It was six o’ clock in the morning when the settlers, after a hasty breakfast, set out to reach by the shortest way, the western coast of the island. —
当殖民者们匆忙吃过早餐后，时间已经到了早上六点，他们开始朝西部海岸的最短路线出发。 —

And how long would it take to do this? Cyrus Harding had said two hours, but of course that depended on the nature of the obstacles they might meet with As it was probable that they would have to cut a path through the grass, shrubs, and creepers, they marched axe in hand, and with guns also ready, wisely taking warning from the cries of the wild beasts heard in the night.
需要多长时间才能完成这项任务呢？赛勒斯·哈丁曾说需要两个小时，但这当然取决于他们可能会遇到的障碍的性质。由于很可能他们将不得不穿过草地、灌木和藤蔓，所以他们手持斧头，枪也随时准备好，明智地警惕着夜间听到的野兽的叫声。

The exact position of the encampment could be determined by the bearing of Mount Franklin, and as the volcano arose in the north at a distance of less than three miles, they had only to go straight towards the southwest to reach the western coast. —
编队的确切位置可以通过富兰克林山的方位确定，由于这座火山位于北面不到三英里的距离处，他们只需向西南方向直线前行就能到达西部海岸。 —

They set out, having first carefully secured the canoe. —
他们出发前，首先认真地确保了独木舟的安全。 —

Pencroft and Neb carried sufficient provision for the little band for at least two days. —
彭克罗夫特和尼布携带了足够的食物，至少可以供给小队两天。 —

It would not thus be necessary to hunt. The engineer advised his companions to refrain from firing, that their presence might not be betrayed to any one near the shore. —
这样就不需要去狩猎了。工程师建议同伴们不要开枪，以免将他们的存在暴露给岸边的任何人。 —

The first hatchet blows were given among the brushwood in the midst of some mastic-trees, a little above the cascade; —
第一斧头砍在一群长满灌木和胶乌树的地方，就在瀑布的上方一点的位置。 —

and his compass in his hand, Cyrus Harding led the way.
手持指南针，赛勒斯·哈丁领路。

The forest here was composed for the most part of trees which had already been met with near the lake and on Prospect Heights. —
这片森林主要由那些在湖边和展望高地附近已见过的树木组成。 —

There were deodars, Douglas firs, casuarinas, gum trees, eucalypti, hibiscus, cedars, and other trees, generally of a moderate size, for their number prevented their growth.
在这里有雪松、道格拉斯冷杉、木麻黄树、桉树、木槿、雪松和其他树木，一般体积适中，因为它们的数量限制了它们的生长。

Since their departure, the settlers had descended the slopes which constituted the mountain system of the island, on to a dry soil, but the luxuriant vegetation of which indicated it to be watered either by some subterranean marsh or by some stream. —
自他们离开以来，殖民者们已经沿着组成岛屿山脉的斜坡下降，来到了一片干燥的土地上，但葱茏的植被表明这里是由一些地下沼泽或溪流灌溉的。 —

However, Cyrus Harding did not remember having seen, at the time of his excursion to the crater, any other watercourses but the Red Creek and the Mercy.
然而，赛勒斯·哈丁并不记得在他去火山口时看见过除了红色溪流和慈悲河之外的其他水道。

During the first part of their excursion, they saw numerous troops of monkeys who exhibited great astonishment at the sight of men, whose appearance was so new to them. —
在他们远足的第一部分中，他们看到了许多猴子群，这些活泼而欢快的四足动物对于人类的出现感到非常惊讶，因为人类的外表对它们来说是全新的。 —

Gideon Spilett jokingly asked whether these active and merry quadrupeds did not consider him and his companions as degenerate brothers.
吉迪恩·斯普利特开玩笑地问这些灵活而快乐的四足动物是否把他和他的同伴们当作堕落的兄弟。

