果不是幸运之神再次垂青于我，我可能会干脆放弃原来的打算。但正在此时，从东南面，一会儿又从南面吹来的微风，在夜色中转成了西南风。我正在犹豫不决时，一阵风吹来，潮水把伊斯班袅拉号高高拱起。令我喜出望外的是被我抓紧的锚索松了一下，有那么一瞬间，我的手浸人了水中。 于是我当机立断，掏出折刀，用牙齿把它拉开，开始一股股地割断绳索，直剩下最后两股绳牵紧船身。于是我停了一会儿，静候下一阵风能再次使锚索松弛下来，以便割断最后两股。 整个这段时间，我一直听到从船舱里传出的大声谈话，但是，说句实话，我的心思一直在别的事情上，压根儿没去听。然而现在由于我没有什么事可做，便开始留心听他们讲话。 我听出其中一个声音是副水手长伊斯莱尔•汉兹的，他曾经做过弗林特的炮手。另一个声音，当然是出自那个戴红帽子的家伙。两个人显然已酒醉如泥，但还在喝。因为在我侧耳聆听时，他们中的一个推开尾窗，随着一声大喊，扔出一件东西来，我猜是一只空酒瓶。但他们不光是喝醉了，看起来还暴跳如雷，吵骂声像雹子一样，不时达到高潮。我总以为这次定会打起来，但是每次对骂都会平息下去，声音逐渐压下来，转为嘟囔声。过一会儿，危机重新爆发，但又会转危为安。 在岸上，我可以看到一大堆熊熊燃烧的篝火，从岸边的树丛中透出红光来，有人在唱一首老歌，一支单调的水手歌谣。歌谣的每一句的尾音都唱得发颤，都要降低，没完没了，除非唱歌的人自己不耐烦了才不唱了。在航行中我听到过不只一次，还记得其中两句是这样的： 七十五个汉子驾船出海；只剩一人活着回来。 我想对于今天早上伤亡惨重的一群海盗来说，这只悲伤的调子再合适不过了。但是，接下来我看到的是，这群海盗同大海一样对此毫无感觉。 终于又吹来一阵海风，大船在黑暗中侧着船身向我靠近了些，我感觉到锚素又松了一下，就用力把最后两股完全割断。 小艇只稍稍被风推了一下，我几乎一下子对准伊斯班袅拉号的船头撞去。与此同时，大帆船开始慢慢掉转船身，在潮水的带动下头尾倒了个过儿。 我拼命地划桨，时刻都提心吊胆怕被大船带翻。我发现我无论怎样也不能把小艇从大船身边划开，就手撑着大船把小艇划向大船尾部，这才逃离了险境。就在我撑罢最后一桨时，我的手仍然碰到一条从后舷墙上垂挂下来的绳子，就一下子把它抓在手里。 我为什么要抓住它，我自己也说不清楚。起初只是下意识的动作，但我既然已经抓住了它，并发现绳子另一端栓得很牢，好奇心开始占了上风。我决心要向船舱里面张望一下。 我两手交替地抓住绳子往大船上靠，当我估计已靠得够近时，就冒着生命危险升高大约半个身体，见到了船舱的舱顶和舱内的一个角落。 正在这时，大船和小艇正在迅速地顺着潮水向下滑，最终滑向和岸边的篝火一齐。按水手的说法，大船嗓门大，也就是溅起的哗哗的水声不绝于耳。但是在我的眼睛高过窗棂之前，我始终弄不清楚守卫的人为什么不发警报信号。在这么不稳的小船上我只能看一眼，但只这一眼就看得明明白白：原来汉兹和他的伙伴都用一只手掐住对方的脖子扭作一团，在做拼死的搏斗。 我又及时跳回到座板上，差一点儿就掉进水里。刹时间我什么也看不见，只有两张凶神恶煞似的脸在熏黑了的灯下晃荡着，显得通红。我闭上眼睛，让它们重新适应黑暗。 没完没了的歌谣终于停了下来。篝火旁所剩无几的海盗又唱起我听腻了的那个调子： 十五个汉子扒上了死人胸——哟——嗬——嗬，再来郎姆酒一大瓶！酗酒和魔鬼使其余的人都丧了命——哟——嗬——嗬，再来他郎姆酒一大瓶！ 我正思量着，酒和魔鬼在这伊斯班袅拉号的船舱里想必正忙得不可开交，不曾想小艇突然一斜来了个急转弯，好像要改变航向，而这时我又突然感到小艇奇怪地加速了。 我立刻睁开双眼。我周围伴随有刺耳的流水声和波光粼粼的细浪。我始终未能脱离伊斯班袅拉号后面几码的漩涡，而大船本身好像也在摇摇摆摆地转变方向，我看见船的桅杆在漆黑的夜幕的映衬下颠了一下，就敢断定大船也正朝南转弯。 我回头一望，心吓得差点蹦出来，我背后就是红红的篝火。潮水已转向右边，把高高的大船和我那不断颠簸的小艇一并带走。水流愈来愈急，浪花愈溅愈高，潮声愈来愈响。潮水一路旋转着冲向那个狭小的口子向宽阔的海洋退去。 突然，我前面的大船猛地一歪，大约转了一个二十度的弯。几乎就在同时，从船上传来两次叫喊声，我听到了匆匆登上升降口梯子的脚步声。我知道两个醉鬼最终停止了那场搏斗，终于意识到灾难即将来临。 我趴在可怜的小艇底部，把我的灵魂虔诚地交给造物主安排。到了海峡的尽头，我相信我们必定会被汹涌的波浪所吞没，那时所有的烦恼都将消失得无影无踪。死对我来说并没什么可怕，可眼看着厄运临头却让我无法忍受。 我这样将近趴了几个小时，不断地被海浪抛来荡去。不时地被海浪打湿衣裳，每次都担心会被下一次大浪抛入海中。渐渐地，疲倦使我在惊恐万状的情况下打起盹来，最后终于睡着了。我躺在惊涛骇浪中的一叶小舟里，梦见了家乡和我的“本葆海军上将”老店。 |
Treasure IslandChapter XXII THERE was no return of the mutineers - not so much as another shot out of the woods. They had `got their rations for that day,' as the captain put it, and we had the place to ourselves and a quiet time to overhaul the wounded and get dinner. Squire and I cooked outside in spite of the danger, and even outside we could hardly tell what we were at, for horror of the loud groans that reached us from the doctor's patients. Out of the eight men who had fallen in the action, only three still breathed - that one of the pirates who had been shot at the loophole, Hunter, and Captain Smollett; and of these the first two were as good as dead; the mutineer, indeed, died under the doctor's knife, and Hunter, do what we could, never recovered consciousness in this world. He lingered all day, breathing loudly like the old buccaneer at home in his apoplectic fit; but the bones of his chest had been crushed by the blow and his skull fractured in falling, and some time in the following night, without sign or sound, he went to his Maker. As for the captain, his wounds were grievous indeed, but not dangerous. No organ was fatally injured. Anderson's ball - for it was Job that shot him first - had broken his shoulder-blade and touched the lung, not badly; the second had only torn and displaced some muscles in the calf. He was sure to recover, the doctor said, but, in the meantime and for weeks to come, he must not walk nor move his arm, nor so much as speak when he could help it. My own accidental cut across the knuckles was a flea-bite. Dr Livesey patched it up with plaster, and pulled my ears for me into the bargain. After dinner the squire and the doctor sat by the captain's side a while in consultation; and when they had talked to their heart's content, it being then a little past noon, the doctor took up his hat and pistols, girt on a cutlass, put the chart in his pocket, and with a musket over his shoulder, crossed the palisade on the north side, and set off briskly through the trees. Gray and I were sitting together at the far end of the block-house, to be out of earshot of our officers consulting; and Gray took his pipe out of his mouth and fairly forgot to put it back again, so thunderstruck he was at this occurrence. `Why, in the name of Davy Jones,' said he, `is Dr Livesey mad?' `Why, no,' says I. `He's about the last of this crew for that, I take it.' `Well, shipmate,' said Gray, `mad he may not be; but if he's not, you mark my words, I am.' `I take it,' replied I, `the doctor has his idea; and if I am right, he's going now to see Ben Gunn.' I was right, as appeared later; but, in the meantime, the house being stifling hot, and the little patch of sand inside the palisade ablaze with midday sun, I began to get another thought into my head, which was not by any means so right. What I began to do was to envy the doctor, walking in the cool shadow of the woods, with the birds about him, and the pleasant smell of the pines, while I sat grilling, with my clothes stuck to the hot resin, and so much blood about me, and so many poor dead bodies lying all around, that I took a disgust of the place that was almost as strong as fear. All the time I was washing out the block-house, and then washing up the things from dinner, this disgust and envy kept growing stronger and stronger, till at last, being near a bread-bag, and no one then observing me, I took the first step towards my escapade, and filled both pockets of my coat with biscuit. I was a fool, if you like, and certainly I was going to do a foolish, over-bold act; but I was determined to do it with all the precautions in my power. These biscuits, should anything befall me, would keep me, at least, from starving till far on in the next day. The next thing I laid hold of was a brace of pistols, and as I already had a powder-horn and bullets, I felt myself well supplied with arms. As for the scheme I had in my head, it was not a bad one in itself. I was to go down the sandy spit that divides the anchorage on the east from the open sea, find the white rock I had observed last evening, and ascertain whether it was there or not that Ben Gunn had hidden his boat; a thing quite worth doing, as I still believe. But as I was certain I should not be allowed to leave the enclosure, my only plan was to take French leave, and slip out when nobody was watching; and that was so bad a way of doing it as made the thing itself wrong. But I was only a boy, and I had made my mind up. Well, as things at last fell out, I found an admirable opportunity. The squire and Gray were busy helping the captain with his bandages; the coast was clear; I made a bolt for it over the stockade and into the thickest of the trees, and before my absence was observed I was out of cry of my companions. This was my second folly, far worse than the first, as I left but two sound men to guard the house; but like the first, it was a help towards saving all of us. I took my way straight for the east coast of the island, for I was determined to go down the sea side of the spit to avoid all chance of observation from the anchorage. It was already late in the afternoon, although still warm and sunny. As I continued to thread the tall woods I could hear from far before me not only the continuous thunder of the surf, but a certain tossing of foliage and grinding of boughs which showed me the sea breeze had set in higher than usual. Soon cool draughts of air began to reach me; and a few steps farther I came forth into the open borders of the grove, and saw the sea lying blue and sunny to the horizon, and the surf tumbling and tossing its foam along the beach. I have never seen the sea quiet round Treasure Island. The sun might blaze overhead, the air be without a breath, the surface smooth and blue, but still these great rollers would be running along all the external coast, thundering and thundering by day and night; and I scarce believe there is one spot in the island where a man would be out of earshot of their noise. I walked along beside the surf with great enjoyment, till, thinking I was now got far enough to the south, I took the cover of some thick bushes, and crept warily up to the ridge of the spit. Behind me was the sea, in front the anchorage. The sea breeze, as though it had the sooner blown itself out by its unusual violence, was already at an end; it had been succeeded by light, variable airs from the south and south-east, carrying great banks of fog; and the anchorage, under lee of Skeleton Island, lay still and leaden as when first we entered it. The Hispaniola, in that unbroken mirror, was exactly portrayed from the truck to the water line, the Jolly Roger hanging from her peak. Alongside lay one of the gigs, Silver in the stern-sheets - him I could always recognise - while a couple of men were leaning over the stern bulwarks, one of them with a red cap - the very rogue that I had seen some hours before stride-legs upon the palisade. Apparently they were talking and laughing, though at that distance - upwards of a mile - I could, of course, hear no word of what was said. All at once, there began the most horrid, unearthly screaming, which at first startled me badly, though I had soon remembered the voice of Captain Flint, and even thought I could make out the bird by her bright plumage as she sat perched upon her master's wrist. Soon after the jolly-boat shoved off and pulled for shore, and the man with the red cap and his comrade went below by the cabin companion. Just about the same time the sun had gone down behind the Spy-glass, and as the fog was collecting rapidly, it began to grow dark in earnest. I saw I must lose no time if I were to find the boat that evening. The white rock, visible enough above the brush, was still some eighth of a mile further down the spit, and it took me a goodish while to get up with it, crawling, often on all-fours, among the scrub. Night had almost come when I laid my hand on its rough sides. Right below it there was an exceedingly small hollow of green turf, hidden by banks and a thick underwood about knee-deep, that grew there very plentifully; and in the centre of the dell, sure enough, a little tent of goatskins, like what the gipsies carry about with them in England. I dropped into the hollow, lifted the side of the tent, and there was Ben Gunn's boat - home-made if ever anything was home-made: a rude, lop-sided framework of tough wood, and stretched upon that a covering of goat-skin, with the hair inside. The thing was extremely small, even for me, and I can hardly imagine that it could have floated with a full-sized man. There was one thwart set as low as possible, a kind of stretcher in the bows, and a double paddle for propulsion. I had not then seen a coracle, such as the ancient Britons made, but I have seen one since, and I can give you no fairer idea of Ben Gunn's boat than by saying it was like the first and the worst coracle ever made by man. But the great advantage of the coracle it certainly possessed, for it was exceedingly light and portable. Well, now that I had found the boat, you would have thought I had had enough of truantry for once; but, in the meantime, I had taken another notion, and became so obstinately fond of it, that I would have carried it out, I believe, in the teeth of Captain Smollett himself. This was to slip out under cover of the night, cut the Hispaniola adrift, and let her go ashore where she fancied. I had quite made up my mind that the mutineers, after their repulse of the morning, had nothing nearer their hearts than to up anchor and away to sea; this, I thought, it would be a fine thing to prevent, and now that I had seen how they left their watchmen unprovided with a boat, I thought it might be done with little risk. Down I sat to wait for darkness, and made a hearty meal of biscuit. It was a night out of ten thousand for my purpose. The fog had now buried all heaven. As the last rays of daylight dwindled and disappeared, absolute blackness settled down on Treasure Island. And when, at last, I shouldered the coracle, and groped my way stumblingly out of the hollow where I had supped, there were but two points visible on the whole anchorage. One was the great fire on shore, by which the defeated pirates lay carousing in the swamp. The other, a mere blur of light upon the darkness, indicated the position of the anchored ship. She had swung round to the ebb - her bow was now towards me - the only lights on board were in the cabin; and what I saw was merely a reflection on the fog of the strong rays that flowed from the stern window. The ebb had already run some time, and I had to wade through a long belt of swampy sand, where I sank several times above the ankle, before I came to the edge of the retreating water, and wading a little way in, with some strength and dexterity, set my coracle, keel downwards, on the surface. 