書(shū)蟲(chóng)二級(jí)《新森林的孩子們》：2、森林里的生活

2．Life in the Forest
2．森林里的生活

The next morning Jacob rode to the town of Lymington. There he heard that the King was in prison again and that Cromwell's soldiers were going back to London. Jacob bought cottage clothes for the children and a few things for the house. Then he put everything on his horse and walked back home through the forest.

第二天早上雅各布騎馬去了利明頓鎮(zhèn)。他在那里聽(tīng)說(shuō)國(guó)王又入獄了，克倫威爾的士兵們要返回倫敦了。雅各布給孩子們買了農(nóng)家衣物，還買了一些家用品。然后他把所有的東西放到他的馬上，穿過(guò)森林走回家。

While he walked, he thought about the children. They were so young, and alone in a dangerous world — he was their only friend. But he was an old man, and perhaps would not live long. He knew he must teach them how to find food and do everything for themselves.

他一邊走一邊想著孩子們。他們年紀(jì)這么小，又獨(dú)自處在這個(gè)危險(xiǎn)的世界上——他是他們唯一的朋友。但是他已經(jīng)是個(gè)老人了，可能活不了多久了。他知道自己必須教會(huì)他們?nèi)绾螌ふ沂澄?，如何自己處理一切事情?/p>

After dinner, he called the children round him. 'Now, remember, you are my grandchildren and your name is Armitage, not Beverley. I've bought you some cottage clothes to wear, and you must all learn to work and live like a forester's children. Edward is the oldest and he must come out with me into the forest and learn how to hunt. Then we'll have meat to eat every day. Humphrey, you must look after the horse and the pigs, and bring water from the river every day. Alice dear, you must light the fire, clean the house and wash the clothes, and you and Humphrey will both learn how to cook. And little Edith will look after the chickens and look for the eggs every morning — will you, Edith?'

晚飯之后，他把孩子們叫到身邊。“現(xiàn)在要記住，你們是我的孫子和孫女，你們姓阿米蒂奇，不姓貝弗利。我給你們買了些農(nóng)家衣服穿，你們?nèi)急仨殞W(xué)會(huì)像個(gè)護(hù)林人的孩子一樣干活和過(guò)日子。愛(ài)德華是老大，他必須和我一起去森林里學(xué)習(xí)打獵，這樣我們就每天都有肉吃了。漢弗萊，你必須照看好馬和豬，并且每天從河里打水回來(lái)。親愛(ài)的艾麗斯，你必須生爐火、打掃屋子和洗衣服，你和漢弗萊都要學(xué)做飯。小伊迪絲要喂雞，每天早上找雞蛋——你愿意做嗎，伊迪絲？”

Yes,' said Edith. 'I liked the chickens at Arnwood.'

“愿意，”伊迪絲說(shuō)，“我在安伍德的時(shí)候就喜歡小雞。”

There was no more meat in the cottage and so the next morning Jacob and Edward, with the dog Smoker, went out into the forest. They walked quietly and did not speak. The red deer of the forest could see, hear and smell very well, and it was hard to get near them.

農(nóng)舍里沒(méi)有肉了，所以第二天早上雅各布和愛(ài)德華就帶著大狗斯莫克爾去了森林里。他們悄悄地走著，沒(méi)有說(shuō)話。森林里的紅鹿的視覺(jué)、聽(tīng)覺(jué)和嗅覺(jué)都非常靈敏，很難接近它們。

After more than a mile, Jacob dropped down to the ground, and through the trees Edward saw three deer. Jacob moved silently forward on his hands and knees, and Edward and Smoker followed him. Slowly they got nearer, but then suddenly the deer, who were quietly eating grass, put up their heads and walked away.

走出一英里開(kāi)外之后，雅各布突然趴到地上，愛(ài)德華透過(guò)樹(shù)叢看到了三只鹿。雅各布手和膝蓋著地，悄無(wú)聲息地向前挪動(dòng)，愛(ài)德華和斯莫克爾跟在他后面。他們慢慢靠近了，但是突然間，剛才還在安靜地吃草的鹿抬起頭來(lái)走開(kāi)了。

Jacob turned. 'You see, Edward, hunting is slow work. Now we must go through the woods around the other side of the deer and try again.'

