Chapter12 The Return of Ulysses荣归故里-双语名著无障碍阅读丛书——《柳林风声The Wind in the Willows》

Chapter Twelve The Return of Ulysses When it began to grow dark, the Rat, with an air of excitement and mystery, summoned them back into the parlour, stood each of them up alongside of his little heap, and proceeded to dress them up for the coming expedition. He was very earnest and thoroughgoing^{} about it, and the affair took quite a long time First, there was a belt to go round each animal. and then a sword to be stuck intc each belt, and then a cutlass on the other side to balance it. Then a pair of pistols a policeman's truncheon, several sets of handcuffs, some bandages and sticking. plaster, and a flask and a sandwich-case. The Badger laughed good humouredly and said. 'All right, Ratty! It amuses you and it doesn't hurt me. I'm going to do all I've got to do with this here stick.' But the Rat only said, Please, Badger! You know I shouldn't like you to blame me afterwards and say I had forgotter anything!" When all was quite ready, the Badger took a dark lantern in one paw, grasped his great stick with the other, and said, 'Now then, follow me! Mole first, 'cos I'm very pleased with him: Rat next: Toad last. And look here, Toady! don't you chatter so much as usual, or you'll be sent back, as sure as fate! The Toad was so anxious not to be left out that he took up the inferior positior assigned to him without a murmur, and the animals set off. The Badger led them along by the river for a little way, and then suddenly swung himself over the .310· 第十二章 )效 荣归故甲 天色渐暗,河鼠一脸兴奋又神秘地把他们叫到客厅 里,让他们各自站在属于自己的一堆武器前,为即将开 始的征程穿戴好装备。他对这件事非常仔细,一件不 ① thoroughgoing 落,可花了不少时间。首先,每个动物腰上都要系上一 [Aroqouinla. 完全的. 根皮带,一侧插一把剑,另一侧插一把弯刀以求平衡; 彻底的 再每人配一把手枪和一根警棍,几副手钱,几卷绸带和 胶带,一个酒瓶和一个三明治餐盒。灌心情愉快地大笑 着说道:“行啊河鼠兄弟!既然你开心,而且这些也不 妨碍我,那就无所谓了。其实对我而言,这根木棍便足 矣。”但河鼠只是说道:“求你了猝。我可不想到时候你 责怪我忘带了什么东西!” 当所有一切准备妥当后,摧一个爪子提着一盏昏暗 的灯笼,另一个爪子抓着他的大木棍,发号施令道:“现 在,大家都跟着我来!霹鼠打头阵,因为我很喜欢他。 河鼠第二个,蛾排最后。兄弟,你听着!你别像 平常一样肌吼咕咕个没完,不然叫你回来待着,说话算 数!” 余生怕被落下,被排在这么个次等位置也没发 一句牢骚,顺应地服从了。一队人马就这样出发了。 猿带着他们沿河走了一小会儿,然后他突然爪子推地 .311. ChapterTwefve The Retum ofU6ysse. edge into a hole in the river bank, a little above the water. The Mole and the Rat followed silently, swinging themselves successfully into the hole as they had seer the Badger do: but when it came to Toad's turn, of course he managed to slip and fall into the water with a loud splash and a squeal of alarm. He was hauled out by his friends, rubbed down and wrung out hastily, comforted, and set on his legs: but the Badger was seriously angry, and told him that the very next time he made a fool of himself he would most certainly be left behind So at last they were in the secret passage, and the cutting-out expedition hac really begun! It was cold, and dark, and damp, and low, and narrow, and