Chapter15 “Hook or Me This Time”与胡克斗个你死我活-双语名著无障碍阅读丛书——《彼得潘Peter Pan》

Chapter15“Took or Me This Time'” Odd things happen to all of us on our way through life without our noticing for a time that they have happened.Thus,to take an instance,we suddenly discover that we have been deaf in one ear for we don't know how long,but, say,half an hour.Now such an experience had come that night to Peter.When last we saw him he was stealing across the island with one finger to his lips and his dagger at the ready.He had seen the crocodile pass by without noticing anything peculiar about it,but by and by he remembered that it had not been ticking.At first he thought this eerie,but soon he concluded rightly that the clock had run down. Without giving a thought to what might be the feelings of a fellow-creature thus abruptly deprivedof its closest companion,Peter at once considered how he could turn the catastrophe to his own use;and he decided to tick,so that wild beasts should believe he was the crocodile and let him pass unmolested. He ticked superbly,but with one unforeseen result.The crocodile was among those who heard the sound,and it followed him,though whether with the purpose of regaining what it had lost,or merely as a friend under the belief that it was again ticking itself,will never be certainly known,for,like all slaves to a fixed idea,it was a stupid beast. Peter reached the shore without mishap,and went straight on;his legs encountering the water as if quite unaware that they had entered a new element.Thus many animals pass from land to water,but no other human of ·232· 第十五章与胡克斗个 你死我活 我们每个人的一生中都发生过一些奇特的事，但 我们好一段时间都对此毫无觉察。举个例子来说，我们 突然发现自己的一只耳朵聋了，却不知道聋了多久，就 只能说，大概聋了半个钟头吧。那天晚上，这种事儿就 发生在彼得身上了。之前我们讲到，彼得正悄悄地穿越 peculiar [pi'kju:lia]a. 小岛，他的一只手按着嘴唇，另一只手握着刀做准备。 怪的 当那条鳄鱼从他身边爬过时，他没觉得有什么异样。可 是很快，他突然记起来，这回鳄鱼没有发出嘀嗒声。起 初，他觉得这事有点异样。不过，他很快就明白了，一 ②deprive[di'praiv]v.夺去 定是那只钟的发条走完了。 这只鳄鱼突然失去了它最亲密的伙伴该会多么伤 3 catastrophe [ka'tastrofi]n. 大灾难 心，彼得根本没工夫去思考这个问题，他立刻想到的是 该怎样利用这个机会。他决定模仿鳄鱼发出嘀嗒声好让 4 unforeseen [,Anfo:'si:n]a. 未预见到的 野兽们以为他就是鳄鱼，于是不加伤害地放他过去。他 模仿得很像，可是招来一个意想不到的结果。鳄鱼像别 的动物一样，听到了嘀嗒声之后一直跟着他。鳄鱼究竞 是想找回她失去的东西，还是以为她的好友又开始嘀嗒 作响了，我们永远不知道确切答案，因为鳄鱼就像固有 ⑤mishap ['mishap]n.小灾 观念的奴隶一样，是一种愚蠢的动物。 难 彼得平安无事地到达了海岸边，然后潜人了水中。 6 encounter [in'kaunta]v. 他的双腿触到水，却完全没有感到水是另一种物质。