雅各布轉(zhuǎn)過(guò)身。“你看，愛(ài)德華，打獵是個(gè)慢活?，F(xiàn)在我們必須穿過(guò)樹(shù)林，從鹿群的另一側(cè)再試試看。”

What frightened them, do you think?' asked Edward.

“你覺(jué)得是什么嚇著它們了？”愛(ài)德華問(wèn)。

When you were following me, I think you put your knee on a piece of stick and it broke.'

“你剛才跟著我的時(shí)候，我想你的膝蓋壓到了一根樹(shù)枝，把它弄斷了。”

Yes, but that made only a little noise.'

“沒(méi)錯(cuò)，但那只是很小的聲音。”

Only a little noise will frighten a red deer,' said Jacob kindly. 'But these mistakes can happen to anyone, and you will learn. Now — not a word, and not a sound!'

“很小的聲音也會(huì)把一只紅鹿嚇跑，”雅各布溫和地說(shuō)，“但是任何人都可能犯這種錯(cuò)誤，你會(huì)學(xué)會(huì)的，現(xiàn)在——一句話也別說(shuō)了，一點(diǎn)兒聲音也別出！”

In half an hour they found the deer again, and again Jacob dropped down to the ground and moved forward without a sound. At last, he lifted his gun and shot one of the deer behind the shoulder. The deer dropped to its knees and fell dead, and the other deer ran away.

半個(gè)小時(shí)之后他們又發(fā)現(xiàn)了鹿，雅各布又趴到地上，靜悄悄地向前挪動(dòng)。最后，他舉起槍朝其中一只鹿的后背開(kāi)了一槍。那只鹿跪倒在地上死了，其他的鹿紛紛逃散。

This is a fine deer and the meat will be good,' said Jacob. 'We're about five miles from the cottage, Edward, but Smoker will take you home, and you can come back with White Billy. He must carry the meat home for us.'

“這是只很好的鹿，它的肉應(yīng)該不錯(cuò)，”雅各布說(shuō)，“愛(ài)德華，我們現(xiàn)在離農(nóng)舍大概有5英里，但是斯莫克爾會(huì)帶你回家的，然后你可以和白比利一起回來(lái)。他必須幫我們把肉運(yùn)回家去。”

It was a good beginning to their new life, and the next day Jacob rode to Lymington to sell some of the meat. With the money he bought things for the vegetable garden, a big bag of oatmeal for the winter, and a gun for Edward.

這是他們新生活的一個(gè)好的開(kāi)始。第二天，雅各布騎馬去利明頓賣了一些肉，他用那些錢買了菜園里需要的東西，一大袋冬天吃的燕麥片和一支給愛(ài)德華的槍。

*　*　*

*　*　*

That winter was long and cold, and they stayed in the cottage most of the time. Alice learned how to cook and to mend clothes. Edith learned to read and write, and to make oatmeal bread and cook it on the stones by the fire. Humphrey was clever with his hands, and learned how to make things out of wood. Edward learned how to shoot and to look after his gun. They were all busy and happy, but Edward sometimes felt angry. He kept his father's sword by his bed and often cleaned it. He hated Cromwell and his soldiers, and he wanted to fight for the King.

那個(gè)冬天又長(zhǎng)又冷，他們大部分時(shí)間都待在農(nóng)舍里。艾麗斯學(xué)會(huì)了做飯和補(bǔ)衣服。伊迪絲學(xué)會(huì)了看書(shū)和寫(xiě)字，還學(xué)會(huì)了做燕麥面包和在爐火旁的石頭上烤面包。漢弗萊的手很巧，他學(xué)會(huì)了用木頭制作東西。愛(ài)德華學(xué)會(huì)了射擊和照看他的槍。他們都很忙碌，也很快樂(lè)，但是愛(ài)德華有時(shí)候會(huì)感到憤怒。他把父親的劍放在床邊，經(jīng)常擦拭。他恨克倫威爾和他的士兵，他想為國(guó)王作戰(zhàn)。

In the month of May, the leaves came out and the forest began to look green again. 'And now, Edward,' said Jacob one day, 'we need more meat, both to eat and to sell. So let's get our guns and go out. You can shoot first.'