poor Toad began to shiver, partly from dread of what might be before him, partly because he was wet through. The lantern was far ahead, and he could not help lagging behind^①} a little in the darkness. Then he heard the Rat call out warningly, 'Come on, Toad! and a terror seized him of being left behind, alone in the darkness, and he 'came on' with such a rush that he upset the Rat into the Mole and the Mole into the Badger, and for a moment all was confusion. The Badger thought they were being attacked from behind. and. as there was no room to use a stick or a cutlass, drew a pistol, and was on the point of putting a bullet into Toad. When he found ou what had really happened he was very angry indeed, and said, Now this time that tiresome Toad shall be left behind!' But Toad whimpered, and the other two promised that they would be answerable for his good conduct, and at last the Badger was pacified③}, and the procession moved on: only this time the Rat brought up the rear, with a firm grip on the shoulder of Toad So they groped and shuffled along, with their ears pricked up and their paws on their pistols, till at last the Badger said, We ought by now to be pretty nearly under theHall.' Then suddenly they heard, far away as it might be, and yet apparently nearly over their heads, a confused murmur of sound, as if people were shouting and cheering and stamping on the floor and hammering on tables. The Toad's nervous .312. 第十一章 荣归故里 一借力,摆身钻进一个略高出水面的洞穴中,鼠和 河鼠一声不响地跟着他,也毫不费力地钻了进去。而 轮到繁时,他不出意料地脚一滑,哗啦一声掉进了 水里,引起了一阵驿动。他的朋友们赶紧把他拖上岸, 帮他拧干衣服,好言安慰了几句,然后想接着上路 但是摧非常生气,告诉他要是他再出洋相就扔下他不 管他了。 最后他们走进了那个秘密通道,捷径之行终于开 始了! 通道里阴冷潮湿,低矮狭窄,可怜的蛾不禁哆 嗦起来,一来是因为他对于将要发生的一切害怕得要 死,二来他里里外外都湿透了。他看那灯笼远远地亮 ① lag behind落后,落在后 面,慢于,落后于 着,不知不觉地自已越跟越远。“快跟上来啊蛾!” 被这么一催,他突然想到要是真被落下了,那得多恐 怖,头皮一麻,他吓得猛往前冲,结果这一冲冲得太猛, 一下撞上了河鼠,河鼠又撞上了器鼠,鼠又撞上了 猿,大家倒在一起,一片混乱。猿以为后面遭到了偷袭 那通道里又使不上剑或者弯刀,于是他拔出手枪,眼 看就要给蛾挨枪子儿了。幸好他及时反应过来发生 了什么,放下手枪勃然大怒道:“好了,蛾你闹够了 必须让你回去!” 听到这话,塘呜咽了起来,另两个动物对保证 会严加看管繁蛾,不再出乱子,摧的怒火这才平息下来。 ② pacify I'paesifailv 使平 队伍继续前进,只不过这一次,河鼠走在了队伍最后 静,安慰,平定 牢牢地抓着繁蛾的肩膀。 就这样,他们蹭着步子摸索着,爪子按在手枪上, 两耳警觉地听着周围的动静。最后,猿说道:“我们现 在差不多在庄园底下了。” 突然间,他们听到从头顶上似乎很远的地方传来 一阵混乱的嘈杂声,就像许多人在欢呼雀跃地蹬着地 板,捶着桌子一样。蛾刚才的害怕劲儿又回来了, 而猿只是若无其事地说道:“他们真的在聚会,这群黄 ·313· ChapterTwefve The Returm ofU6ysse. terrors all returned, but the Badger only remarked placidly①,'They are going it the weasels!' The passage now began to slope upwards: they groped onward a little further, and then the noise broke out again, quite distinct this time, and very close above them. 'Ooo-rayoo-ray-oo-ray-ooray!' they heard, and the stamping of little feet on the floor, and the clinking of glasses as little fists pounded on the table *What a time they're having!' said the Badger. 