宝岛二十二 我的海上奇遇的开始 反叛者们没有卷土重来，树林中再也没听到熗声。照船长的推测，他们已经“领到了当日的口粮”，我们有足够的时间来察看伤员，准备午饭。尽管外边很危险，我和乡绅还是宁愿到门外去做饭。即便如此，我们还是可以听到伤员痛苦的呼喊声和惨叫声，让人不忍人耳。 熗战中倒下的八个人中仅有三人还有微弱的呼吸——一名在熗眼旁中弹的海盗、亨特和斯莫列特船长。其中前两位已没有生存的可能了。那个海盗最终死于医生的刀下。尽管我们已经竭尽全力，亨特还是没能苏醒过来。他整整挣扎了一个白天，像住在我们店里的那位老海盗中了风似地大声喘息。但是由于他的肋骨被打断了，跌倒时颅骨又被撞碎，在夜里不知何时偷偷见上帝去了。 至于船长，伤口虽然很痛，但并未击中要害部位，所以没有生命危险。他先是中了乔布•安德森一熗，子弹穿透肩肿骨，触伤了肺部，但并不严重。第二颗子弹击中了小腿，仅有部分肌肉受到损伤。医生说他肯定可以复原，但今后这几个星期里，他不能走动，不能伤到胳膊，甚至于尽可能地少说话——如果他能控制住自己的话。 我的指关节偶然受的伤倒没什么。利弗西大夫给我贴上了膏药，还扯了扯我的耳朵来安慰我。 午饭后，乡绅和医生在船长身旁坐了下来，一同商讨军情。当他们商议够了，时间刚过正午，医生拿起帽子和手熗，腰上挂着弯刀，把地图放在口袋里，肩上扛着一支滑膛熗，翻过北边的栅栏，快速地消失在丛林中。 我和葛雷一同坐在木屋的另一头，听不到我们的头儿在商谈些什么。利弗西的举动使葛雷吃惊得竟然忘记了把衔着的烟斗拿下来后再放回嘴里。 “哦，我的龙王爷，”他说，“利弗西疯了不成？” “不可能，”我说，“要是这伙人都疯了的话，也要最后才轮到他，我敢说。” “也许吧！老伙计。”葛雷说，“他可能是没疯，要是那样的话，照你说，那就是我疯了。” “我敢说，”我答道，“医生一定有他的打算，如果我猜对了的话，他现在要去见见本•葛恩。” 事后证明我猜中了。但目前，木屋里闷得要命，栅栏里边的一小块沙地被正午的炎炎烈日晒得像要冒出火来。我头脑中开始酝酿一个新念头，这个念头并不是那么合乎情理。我开始羡慕医生能够走在阴凉的树阴下，听着小鸟瞅嗽的叫声，闻着松树散发出的清香，而我则坐在这儿受着太阳的烘烤，身上的衣服汗遏退的。周围流了一地血，许多尸体横在地上，我对这鬼地方的厌恶几乎同恐惧一样强烈。 我一直在洗刷木屋里的血迹和午饭的餐具。我愈洗愈厌恶这个鬼地方，也就愈加羡慕医生。到了最后，在一个面包袋旁，趁没人注意到我，我做了逃走的第一步准备：往我的上衣口袋里塞满了干面包。 我承认我是个大傻瓜，当然会做出愚蠢可笑、鲁莽冒失的事来。但我下决心，尽全力小心谨慎地做。无论发生什么事，这些干面包至少两天内不至于使我挨饿。 然后我拿了两只手熗，因为我已有一筒火药和一些子弹，就觉得武装得够可以的了。 至于我头脑里的计划，我想不算太坏。我打算到把东面的锚地和海隔开的沙尖嘴上去，找到我昨天傍晚发现的那面白色岩壁，看看本噶恩的小艇是不是藏在那里，到现在我仍然认为这件事值得去试一试。但是我知道他们肯定不让我离开木屋。惟一可行的办法就是不辞而别，趁人不备时，偷偷溜出去。这使得本身是对的事情因做的方式不对也变成错的了。但是我只不过是个毛孩子，下定了决心就不再犹豫了。 最终正如事情发展的那样，天赐良机，乡绅和葛雷正忙于帮船长缠绑带，路就在前方。我一个箭步窜出去，翻身越过栅栏，钻进茂密的丛林中。在他们发觉前，我已逐渐远离木屋，听不到他们的呼喊声了。 这是我第二次做傻事，比前一次更草率，因为我仅撇下两个未受伤的人守卫木屋。然而同第一次一样，这次行动又一次救了我们大家的命。 我径直朝海岛的东海岸跑去，因为我决定沿着沙尖嘴靠海的一边下去，以避免被锚地里人的察觉到。此时已过下午了，太阳还未落山，天气仍很暖和。 我继续穿行于高大的树林中，不仅可以听到前方不远处海浪拍击岩石发出的持续不断的轰鸣声，还可以听到树叶和树枝发出的沙沙声——这表明海风比平日里更强些。很快凉风阵阵袭来，我又走了几步来到树林边的开阔地，见到蓝色的大海在阳光下伸展到地平线上，翻腾的浪花在海滩上滚出许多泡沫来。 我从未看到过藏宝岛附近的海域如此平静过。阳光直射下来，周围没有一丝儿风，蔚蓝的海面上波平如镜，但沿海岸边却仍是波涛滚滚，日夜喧嚷。我想整个岛上是无处听不到这种浪花飞溅的响声的。 我怀着愉快的心情，沿着岸边走去，直到我估计已远离了南岸，才在茂密的灌木丛的隐蔽下，警惕地攀上沙尖嘴的斜坡。 我背对着大海，前面是锚地。海风耗竭了淫威，很快地平静下来，紧跟着，轻柔的海风从南面、东南面飘拂而来，携来了大团大团的雾气。在骷髅岛的下风处，铅灰色的锚地像我们初次进来时一样平静。伊斯班袅拉号停在如镜的水面上，从桅顶到吃水线以及悬挂的海盗旗都倒映得清清楚楚。 大船旁停靠着一只划子，西尔弗坐在层座上，我一眼就认出是他，还有两个人斜靠在船墙上，其中一个戴着红色的帽子，正是我几个小时前看见的那个跨在栅栏上的坏蛋。他们显然在谈笑，由于隔得那么远——大约一英里的距离，他们谈些什么，我当然一句也听不清楚。突然，我听到一声极其恐怖的怪叫，简直难以相信世界上还有这种声音。最初把我吓坏了，但我很快就记起那是名叫“弗林特船长”的鹦鹉在叫。它正蹲坐在主人的手腕上，根据它那亮丽的羽毛，我可以辨认出它。 不久，划子撑离大船划向岸边，戴红帽的那个家伙和他的同伙从船舱升降口走了下去。 就在这时，太阳落到望远镜山后面。由于雾聚集得很快，天已经开始黑下来。我知道如果我想在今晚找到小艇，必须抓紧时间。 露出灌木丛的白色岩壁依旧在下面大约远离八分之一英里的沙尖嘴上。我花了好些时间才爬到那里，我往往手脚并用地在树丛中潜行。当我的手触到粗糙的岩壁时，夜幕几乎降下来。在岩壁的正下方有极小一块长有绿色草皮的洼地，被沙汀和高及膝部的茂密的矮树所掩盖。洼地中间果然有山羊皮做的小帐篷，有点像吉卜赛人在英国流浪时携带的帐篷。 我跳到洼地里，掀开帐篷的一角，看到了本•葛恩的小艇。这是一只再简陋不过的小艇，木料粗糙，斜底船架用毛朝里的山羊皮包起来。船小得可怜，以至于我坐在里边也很挤，真难以想象它如何能载得了一个大人。一块坐板装得极低，船头装有脚踏板，还有一支双叶划桨。 我从来没有见过这样的一支渔船，好像是我们的祖先不列颠人制造出来的，但我的确看到了本•葛恩的这条船。它让我难以形容，只能说这是我头一次看到的手工制作的最糟糕的一条船。但是这条小船有它本身的最大的优点，它轻巧、方便。 现在既然已找到了小艇，想想我擅自离守的时间也太久了，是该回去了。但此刻我又有了另一个主意，并且感到很得意，非把它实现不可，即使斯莫列特船长想阻挡也阻挡不了。那就是在夜幕的掩护下偷偷地把小艇划出去，靠近伊斯班袅拉号，砍断锚索，任它飘流到哪个岸边。我敢认定，反叛者们早晨遭到这样的痛击，定想及早出海。我想这样做要是可以阻止他们逃跑，该有多好哇。看到海盗们连一只小船也没留给守卫在大船上的人，我想这件事做起来没多大危险。 我坐下来等待天黑，用于面包饱餐了一顿。这个夜晚对于实施我的计划可以说是千载难逢的机会。浓雾已吞没了整个世界。当天空中最后一丝余光消失后，藏宝岛被黑夜吞噬了。终于我扛起那支小艇，跌跌撞撞地离开了我吃晚饭的回地，整个锚地只能看见两点光亮。一处是被击退的海盗们在海边洼地上升起的大火堆，另一处是隐约可见的微光，它指示着大船停泊的位置。 落潮时船头转了个方向，现在船头向着我，只有船舱里透出一点灯光；我看到的仅是从尾窗中射出的强光在雾中的反射而已。落潮已有一段时间了，我必须跋涉一段很长的沙滩（有好几次我的脚陷进了泥沙中），才走到了正在退下去的水边。在水中趟了几步后，我稍稍用力就麻利地把小船平放在水面上。 |
Treasure IslandChapter XXI AS soon as Silver disappeared, the captain, who had been closely watching him, turned towards the interior of the house, and found not a man of us at his post but Gray. It was the first time we had ever seen him angry. `Quarters!' he roared. And then, as we all slunk back to our places, `Gray,' he said, `I'll put your name in the log; you've stood by your duty like a seaman. Mr Trelawney, I'm surprised at you, sir. Doctor, I thought you had worn the king's coat! If that was how you served at Fontenoy, sir, you'd have been better in your berth.' The doctor's watch were all back at their loopholes, the rest were busy loading the spare muskets, and every one with a red face, you may be certain, and a flea in his ear, as the saying is. The captain looked on for a while in silence. Then he spoke. `My lads,' said he, `I've given Silver a broadside. I pitched it in red-hot on purpose; and before the hour's out, as he said, we shall be boarded. We're outnumbered, I needn't tell you that, but we fight in shelter; and, a minute ago, I should have said we fought with discipline. I've no manner of doubt that we can drub them, if you choose.' Then he went the rounds, and saw, as he said, that all was clear. On the two short sides of the house, east and west, there were only two loopholes; on the south side where the porch was, two again; and on the north side, five. There was a round score of muskets for the seven of us; the firewood had been built into four piles - tables, you might say - one about the middle of each side, and on each of these tables some ammunition and four loaded muskets were laid ready to the hand of the defenders. In the middle, the cutlasses lay ranged. `Toss out the fire,' said the captain; `the chill is past, and we mustn't have smoke in our eyes.' The iron fire-basket was carried bodily out by Mr Trelawney, and the embers smothered among sand. `Hawkins hasn't had his breakfast. Hawkins, help yourself, and back to your post to eat it,' continued Captain Smollett. `Lively, now, my lad; you'll want it before you've done. Hunter, serve out a round of brandy to all hands.' And while this was going on, the captain completed, in his own mind, the plan of the defence. `Doctor, you will take the door,' he resumed. `See, and don't expose yourself; keep within, and fire through the porch. Hunter, take the east side, there. Joyce, you stand by the west, my man. Mr Trelawney, you are the best shot - you and Gray will take this long north side, with the five loopholes; it's there the danger is. If they can get up to it, and fire in upon us through our own ports, things would begin to look dirty. Hawkins, neither you nor I are much account at the shooting we'll stand by to load and bear a hand.' As the captain had said, the chill was past. As soon as the sun had climbed above our girdle of trees, it fell with all its force upon the clearing, and drank up the vapours at draught. Soon the sand was baking, and the resin melting in the logs of the block-house. Jackets and coats were flung aside; shirts thrown open at the neck, and rolled up to the shoulders; and we stood there, each at his post, in a fever of heat and anxiety. An hour passed away. `Hang them!' said the captain. `This is as dull as the doldrums. Gray, whistle for a wind.' And just at that moment came the first news of the attack. `If you please, sir,' said Joyce, `if I see anyone am I to fire?' `I told you so!' cried the captain. `Thank you, sir,' returned Joyce, with the same quiet civility. Nothing followed for a time; but the remark had set us all on the alert, straining ears and eyes - the musketeers with their pieces balanced in their hands, the captain out in the middle of the block-house, with his mouth very tight and frown on his face. So some seconds passed, till suddenly Joyce whipped up his musket and fired. The report had scarcely died away ere it was repeated and repeated from without in a scattering volley, shot behind shot, like a string of geese, from every side of the enclosure. Several bullets struck the log-house, but not one entered; and, as the smoke cleared away and vanished, the stockade and the woods around it looked as quiet and empty as before. Not a bough waved, not the gleam of a musket-barrel betrayed the presence of our foes. `Did you hit your man?' asked the captain. `No, sir,' replied Joyce. `I believe not, sir.' `Next best thing to tell the truth,' muttered Captain Smollett. `Load his gun, Hawkins. How many should you say there were on your side, doctor?' `I know precisely,' said Dr Livesey. `Three shots were fired on this side. I saw the three flashes - two close together - one farther to the west.' `Three!' repeated the captain. `And how many on yours, Mr Trelawney?' But this was not so easily answered. There had come many from the north - seven, by the squire's computation; eight or nine, according to Gray. From the east and west only a single shot had been fired. It was plain, therefore, that the attack would be developed from the north, and that on the other three sides we were only to be annoyed by a show of hostilities. But Captain Smollett made no change in his arrangements. If the mutineers succeeded in crossing the stockade, he argued, they would take possession of any unprotected loophole, and shoot us down like rats in our own stronghold. Nor had we much time left to us for thought. Suddenly, with a loud huzza, a little cloud of pirates leaped from the woods on the north side, and ran straight on the stockade. At the same moment, the fire was once more opened from the woods, and a rifle-ball sang through the doorway, and knocked the doctor's musket into bits. The boarders swarmed over the fence like monkeys. Squire and Gray fired again and yet again; three men fell, one forwards into the enclosure, two back on the outside. But of these, one was evidently more frightened than hurt, for he was on his feet again in a crack, and instantly disappeared among the trees. Two had bit the dust, one had fled, four had made good their footing inside our defences; while from the shelter of the woods seven or eight men, each evidently supplied with several muskets, kept up a hot though useless fire on the log-house. The four who had boarded made straight before them for the building, shouting as they ran, and the men among the trees shouted back to encourage them. Several shots were fired; but, such was the hurry of the marksmen, that not one appeared to have taken effect. In a moment, the four pirates had swarmed up the mound and were upon us. The head of Job Anderson, the