到了5月，樹(shù)葉長(zhǎng)出來(lái)了，森林又重新披上綠色。“現(xiàn)在，愛(ài)德華，”有一天雅各布說(shuō)，“我們需要更多的肉，用來(lái)吃和賣錢。所以我們帶上槍出去打獵吧。你可以先開(kāi)槍。”

They walked four or five miles before they saw a deer. 'Stay here, while I go through the trees with Smoker,' said Jacob quietly. 'Then I'll stand up, and the deer will run towards you. Remember, shoot it behind the shoulder.'

他們走了四五英里后看到了一只鹿。“你待在這里，我和斯莫克爾從樹(shù)叢中穿過(guò)去，”雅各布輕輕地說(shuō)，“然后我會(huì)站起來(lái)，鹿就會(huì)朝你跑過(guò)來(lái)。記住，要打它的后背。”

Edward waited quietly, and after a time the deer ran out of the trees in front of him. He lifted his gun, shot the deer behind the shoulder, and it fell to the ground.

愛(ài)德華靜靜地等著，過(guò)了一會(huì)兒，那只鹿從他前面的樹(shù)叢跑了出來(lái)。他舉起槍，朝鹿的后背開(kāi)了槍，那只鹿就倒在了地上。

Well done!' said Jacob, when he came back. 'You killed your first deer! And it's a fine one, too. Soon I shall leave the hunting to you, and put my gun up on the wall!'

“干得好！”雅各布回來(lái)說(shuō)，“這是你打的第一只鹿！而且這也是一只很好的鹿。很快我就可以把打獵的事交給你，把我的槍掛到墻上了！”

The spring was a busy time for everyone at the cottage. In the field they planted potatoes and lots of different vegetables. Little Edith was busy with her chickens, and Humphrey built a chicken-house, and a house for the pigs. Jacob sold some of the deer meat and bought a little cart. White Billy was not very happy about this at first, but he soon learned to pull the cart behind him, and it was a great help with all the farm work.

春天對(duì)于農(nóng)舍里的每個(gè)人來(lái)說(shuō)都是個(gè)繁忙的季節(jié)。他們?cè)诘乩锓N了土豆和許多各種各樣的蔬菜。小伊迪絲忙著照看她的雞，漢弗萊造了一個(gè)雞舍和一個(gè)豬圈。雅各布賣了一些鹿肉，買了一輛小馬車。白比利一開(kāi)始對(duì)此不太高興，但是他很快就學(xué)會(huì)了把這輛車?yán)谏砗?，這給所有的農(nóng)活都幫了大忙。

Humphrey loved the work on the farm. He was always making plans to do new things, and he was now very clever at building things out of wood. It was hard work. First he had to cut down a tree, and then cut the wood into pieces for building. One day he began to build a cow-house.

漢弗萊喜歡干農(nóng)場(chǎng)上的活兒。他總是在計(jì)劃著做新的東西，現(xiàn)在他非常精通用木頭做東西了。這是件苦差事。首先他必須砍倒一棵樹(shù)，然后把木頭砍成幾塊用來(lái)建造。有一天，他開(kāi)始動(dòng)工造一個(gè)牛棚。

We need a cow to give us milk,' he said to the others. 'I'm going to catch one of the forest cows.'

“我們需要一頭牛擠奶喝，”他對(duì)其他人說(shuō)，“我打算去逮一頭森林里的牛。”

Edward laughed, but Jacob said, 'The forest cows are very wild, and can be dangerous. You must be careful.'

愛(ài)德華大笑，雅各布卻說(shuō)：“森林里的牛非常野蠻，可能會(huì)有危險(xiǎn)。你一定要小心。”

June arrived, and they began to cut the long grass, to keep for food for the animals in winter. The girls helped too, and White Billy was busy every day, pulling home the new cart full of summer grass.

6月到了，他們開(kāi)始割長(zhǎng)草，用作牲畜們冬天的食物，女孩子們也幫忙，白比利則每天都忙著把裝滿夏草的新馬車?yán)丶摇?/p>

Humphrey did not forget about his cow. He finished building the cow-house and began to spend an hour or more every day out in the forest. He was watching the wild cows. Early one morning he came running home.

漢弗萊沒(méi)有忘記他的牛。他蓋完了牛棚，就開(kāi)始每天花一個(gè)小時(shí)或更多的時(shí)間待在森林里。他在觀察野牛。一天清晨，他跑回家來(lái)。

Jacob, Edward, come with me! Bring Smoker, too.'