许 到 多动物从陆上进入水里都能如此自如，但我还没听说别 ·233· Chapter15“Hook or Me This Time” whom I know.As he swam he had but one thought,"Hook or me this time."He had ticked so long that he now went on ticking without knowing that he was doing it.Had he known he would have stopped,for to board the brig by the help of the tick,though an ingenious idea,had not occurred to him. On the contrary,he thought he had scaled her side as noiseless as a mouse; and he was amazed to see the pirates cowering from him,with Hook in their midst as abject as if he had heard the crocodile. The crocodile!No sooner did Peter remember it than he heard the ticking. At first he thought the sound did come from the crocodile,and he looked behind him swiftly.Then he realised that he was doing it himself,and in a flash he understood the situation."How clever of me,"he thought at once,and signed to the boys not to burst into applause. It was at this moment that Ed Teynte the quartermaster emerged from the forecastle and came along the deck.Now,reader,time what happened by your watch.Peter struck true and deep.John clapped his hands on the ill-fated pirate's mouth to stifle the dying groan.He fell forward.Four boys caught him to prevent the thud.Peter gave the signal,and the carrion was cast overboard. There was a splash,and then silence.How long has it taken? "One!"(Slightly had begun to count.) None too soon,Peter,every inch of him on tiptoe,vanished into the cabin; for more than one pirate was screwing up his courage to look round.They could hear each other's distressed breathing now,which showed them that the more terrible sound had passed. “t's gone,captain,.”Smee said,wiping his spectacles..“All's still again.” Slowly Hook let his head emerge from his ruff,and listened so intently that he could have caught the echo of the tick.There was not a sound,and he drew himself up firmly to his full height. “Then here's to Johnny Plank,”he cried brazenly⑧，hating the boys more than ever because they had seen him unbend.He broke into the villainous ditty: "Yo ho,yo ho,the frisky plank, ·234· 第十五章 与胡克斗个你死我活 的人类能像彼得这样。他在海中游动时，心里只有一个 念头：“这回要和胡克拼个你死我活。”他已经嘀嗒了 很长时间，甚至都忘记了自己还在发出嘀嗒的声音。要 是彼得意识到这一点的话，他早就停止嘀嗒了。尽管靠 ingenious [in'd3i:nias]a. 巧妙的 发出嘀嗒声作掩护登上海盗船这确实是条妙计，但彼得 没有想到过。 ②cower[kaup],蜷缩 恰恰相反，彼得以为自己像老鼠一样悄悄地爬上了 ③abject['xbd3cka.凄惨 船。当他发现海盗们纷纷躲在一边，而胡克惊恐无比地 的 藏在他们中间，就像是看到了鳄鱼一样。他感到非常惊 讶。 鳄鱼！彼得刚想起鳄鱼，就听到了嘀嗒声。起初 他以为声音是鳄鱼发出来的，他飞快地回头看了一眼， 这才发现嘀嗒声是他自己发出来的。他一下明白了眼下 quartermaster [kwo:tama:st] 的状况。“我是多么聪明啊！”他立刻这样想道，还向 舵手 孩子们做手势示意他们不要拍手欢呼。 forecastle ['fo,kaesal]n. 就在此时，舵手爱德华·泰特从前舱出来，向甲板 甲板 ⑥stifle['staifl],遏制 这一侧走来。读者们，现在请看着你们的表开始计时。 彼得举起刀朝他砍去，又准又狠。约翰用手捂住这倒霉 ⑦carrion[karian].尸体 的腐肉 海盗的嘴不让他发出濒死的呻吟声。眼看海盗要向前栽 倒，四个孩子上前一把抓住他，没有让他发出跌倒的声 音。随后，彼得做一个手势，孩子们就把那具尸首抛到 海里去了。尸首溅起一声水响，然后一切都归于寂静。 这总共花了多长时间？ “干掉一个啦！”斯莱特利开始计数 这时正好有几个海盗吊着胆子东张西望，彼得立即 敏捷而轻巧地钻进了船舱。海盗们现在听到了彼此不安 的喘息声，这说明那个更可怕的声音已经离开了。 “她走了，船长，”斯密擦着眼镜说，“现在一点 声音都没有了。” 胡克从带褶的衣领里探出头来，仔细倾听还有没有 ⑧brazenly[breiznli]ad.