boatswain, appeared at the middle loophole. `At 'em, all hands - all hands!' he roared, in a voice of thunder. At the same moment, another pirate grasped Hunter's musket by the muzzle, wrenched it from his hands, plucked it through the loophole, and, with one stunning blow, laid the poor fellow senseless on the floor. Meanwhile a third, running unharmed all round the house, appeared suddenly in the doorway, and fell with his cutlass on the doctor. Our position was utterly reversed. A moment since we were firing, under cover, at an exposed enemy; now it was we who lay uncovered, and could not return a blow. The log-house was full of smoke, to which we owed our comparative safety. Cries and confusion, the flashes and reports of pistol-shots, and one loud groan, rang in my ears. `Out, lads, out, and fight 'em in the open! Cutlasses!' cried the captain. I snatched a cutlass from the pile, and someone, at the same time snatching another, gave me a cut across the knuckles which I hardly felt. I dashed out of the door into the clear sunlight. Someone was close behind, I knew not whom. Right in front, the doctor was pursuing his assailant down the hill, and, just as my eyes fell upon him, beat down his guard, and sent him sprawling on his back, with a great slash across the face. `Round the house, lads! round the house!' cried the captain and even in the hurly-burly I perceived a change in his voice. Mechanically I obeyed, turned eastwards, and with my cutlass raised, ran round the corner of the house. Next moment I was face to face with Anderson. He roared aloud, and his hanger went up above his head, flashing in the sunlight. I had not time to be afraid, but, as the blow still hung impending, leaped in a trice upon one side, and missing my foot in the soft sand, rolled headlong down the slope. When I had first sallied from the door, the other mutineers had been already swarming up the palisade to make an end of us. One man, in a red night-cap, with his cutlass in his mouth, had even got upon the top and thrown a leg across. Well, so short had been the interval, that when I found my feet again all was in the same posture, the fellow with the red night-cap still half-way over, another still just showing his head above the top of the stockade. And yet, in this breath of time, the fight was over, and the victory was ours. Gray, following close behind me, had cut down the big boatswain ere he had time to recover from his lost blow. Another had been shot at a loophole in the very act of firing into the house, and now lay in agony, the pistol still smoking in his hand. A third, as I had seen, the doctor had disposed of at a blow. Of the four who had scaled the palisade, one only remained unaccounted for, and he, having left his cutlass on the field, was now clambering out again with the fear of death upon him. `fire - fire from the house!' cried the doctor. `And you, lads, back into cover.' But his words were unheeded, no shot was fired, and the last boarder made good his escape, and disappeared with the rest into the wood. In three seconds nothing remained of the attacking party but the five who had fallen, four on the inside, and one on the outside, of the palisade. The doctor and Gray and I ran full speed for shelter. The survivors would soon be back where they had left their muskets, and at any moment the fire might recommence. The house was by this time somewhat cleared of smoke, and we saw at a glance the price we had paid for victory. Hunter lay beside his loophole, stunned; Joyce by his, shot through the head, never to move again; while right in the centre, the squire was supporting the captain, one as pale as the other. `The captain's wounded,' said Mr Trelawney. `Have they run?' asked Mr Smollett. `All that could, you may be bound,' returned the doctor `but there's five of them will never run again.' `Five!' cried the captain. `Come, that's better. Five against three leaves us four to nine. That's better odds than we had at starting. We were seven to nineteen then, or thought we were, and that's as bad to bear.' The mutineers were soon only eight in number, for the man shot by Mr Trelawney on board the schooner died that same evening of his wound. But this was, of course, not known till after by the faithful party. 宝岛二十一 敌人进攻寨子 西尔弗一消失，一直密切注视着他的船长便将身子转回了屋里，发现除了葛雷外谁都没在自己的岗位上。这是我们第一次看到船长勃然大怒。 “各就各位！”他吼道。接着，当我们全部溜回到自己的位置上之后，“葛雷，”他说，“我要把你的名字写进航海日志里：你像名真正的海员一样忠于职守。特里罗尼先生，我对你感到吃惊，阁下。医生，我想你是穿过军装的！要是你在方特诺依就是这样服役的话，先生，那你最好躺到你的铺位上去。” 医生这一组的人都回到了自己的射击孔旁，其余的人都忙着给备用熗支上弹药。可以肯定，我们每个人都是面红耳赤的，而且，就像俗语讲的，耳朵里就像有个跳蚤。 船长默默地察看了一会儿。然后他又开口讲话了。 “弟兄们，”他说，“我已经给了西尔弗个侧舷炮齐发。我给他一顿痛骂，就是想激怒他；就像他说的，不出一个钟头，我们就要受到进攻。我们在人数上处于劣势，这一点我是不必说了，但是我们是在工事里作战，而且，在一分钟前，我还会说我们作战是有纪律性作保证的。只要你们愿意，我毫不怀疑我们会给他们来个迎头痛击。” 接着他又进行了一番巡视，随即看到，就像他说的，万事俱备。 在屋子窄的那两面，也就是东面和西面，只有两个射击孔；在门廊所在的南面，还有两个；而在北面则有五个。我们七个人有整整二十支熗。柴禾被堆成了四堆——你可以把它们叫做四张台子——每堆都位于屋子每一面的中央，而在每个这样的台子上都放了些弹药和四支装好弹药的火熗，以供守卫者取用。在屋子当中的地方，则放置了一排弯刀。 “把炉火熄了，”船长说，“寒气过去了，我们不必再叫烟熏得我们睁不开眼睛。” 那个铁篓子被特里罗尼先生整个地拎了出去，余烬在沙子里灭掉了。 “霍金斯还没吃上早饭呢。霍金斯，你自己动手去拿早饭，回到你的岗位上去吃，”斯莫列特船长接着说道，“打起精神来，孩子，只要还活着你就得吃饭。亨特，给大家上一圈白兰地。” 在这段时间里，船长在脑子里构想出防守方案。 “医生，你把住门，”他说，“注意，不要暴露自己；待在里面，从门廊往外射击。亨特，负责东面。乔埃斯，你站在西面，老弟。特里罗尼先生，你是最好的射手——你和葛雷得负责最长的北面，有五个射击孔；这里最危险。要是他们上到这面来，从我们自己的射击孔里向我们开火，情况就不妙了。霍金斯，你和我熗法都不怎么样，我们就站在一边装弹药，打个下手。” 正如船长所说，寒气过去了。太阳刚一爬到我们外围的树梢上，就将它的热力倾向了地面，把个雾气吸得干干净净。沙子很快便开始发烫，木屋房架上木头里的树脂也被烤化了。外套和上衣已被扔到了一边，衬衫领口也敞开着，翻到了肩上；我们每个人都站在各自的岗位上，天气炎热加上内心焦灼，弄得浑身燥热。 一个钟头过去了。 “该死的家伙！”船长说，“这沉闷得像赤道无风带似的。葛雷，吹口哨招招风吧。” 而就在这时，传来了进攻的第一声消息。 “请问，先生，”乔埃斯说，“要是我看见什么人，我可以开熗吗？” “我告诉你可以开熗！”船长大声喊道。 “谢谢你，先生。”乔埃斯仍旧彬彬有礼地答道。 接下来半晌不见动静，但那句话已经使我们都警惕得竖起了耳朵、睁大了眼睛——熗手们用手端平了熗，船长仁立在屋子的中央，紧闭着嘴巴，皱着眉头。 这样又过了几秒钟，直到乔埃斯猛地举熗开了火。熗声余音未落，回敬的熗声便接踵而至，从寨子的四面八方飞来，像接连不断的雁群似的，一熗紧挨一熗。有几发子弹打中了木屋子，但是没有穿透进来。当硝烟散去之后，寨子和环绕它的树林又恢复了先前的寂静和空落。没有一根树枝摇动，也没见到一个暴露我们敌人踪迹的熗管在闪光。 “你击中目标了吗？”船长问道。 “没有，先生，”乔埃斯答道，“我想是没有，先生。” “讲实话也算不错，”斯莫列特船长咕哝道。“给他的熗装上弹药，霍金斯。你那边打了几熗，医生？” “这我知道得很清楚，”利弗西医生说道，“这边是三熗。我看到三次闪光——两次挨得近——另外一次离得远，靠西边。” “三熗！”船长重复道。“那么你那边总共有多少呢，特里罗尼先生？” 这可不太容易回答了。从北面射来了许多熗——据乡绅计算是七熗，而据葛雷估计则是八熗到九熗。从东面和西面射来的总共只有一熗。因此，进攻显然是从北面展开，而在其余的三面，我们将只受到些虚张声势的骚扰。但是，斯莫列特船长并没有改变部署。他提出，如果反叛分子成功地越过了栅栏的话，他们就会占领任何一个无人把守的射击孔，就会把我们像打耗子一样地打死在我们自己的堡垒里。 我们也没有时间多想了。突然，随着一声呐喊，一小撮海盗窜出了北面的树林，直奔寨子跑来。与此同时，树林里又一次开了火，一颗子弹呼啸着从门外飞来，立刻便把医生的熗击成了碎片。 海盗们像猿猴般地翻越了栅栏。乡绅和葛雷一次又一次地射击，三个倒下了，一个向前倒在寨子里面，两个朝后倒在了外面。但这两个中，有一个显然是受了惊吓而非挂彩，因为他又一骨碌爬起来，立刻便消失在了树林里。 两个当场毙命，一个跑掉了，四个已经漂亮地进到了我们的栅栏里面；而在树林的隐蔽下，还有七八个人，每个人显然都配备了好几支熗，不断地向木屋进行猛烈的、然而是无效的射击。 那四个越过栅栏的人直奔木屋冲来，一边跑还一边喊着，而那些树林里的人也跟着呐喊助威。我们这边开了几熗，但是熗手由于过于匆忙，似乎一发也未中的。不一会儿，四个海盗便已冲上了小丘，向我们扑来。 那个水手长乔布•安德森的脑袋出现在中间的一个射击孔里。 “灭了他们，一个不留——一个不留！”他用雷鸣般的声音咆哮着。 与此同时，另一个海盗猛地抓住了亨特的熗管，从他的手中夺了过去，拖出了射击孔，然后，以漂亮的一击，打得这可怜的人倒在了地板上，失去了知觉。此时，第三个海盗丝毫未损地绕着木屋跑了一匝后，突然出现在了门口，举着他的弯刀向医生砍去。 我们的处境完全颠倒了过来。就在一刻以前，我们还在掩蔽下射击暴露着的敌人，这会儿却是毫无掩蔽地暴露给了对方而无还手之力。 木屋里弥漫着硝烟，多亏了这，我们还算安全些。呐喊和骚乱、火光和熗声，以及一声很大的呻吟，充斥着我的耳朵。 “出去，弟兄们，出去，和他们在开阔地拼！弯刀！”船长叫道。 我从柴禾堆上抓起了一把弯刀，同时另一个人也抓起了一把，在我的手指关节上划了一下，这我当时几乎都没感觉得到。我夺门而出，冲到了明朗的阳光下。有人紧跟在我后面，我搞不清是谁。在正前方，医生正把那个对头赶下了小丘，当我刚刚把目光落到他身上时，他已突破了对方的防守，在那人脸上狠狠地来了一刀，疼得那家伙倒在地上打滚儿。 “绕屋子来，弟兄们！绕屋子来！”船长叫道；即使是在混乱中，我也听出他的声音有些异样。 我机械地服从命令向东转，举着弯刀跑步绕过屋角。接着我便与安德森面对面地遭遇了。他大声地吼叫着，把他的弯刀举过了头顶，刀身在阳光下寒光四射。我连害怕都来不及，就在这刀悬未落的危难关头，我一下子就跳到了一边，脚踩到松软的沙子里没有站稳，跌了一跤，头朝下滚下了斜坡。 当我刚从门口冲出来时，其它的叛乱分子正一窝蜂地涌上栅栏，企图结果了我们。一个戴顶红色睡帽的人，衔着他的弯刀，甚至已经爬到了栅栏顶上，一条腿已经迈了过来。这段间隔是如此的短促，当我重新站起来的时候，那个戴红色睡帽的家伙仍旧一条腿在外一条腿在里，而另一个家伙仍只是露出个脑瓜子在栅栏顶上。然而就在这刹那间，战斗结束了，胜利属于了我们。 紧跟在我后面的葛雷，在那个大个子水手长正为劈空而愣神的当儿就砍倒了他。另外一个，在他从射击孔向屋内开熗的时候被打中了，这会儿正痛苦地在地上挣扎呢，他手里的熗还在冒着烟。第三个，就像我看到的那样，被医生一刀结果了。越过寨子的这四个人中，只有一个没被干掉，他把弯刀丢在了地上，正被死亡吓得抱头鼠窜哩。 “开熗——从屋里开熗！”医生叫道。“还有你们，弟兄，快回屋去隐蔽。” 但他的话未引起注意，因此没人开熗，于是这最后一个海盗便逃之夭夭了，和其余的人一起消失在了林子里。在三秒钟内，这群进攻者什么也没有留下，只剩了五个人倒在地上：四个在栅栏里边，一个在外边。 医生、葛雷和我全速跑回了木屋。幸存的海盗一定很快就回来捡拾熗支，战斗随时都可能再次打响。 这时，屋内的硝烟已经稍稍消散，我们一眼便可看出为胜利所付出的代价来。亨特倒在了他的射击孔旁，昏迷不醒。乔埃斯紧挨着他，被射穿了脑袋，一动不动。而就在屋子正中，乡绅正扶着船长，两人都面色苍白。 “船长受伤了。”特里罗尼先生说。 “他们跑掉了吗？”斯莫列特先生问道。 “都想跑，你可以相信，”医生回答道，“但是有五个永远也跑不了了。” “五个！”船长叫道，“看，这满不错。五个对三个，剩下我们四个对他们九个。这个差距比刚开头的时候小得多了。那时是我们七个对他们十九个，想想那时的处境，真是让人受不了啊。”① ①叛乱分子很快就只剩下八个了，因为那个在船上被特里罗尼先生打中的人当晚就死了。但是这一点，这忠实正派的一伙当然是后来才知道的。——原注 |
Treasure IslandChapter XX SURE enough, there were two men just outside the stockade, one of them waving a white cloth; the other, no less a person than Silver himself, standing placidly by. It was still quite early, and the coldest morning that I think I ever was abroad in; a chill that pierced into the marrow. The sky was bright and cloudless overhead, and the tops of the trees shone rosily in the sun. But where Silver stood with his lieutenant all was still in shadow, and they waded knee deep in a low, white vapour, that had crawled during the night out of the morass. The chill and the vapour taken together told a poor tale of the island. It was plainly a damp, feverish, unhealthy spot. `Keep indoors, men,' said the captain. `Ten to one this is a trick.' Then he hailed the buccaneer. `Who goes? Stand, or we fire.' `Flag of truce,' cried Silver. The captain was in the porch, keeping himself carefully out of the way of a treacherous shot should any be intended. He turned and spoke to us:-- `Doctor's watch on the look out. Dr Livesey take the north side, if you please; Jim, the east; Gray, west. The watch below, all hands to load muskets. Lively, men, and careful.' And then he turned again to the mutineers. `And what do you want with your flag of truce?' he cried. This time it was the other man who replied. `Cap'n Silver, sir, to come on board and make terms,' he shouted. `Cap'n Silver! Don't know him. Who's he?' cried the captain. And we could hear him adding to himself: `Cap'n, is it? My heart, and here's promotion!' Long John answered for himself. `Me, sir. These poor lads, have chosen me cap'n, after your desertion, sir - laying a particular emphasis upon the word `desertion.' `We're willing to submit, if we can come to terms, and no bones about it. All I ask is your word, Cap'n Smollett, to let me safe and sound out of this here stockade, and one minute to get out o' shot before a gun is fired.' `My man,' said Captain Smollett, `I have not the slightest desire to talk to you. If you wish to talk to me, you can come, that's all. If there's any treachery, it'll be on your side, and the Lord help you.' `That's enough, cap'n,' shouted Long John, cheerily. `A word from you's enough. I know a gentleman, and you may lay to that.' We could see the man who carried the flag of truce attempting to hold Silver back. Nor was that wonderful, seeing how cavalier had been the captain's answer. But Silver laughed at him aloud, and slapped him on the back, as if the idea of alarm had been absurd. Then he advanced to the stockade, threw over his crutch, got a leg up, and with great vigour and skill succeeded in surmounting the fence and dropping safely to the other side. I will confess that I was far too much taken up with what was going on to be of the slightest use as sentry; indeed, I had already deserted my eastern loophole, and crept up behind the captain, who had now seated himself on the threshold, with his elbows on his knees, his head in his hands, and his eyes fixed on the water, as it bubbled out of the old iron kettle in the sand. He was whistling to himself, `Come, Lasses and Lads.' Silver had terrible hard work getting up the knoll. What with the steepness of the incline, the thick tree stumps, and the soft sand, he and his crutch were as helpless as a ship in stays. But he stuck to it like a man in silence, and at last arrived before the captain, whom he saluted in the handsomest