“雅各布，愛(ài)德華，跟我來(lái)！把斯莫克爾也帶上。”

Why, what's the matter?'

“為什么，出什么事了？”

I've found a cow! She's left the other cows because of her new-born calf. So she's alone, and we can catch her.'

“我找到了一頭牛！她為了剛出生的小牛離開(kāi)了其他的牛，所以落單了，我們可以逮住她。”

But how?' asked Edward.

“可是怎么逮呢？”愛(ài)德華問(wèn)。

I'll tell you later. I must get White Billy and the cart.' Jacob and Edward followed him, and soon they were driving the cart through the forest.

“過(guò)一會(huì)兒我會(huì)告訴你的。我必須準(zhǔn)備好白比利和馬車。”雅各布和愛(ài)德華跟著他，很快他們就駕著馬車穿行在森林里了。

Smoker will jump up at the cow,' explained Humphrey, 'and keep her away from us while we put the calf in the cart. When we drive away, the cow will follow her baby.'

“斯莫克爾會(huì)跳起來(lái)?yè)湎蚰概＃?rdquo;漢弗萊解釋道，“在我們把小牛放到車上的時(shí)候把母牛與我們隔開(kāi)來(lái)。我們駕車離開(kāi)的時(shí)候，母牛就會(huì)跟著她的孩子。”

The cow was lying near her calf, but when she saw them, she got up and shook her head angrily from side to side.

母牛正躺在她的小牛旁邊，但一看到他們，她就站了起來(lái)，憤怒地左右搖擺著腦袋。

Go, Smoker, go!' Jacob called to his dog, and Smoker jumped at the cow, driving her back into the trees away from her calf. Edward and Humphrey quickly lifted the calf into the cart, and got in themselves.

“上，斯莫克爾，上！”雅各布沖著他的狗喊道，斯莫克爾撲向母牛，把她趕回到樹(shù)叢里，離開(kāi)了她的小牛。愛(ài)德華和漢弗萊飛快地抬起小牛放進(jìn)車?yán)?，他們自己也上了車?/p>

Then Jacob hurried back and got in too. 'Drive off, Humphrey,' he said. 'I'll call Smoker now, and the cow will follow us. Here, Smoker, here!'

然后雅各布快速回來(lái)也上了車。“趕車，漢弗萊，”他說(shuō)，“我現(xiàn)在要叫回斯莫克爾，母牛會(huì)跟著我們的。這里，斯莫克爾，這里！”

Smoker came running out of the trees at once. The cow followed and ran wildly after the cart, calling loudly to her calf. Before long they were back at the cottage.

斯莫克爾立刻跑出樹(shù)叢。母牛在后面瘋狂地跟著馬車跑，向她的小牛大聲叫著。沒(méi)多久他們就回到了農(nóng)舍。

There's Alice and Edith running out!' cried Jacob. 'Go back inside, Alice! The cow is dangerous!'

“艾麗斯和伊迪絲正往外跑呢！”雅各布喊道，“回屋里去，艾麗斯！母牛很危險(xiǎn)！”

Humphrey drove the cart into the field. Smoker kept the cow away while they carried the calf into the cow-house. Then they left, and the cow followed its calf inside.

漢弗萊把馬車趕到空地里。斯莫克爾把母牛攔住，他們便趁機(jī)把小牛抱進(jìn)牛棚。然后他們一走開(kāi)，母牛就跟著她的小牛進(jìn)去了。

There!' said Humphrey. 'Let's leave her with the calf. Tomorrow I'll cut some grass for her.'

“進(jìn)去了！”漢弗萊說(shuō)，“我們讓她和小牛待在一起吧。明天我會(huì)給她割些草來(lái)。”

Every day for a fortnight Humphrey brought grass to the cow, and every day she was a little quieter. After a month, Humphrey began to take milk from the cow.

接下來(lái)的兩周里，漢弗萊每天都給母牛送草，母牛一天比一天安靜下來(lái)。一個(gè)月之后，漢弗萊開(kāi)始從母牛身上擠奶了。

I have learned how to shoot deer,' said Edward. 'But Humphrey has caught a cow and given us milk. You are cleverer than I am, brother!'

“我學(xué)會(huì)了怎么打鹿，”愛(ài)德華說(shuō)，“但是漢弗萊逮住了一頭奶牛，讓我們有牛奶喝。你比我聰明，弟弟！”