But it was inconceivable to me that it had discovered the Nautilus at such a distance, still less that it knew what this underwater machine really was.
然而,我不相信它在這種距離就能認(rèn)出“鸚鵡螺號”,更不相信它知道這艘潛水艇是怎么回事。
Soon the Canadian announced that the craft was a big battleship, a double-decker ironclad complete with ram. Dark, dense smoke burst from its two funnels. Its furled sails merged with the lines of its yardarms. The gaff of its fore-and-aft sail flew no flag. Its distance still kept us from distinguishing the colors of its pennant, which was fluttering like a thin ribbon.
過了一會兒,加拿大人告訴我說那艘船是一艘大戰(zhàn)艦,在沖角有雙層裝甲板。一股濃濃的黑煙從它的煙囪里冒出來??嚨镁o緊的船帆緊挨著桅桿。斜桁上沒有掛任何旗幟。因為距離太遠(yuǎn),還看不清那像一條薄帶子一樣飄揚(yáng)的旗子的顏色。
It was coming on fast. If Captain Nemo let it approach, a chance for salvation might be available to us.
那艘船迅速地前進(jìn)。如果尼摩船長讓它靠近的話,那我們就可能獲得一次獲救的機(jī)會。
Sir, Ned Land told me, "if that boat gets within a mile of us, I'm jumping overboard, and I suggest you follow suit."
“先生,”尼德·蘭對我說,“那船離我們1海里時,我就跳進(jìn)海里,我建議您也像我一樣做?!?/p>
I didn't reply to the Canadian's proposition but kept watching the ship, which was looming larger on the horizon. Whether it was English, French, American, or Russian, it would surely welcome us aboard if we could just get to it.
我沒有回答加拿大人的建議,而是繼續(xù)望著那艘在視野中變得越來越大的船。不論它是英國、法國、美國還是俄羅斯的船,如果我們能到它的甲板上,它肯定會歡迎我們。
Master may recall, Conseil then said, "that we have some experience with swimming. He can rely on me to tow him to that vessel, if he's agreeable to going with our friend Ned."
“請先生好好想一想,”康塞爾于是說,“我們有過游泳的經(jīng)驗。如果先生覺得跟尼德朋友一起走合適的話,您可以搭在我的背上,我把您托到那只船上?!?/p>
Before I could reply, white smoke streamed from the battleship's bow. Then, a few seconds later, the waters splashed astern of the Nautilus, disturbed by the fall of a heavy object. Soon after, an explosion struck my ears.
我剛想回答,那戰(zhàn)艦的前部就射出一道白煙。接著,幾分鐘后,海水被一塊沉重的物體擊起陣陣水花,濺到了“鸚鵡螺號”的后部。緊接著,一聲爆炸聲在我的耳邊響起。