style. He was tricked out in his best; an immense blue coat, thick with brass buttons, hung as low as to his knees, and a fine laced hat was set on the back of his head. `Here you are, my man,' said the captain, raising his head. `You had better sit down.' `You aint a-going to let me inside, cap'n?' complained Long John. `It's a main cold morning, to be sure, sir, to sit outside upon the sand.' `Why, Silver,' said the captain, `if you had pleased to be an honest man, you might have been sitting in your galley. It's your own doing. You're either my ship's cook - and then you were treated handsome - or Cap'n Silver, a common mutineer and pirate, and then you can go hang!' `Well, well, cap'n,' returned the sea-cook, sitting down as he was bidden on the sand, `you'll have to give me a hand up again, that's all. A sweet pretty place you have of it here. Ah, there's Jim! The top of the morning to you, Jim. Doctor, here's my service. Why, there you all are together like a happy family, in a manner of speaking.' `If you have anything to say, my man, better say it,' said the captain. `Right you were, Cap'n Smollett,' replied Silver. `Dooty is dooty, to be sure. Well, now, you look here, that was a good lay of yours last night. I don't deny it was a good lay. Some of you pretty handy with a handspike-end. And I'll not deny neither but what some of my people was shook - maybe all was shook; maybe I was shook myself; maybe that's why I'm here for terms. But you mark me, cap'n, it won't do twice, by thunder! We'll have to do sentry-go, and ease off a point or so on the rum. Maybe you think we were all a sheet in the wind's eye. But I'll tell you I was sober; I was on'y dog tired; and if I'd awoke a second sooner I'd at caught you i the act, I would. He wasn't dead when I got round to him, not he.' `Well?' says Captain Smollett, as cool as can be. All that Silver said was a riddle to him, but you would never have guessed it from his tone. As for me, I began to have an inkling. Ben Gunn's last words came back to my mind. I began to suppose that he had paid the buccaneers a visit while they all lay drunk together round their fire, and I reckoned up with glee that we had only fourteen enemies to deal with. `Well, here it is,' said Silver. `We want that treasure, an we'll have it - that's our point! You would just as soon save your lives, I reckon; and that's yours. You have a chart, haven't you?' `That's as may be,' replied the captain. `Oh, well, you have, I know that,' returned Long John. `You needn't be so husky with a man; there aint a particle of service in that, and you may lay to it. What I mean is, we want your chart. Now, I never meant you no harm, myself.' `That won't do with me, my man,' interrupted the captain. `We know exactly what you meant to do, and we don't care; for now, you see, you can't do it.' And the captain looked at him calmly, and proceeded to fill a pipe. `If Abe Gray--' Silver broke out. `Avast there!' cried Mr Smollett. `Gray told me nothing, and I asked him nothing; and what's more I would see you and him and this whole island blown clean out of the water into blazes first. So there's my mind for you, my man, on that.' This little whiff of temper seemed to cool Silver down. He had been growing nettled before, but now he pulled himself together. `Like enough,' said he. `I would set no limits to what gentlemen might consider shipshape, or might not, as the case were. And, seein' as how you are about to take a pipe, cap'n, I'll make so free as do likewise.' And he filled a pipe and lighted it; and the two men sat silently smoking for quite a while, now looking each other in the face, now stopping their tobacco, now leaning forward to spit. It was as good as the play to see them. `Now,' resumed Silver, `here it is. You give us the chart to get the treasure by, and drop shooting poor seamen, and stoving of their heads in while asleep. You do that, and we'll offer you a choice. Either you come aboard along of us, once the treasure shipped, and then I'll give you my affy-davy, upon my word of honour, to clap you somewhere safe ashore. Or, if that aint to your fancy, some of my hands being rough, and having old scores, on account of hazing, then you can stay here, you can. We'll divide stores with you, man for man; and I'll give my affy-davy, as before, to speak the first ship I sight, and send 'em here to pick you up. Now you'll own that's talking. Handsomer you couldn't look to get, not you. And I hope' - raising his voice - `that all hands in this here blockhouse will overhaul my words, for what is spoke to one is spoke to all.' Captain Smollett rose from his seat, and knocked out the ashes of his pipe in the palm of his left hand. `Is that all?' he asked. `Every last word, by thunder!' answered John. `Refuse that, and you've seen the last of me but musket- balls.' `Very good,' said the captain. `Now you'll hear me. If you'll come up one by one, unarmed, I'll engage to clap you all in irons, and take you home to a fair trial in England. If you won't my name is Alexander Smollett, I've flown my sovereign's colours, and I'll see you all to Davy Jones. You can't find the treasure. You can't sail the ship - there's not a man among you fit to sail the ship. You can't fight us - Gray, there, got away from five of you. Your ship's in irons, Master Silver; you're on a lee shore, and so you'll find. I stand here and tell you so; and they'd the last good words you'll get from me; for, in the name of heaven, I'll put a bullet in your back when next I meet you. Tramp, my lad. Bundle out of this, please, hand over hand, and double quick.' Silver's face was a picture; his eyes started in his head with wrath. He shook the fire out of his pipe. `Give me a hand up!' he cried. `Not I,' returned the captain. `Who'll give me a hand up?' he roared. Not a man among us moved. Growling the foulest imprecations, he crawled along the sand till he got hold of the porch and could hoist himself again upon his crutch. Then he spat into the spring. `There!' he cried, `that's what I think of ye. Before an hour's out, I'll stove in your old block-house like a rum puncheon. Laugh, by thunder, laugh! Before an hour's out, ye'll laugh upon the other side. Them that die'll be the lucky ones.' And with a dreadful oath he stumbled off, ploughed down the sand, was helped across the stockade, after four or five failures, by the man with the flag of truce, and disappeared in an instant afterwards among the trees. 宝岛二十 西尔弗前来谈判 果然，寨子外面有两个人，其中一个挥舞着一块白布，而另外一个，丝毫不差，正是西尔弗本人，正不动声色地站在一边。 时辰还早，那是我出海以来遇到的最冷的一个早晨，寒气直刺人我的骨髓。头上的大空晴朗无云，林梢在晨光下泛着一抹玫瑰红。但是西尔弗和他的副官所站的地方还都是在阴影之中，他们的膝部浸在夜间从沼地那边蔓延过来的贴地的白色雾气中。寒气和水汽合在一起正好解释了这个岛荒无人烟的原因。这里显然是个潮湿、闷热、不卫生的地方。 “不要出去，弟兄们，”船长说，“十有八九这是个圈套。” 接着他向海盗喊话。 “来者何人？站住，否则我们开熗了。” “打着休战旗呢。”西尔弗叫道。 船长站在门廊下，十分谨慎地选择了一处冷熗打不到的地方。他转过身来对我们说： “医生那组负责警戒守卫。利弗西医生，烦劳你守住北面。吉姆，东面；葛雷，西面。不当班的一组，全部安装弹药。手脚麻利点，弟兄们，还要当心。” 然后他又转向了反叛分子。 “你们打着休战旗来干什么？”他喊道。 这回是另外一个人答话了。 “西尔弗船长，先生，上来跟你们谈判来啦。”他喊道。 “西尔弗船长！我不认识他。他是谁？”船长叫道。接着我们听见他独自念叨：“船长，当真？嗬，高升啦！” 高个子约翰本人答话了。 “是我，先生。这些可怜的孩子们推举我当船长，在你离职之后，先生”——在“离职”一词上他特别加重了语气进行强调。“如果我们能达成协议的话，我们愿意归顺，并且说一不二。我只要求你一句话，斯莫列特船长，就是保证我平安无事地从这个寨子出去，请迟一分钟开熗，让我走出射程。” “老兄，”斯莫列特船长说，“我压根就不想同你谈什么。要是你想跟我谈的话，你可以过来，就这些。要说要花招，那只会是你们那边，让上帝来指点你吧。” “这就够了，船长，”高个子约翰欢喜地喊道。“有你一句话就够了。我了解一个绅士的所为，这点你可以相信。” 我们可以看到打休战旗的家伙正试图阻止西尔弗。这不足为奇，因为船长的答话透着不客气。但是西尔弗却大声地嘲笑了他，用手拍着他的后背，仿佛他的警戒心理多么荒唐好笑似的。接着他就向寨子挺进，把他的拐扔了过来，然后一条腿伸了过来，以极大的力气和技巧成功地翻越了栅栏，安然无恙地落到了这一边。 我得承认，我被正在发生的事情完全吸引住了，压根没起到一个警戒哨的作用；事实上，我已经离开了东边的射击孔，趴在了船长的后面，这会儿他正坐在门槛上，肘拄在膝盖上，用手托着头，注视着从那只旧铁锅底的沙中冒出的水。他正径自吹着口哨，“来吧，姑娘们和小伙子们。” 西尔弗费了好大的力气才爬上了小丘。面对陡峭的斜坡、密密麻麻的树桩以及松软的沙土，他和他的拐就像搁浅的船一样。但是他像个男子汉般地默默地硬撑了下来，终于来到了船长的面前，用优美的姿势向他行了个礼。他显然穿上了他最好的行头：一件宽松的蓝色外套，下摆一直垂到膝部，上面密密麻麻地钉着铜扣子，后脑勺上还扣着顶镶着好看的花边的帽子。 “你来了，老兄，”船长说，抬起了他的头。“你最好坐下来。” “你不能让我进去吗，船长？”高个子约翰抱怨道，“这么冷的一个大清早，先生，坐在外面的沙地上可够我受的。” “听着，西尔弗，”船长说，“要是你安分守己的话，你这会儿正坐在你的厨房里哩。你这是咎由自取。你既是我船上的厨子——那么你就该受到优待——可你又是西尔弗船长，无非是个叛乱分子，是个海盗，那就该让你上绞架！” “好啦，好啦，船长，”冰手厨子答道，这会儿他正乖乖地坐在沙地上，“你得再拉我一把，就这样。你们这儿倒是个好地方哇。啊，这是吉姆！早上好，吉姆。医生，向你问安。啊，你们全都聚在了一块儿，可以说是个幸福快乐的家庭啦。” “要是你有话要说，老兄，最好直说。”船长说道。 “你说得对，斯莫列特船长，”西尔弗答道，“公事公办，没错儿。好吧，你看看昨夜你的人干的好事。我不否认干得漂亮。你手下有人棍棒舞得厉害。我也不否认我的人——可能是全体，都被打了个措手不及，可能我本人也被打了个措手不及，这可能就是我上这儿来谈判的原因。但是你听着，船长，决不会有第二次了，我赌咒！我们会加强警戒，少喝些郎姆酒。可能你认为我们全都烂醉了吧，但是我告诉你我是清醒的，我只不过累得像条狗。要是我早醒上一秒种的话，我就会当场抓住你们，我会的。当我跑到他跟前的时候，他还没咽气呢。” “嗯？”斯莫列特船长说，尽可能地保持着冷静。 西尔弗所说的这一切，对他来说是一个谜，但是你从他的口气中却决不会察觉出来。至于我，我开始有点开窍了。我想起了本•葛恩最后说的那句话。我想他在海盗们醉倒在篝火旁时光顾了那里，我敢肯定，我们只剩下十四个敌人需要对付了。 “好啦，就这样，”西尔弗说。“我们想得到那笔宝藏，我们一定能得到它——我们就是奔它来的！我说，你们只须保住性命就行，这就是你们的目的。你有张图，是不是？” “可能是有吧。”船长答道。 “噢，好啦，我知道你有，”高个子约翰答道，“跟手下讲话不必那么不客气，这没有一点用处，你要明白这一点。我的意思是，我们想要你的这张图。听着，就我本人来讲，决不会有意伤害你们。” “少跟我来这套，老兄，”船长打断了他的话。“你想干什么我们知道得很清楚，我们不在乎。至于你现在想要的东西，你听好，门儿也没有。” 说完，船长平静地注视着他，并继续装着一斗烟。 “如果亚伯拉罕•葛雷——”西尔弗冲口而出。 “住口！”斯莫列特船长吼道。“葛雷什么也没跟我说，我也什么都没问他。再多说点，我想让你们连同这个岛统统沉入到水里去见龙王。以上就是我对你们的看法，老兄。” 船长发的这通小火使西尔弗冷静了几分。他本来有些冒火，但这会儿他又恢复了常态。 “也许是吧，”他说，“先生们根据情况来划定是非曲直，这我不会限制。啊，既然你抽开烟斗了，船长，我也就不拘礼节地照办啦。” 于是他也装了烟斗，点燃了它，这两个人就面对面地默默地抽了会儿烟，时而按一按烟斗，时而伸出头去吐口唾沫。看他们那样子真像在演戏一样。 “听着，”西尔弗重新挑起了话头，“就这样吧。你把寻宝图交给我们，不再向可怜的船员们开熗射击，也别在他们睡熟的时候敲碎他们的脑袋。你们这样做了之后，我们可以给你们个选择的机会。或者，在财宝装上船后，你们和我们一起上船，然后我可以担保，以我的名誉担保，我将让你们在某个地方安全上岸。或者，如果那不合你们的意的话，考虑到我的手下因为肚子里仍有怨气、记着仇，可能有些人会粗暴些，那你们就留在这里，你们可以这样做。我会把给养分给你们些，半对半，我像前次一样发誓，我将告诉给我见到的第一艘船，让他们到这儿来把你们接走。你得承认那是个优待，你不可能得到更优惠的条件了，不可能。而且我希望”——他提高了嗓门——“在这木屋里的所有的人都好好想想我的话，因为我对船长说的也就是对大家说的。” 斯莫列特船长从坐着的地方站了起来，往他左手的掌心上磕了磕烟斗里的灰。 “就这些？”他问道。 “句句是实，我赌咒！”约翰答道。“要是你拒绝的话，你就等着吃熗子儿吧，休想再见到我。” “很好，”船长说道。“现在你来听我说。要是你们放下武器，一个一个地前来，我就把你们全都铐起来，送回家去，在英格兰来一次公正的审判。要是你们不，我的名字是亚历山大•斯莫列特。我已经升起了我英王陛下的旗帜，我要让你们统统去见龙王。你们找不到宝藏的，你们也不会驾驶这艘船——你们中没人能驾驶得了这艘船。你们打不过我们——葛雷，就从你们那五个中跑了出来，到了这边。你们的船正进退两难，西尔弗船长，你现在在下风岸上，这一点你很快将发现。我站在这里跟你讲这是我对你的最后忠告。因为，以上帝的名义，下次再让我见到你，就让你的后脊梁吃一颗子弹。开步走，小子。烦请从这儿滚开，一步步爬回去，用上加倍的速度。” 西尔弗的面孔是一幅图画；他的眼睛因为暴怒而向外凸着。他甩掉了烟斗里的灰。 “拉我一把！”他叫道。 “我不拉。”船长答道。 “谁来拉我一把？”他吼道。 我们中谁也没动。他咆哮着发出最恶毒的咒骂，爬在沙地上，一直爬到了门廊前，抓着门柱子，用拐将自己的身体重新撑了起来。接着他便向泉水阵了一口。 “看这儿！”他叫道，“这就是我对你们的看法。不出一个钟头，我就要把你们的老木屋像郎姆酒桶似地凿穿。笑吧，你们这些天打雷劈的，笑吧！不出一个钟头，我就让你们笑脸变哭脸，让你们觉着还不如死了的好。” 他又断断续续地骂了一气，这才拄着拐，艰难地踩着沙地向下坡走去，失败了有四、五回，才在打白旗的人的帮助下越过了栅栏，一转眼就消失在了树林里。 |