'Come on!' They hurried along the passage till it came to a full stop, and they found themselves standing under the trapdoor② that led up into the butler's pantry. Such a tremendous noise was going on in the banaueting-hall that there was little danger of their being overheard. The Badger said. Now, boys, all together! and the four of them put their shoulders to the trap-door and heaved it back Hoisting each other up, they found themselves standing in the pantry, with only a door between them and the banaueting-hall. where their unconscious enemies were carousing. The noise, as they emerged from the passage, was simply deafening. At last as the cheering and hammering slowly subsided, a voice could be made out saying 'Well, I do not propose to detain you much longer'-(great applause)-'but before I resume my seat'-(renewed cheering)-'I should like to say one word about our kind host, Mr Toad. We all know Toad!'-(great laughter)-'Good Toad, modest Toad. honest Toad!'-(shrieks of merriment) 'Only just let me get at him!'muttered Toad, grinding his teeth 'Hold hard a minute!' said the Badger, restraining him with difficulty. 'Ge ready, all of you!' .-Let me sing you a little song,' went on the voice, 'which I have composed on the subject of Toad'-(prolonged③ applause) Then the Chief Weasel-for it was he-began in a high, saueaky voice 'Toad he went a-pleasuring Gaily down the street-, .314· 第十二章 荣归故里 placidly I'plaesidlil ad,平 ① 鼠狼!” 静地,平稳地,满足地 接着通道开始向上倾斜,他们一点点向上摸索着 又爆发了一阵嘈杂声,这次很响,离他们很近,只听一 阵“万岁!万岁!万岁”的呼喊声,小脚跺得地板通通 直响,小拳头砸得桌子砰砰直响,还有无数杯子碰撞在 一起发出的叮当声。“他们玩得可真尽兴啊!”猝说道, “我们上!”他们赶紧沿着通道走到尽头,站在一扇通 往餐具室的活板门下。 宴会厅里喧哗声震耳欲聋,他们根本不用担心自己 ② trapdoor I'trep'do:]n. 活 的动静被听见。猿说道:“好,弟兄们,我们一齐使把 板门,通气门 劲儿!”他们四个一齐用肩膀把活板门顶了开来,然后 一个托起另一个,最后都站到了餐具室的地面上。在一 门之隔的宴会厅里,他们那些毫无察觉的敌人们还在狂 欢作乐,对他们的到来毫无知觉。 当他们刚从通道里上来时,那吵闹声简直是要咬掉 他们的耳朵一样。最后,欢呼声和敲打声逐渐低落下来 他们听到一个声音说:“好了,我不想占用大家太多时 间。”(一阵掌声)“但是在我坐下之前”(又一次欢呼)“我 想说一说我们好心的主人先生。我们都认识婚蛾!” (一片大笑声)“顶哑哑的繁蛾,谦虚的噜蛾,诚实的蜡 !”(欢喜的尖叫声) “要是让我逮住他!”塘咬牙切齿地低声说道。 “别急,再等一分钟!”拼命拉住他,说道,“大 家都准备好!” “让我来为你们唱首歌。”那声音继续说道,“这是 我给塘蛾作的一首歌。”(雷鸣般的掌声) 然后黄鼠狼头头--说话的就是他--亮着高亢又 ③ prolonged [prou'londl a 延长的,拉长的,伸展的 尖细的嗓音唱道--- “瞻一脸开心地 走在大街上......” ·315· ChapterTwefve The Returm ofU6ysses The Badger drew himself up, took a firm grip of his stick with both paws. glanced round at his comrades, and cried: 'The hour is come! Follow me! And flung the door open wide My! What a squealing and a squeaking and a screeching^{} filled the air! Well might the terrified weasels dive under the tables and spring madly up at the windows! Well might the ferrets rush wildly for the fireplace and get hopelessly jammed in the chimney! Well might tables and chairs be upset, and glass and china be sent crashing on the floor, in the panic of that terrible moment when the four Heroes strode wrathfully into the room! The mighty Badger, his whiskers^①} bristling{②}, his great cudgel whistling through the air: Mole, black and grim, brandishing{} his stick and shouting his awful war-cry, 'A Mole!A Mole!' Rat, desperate and determined, his belt bulging with weapons of every age and every variety; Toad, frenzied④ with excitement and injured pride, swollen to twice his ordinary size, leaping into the air and emitting Toad-whoops that chilled them to the marrow! 