厚 颜无耻地 嘀嗒嘀嗒的余音，在肯定了声音确实消失了之后，他振 作精神站起身来 画dity[ditn.歌谣 “现在，你们该走跳板啦。”胡克厚着脸皮喊道。 frisky['friski]a.欢蹦乱 现在他更加恨那些孩子了，因为他们看到了他刚刚的丑 跳的 态。他又开始哼那支凶残的歌： “呦嗬，呦嗬，颤动的木板啊。 ·235· Chapter 15 "Hook or Me This Time" You walks along it so, Till it goes down and you goes down To Davy Jones below!" To terrorise the prisoners the more,though with a certain loss of dignity,he danced along an imaginary plank,grimacing at them as he sang;and when he finished he cried,"Do you want a touch of the cat before you walk the plank?" At that they fell on their knees."No,no,"they cried so piteously that every pirate smiled. "Fetch the cat,.Jukes,”said Hook;“its in the cabin.” The cabin!Peter was in the cabin!The children gazed at each other. "Ay,ay,"said Jukes blithely,and he strode into the cabin.They followed him with their eyes;they scarce knew that Hook had resumed his song,his dogs joining in with him: "Yo ho,yo ho,the scratching cat, Its tails are nine,you know, And when they're writ upon your back-" What was the last line will never be known,for of a sudden the song was stayed by a dreadful screech from the cabin.It wailed through the ship,and died away.Then was heard a crowing sound which was well understood by the boys, but to the pirates was almost more eerie than the screech. “What was that?”cried Hook. “Two,”said Slightly solemnly. The Italian Cecco hesitated for a moment and then swung into the cabin. He tottered out,haggard. "What's the matter with Bill Jukes,you dog?"hissed Hook,towering over him. "The matter wi'him is he's dead,stabbed,"replied Cecco in a hollow voice. "Bill Jukes dead!"cried the startled pirates. "The cabin's as black as a pit,"Cecco said,almost gibbering,"but there is something terrible in there:the thing you heard crowing." ·236· 第十五章 与胡克斗个你死我活 你们踩着木板走到头， 连人带板掉下去， 到海底去见大卫·琼斯喽！” 为了再吓唬一把他的囚徒们，胡克顾不上丢面子， ①terrorise['teroraiz]v.吓唬 沿着一块假想的跳板一路舞过去，一面唱着，一面冲他 ②grimace[gri'meis]k做鬼 们做狰狞的鬼脸。唱完之后，他问：“走跳板以前，你 脸 们要不要尝尝鞭子的滋味？” 听到这话，孩子们都跪了下来。“不，不！”他们 可怜地喊道。海盗们都笑了。 “朱克斯，去把鞭子拿来，”胡克说，“鞭子在船 舱里。” 船舱！彼得就在船舱里！孩子们紧张地互相对视 着。 “是，是！”朱克斯乐滋滋地答应着，大步走进船 舱。孩子们的眼睛盯着朱克斯的背影，他们几乎没注意 胡克又唱起歌来。胡克的喽啰们应声和着： “呦嗬，呦嗬，折磨人的鞭子， 它的尾巴有九条 要是落到你们的背上.” 最后一行唱的是什么，我们永不会知道了。因为 船舱里突然间传来一声可怕的哀嚎，这声哀嚎回荡在整 条船，随后戛然而止。紧接着，孩子们又听到一声熟悉 的欢叫。在海盗们听来，这声音比那声哀嚎还要令人毛 骨悚然。 “那是什么声音？”胡克喊道。 ③haggard[haegad]a.憔悴 “干掉两个啦。”斯莱特利认真地数着。 的 意大利人切科稍稍犹豫了一下，随后大摇大摆地走 下船舱。可是，他立即踉跄着退了出来，面色惨白。 “比尔·朱克斯出什么事了，你这混账？”胡克喘 着粗气恶狠狠地盯着着他说。 “怎么回事，他死了，给砍死了。”切科有气无力 地答。 ④gibber['d3ibag因害怕 “比尔·朱克斯死啦！”海盗们齐声惊叫。 