Treasure IslandChapter XIX AS soon as Benn Gunn saw the colours he came to a halt stopped me by the arm, and sat down. `Now,' said he, `there's your friends, sure enough.' `Far more likely it's the mutineers,' I answered. `That!' he cried. `Why, in a place like this, where nobody puts in but gen'lemen of fortune, Silver would fly the Jolly Roger, you don't make no doubt of that. No; that's your friends. There's been blows, too, and I reckon your friends has had the best of it; and here they are ashore in the old stockade, as was made years and years ago by Flint. Ah, he was the man to have a headpiece, was Flint! Barring rum, his match were never seen. He were afraid of none, not he; on'y Silver - Silver was that genteel.' `Well,' said I, `that may be so, and so be it; all the more reason that I should hurry on and join my friends.' `Nay, mate,' returned Ben, `not you. you're a good boy or I'm mistook; but you're on'y a boy, all told. Now, Ben Gunn is fly. Rum wouldn't bring me there, where you're going - not rum wouldn't I, till I see your born gen'leman and gets it on his word of honour. And you won't forget my words: ``A precious sight (that's what you'll say), precious sight more confidence'' - and then nips him.' And he pinched me the third time with the same air of cleverness. `And when Ben Gunn is wanted, you know where to find him, Jim. Just wheer you found him to-day. And him that comes is to have a white thing in his hand: and he's to come alone. Oh! and you'll say this: ``Ben Gunn,'' says you, ``has reasons of his own.''' `Well,' said I, `I believe I understand. You have something to propose, and you wish to see the squire or the doctor; ant you're to be found where I found you. Is that all?' `And when? says you,' he added. `Why, from about noon observation to about six bells.' `Good,' said I, `and now may I go?' `You won't forget?' he inquired, anxiously. `Precious sight, and reasons of his own, says you. Reasons of his own; that's the mainstay; as between man and man. Well, then' - still holding me - `I reckon you can go, Jim. And, Jim, if you was to see Silver, you wouldn't go for to sell Ben Gunn? wild horses wouldn't draw it from you? No, says you. And if them pirates camp ashore, Jim, what would you say but there'd be widders in the morning?' Here he was interrupted by a loud report, and a cannon-ball came tearing through the trees and pitched in the sand, not a hundred yards from where we two were talking. The next moment each of us had taken to his heels in a different direction. For a good hour to come frequent reports shook the island, and balls kept crashing through the woods. I moved from hiding-place to hiding-place, always pursued, or so it seemed to me, by these terrifying missiles. But towards the end of the bombardment, though still I durst not venture in the direction of the stockade, where the balls fell oftenest, I had begun, in a manner, to pluck up my heart again; and after a long detour to the east, crept down among the shore-side trees. The sun had just set, the sea breeze was rustling and tumbling in the woods, and ruffling the grey surface of the anchorage; the tide, too, was far out, and great tracts of sand lay uncovered; the air, after the heat of the day, chilled me through my jacket. The Hispaniola still lay where she had anchored; but, sure enough, there was the Jolly Roger - the black flag of piracy - flying from her peak. Even as I looked, there came another red flash and another report, that sent the echoes clattering, and one more round-shot whistled through the air. It was the last of the cannonade. I lay for some time, watching the bustle which succeeded the attack. Men were demolishing something with axes on the beach near the stockade; the poor jolly-boat, I afterwards discovered. Away, near the mouth of the river, a great fire was glowing among the trees, and between that point and the ship one of the gigs kept coming and going, the men, whom I had seen so gloomy, shouting at the oars like children. But there was a sound in their voices which suggested rum. At length I thought I might return towards the stockade. I was pretty far down on the low, sandy spit that encloses the anchorage to the east, and is joined at half-water to Skeleton Island; and now, as I rose to my feet, I saw, some distance further down the spit, and rising from among low bushes, an isolated rock, pretty high, and peculiarly white in colour. It occurred to me that this might be the white rock of which Ben Gunn had spoken, and that some day or other a boat might be wanted, and I should know where to look for one. Then I skirted among the woods until I had regained the rear, or shoreward side, of the stockade, and was soon warmly welcomed by the faithful party. I had soon told my story, and began to look about me. The log-house was made of unsquared trunks of pine-roof, walls, and floor. The latter stood in several places as much as a foot or a foot and a half above the surface of the sand. There was a porch at the door, and under this porch the little spring welled up into an artificial basin of a rather odd kind - no other than a great ship's kettle of iron, with the bottom knocked out, and sunk `to her bearings,' as the captain said, among the sand. Little had been left beside the framework of the house; but in one corner there was a stone slab laid down by way of hearth, and an old rusty iron basket to contain the fire. The slopes of the knoll and all the inside of the stockade had been cleared of timber to build the house, and we could see by the stumps what a fine and lofty grove had been destroyed. Most of the soil had been washed away or buried in drift after the removal of the trees; only where the streamlet ran down from the kettle a thick bed of moss and some ferns and little creeping bushes were still green among the sand. Very close around the stockade - too close for defence, they said - the wood still flourished high and dense, all of fir on the land side, but towards the sea with a large admixture of live-oaks. The cold evening breeze, of which I have spoken, whistled through every chink of the rude building, and sprinkled the floor with a continual rain of fine sand. There was sand in our eyes, sand in our teeth, sand in our suppers, sand dancing in the spring at the bottom of the kettle, for all the world like porridge beginning to boil. Our chimney was a square hole in the roof; it was but a little part of the smoke that found its way out, and the rest eddied about the house, and kept us coughing and piping the eye. Add to this that Gray, the new man, had his face tied up in a bandage for a cut he had got in breaking away from the mutineers; and that poor old Tom Redruth, still unburied, lay along the wall, stiff and stark, under the Union Jack. If we had been allowed to sit idle, we should all have fallen in the blues but Captain Smollett was never the man for that. All hands were called up before him, and he divided us into watches. The doctor, and Gray, and I, for one; the squire, Hunter, and Joyce, upon the other. Tired though we all were, two were sent out for firewood; two more were set to dig a grave for Redruth; the doctor was named cook; I was put sentry at the door; and the captain himself went from one to another, keeping up our spirits and lending a hand wherever it was wanted. From time to time the doctor came to the door for a little air and to rest his eyes, which were almost smoked out of his head; and whenever he did so, he had a word for me. `That man Smollett,' he said once, `is a better man than I am. And when I say that it means a deal, Jim.' Another time he came and was silent for a while. Then he put his head on one side, and looked at me. `Is this Ben Gunn a man?' he asked. `I do not know, sir,' said I. `I am not very sure whether he's sane.' `If there's any doubt about the matter, he is,' returned the doctor. `A man who has been three years biting his nails on a desert island, Jim, can't expect to appear as sane as you or me. It doesn't lie in human nature. Was it cheese you said he had a fancy for?' `Yes, sir, cheese,' I answered. `Well, Jim,' says he, `just see the good that comes of being dainty in your food. You've seen my snuff- box, haven't you? And you never saw me take snuff; the reason being that in my snuff-box I carry a piece of Parmesan cheese - a cheese made in Italy, very nutritious. Well, that's for Ben Gunn!' Before supper was eaten we buried old Tom in the sand and stood round him for a while bareheaded in the breeze. A good deal of firewood had been got in, but not enough for the captain's fancy; and he shook his head over it, and told us we `must get back to this to-morrow rather livelier.' Then when we had eaten our pork, and each had a good stiff glass of brandy grog, the three chiefs got together in a corner to discuss our prospects. It appears they were at their wits' end what to do, the store being so low that we must have been starved into surrender long before help came. But our best hope, it was decided, was to kill off the buccaneers until they either hauled down their flag or ran away with the Hispaniola. From nineteen they were already reduced to fifteen, two others were wounded, and one at least - the man shot beside the gun - severely wounded if he were not dead. Every time we had a crack at them, we were to take it, saving our own lives, with the extremest care. And, besides that, we had two able allies - rum and the climate. As for the first, though we were about half a mile away, we could hear them roaring and singing late into the night; and as for the second, the doctor staked his wig that, camped where they were in the marsh, and unprovided with remedies, the half of them would be on their backs before a week. `So,' he added, `if we are not all shot down first they'll be glad to be packing in the schooner. It's always a ship, and they can get to buccaneering again, I suppose.' `First ship that ever I lost,' said Captain Smollett. I was dead tired, as you may fancy; and when I got to sleep which was not till after a great deal of tossing, I slept like log of wood. The rest had long been up, and had already breakfasted and increased the pile of firewood by about half as much again, when I was wakened by a bustle and the sound of voices. `Flag of truce!' I heard someone say; and then, immediately after, with a cry of surprise, `Silver himself!' And, at that, up I jumped, and, rubbing my eyes, ran to a loophole in the wall. 宝岛十九 驻守寨子的人们 （由吉姆•霍金斯重新开始叙述） 本•葛恩一看到国旗就停下了脚步，还拉着我的胳膊叫我也停下来，并且还坐了下来。 “喂，”他说，“那边肯定是你的朋友们了。” “更像是那些反叛分子。”我说。 “他们！”他叫道，“怎么会？在这么块除了幸运的大爷谁也不会来的地方，西尔弗一定会挂骷髅旗的，这一点毫无疑问。不，那是你的朋友们。刚刚发生过交锋，我敢肯定，你的朋友们占了上风，这会儿他们正在岸上那个老寨子里，那是很多很多年以前弗林特修建的。啊，弗林特他真是个有头脑的人物！除了好酗酒外，没谁能与之匹敌。他真是什么都不怕；只有西尔弗例外——西尔弗这个伪君子。” “好吧，”我说，“可能是这样，而真是这样的话，我更得赶紧去跟我的朋友们会合了。” “不，朋友，”本答道，“你先别忙着走。你是个好孩子，我不会看走眼的，但是你毕竟只是个孩子，听着，本•葛恩可不是个容易上当的人。郎姆酒也休想把我带到你去的那个地方——郎姆酒也休想，除非我亲自见到你们那个真正的绅士，并且得到了他的保证。你可不要忘了我跟你说的那些话！‘对真正的绅士绝对信任（记着说），绝对信任’——然后别忘了再捏他一下。” 说着，他仍带着那种俏皮的神情捏了我一下，这是第三下了。 “而当你用得着本•葛恩的时候，你知道到哪儿找他，就在今天你发现他的地方。来人手里要拿上一件自东西，而且他还得一个人来。噢！你还得说这个：‘本•葛恩’，你得说，‘这样要求自有他的道理。’” “好吧，我说，”我想我明白。“你有些主意要提出来，而且你想面见乡绅或是医生；在我发现你的地方可以找到你。就这些吧？” “什么时候呢？你说，”他又加上一句，“这样吧，就从正午时分到钟敲六下。” “好的，”我说，“现在我可以走了吧？” “你不会忘了吧？”他有些焦虑地询问道，“绝对信任，还有自有他的道理，你得说。自有他的道理，这句是主要的；就像男子汉对男子汉那样。嗯，好吧，”——他仍拉着我——“我肯定你可以走了，吉姆。但是，吉姆，要是你遇见西尔弗的话，该不会把本•葛恩给出卖了吧？就是野马拖着你也不会吧？你说决不呀。要是他们在岸上宿营，第二天早上他们的老婆就会变成寡妇，吉姆你信不信？” 正在这时，一声巨响打断了他的话，接着，一颗炮弹穿过丛林落到了沙地上，离我们谈话的地方还不到一百码远。我们俩立刻朝着不同的方向拔脚就跑。 整整一个钟头的工夫，频繁的炮声震撼着这个岛，炮弹接连不断地穿过丛林，这些炮弹就像长了眼睛似地跟踪着我，逼得我东躲西藏。在炮击临近结束的时候，我虽然还是不敢冒险向炮弹落得最密集的寨子的方向跑，但是我多少又重新鼓起了勇气，向东经过一段很长的迂回，向岸边的树林摸去。 太阳刚刚落下去，海风飒飒地掠过树林，吹动着锚地灰色的水面；潮水也远远地退下去了，露出了一大片沙滩；在白天的炎热消退之后，冷空气透过我的外衣侵袭着我的肌肤。 伊斯班袅拉号仍然泊在锚地，但是它的桅顶上果真飘着面骷髅旗——黑地子的海盗旗。就在我张望的时候，红光一闪，接着又是一声巨响，激起了四面回声，这是又一颗炮弹呼啸着从空中飞过。这是最后的一次炮击。 我在地上趴了一会儿，观望着炮击之后海盗们的忙碌。在离寨子不远的岸上，那些人正用斧子砍着什么东西——稍后我才发现，原来是那只可怜的划子。而在靠近河口的地方，在树林里正燃着一堆篝火，同时，在岸线上的小拐角与大海之间，他们的一只划于在来回往返，上面的那些人，上午我见他们还是脸色阴沉的样子，这会儿却高兴得像个孩子似的大吵大叫。但是从他们的声音可以听得出来，大概是郎姆酒起了作用。 最后，我想可以朝寨子的方向返回了。眼下我所处的地方是向东环抱锚地、伸入海中相当远的一个沙尖嘴，它半没人水中与骷髅岛相连。现在，当我起身的时候，我看到在沙尖嘴下面更远的地方矗立着一堵孤零零的岩壁，它位于低矮的灌木丛中，相当高，颜色特别自。我马上想到这可能就是本•葛恩谈到的那块白岩石，而说不定哪天真用得上那条小船，那我就知道到哪去找了。 后来我就沿着树林的边缘往回走，一直走到寨子的后方，也就是向着陆地的一面，于是很快便受到了那帮忠实的朋友的热烈欢迎。 很快我就讲完了我的经历，然后便开始打量起四周来。木屋是由未锯方的松树树干钉成的，包括屋顶、四壁以及地板。地板有几处高出沙地表面一英尺或一英尺半。门口有个门廊，门廊下，有一股细泉向上涌人一个相当古怪的人工蓄水池里——不是别的，而是只船用大铁锅，底儿被敲掉了，埋到沙地里，正如船长所说，“齐吃水线”。 这屋子除了构架外，里面几乎空空荡荡，但是在一个角落里，有一块石板，摆放成炉床的样子，还有只陈旧生锈的铁篓子，装柴禾生火用。 小丘的斜坡上和寨子里面的树全部被伐掉，用于修建木屋了，从残留下来的树桩我们可以看出，一片多么好、多么繁茂的林子被毁掉了。在树木被搬走以后，大部分土壤不是被雨水冲走就是埋成了堆，只在那细泉从锅中溢出后形成的细流边上，有一块厚密的苗床，上面长着些苔藓、羊齿植物和蔓延在地面上的小灌木丛，仍然在这沙地上摇曳着一片碧绿。紧紧环绕在寨子周围的那片树林——他们说作为防御工事是太近了——仍然长得高大茂盛，靠陆地这边全都是枞树，而朝向海滩的那边则是大片枞树与长生橡树的混生林。 我已经提到过的那凉飕飕的晚风，从这草草钉成的房子的每一个缝隙里钻进来，在地板上持续不断地喷洒着沙雨。我们的眼睛里是沙子，牙齿里是沙子，晚饭里是沙子，沙子还在锅底的泉水中跳着舞，整个就像快要烧开的麦片粥一样。我们的烟囱是屋顶的一个方洞，它只能让一小部分烟出去，而其余大部分烟还憋在屋子里，呛得我们一边咳嗽一边淌眼泪。 此外再说说这个葛雷，我们的新伙计，他的脸上缠着绷带，因为他在同反叛分子决裂时挨了一刀；而那个可怜的老汤姆•雷卓斯，还没有被埋掉，直挺挺地靠墙躺着，身上覆盖着那面国旗。 要是我们被允许闲坐着的话，我们早就会都唉声叹气的了，但是斯莫列特这个人决不会允许出现这种情况。所有的人手都被召集到了他面前，他分派我们轮流值班守卫。医生，葛雷，还有我，是一组；乡绅，亨特，还有乔埃斯，是另一组。我们全都累了，可还是两个被派出去砍柴，两个着手为雷卓斯挖墓，医生被安排做厨子，我在门口放哨，而船长他本人则从一处走到另一处，不停地给我们打气，哪里用得上就帮一把。 医生一次又一次地走到门口来换换空气，休息休息他的眼睛，因为他被烟熏得头昏脑胀的，而每次他过来的时候，总是跟我说句话。 “斯莫列特那个，人，”有一次他说，“比我强，而我这么说是有事实依据的，吉姆。” 又一次，他过来后沉默半晌，然后把头侧向一边看着我。 “本•葛恩算条汉子吧？”他问。 “我不知道，先生，”我说，“我不能肯定他是否精神正常。” “要是你只是有点怀疑的话，那他就是正常的，”医生答道。“一个人在荒岛上呆了三年，除了啃指甲外无事可干，吉姆，我们不能指望他像你我一样清醒的。这不合乎人类的本性。你说他一心想吃干酪？” “是的，先生，是干酪。”我答道。 “好吧，吉姆，”他说，“看看可口的食物给你带来的好处吧。你见过我的鼻烟盒，是不是？可是你从未见过我闻鼻烟，因为在那鼻烟盒里面，我放了块巴马干酪——一种意大利产的干酪，非常的滋补。好啦，它归本•葛恩啦！” 晚饭前，我们在沙地上埋葬了老汤姆，在风中，我们脱帽肃立在他周围片刻。柴禾已经砍了很多了，可是船长还嫌少，他还摇了摇头，然后对我们说“明天得加把劲多弄些回来。”然后，当我们吃了腌肉，又每个人来了杯上好的白兰地后，三个头头便聚在角落里商讨起我们的前景来。 看上去他们似乎一筹莫展了，储存的食品太少了，在接应船到来之前，我们就会饿死。但是我们最大的希望莫过于歼灭海盗，直到他们降下骷髅旗，或是驾着伊斯班袅拉号跑掉，这一点是可以肯定的。他们已从十九人减少到十五人，其中有两个受了伤，还有一个至少是重伤——在火炮旁边被打中的——要是还没死的话。我们每次同他们交锋，都得极其小心，顾及自身的安全。而且此外我们有两个得力的盟友——郎姆酒和气候。 说到前者，虽然离了有半英里远，我们也能听得见他们连叫带唱直到深夜。说到后者，医生敢拿他的假发打赌，他们在沼泽地里宿营，又缺医少药，不出一星期，他们就得有一半人病倒。 “所以，”他补充道，“只要我们不先被干掉，他们会乐于驾驶着帆船逃之夭夭的。它毕竟是条船，我猜想，他们还会回到海上重操旧业，当起海盗来的。” “那是我丢的第一艘船。”斯莫列特船长说。 我死累死累的，你可以想象得到，在经历了这样一番折腾后，我一倒下便睡得像根木头了。 当我被一声熗响和说话声吵醒时，别人早就起来了，已经吃过了早饭，还抱了比昨天多了一半的柴禾回来。 “白旗！”我听见有人说。接着，很快又是一声惊叫，“西尔弗本人！” 听到这个，我一跃而起，使劲揉了揉眼睛，跑到了墙上的一个射击孔前。 |