'Toad he went a-pleasuring!'he yelled. I'l pleasure 'em!' and he went straight for the Chief Weasel. They were but four in all, but to the panic-stricken weasels the hall seemed full of monstrous^{} animals, grey, black, brown and yellow, whooping^{} and flourishing enormous cudgels: and they broke and fled with saueals of terror and dismay, this way and that, through the windows, up the chimney, anywhere to get out of reach of those terrible sticks. The affair was soon over, Up and down, the whole length of the hall. strode the four Friends, whacking with their sticks at every head that showed itself: and in five minutes the room was cleared. Through the broken windows the shrieks of terrified weasels escaping across the lawn were borne faintly to their ears: on the floor lay prostrate some dozen or so of the enemy, on whom the Mole was busily engaged in fitting handcuffs. The Badger, resting from his labours, leant on his stick and wiped his honest brow 'Mole,'he said. 'you're the best of fellows! Just cut along outside and look .316. 第十一章 荣归故里 这时,挺直身体,用双爪牢牢抓住木棍,扫了一 眼他的同伴们,然后大叫道 “到时候了!跟我来!” 然后一脚开了门。 ① screeching I'skri:tfinl n 我的天! 尖叫声 尖叫声此起彼伏,号叫声不绝于耳! 这四个气势汹汹的动物冲进宴会厅,顿时掀起了一 阵恐慌!吓得魂飞魄散的黄鼠狼有的钻到了桌子底下瑟 瑟发抖,有的发疯似的冲出窗户夺命而逃!白融惊恐地 抱头四蹄,奔向壁炉但都无可救药地堵在了烟肉里!桌 子和椅子翻倒在地上,玻璃杯和瓷器碎了一地,整个宴 ② whisker ['hwiska] n. 腮 会厅一片狼藉!力大无穷的摧怒发冲冠,呼呼地扫着手 须,颊须,连鬓胡子 中的大木棍;一身黑色、一脸冷酷的霹鼠挥舞着木棍 ③ bristle Ibrisl]v(像繁毛 似的)竖立,(毛发等) 喊着让敌人闻风丧胆的口号“鼠来了!鼠来了” 直立 ④ brandish ['brendif] v 河鼠一脸决绝的样子,腰间鼓鼓囊囊得装着所有年代里 (威胁地、挑战地、狂 的每一种武器;蜡蛾因为刚受到了羞辱而格外发狂,气 喜地)挥舞(武器等) o frenzy I'frenzilv使发狂. 鼓鼓的身体比平时大了两倍,跃到空中发出孤怪叫, 使狂乱,使狂怒 monstrous ['monstros] a 吓得所有人毛骨悚然!“让你唱蛾一脸开心!”他吼 骇人听闻的,令人恐怖 道,“我要让你们开心开心!”然后他径直朝黄鼠狼头 whoop [hu:p]v大叫,喊 头扑去。他们虽然总共才四个动物,但是在这群被突袭 叫声,呐喊 的黄鼠狼看来,整个宴会厅里充斥着又灰又黑又棕又黄 的魔鬼般的动物,挥舞着硕大的棍棒。他们尖叫着哀嘎 着四处逃窜,有的冲出窗户,有的窜上烟图,反正逃到 了任何能够躲开那些可怕棍棒的地方。 这一切不一会儿就结束了。这四位朋友在整个大厅 里上下搜索,一看到有动物冒出头来便当即一棒。五分 钟之后,敌人被扫荡得精光,隐约间他们还能听到吓破 了胆的黄鼠狼尖叫着从破窗户里逃窜出去的声音。 地板上横七竖八地躺着十来个残兵败将,鼠正忙 着一个个给他们带上手钱。耀大干了一场后倚着木棍休 息了一下,忠诚宽厚的额头上布满了汗珠。 “鼠,”他说道,“你表现最好!抄近道去外面看 ·317· ChapterTwefve The Returm ofU6ysses after those stoat-sentries of yours, and see what they're doing. I've an idea that thanks to you, we shan't have much trouble from them tonight!' The Mole vanished promptly through a window: and the Badger bade the other two set a table on its legs again, pick up knives and forks and plates and glasses from the debris{ on the floor, and see if they could find materials for a supper. I want some grub, I do,' he said, in that rather common way he had of speaking. 