而说不清话 “船里黑得像个地洞，”切科被惊吓得几乎连话都 说不清了，“可是里面有个吓人的东西，就是那个东西 发出了你们听到的欢叫。” ·237· Chapter15“Hook or Me This Time” The exultation of the boys,the lowering looks of the pirates,both were seen by Hook. “Cecco,”he said in his most steely voice,“go back and fetch me out that doodle-doo①.” Cecco,bravest of the brave,cowered before his captain,crying "No,no": but Hook was purring to his claw. "Did you say you would go,Cecco?"he said musingly2. Cecco went,first flinging up his arms despairingly.There was no more singing,all listened now;and again came a death-screech and again a crow. No one spoke except Slightly."Three,"he said. Hook rallied his dogs with a gesture.""Sdeath and odds fish,"he thundered, "who is to bring me that doodle-doo?" "Wait till Cecco comes out,"growled Starkey,and the others took up the cry. "I think I heard you volunteer,Starkey,"said Hook,purring again. "No,by thunder!"Starkey cried. “My hook thinks you did,”said Hook,crossing to him.“I wonder if it would not be advisable,Starkey,to humour the hook?" "I'll swing before I go in there,"replied Starkey doggedly,and again he had the support of the crew. “Is it mutiny④？”asked Hook more pleasantly than ever..“Starkey's ringleader⑤.” "Captain,mercy,"Starkey whimpered,all of a tremble now. “Shake hands,.Starkey,”said Hook,.proffering°his claw. Starkey looked round for help,but all deserted him.As he backed Hook advanced,and now the red spark was in his eye.With a despairing scream the pirate leapt upon Long Tom and precipitated himself into the sea. “Four,”said Slightly. “And now,”Hook asked courteously,“did any other gentleman say ·238· 第十五章 与胡克斗个你死我活 孩子们都兴奋不已，而海盗们则垂头丧气。胡克看 到这一切，于是他冷酷地说：“切科，回到舱里去，把 那混账玩意儿给我找出来。” 切科，这个最勇敢的海盗，在船长面前浑身打战地 O doodle-doo ['du:dldu:n. 混账 喊道：“不，不。”但是，胡克并不理会他，反而咆哮 者举起了铁爪。 “你是说你会去，是吧，切科？”他沉思着说。 musingly Imju:zinli]ad. 沉思地 切科绝望地扬了扬双臂，然后走进了船舱。没有人 敢唱歌，大家都在静静地听着。接着，又是一声死亡的 哀嚎，随后是一声欢叫。 没有人说话，只有斯莱特利数道：“干掉三个 啦。” 胡克一挥手，将他的部下集结在一起。“一群没用 的东西，”他暴跳如雷地吼道，“谁去把那混账玩意儿 给我抓来？” “我们还是等切科出来再说吧。”斯塔基嘟囔着 说，其他海盗都对他的话表示赞同。 “我听到你说你自愿要进去，斯塔基！”胡克又开 始带着威胁的语气哼哼着说。 “我没有，老天作证！”斯塔基喊。 “我的铁爪听到你说了。”胡克威逼着他说，“跟 ③crew[kru:]h.全体船员 我的钩子开玩笑可不是好玩儿的，斯塔基。 ④munity['mjunit的n.叛乱 “我宁愿被吊死，也不进去。”斯塔基固执地回答 ⑤ringleader[rili:dbm.头 说。其他海盗也表示支持。 目 “你们是要叛乱吗？”胡克狰狞地笑着说，“斯塔 ⑤proffer[profo]递出 基是叛乱带头人。” “船长，发发慈悲吧。”斯塔基鸣咽着说，他浑身 都在打战。 7precipitate [pri sipiteit]v. “那你和我握个手吧，斯塔基。”胡克说着伸出了 猛然抛下 铁爪。 8 courteously ['ka:tiasli]ad. 斯塔基向周围的海盗求助，但是其他人都背弃了 有礼貌地 他，他只得不断往后退。胡克向前步步紧逼，眼睛中闪 现着红光。随着一声绝望的惨叫，斯塔基跳上了长汤姆 大炮，然后一个前倾，跃入了大海。 “干掉四个啦。”斯莱特利叫着。 “现在，”胡克装作很彬彬有礼的样子问，“还 ·239· Chapter 15 "Hook or Me This Time" mutiny?"Seizing a lantern and raising his claw with a menacing gesture,"I'll bring out that doodle-doo myself,"he said,and sped into the cabin. "Five."How Slightly longed to say it.He wetted his lips to be ready,but Hook came staggering out,without his lantern. "Something blew out the light,"he said a little unsteadily. “Something!”echoed Mullins. “What of Cecco?”demanded Noodler.. "He's as dead as Jukes,"said Hook shortly. His reluctance to return to the cabin impressed them all unfavourably,and the mutinous sounds again broke forth.All pirates are superstitious;and Cookson cried,"They do say the surest sign a ship's accurst is when there's one on board more than can be accounted for." "I've heard,"muttered Mullins,"he always boards the pirate craft at last. Had he a tail,captain?" "They say,"said another,looking viciously at Hook,"that when he comes it's in the likeness of the wickedest man aboard." "Had he a hook,captain?"asked Cookson insolently;and one after another took up the cry."The ship's doomed."At this the children could not resist raising a cheer.Hook had wellnigh forgotten his prisoners,but as he swung round on them now his face lit up again. "Lads,"he cried to his crew,"here's a notion.Open the cabin door and drive them in.Let them fight the doodle-doo for their lives.If they kill him, we're so much the better;if he kills them,we're none the worse." For the last time his dogs admired Hook,and devotedly they did his bidding.The boys,pretending to struggle,were pushed into the cabin and the door was closed on them. "Now,listen,"cried Hook,and all listened.But not one dared to face the door.Yes,one,Wendy,who all this time had been bound to the mast.It was for neither a scream nor a crow that she was watching;it was for the reappearance of Peter. She had not long to wait.In the cabin he had found the thing for which he ·240· 第十五章 与胡克斗个你死我活 ④menacing[menasin]a.威 有哪位绅士要叛乱？”他提起一盏灯，威胁般地举起铁 胁的 爪。“我亲自下去把那玩意儿抓上来。”他说着大步走 进了船舱。 “干掉五个啦。”斯莱特利迫不及待地想要这样 说，他润了润嘴唇做好了报数的准备。可是胡克踉跄地 退了出来，他手里的灯没了。 “什么东西把我的灯吹灭了。”胡克有些惊魂未定 地说。 “什么东西！”姆林斯应声说。 “切科怎么样了？”努德勒问。 2 mutinous ['mju:tonas]a. “像朱克斯一样，死了。”胡克简短地回答。 反叛的 胡克不敢再进船舱，这引发了海盗们的不良情绪， superstitious su:po'stifas] a.迷信的 于是叛乱的声音又响起了。因为，海盗们都很迷信。这 ④accurst[b:kast]a.被诅咒 时，库克森嚷道：“我听说，要是船上有个奇怪的东 的 西，这船肯定要完蛋了。” “我还听说，”姆林斯嘟囔着说，“这东西迟早会 5 viciously ['vifasli]ad. 意地 登上海盗船。它有尾巴吗，船长？” “我也听说，”另一个海盗恶狠狠地盯着胡克说： “那东西来的时候，样子和船上最邪恶的人差不多。” “他有铁爪吗，船长？”库克森故意发问。接着， 6 wellnigh ['wel'nai]ad. 乎 海盗们都嚷嚷起来：“这只船要完了。”看到海盗们的 样子，孩子们忍不住欢呼起来。胡克刚刚差点把他的小 囚犯们给忘了，这会儿他回头看到他们，突然眼前一 亮。 “伙计们，”胡克对他的船员喊道，“我有个主 意。打开舱门，把他们几个推进去。让他们跟那个东西 斗一斗。要是他们把那东西解决掉，那最好不过：要是 那东西把他们杀了，那对我们也没坏处。” 海盗又对胡克表示敬佩，并且忠实地执行胡克的命 令，不过这是最后一次了。孩子们假意挣，还是被推 进了船舱，海盗们随即把舱门关上了。 “好了，听着！”胡克喊。所有海盗都静静地听 着，但没有一个敢望着舱门。不，有一个人在看，那就 是温迪。她一直被绑在桅杆上。她不是在等待哀嚎，也 不是在等待欢呼，而是在等待彼得再次露面。 她没有等太久。在舱里，彼得找到了他要找的东 ·241·