Treasure IslandChapter XVIII WE made our best speed across the strip of wood that now divided us from the stockade; and at every step we took the voices of the buccaneers rang nearer. Soon we could hear their footfalls as they ran, and the cracking of the branches as they breasted across a bit of thicket. I began to see we should have a brush for it in earnest, and looked to my priming. `Captain,' said I, `Trelawney is the dead shot. Give him your gun; his own is useless.' They exchanged guns, and Trelawney, silent and cool as he had been since the beginning of the bustle, hung a moment on his heel to see that all was fit for service. At the same time, observing Gray to be unarmed, I handed him my cutlass. It did all our hearts good to see him spit in his hand, knit his brows, and make the blade sing through the air. It was plain from every line of his body that our new hand was worth his salt. Forty paces farther we came to the edge of the wood and saw the stockade in front of us. We struck the enclosure about the middle of the south side, and, almost at the same time, seven mutineers - Job Anderson, the boatswain, at their head - appeared in full cry at the south-western corner. They paused, as if taken aback; and before they recovered, not only the squire and I, but Hunter and Joyce from the block house, had time to fire. The four shots came in rather a scattering volley; but they did the business: one of the enemy actually fell, and the rest, without hesitation, turned and plunged into the trees. After reloading, we walked down the outside of the palisade to see the fallen enemy. He was stone dead - shot through the heart. We began to rejoice over our good success, when just at that moment a pistol cracked in the bush, a ball whistled close past my ear, and poor Tom Redruth stumbled and fell his length on the ground. Both the squire and I returned the shot; but as we had nothing to aim at, it is probable we only wasted powder. Then we reloaded, and turned our attention to poor Tom. The captain and Gray were already examining him; and I saw with half an eye that all was over. I believe the readiness of our return volley had scattered the mutineers once more, for we were suffered without further molestation to get the poor old gamekeeper hoisted over the stockade, and carried, groaning and bleeding, into the log-house. Poor old fellow, he had not uttered one word of surprise, complaint, fear, or even acquiescence, from the very beginning of our troubles till now, when we had laid him down in the log-house to die. He had lain like a Trojan behind his mattress in the gallery; he had followed every order silently doggedly, and well; he was the oldest of our party by a score of years; and now, sullen, old, serviceable servant, it was he that was to die. The squire dropped down beside him on his knees and kissed his hand, crying like a child. `Be I going, doctor?' he asked. `Tom, my man,' said I, `you're going home.' `I wish I had had a lick at them with the gun first,' he replied. `Tom,' said the squire, `say you forgive me, won't you?' `Would that be respectful like, from me to you, squire?' was the answer. `Howsoever, so be it, amen!' After a little while of silence, he said he thought somebody might read a prayer. `It's the custom, sir,' he added apologetically. And not long after, without another word, he passed away. In the meantime the captain, whom I had observed to be wonderfully swollen about the chest and pockets, had turned out a great many various stores - the British colours, a Bible a coil of stoutish rope, pen, ink, the log-book, and pounds of tobacco. He had found a longish fir-tree lying felled an trimmed in the enclosure, and, with the help of Hunter, he had set it up at the corner of the log-house where the trunks crossed and made an angle. Then, climbing on the roof, he had with his own hand bent and run up the colours. This seemed mightily to relieve him. He re-entered the log-house, and set about counting up the stores, as if nothing else existed. But he had an eye on Tom's passage for all that; and as soon as all was over, came forward with another flag, and reverently spread it on the body. `Don't you take on, sir,' he said, shaking the squire's hand. `All's well with him; no fear for a hand that's been shot down in his duty to captain and owner. It mayn't be good divinity, but it's a fact.' Then he pulled me aside. `Dr Livesey,' he said, `in how many weeks do you and squire expect the consort?' I told him it was a question, not of weeks, but of months; that if we were not back by the end of August, Blandly was to send to find us; but neither sooner nor later. `You can calculate for yourself,' I said. `Why, yes,' returned the captain, scratching his head, `and making a large allowance, sir, for all the gifts of Providence, I should say we were pretty close hauled.' `How do you mean?' I asked. `It's a pity, sir, we lost that second load. That's what I mean,' replied the captain. `As for powder and shot, we'll do. But the rations are short, very short - so short, Dr Livesey, that we're, perhaps, as well without that extra mouth.' And he pointed to the dead body under the flag. Just then, with a roar and a whistle, a round-shot passed high above the roof of the log-house and plumped far beyond us in the wood. `Oho!' said the captain. `Blaze away! You've little enough powder already my lads.' At the second trial, the aim was better, and the ball descended inside the stockade, scattering a cloud of sand, but doing no further damage. `Captain,' said the squire, `the house is quite invisible from the ship. It must be the flag they are aiming at. Would it not be wiser to take it in?' `Strike my colours!' cried the captain. `No, sir, not I;' and as soon as he had said the words, I think we all agreed with him. For it was not only a piece of stout, seamanly, good feeling; it was good policy besides, and showed our enemies that we despised their cannonade. All through the evening they kept thundering away. Ball after ball flew over or fell short, or kicked up the sand in the enclosure; but they had to fire so high that the shot fell dead and buried itself in the soft sand. We had no ricochet to fear; and though one popped in through the roof of the log-house and out again through the floor, we soon got used to that sort of horse-play, and minded it no more than cricket. `There is one thing good about all this,' observed the captain; `the wood in front of us is likely clear. The ebb has made a good while; our stores should be uncovered. Volunteers to go and bring in pork.' Gray and Hunter were the first to come forward. Well armed, they stole out of the stockade; but it proved a useless mission. The mutineers were bolder than we fancied, or they put more trust in Israel's gunnery. For four or five of the were busy carrying off our stores, and wading out with the to one of the gigs that lay close by, pulling an oar on so hold her steady against the current. Silver was in the stern-sheets in command; and every man of them was now provided with a musket from some secret magazine of their own.' The captain sat down to his log, and here is the beginning of the entry:-- `Alexander Smollett, master; David Livesey, ship's doctor; Abraham Gray, carpenter's mate; John Trelawney, owner; John Hunter and Richard Joyce, owner's servant, landsmen - being all that is left faithful of the ship's company - with stores for ten days at short rations, came ashore this day, and flew British colours on the log-house in Treasure Island. Thomas Redruth, owner's servant landsman, shot by the mutineers; James Hawkins, cabin-boy--' And at the same time I was wondering over poor Jim Hawkins's fate. A hail on the land side. `Somebody hailing us,' said Hunter, who was on guard. `Doctor! squire! captain! Hullo, Hunter, is that you?' came the cries. And I ran to the door in time to see Jim Hawkins, safe and sound, come climbing over the stockade. 宝岛十八 第一天战斗的结果 （仍由医生进行追述） 我们以最快的速度穿越了隔在我们和寨子之间的那片丛林。我们每前进一步，海盗们的吵嚷声也就更近一步。很快我们就能听到他们奔跑的脚步声，以及他们横冲直撞时林中树枝的断裂声。 我开始意识到我们就要打一场遭遇战了，于是便检查了我的熗膛。 “船长，”我说，“特里罗尼是个神熗手。把你的熗给他，他自己的报废了。” 他们交换了熗支。特里罗尼，自从出乱子时起就一直保持着沉默和冷静，现在仍然如此，他停住片刻，从头到尾检查了一遍他的武器。与此同时，我注意到葛雷没有武器，于是便把我的弯刀递给了他。我们所有的人看到他往手上啐了口唾沫，拧紧眉毛，将弯刀舞得呼呼生风的样子都大为高兴。从他身体各方面看，显而易见，我们这个新伙计决不是个孬种。 又向前跑了四十步，我们来到了林子的边缘，看到寨子就在我们前面。我们从南边栅栏的中央处接近寨子，几乎与此同时，以水手长乔布•安德森为首的七个反叛分子叫嚣着从寨子的西南角出现了。 他们停了一下，似乎要往回退，在他们恢复神智以前，不仅乡绅和我，还有木屋里的亨特和乔埃斯都抓住时机开了熗。四声熗响合成了一阵零乱的扫射，但是弹未虚发，其中的一个敌人倒了下去，而其余那些人则毫不犹豫地转身向林中逃去。 在将子弹重新上膛后，我们沿着寨子边向下走去，查看一下倒地的那个敌人。他已经断了气——子弹穿过了他的心脏。 我们正为战果而欢呼时，就在这一刹那间，一颗子弹随着一声熗响从我的耳畔呼啸而过，接着可怜的汤姆•雷卓斯便踉跄着直挺挺地倒在了地上。乡绅和我两人都进行了回击，但是由于我们没有目标可供瞄准，也就差不多等于是白费了弹药。然后我们又重新装好了火药，这才将注意力转到可怜的汤姆身上。 船长和葛雷已经在查看他的伤势了，我大致看了一眼心中便已明白，他是没救了。 我想是我们有准备的回击再次使反叛分子溃散了，因为在我们将可怜的猎场老总管托过木栅、抬进木屋时，再没受到骚扰；而在这一道上，他一直呻吟着、流着血。 自从我们遇到麻烦到现在，可怜的老伙计连一句表示惊奇、抱怨、恐惧、甚或默认的话也没有，而这会儿我们把他安置到木屋里等死，他也依旧无话。他曾经用一块垫子掩护着，像个特洛伊人似地把守着过道；他曾经默默地、忠实地、而且是出色地执行了每道命令；他是我们这些人中年岁最大的一个，比我们大了二十岁；而今，正是这位沉默的、年长的忠仆要与世长辞了。 乡绅跪在他身边吻着他的手，哭得像个孩子。 “我要去了吗，医生？”他问道。 “汤姆，我的朋友，”我说，“你要回家去了。” “我但愿我是第一个打中他们的。”他答道。 “汤姆，”乡绅说，“你愿意说宽恕我吗，愿意吗？” “要我宽恕你，这合乎礼仪吗，先生？”这是答话，“不管怎样，就这么的吧，阿门！” 沉默了片刻之后，他说他想有人给他读上段祈祷文。“那是规矩，先生。”他补充道，带着歉疚。过不多久，他再没说什么就咽了气。 在此期间，船长从我早就注意到的鼓鼓的胸前和口袋里掏出了一堆各式各样的物件——英国国旗、一本《圣经》、一卷粗绳、钢笔、墨水、航海日志，还有几磅烟草。他在栅栏内找到了一棵砍好并削去枝条的长枞树干，在亨特的帮助下，把它竖在了木屋角上树干互相交叉的地方。然后他又爬上了屋顶，亲手拴系好国旗并将它升了起来。 这似乎使他减轻了痛苦。他又返身回到了木屋里，着手去清点那些物资，好像旁的一切都不存在了似的。其实他一直在留心着临终前的汤姆。而当一切都料理完的时候，他拿着另一面国旗走上前去，虔诚地将它覆盖在尸体上面。 “不要再这样了，先生，”他说，一边握着乡绅的手，“他是为履行船长和船主赋予他的职责而死的，死得其所。这也许不太合乎教义的精神，但这是事实。” 然后他把我拉到了一旁。 “利弗西医生，”他说，“你和乡绅指望的那艘接应的船几时能来？” 我告诉他这还是个问题，不是几周的事，而是几个月后的事。要是我们在八月底之前没有返回的话，布兰德利就派人来找我们。但是既不会太早，也不会太晚，刚刚在那时。“你自己可以计算一下。”我说。 “啊，对的，”船长搔着脑袋答道，“即使把天赐的一切都考虑进去，我看我们的处境还是危险哪。” “你指什么？”我问道。 “我们丢掉了第二船物资实在可惜，先生。我指的就是这个，”船长答道。“至于说弹药，我们还不成问题。但是口粮短缺——非常的短缺——如此的短缺，利弗西医生，我们也许，少掉一张嘴，也好。” 说着，他指了指旗下面的尸体。 正在这时，轰隆一声过后，一颗炮弹呼啸着从我们的木屋上高高飞过，落到我们远处的树林里爆炸了。 “哦嗬！”船长说，“接着打吧！你们的火药没多点儿了，小家伙们。” 第二次炮弹发射得准了点，落到了栅栏里面，扬起了一片沙土，但是没造成更大的破坏。 “船长，”乡绅说，“船上怎么也看不到这屋子，他们一定是瞄准了那面旗。把它降下来是否更明智些？” “降我的旗！”船长叫道。“不，先生，我不会这么做”；他刚说完这句话，我就知道我们都一致赞同他。因为它不仅是一种顽强的。海员式的、美好的感情的体现者，此外它还是一个高明的策略，告诉我们的敌人，我们没把他们的炮击放在眼里。 整个晚上，他们不断地轰着大炮。炮弹一个接一个地落下来，不是太远，就是太近，或者只是在栅栏里卷起一片尘土；他们不得不发射得很高，以致于炮弹落下时埋进松软的沙土里，灭了火。我们对流弹没啥好怕的，尽管有一发炮弹从木屋顶上溜进来又从地板底下钻了出去。我们很快就习惯了这吵人的玩意，对它的注意，不会比板球更多一点。 “这当中倒有件好事，”船长边观察边说，“我们前面林子里的敌人可能已被炮弹清理干净了，潮水也已退去很久了，我们的物资也该露出水面了，有谁自告奋勇去把腌肉弄回来？” 葛雷和亨特一马当先。他们全副武装地偷偷溜出寨子；但事实证明这次行动是徒劳无功的。反叛分子比我们想象的更为大胆，或者是他们过于信任伊斯莱尔的炮术。因为他们中有四、五个人正忙着拖走我们的物资，并且涉水把它们装到其中的一个划子上，这只划子就停在近旁，里面的人不时划两下桨，以使它在湍流中保持稳定。西尔弗正在船尾板上指挥着，而现在，他们中的每一个人都从他们的秘密军火库里弄到了一支火熗。 船长坐下来写航海日志，这里是所记内容的开头部分： “亚历山大•斯莫列特，船长；大卫•利弗西，随船医生；亚伯拉罕•葛雷，木匠助手；约翰•特里罗尼，船主；约翰•亨特和理查德•乔埃斯，船主的仆人，未出过海的新手——以上是船上剩下的全体忠实的船员——今天带着短缺的、仅够维持十天的口粮上岸，并使英国国旗在宝岛的木屋上空飘扬了起来。托马斯•雷卓斯，船主的仆人，未出过海的新手，被反叛分子击毙；詹姆斯•霍金斯，客舱侍应生——” 在这个时候，我正为可怜的吉姆•霍金斯的安危担忧呢，从陆地那边儿便传来了一声呼唤。 “有人在喊我们。”亨特说，他正在放哨。 “医生！乡绅！船长！喂，亨特，那是你吗？”那声音接连喊道。 我跑到了门口，恰好看见吉姆•霍金斯从木栅上面翻过来，平安无恙。 |