'Stir your stumps, Toad, and look lively! We've got your house back for you, and you don't offer us so much as a sandwich.' Toad felt rather hurt that the Badger didn't say pleasant things to him, as he had to the Mole, and tell him what a fine fellow he was, and how splendidly he had fought: for he was rather particularly pleased with himself and the way he had gone for the Chief Weasel and sent him flying across the table with one blow of his stick. But he bustled②} about and so did the Rat, and soon they found some guava{③} jelly in a glass dish, and a cold chicken, a tongue that had hardly been touched, some trifle, and quite a lot of lobster salad: and in the pantry they came upon a basketful of French rolls and any quantity of cheese, butter and celery④. They were just about to sit down when the Mole clambered in through the window, chuckling, with an armful of rifles 'It's all over,'he reported. 'From what I can make out, as soon as the stoats. who were very nervous and jumpy already, heard the shrieks and the yells and the uproar inside the hall, some of them threw down their rifles and fled. The others stood fast for a bit, but when the weasels came rushing out upon them they thought they were betrayed: and the stoats grappled with the weasels, and the weasels fought to get away, and they wrestled and wriggled and punched each other, and rolled over and over, till most of 'em rolled into the river! They've all disappeared by now, one way or another: and I've got their rifles. So that 's all right!' 'Excellent and deserving animal!' said the Badger, his mouth full of chicken and trifle. 'Now, there's just one more thing I want you to do, Mole before you sit down to your supper along of us: and I wouldn't trouble you only I know I can trust you to see a thing done, and I wish I could say the same .318. 第十一章 荣归故里 看那些白哨兵都在干什么。我估计,多亏你之前的职 明之举,今晚他们应该不会给我们带来什么麻烦!” 鼠立即跳出窗户消失在视野中。灌叫另外两个动 物把一张翻倒的桌子扶正,从地板的残骸里捡起一些刀 叉、盘子和杯子,找找还有没有吃的拼凑出一顿晚饭来。 ① debris I'deibri:ln.(被毁 物的)残骸,碎片,瓦砾 “我想吃东西。实在需要吃东西。”他用平常那口气说着, 废墟 “塘蛾你快找找啊,开心点儿!我们都帮你把房子抢回 来了,你连个三明治都不招待我们。”看到猿对器 鼠说了这么多好听的话,夸觑鼠是个好伙伴,夸他战斗 得多勇猛,可对自己却一句话没有,心里觉得委屈,因 为他对自已刚才的表现颇为满意,特别是他朝黄鼠狼头 头猛扑过去,一棍子打得他飞过桌子的那一下。但是他 还是听从了猿的指令,和河鼠一起四下里翻找了起来。 ② bustle [basllv(闹哄哄 地)忙乱,奔忙,繁忙 一会儿他们就找到了一玻璃碟子的番石酱,一盘冷鸡 匆忙 肉,一根几乎没怎么动过的口条,一些蛋糕和许多龙虾 ③ guava l'gwava]n. 番石 沙拉。在餐具室里,他们找到了一篮子法式面包卷和好 多艺士黄油和西芹。当他们正要坐下来吃的时候,鼠 吃吃笑着从窗户里爬了回来,怀里抱着一大捧步枪 ④ celery ['selari]n. 芹菜 “都结束了。”他汇报道,“我打听了一下,那些白 融本来就已经紧张兮兮,一听到大厅里各种鬼哭狼号的 尖叫声叫喊声响哮声,有的扔下手中的步枪撒腿就跑 还有的坚守着岗位站久了一些,但是当他们看到黄鼠狼 朝他们冲过去的时候,以为自己被黄鼠狼出卖了,便使 劲揪住他们不放,而黄鼠狼挣扎着一心想要逃命,于是 他们纠缠在一起搏斗扭打,拳脚相加,在地上翻来滚去 最后好多直接滚进了河里!不管怎样,现在他们都不见 了,我缀了他们的步枪。一切都办妥了!” “你真是个出色又值得信任的动物!”猿满嘴嚼着 鸡肉和蛋糕夸奖道,“醒鼠,在你坐下来和我们一起吃 晚餐之前,我还想让你做一件事,我本来不想麻烦你 但是这事儿只有交给你去办我才放心,真希望我认识的 ·319·