Treasure IslandChapter XVII THIS fifth trip was quite different from any of the others. In the first place, the little gallipot of a boat that we were in was gravely overloaded. Five grown men, and three of them - Trelawney, Redruth, and the captain - over six feet high, was already more than she was meant to carry. Add to that the powder, pork, and bread-bags. The gunwale was lipping astern. Several times we shipped a little water, and my breeches and the tails of my coat were all soaking wet before we had gone a hundred yards. The captain made us trim the boat, and we got her to lie a little more evenly. All the same, we were afraid to breathe. In the second place, the ebb was now making-a strong rippling current running westward through the basin, and then south'ard and seaward down the straits by which we had entered in the morning. Even the ripples were a danger to our overloaded craft; but the worst of it was that we were swept out of our true course, and away from our proper landing-place behind the point. If we let the current have its way we should come ashore beside the gigs, where the pirates might appear at any moment. `I cannot keep her head for the stockade, sir,' said I to the captain. I was steering, while he and Redruth, two fresh men, were at the oars. `The tide keeps washing her down. Could you pull a little stronger?' `Not without swamping the boat,' said he. `you must bear up, sir, if you please - bear up until you see you're gaining.' I tried, and found by experiment that the tide kept sweeping us westward until I had laid her head due east, or just about right angles to the way we ought to go. `We'll never get ashore at this rate,' said I. `If it's the only course that we can lie, sir, we must even lie it,' returned the captain. `We must keep up- stream. You see, sir,' he went on, `if once we dropped to leeward of the landing-place, it's hard to say where we should get ashore besides the chance of being boarded by the gigs; whereas, the way we go the current must slacken, and then we can dodge back along the shore.' `The current's less a'ready, sir,' said the man Gray, who was sitting in the fore-sheets; `you can ease her off a bit.' `Thank you, my man,' said I, quite as if nothing had happened; for we had all quietly made up our minds to treat him like one of ourselves. Suddenly the captain spoke up again, and I thought his voice was a little changed. `The gun!' said he. `I have thought of that,' said I, for I made sure he was thinking of a bombardment of the fort. `They could never get the gun ashore, and if they did, they could never haul it through the woods.' `Look astern, doctor,' replied the captain. We had entirely forgotten the long nine; and there, to our horror, were the five rogues busy about her, getting off her jacket, as they called the stout tarpaulin cover under which she sailed. Not only that, but it flashed into my mind at the same moment that the round-shot and the powder for the gun had been left behind, and a stroke with an axe would put it all into the possession of the evil ones aboard. `Israel was Flint's gunner,' said Gray, hoarsely. At any risk, we put the boat's head direct for the landing-place. By this time we had got so far out of the run of the current that we kept steerage way even at our necessarily gentle rate of rowing, and I could keep her steady for the goal. But the worst of it was, that with the course I now held, we turned our broadside instead of our stern to the Hispaniola, and offered a target like a barn door. I could hear, as well as see, that brandy-faced rascal, Israel Hands, plumping down a round-shot on the deck. `Who's the best shot?' asked the captain. `Mr Trelawney, out and away,' said I. `Mr Trelawney, will you please pick me off one of these men, sir? Hands, if possible,' said the captain. Trelawney was as cool as steel. He looked to the priming of his gun. `Now,' cried the captain, `easy with that gun, sir, or you'll swamp the boat. All hands stand by to trim her when he aims.' The squire raised his gun, the rowing ceased, and we leaned over to the other side to keep the balance, and all was so nicely contrived that we did not ship a drop. They had the gun, by this time, slewed round upon the swivel, and Hands, who was at the muzzle with the rammer, was, in consequence, the most exposed. However, we had no luck; for just as Trelawney fired, down he stooped, the ball whistled over him, and it was one of the other four who fell. The cry he gave was echoed, not only by his companions on board, but by a great number of voices from the shore, and looking in that direction I saw the other pirates trooping out from among the trees and tumbling into their places in the boats. `Here come the gigs, sir,' said I. `Give way then,' cried the captain. `We mustn't mind if we swamp her now. If we can't get ashore, all's up.' `Only one of the gigs is being manned, sir,' I added, `the crew of the other most likely going round by shore to cut us off.' `They'll have a hot run, sir,' returned the captain. `Jack ashore, you know. It's not them I mind; it's the round-shot. Carpet-bowls! My lady's maid couldn't miss. Tell us, squire, when you see the match, and we'll hold water.' In the meanwhile we had been making headway at a good pace for a boat so overloaded, and we had shipped but little water in the process. We were now close in; thirty or forty strokes and we should beach her; for the ebb had already disclosed a narrow belt of sand below the clustering trees. The gig was no longer to be feared; the little point had already concealed it from our eyes. The ebb-tide, which had so cruelly delayed us, was now making reparation, and delaying our assailants. The one source of danger was the gun. `If I durst,' said the captain, `I'd stop and pick off another man.' But it was plain that they meant nothing should delay their shot. They had never so much as looked at their fallen comrade, though he was not dead, and I could see him trying to crawl away. `Ready!' cried the squire. `Hold!' cried the captain, quick as an echo. And he and Redruth backed with a great heave that sent her stern bodily under water. The report fell in at the same instant of time. This was the first that Jim heard, the sound of the squire's shot not having reached him. Where the ball passed, not one of us precisely knew; but I fancy it must have been over our heads, and that the wind of it may have contributed to our disaster. At any rate, the boat sank by the stern, quite gently, in three feet of water, leaving the captain and myself, facing each other, on our feet. The other three took complete headers, and came up again, drenched and bubbling. So far there was no great harm. No lives were lost, and we could wade ashore in safety. But there were all our stores at the bottom, and, to make things worse, only two guns out of five remained in a state for service. Mine I had snatched from my knees and held over my head, by a sort of instinct. As for the captain, he had carried his over his shoulder by a bandoleer, and, like a wise man, lock uppermost. The other three had gone down with the boat. To add to our concern, we heard voices already drawing near us in the woods along shore; and we had not only the danger of being cut off from the stockade in our half-crippled state, but the fear before us whether, if Hunter and Joyce were attacked by half a dozen, they would have the sense an conduct to stand firm. Hunter was steady, that we knew; Joyce was a doubtful case - a pleasant, polite man for a valet, and to brush one's clothes, but not entirely fitted for a man of war. With all this in our minds, we waded ashore as fast as we could, leaving behind us the poor jolly-boat, and a good half of all our powder and provisions. 宝岛十七 小划子的最后一趟行程 （由医生继续进行追述） 这第五个单程与以往任何一次都截然不同。首先，我们乘坐的划子只有药罐般大小，已经大大地超载了。五个成年人，而且其中的三个——特里罗尼、雷卓斯，以及船长——身高都超过了六英尺，这样就已超出了划子的容量，再加上火药、腌肉和面包袋，这使得划子的尾部几乎与水面平齐。有几次，我们的船里还进了点水，还没等划出一百码远，我的裤子和外套的下摆就全湿透了。 船长让我们将人和物品的位置调整了一番，船就平衡、稳定了一些。即便如此，我们也还是连大气都不敢出。 其次，现在正值退潮——一道泛着细浪的湍流经过海湾向西流去，然后再穿过我们早晨通过的那个海峡，向南汇入大海。即便仅是些细浪而已，也对我们这超载的划子构成了威胁，但是，更为糟糕的是，我们被冲出既定的航向，偏离了小拐角后面那个理想的着陆地点。要是我们顺着湍流来的话，就会在他们那两只划子旁边靠岸，而那里随时都可能有海盗出现。 “我无法使船头对准寨子，先生，”我对船长说。当他和雷卓斯这两个未曾消耗过体力的汉子在摇桨时，我在掌着舵。“潮水一个劲儿地把船往下推，你们能不能再使点儿劲儿？” “再用劲儿就要把船弄翻了，”他说，“你必须顶住，先生，请勿见怪，你要坚持到你认为已大功告成的时候。” 我又作了一番努力，通过试验发现，要是我把船头对准东边，这股湍流就不会把我们带到西边去，也就是使船身与既定的航向成一个直角。 “照这个速度，我们永远也上不了岸。”我说。 “要是这是我们惟一可行的航向，先生，我们就得照这个来，”船长答道。“你看，先生，我们必须逆水行舟，”他接着说道，“要是一旦我们错过了那个着陆地点，很难说我们会在哪儿上岸，除非是在那两只划子边上停船，反之，照我们现在这个航向走，湍流势必是要减弱的，然后我们就可以沿着海岸退回来。” “湍流已经减弱了，先生，”那个葛雷说道，他正坐在船头板上，“你可以稍微使舵偏过来一点。” “谢谢你，兄弟。”我说，显出若无其事的样子，因为我们全都一心想把他当自己人看待。 突然，船长又开口了，而我听出他的声音有点异样。 “大炮！”他说。 “我已经想过这个了，”我说，因为我认定他想的是敌人可能会炮击寨子这码事。“他们决不会把大炮弄上岸，即使他们真的把它弄上岸了，也决不会把它拖过树林。” “向后看，医生。”船长答道。 我们把“大雪茄”忘了个一干二净；这会儿我们大吃一惊，船上那五个歹徒正围着它忙得团团转，除去它的炮衣，他们把那东西称之为“结实的油布罩子”，在航行时大炮是罩在那下面的。不仅如此，与此同时，我摹地想起，大炮用的炮弹和火药也留在船上了，只须拿把斧子劈一下，就会全落入船上那伙坏蛋的手里。“伊斯莱尔是弗林特的炮手。”葛雷哑着嗓子说道。我们奋不顾身地将船头对准了着陆地点。到目前为止，我们已经完全不受湍流左右了，只需用必要的、平稳的速度划桨，即可保持这个航向，而我也将舵掌得既稳又准了。但是最糟糕的是，在调整了航向之后，我们便将船舷而不是船尾对着了伊斯班袅拉号，为他们提供了个谷仓大门似的有发必中的靶子。 我可以听见，甚至还可以看见，那个被酒灌得满脸通红的伊斯莱尔•汉兹正扑通一声把一发炮弹放到了甲板上。 “谁是最好的射手？”船长问。 “特里罗尼先生，熗法超群。”我说。 “特里罗尼先生，劳驾你给我干掉他们中的一个好吗？可能的话，干掉伊斯莱尔•汉兹，先生。”船长说。 特里罗尼像块钢铁一般的冷静。他检查了一下他熗膛里的火药。 “喂，”船长叫道，“拿熗的时候放松些，先生，否则你会把船弄翻的。当他瞄准的时候，所有的人都到这边来，保持船身平衡。” 乡绅端起了熗，桨停了下来，我们都闪到了船的另一侧，以使船身保持平衡，一切都按部就班地如期实现了，我们连一滴水都没让进到船里来。 这时，他们正将大炮旋好位置对准我们，而正在用通条通炮口的汉兹，显然便处在了最为暴露的位置。然而，我们运气不佳，因为就在特里罗尼开熗的一刹那，他弯下了身，子弹从他的头上唿哨而过，另外四个人中的一个便应声倒地。 他的惨叫声不仅在他船上的同党中引起了反响，而且岸上也传来了一大阵吵嚷声，当我向那个方向望去的进候，只见其它的海盗正成群地从树林里出来，跌跌撞撞地登上划子。 “他们的划子过来了，先生。”我说。 “加劲划，”船长叫道，“这会儿就是船翻了我们也在所不惜。要是我们上不了岸，那就全完了。” “只有一只划子上有人，先生，”我补充道，“其它人极可能是要从岸上包抄我们，截断我们的去路。” “那也够他们跑的，先生，”船长答道。“你知道，杰克上了岸就显不出能耐了。让人担心的不是他们，倒是炮弹！我夫人的使女也不会打不中，就像在地毯上 b@ “要是我办得到，”船长说，“我会停下来再于掉他们一个。” 但是，显然什么也阻挡不了他们放炮。尽管倒下去的他们的那个同伙并没有死，我还能看到他在竭力地往旁边爬哩，可是他们对他看都不看一眼。 “准备！”乡绅叫道。 “停桨！”船长应声叫道。 接着他和雷卓斯撤身向后一坐，船的尾部就一下子没到水中了。在这同一时刻，炮声响了。这就是吉姆听到的第一声炮响，乡绅的熗声并没传到他那儿。我们谁也不知道炮弹是从哪儿飞过去的，但我猜想它一定是从我们的头顶上，而它的气浪则给我们带来了灾难。 总之，船尾是沉下去了。一点点地，直沉到水下三英尺的地方，只剩下我和船长两个站在那里面面相觑。另外那三个全都没了顶，当他们又出来时，浑身精湿，水里冒出了一大堆气泡。 至此尚未造成大的损害。人都安然无恙，我们都能平安地涉水上岸。但是，我们的物资全都沉到了水底，使事情更为糟糕的是，五支熗中只有两支尚可使用。出于某种本能，我将熗从膝上抓起举过了头，至于船长，他用一条子弹带将熗背在了肩上，并且，像一个明智的人所做的那样，熗机冲上。另外三支都和船一起沉了下去。 使我们更为担心的是，从岸上树丛中传来的人声在我们耳中是越来越近了。我们不仅面临着在磕磕绊绊地通往寨子的途中被截断去路的危险，而且还担心在我们前面，亨特和乔埃斯能否抵挡得住半打人的袭击，他们能否有这个意志。亨特是坚毅的，这我们知道；乔埃斯就不好说了——他是个讨人喜欢的、有礼貌的仆役，刷刷衣服这类的活干得蛮好，但是当一名战士却不大适合。 我们带着所有这些想法，尽快地向岸上跑去，身后撤下了那只可怜的划子，还有一大半的弹药和给养。 |
Treasure IslandChapter XVI IT was about half-past one - three bells in the sea phrase that the two boats went ashore from the Hispaniola. The captain, the squire, and I were talking matters over in the cabin. Had there been a breath of wind we should have fall' on the six mutineers who were left aboard with us, slipped our cable, and away to sea. But the wind was wanting; an to complete our helplessness, down came Hunter with the news that Jim Hawkins had slipped into a boat and go ashore with the rest. It never occurred to us to doubt Jim Hawkins; but we were alarmed for his safety. With the men in the temper they we in, it seemed an even chance if we should see the lad again. We ran on deck. The pitch was bubbling in the seams; the nasty stench of the place turned me sick; if ever a man smelt fever and dysentery, it was in that abominable anchorage. The six scoundrels were sitting grumbling under a sail in the forecastle; ashore we could see the gigs made fast, and a man sitting in each, hard by where the river runs in. One of them was whistling `Lillibullero.' Waiting was a strain; and it was decided that Hunter and I should go ashore with the jolly-boat, in quest of information. The gigs had leaned to their right; but Hunter and I pulled straight in, in the direction of the stockade upon the chart. The two who were left guarding their boats seemed in a bustle at our appearance; `Lillibullero' stopped off, and I could see the pair discussing what they ought to do. Had they gone an told Silver, all might have turned out differently; but they had their orders, I suppose and decided to sit quietly where they were and hark back again to `Lillibullero.' There was a slight bend in the coast, and I steered so as to put it between us; even before we landed we had thus lost sight of the gigs. I jumped out, and came as near running as I durst, with a big silk handkerchief under my hat for coolness' sake, and a brace of pistols ready primed for safety. I had not gone a hundred yards when I reached the stockade. This was how it was: a spring of clear water rose almost at the top of a knoll. Well, on the knoll, and enclosing the spring, they had clapped a stout log-house, fit to hold two score of people on a pinch, and loop-holed for musketry on every side. All round this they had cleared a wide space, and then the thing was completed by a paling six feet high, without door or opening, too strong to pull down without time and labour, and too open to shelter the besiegers. The people in the log-house had them in every way; they stood quiet in shelter and shot the others like partridges. All they wanted was a good watch and food; for, short of a complete surprise, they might have held the place against a regiment. What particularly took my fancy was the spring. For, though we had a good enough place of it in the cabin of the Hispaniola, with plenty of arms and ammunition, and things to eat, and excellent wines, there had been one thing overlooked - we had no water. I was thinking this over, when there came ringing over the island the cry of a man at the point of death. I was not new to violent death - I have served his Royal Highness the Duke of Cumberland, and got a wound myself at Fontenoy - but I know my pulse went dot and carry one. `Jim Hawkins is gone' was my first thought. It is something to have been an old soldier, but more still to have been a doctor. There is no time to dilly-dally in our work. And so now I made up my mind instantly, and with no time lost returned to the shore, and jumped on board the jolly-boat. By good fortune Hunter pulled a good oar. We made the water fly; and the boat was soon alongside, and I aboard the schooner. I found them all shaken, as was natural. The squire was sitting down, as white as a sheet, thinking of the harm he had led us to, the good soul! and one of the six forecastle hands was little better. `There's a man,' says Captain Smollett, nodding towards him, `new to this work. He came nigh-hand fainting, doctor when he heard the cry. Another touch of the rudder and that man would join us.' I told my plan to the captain, and between us we settle on the details of its accomplishment. We put old Redruth in the gallery between the cabin and the forecastle, with three or four loaded muskets and mattress for protection. Hunter brought the boat round under the stern-port, and Joyce and I set to work loading her with powder tins, muskets, bags of biscuits, kegs of pork, a cask of cognac, and my invaluable medicine chest. In the meantime, the squire and the captain stayed on deck and the latter hailed the coxswain, who was the principal man aboard. `Mr Hands,' he said, `here are two of us with a brace of pistols each. If any one of you six make a signal of any description, that man's dead.' They were a good deal taken aback; and, after a little consultation, one and all tumbled down the fore companion thinking, no doubt, to take us on the rear. But when they saw Redruth waiting for them in the sparred gallery, they went about ship at once, and a head popped out again on deck. `Down, dog!' cries the captain. And the head popped back again; and we heard no more, for the time, of these six very faint-hearted seamen. By this time, tumbling things in as they came, we had the jolly-boat loaded as much as we dared. Joyce and I got out through the stern-port, and we made for shore again, as fast as oars could take us. This second trip fairly aroused the watchers along shore. `Lillibullero' was dropped again; and just before we lost sight of them behind the little point, one of them whipped ashore and disappeared. I had half a mind to change my plan and destroy their boats, but I feared that Silver and the others might be close at hand, and all might very well be lost by trying for too much. We had soon touched land in the same place as before, and set to provision the block house. All three made the first journey, heavily laden, and tossed our stores over the palisade. Then, leaving Joyce to guard them - one man, to be sure, but with half a dozen muskets - Hunter and I returned to the jolly- boat, and loaded ourselves once more. So we proceeded without pausing to take breath, till the whole cargo was bestowed, when the two servants took up their position in the block house, and I, with all my power, sculled back to the Hispaniola. That we should have risked a second boat load seems more daring than it really was. They had the advantage of numbers, of course, but we had the advantage of arms. Not one of the men ashore had a musket, and before they could get within range for pistol shooting, we flattered ourselves we should be able to give a good account of a half-dozen at least. The squire was waiting for me at the stern window, all his faintness gone from him. He caught the painter and made it fast, and we fell to loading the boat for our very lives. Pork, powder, and biscuit was the cargo, with only a musket and a cutlass apiece for the squire and me and Redruth and the captain. The rest of the arms and powder we dropped overboard in two fathoms and a half of water, so that we could see the bright steel shining far below us in the sun, on the clean, sandy bottom. By this time the tide was beginning to ebb, and the ship was swinging round to her anchor. Voices were heard faintly halloaing in the direction of the two gigs; and though this reassured us for Joyce and Hunter, who were well to the eastward, it warned our party to be off. Redruth retreated from his place in the gallery, and dropped into the boat, which we then brought round to the ship's counter, to be handier for Captain Smollett. `Now men,' said he, `do you hear me?' There was no answer from the forecastle. `It's to you, Abraham Gray - it's to you, I am speaking.' Still no reply. `Gray,' resumed Mr Smollett, a little louder, `I am leaving this ship, and I order you to follow your captain. I know you are a good man at bottom, and I daresay not one of the lot of you's as bad as he makes out. I have my watch here in my hand; I give you thirty seconds to join me in.' There was a pause. `Come, my fine fellow,' continued the captain, `don't hang so long in stays. I'm risking my life, and the lives of these good gentlemen every second.' There was a sudden scuffle, a sound of blows, and out burst Abraham Gray with a knife-cut on the side of the cheek, and came running to the captain, like a dog to the whistle. `I'm with you, sir,' said he. And the next moment he and the captain had dropped aboard of us, and we had shoved off and given way. We were clear out of the ship; but not yet ashore in our stockade. 宝岛十六 弃船的经过 那两只划于从伊斯班袅拉号出发上岸时大约是一点半钟——用海上的话说是钟敲三下①。船长、乡绅和我在特舱里商议对策，要是稍有一点风的话，我们就可以向留在船上的六个反叛分子突然发动袭击，然后起锚出海。但是没有风，并且更使我们绝望的是，亨特下来报告了一个消息：吉姆•霍金斯溜进了一只划子里和其余的人一起上岸了。 ①船上报时，自十二点半敲一下起，以后每半小时增敲一下。——译者注 我们从未怀疑过吉姆•霍金斯，但是我们为他的安全担忧。跟一伙那种性情的人呆在一起，看来我们再难看到他了。我们跑上了甲板。沥青在船板缝里热得冒着泡；这地方的一股恶臭熏得我直要呕吐；要说有谁闻到过热病或痢疾的气味，那一定是在这个可恶的锚地了。那六个坏蛋正坐在帆下的水手舱里嘀嘀咕咕；我们可以看到两只划子系在岸边，靠近小河入海口，每只划子上都坐着个人。他们中的一个正用口哨吹着《利利布雷洛》的调子。 等待实在让人心烦，于是决定由亨特和我乘着划子上岸去侦察侦察。他们的划子是靠右停的，而我和亨特则朝着地图上标的寨子的方向径直划去。那两个留下来看划子的人一看到我们不由一阵慌乱，《利利布雷洛》停下不吹了，我看到这两个家伙正在交头接耳。要是他们跑去报告西尔弗，一切就大为不同了；但我想他们已有指示，故而决定仍静静地坐在原地，又吹起了那支《利利布雷洛》。 岸线上有一处小小的拐角，我划着划子，使这个拐角正介于我们和对方之间，这样，在登陆前他们便无法看到我们了。我在帽子下面压了块白色的绸巾以降暑，同时，为安全起见，还带了对手铣，然后我一跃而出，以接近奔跑的速度行进起来。 还没有走上一百码，我就来到了寨子前。 它是这个样子的：一股清泉几乎是从一个小丘的顶上涌出来，这样，在小丘上面，他们①围着泉水用圆木搭了座结实的木屋子，危急时刻，里面可以容纳四十人，四面都有射击孔。在木屋的周围，他们清出了一片开阔的空地，然后用六英尺高的栅栏圈起来，完成了这个工事。这圈栅栏未设门或出口，非常的牢固，进攻者若想拆毁它，正经得费些时间和力气，并且还开阔得无处藏身。木屋里的人在里面却可安然无恙，他们可以从各个方向，像打鹧鸪似地向进攻者开熗。他们需要的全部就是：一个好的岗哨和充足的食物。除非是偷袭，否则他们据守这个地点，可以挡住一个团的进攻。 ①指弗林特他们。——译者注 特别令我高兴的是那股泉水。因为，虽然我们在伊斯班袅拉号的特舱里住得相当舒服，还备有充足的武器和弹药，还有吃有喝，但是我们忽略了一件事——我们没有淡水。我正在考虑这事的时候，这时从岛上传来了一个人临死前的惨叫。我对暴力致死并不陌生——我曾在坎布兰公爵麾下服役，而且我本人还在方特诺依负过伤——但是这回我的脉搏突然加快起来。“吉姆•霍金斯完了”，这是我反应出来的第一个念头。 当个老兵得有两下子，更何况我还是个医生，干我们这行可是从来没时间磨磨蹭蹭。因此我当机立断，毫不迟疑地向岸边返回，跳上了划子。 幸亏亨特是个好桨手。我们划得水花四溅，划子很快便靠到了大船旁边，我随即登上了大船。 我发现他们全都很震惊，这很自然。乡绅一屁股坐下来，脸苍白得像张纸，思量着他给我们带来的害处，这个好人！而那六个人中有一个也吓得不轻。 “那个人，”斯莫列特船长冲他点点头说，“是那行里的新手。当他听到那声惨叫时，他都快要晕过去了。医生。再使把劲，他就会加入到我们这边来。” 我向船长讲述了我的计划，于是我俩就研究起实施这个计划的细节来。 我们让老雷卓斯带上三四支实弹的火熗和一块打掩护的垫子，把守在特舱和水手舱之间的过道里。亨特把划子划到大船左侧的后舷窗下，乔埃斯和我则着手把火药桶、火熗、饼干袋、腌肉听和一桶白兰地，以及我那无价之宝的医药箱装到划子上去。 与此同时，乡绅和船长留在甲板上，后者还向舵手——这是船上那帮人的头头——打了招呼。 “汉兹先生，”他说，“我们俩每人带着一对手锍站在这里。要是你们六个中有谁向岸上发出信号的话，就要了他的狗命。” 他们着实吃惊不小，交头接耳了一会后，就一齐窜下前舱梯，无疑是想从后面包抄我们。但是他们一看到雷卓斯正在那过道里等着他们，于是就又立刻退了回去，接着，又有一个脑袋伸出了甲板张望着。 “下去，狗东西！”船长吼道。 那个脑袋便缩了回去。有一段时间，我们再没听到这六个吓昏了头的水手有什么动静。 这时，我们匆忙搬运的东西已经将划子装得满满的了。乔埃斯和我从后舷窗上了划子，我们又尽快地向岸上划去。 小划子的第二趟行程可大大惊动了岸上的守望者。《利利布雷洛》的调子再次中断了。而就在我们要绕过岸线上的小拐角、从他们的视线中消失的时候，他们中的一个拔腿向岸上跑去，一下子就没影了。我本想改变计划、毁掉他们的划子，但我担心西尔弗和其它人可能就在岸边附近，而贪多则可能会坏事。 我们迅速在上次那个地方上了岸，然后开始往木屋里搬运物资。第一趟我们三个都负荷很重，便把这些东西扔到了寨子的栅栏里。然后，把乔埃斯留下来守卫着它们——的确，只有一个人，但是带着半打火熗——亨特和我则又返回到划子上，再次负重前行。我们就这样不歇气地搬运着，直到把全部物资都安置妥当。两个仆人留守在木屋里，我拼尽全力划着双桨又返回了伊斯班袅拉号。 我们必须冒着危险再次把划子装满，事实上并没啥可怕的。当然，他们在人数上是占优势，但是，我们在武器上占了优势。岸上的那些人中没谁有熗，只要他们在手铳的射程之内，不是吹，我们至少能干掉他们半打人。 乡绅正在船尾的舷窗那里等候我，先前的沮丧之色一扫而光。他抓住并拉紧了缆绳，于是我们就开始拼命装船。这回装的是猪肉、火药和面包干，此外，只为乡绅、我、雷卓斯、以及船长每个人各带了一支火熗和一柄弯刀。其余的武器和弹药都被我们扔进了两寸半深的水中，扔下去后，我们可以看到，在下面清澈的沙底，明亮的铁器在阳光的照射下闪闪发光。 这时，潮水开始退了，大船在绕着锚打转儿。从那两只划子停靠的方向上隐约传来了一阵喧嚣，尽管我们对乔埃斯和亨特很是放心，因为他们恰好在东面离得远些的地方，但这也警告了我们这帮人，必须撤离了。 雷卓斯从过道上他把守的地方撤了下来，跳到了划子里，接着我们便把划子绕到了大船的另一侧去接斯莫列特船长。 “喂，你们那帮家伙，”他说，“你们听得到我的话吗？” 水手舱里没有回答。 “我对你说，亚伯拉罕•葛雷——我在同你讲话。” 还是没有回答。 “葛雷，”斯莫列特先生把声音抬高了一点，继续说道，“我就要离开大船了，而我命令你跟随你的船长一起走。我知道你本质上是个好人，而且我还敢说，你们这些人中没谁像他表面上看去的那么坏。我在这里看着我手里的表，我给你三十秒的时间到我们这边来。” 接着是一段沉寂。 “来吧，我的好小伙儿，”船长接着又说道，“不要再耽搁了。每一秒钟，我和这些好心的先生们都在冒着生命危险哩。” 突然传来了一阵扭打声，接着亚伯拉罕•葛雷一侧面颊上带着刀伤冲了出来，像一条狗听到哨声一般跑向了船长。 “我和你一起，先生。”他说。 接下来，他和船长都跳到了我们的划子里，我们当即撑开划子脱离了大船，向岸边划去。 我们是从大船上脱了身，但是我们还没到达岸上的寨子。 |