And certainly, pedestrians, hindered at each step by bushes, caught by creepers, barred by trunks of trees, did not shine beside those supple animals, who, bounding from branch to branch, were hindered by nothing on their course. —
当然，与那些能够从一根树枝跳到另一根树枝的敏捷动物相比，步行者在每一步都被灌木所阻拦、被藤蔓缠住、被树干挡住，显得黯然失色。 —

The monkeys were numerous, but happily they did not manifest any hostile disposition.
猴子们虽然数量众多，但幸运的是它们并没有表现出敌意的态度。

Several pigs, agoutis, kangaroos, and other rodents were seen, also two or three koalas, at which Pencroft longed to have a shot.
看到几只猪、鼯鼠、袋鼠和其他啮齿动物，还有两三只考拉，彭克罗夫渴望能开枪打中它们。

“But,” said he, “you may jump and play just now; —
“但是，”他说，”你们现在可以跳跃玩耍； —

we shall have one or two words to say to you on our way back!”
等我们回去的时候，会和你们说上一两句的！”

At half-past nine the way was suddenly found to be barred by an unknown stream, from thirty to forty feet broad, whose rapid current dashed foaming over the numerous rocks which interrupted its course. —
九点半的时候，道路突然被一条不知名的河流阻挡住了，河流宽三十到四十英尺，湍急的水流在众多的岩石上飞溅。 —

This creek was deep and clear, but it was absolutely unnavigable.
这条小溪又深又清澈，但绝对无法航行。

“We are cut off!” cried Neb.
“我们被隔绝了！”尼布喊道。

“No,” replied Herbert, “it is only a stream, and we can easily swim over.”
“不，”赫伯特回答说，”这只是一条小河，我们可以轻松游过去。”

“What would be the use of that?” returned Harding. “This creek evidently runs to the sea. —
“那有什么用呢？”哈丁回答道。”这条小溪显然通向大海。 —

Let us remain on this side and follow the bank, and I shall be much astonished if it does not lead us very quickly to the coast. Forward!”
我们留在这一侧，沿着岸边走，我会非常惊讶如果它不很快就会带我们到海岸。前进！”

“One minute,” said the reporter. “The name of this creek, my friends? —
“等等，”记者说。”这条溪的名字，我的朋友们？ —

Do not let us leave our geography incomplete.”
让我们不要把地理学学得不完整。”

“All right!” said Pencroft.
“好的！”彭克罗夫说。

“Name it, my boy,” said the engineer, addressing the lad.
“来起个名字，孩子，”工程师对着那个男孩说。

“Will it not be better to wait until we have explored it to its mouth?” answered Herbert.
“我们先不如等到我们探索到它的入海口再确定吧？”赫伯特回答说。

“Very well,” replied Cyrus Harding. “Let us follow it as fast as we can without stopping.”
“非常好,“赛勒斯·哈丁回答道。”让我们尽快跟随它，不停下来。”

“Still another minute!” said Pencroft.
“再过一分钟!” 彭克罗夫说道。

“What’s the matter?” asked the reporter.
“怎么了?” 记者问道。

“Though hunting is forbidden, fishing is allowed, I suppose,” said the sailor.
“尽管禁止打猎，我想允许钓鱼，是吧,“水手说道。

“We have no time to lose,” replied the engineer.
“我们没有时间可浪费,“工程师回答道。

“Oh! five minutes!” replied Pencroft, “I only ask for five minutes to use in the interest of our breakfast!”
“哦！再给我五分钟!” 彭克罗夫回答道，”我只请求五分钟来为我们的早餐做点事！”

And Pencroft, lying down on the bank, plunged his arm into the water, and soon pulled up several dozen of fine crayfish from among the stones.
彭克罗夫躺在岸边，伸手伸进水里，很快从石头中拉起几十只好看的小龙虾。

“These will be good!” cried Neb, going to the sailor’s aid.
“这些会很好吃!” 尼布走过去帮助水手。

“As I said, there is everything in this island, except tobacco!” muttered Pencroft with a sigh.
“正如我所说，这座岛上什么都有，就是没有烟草！” 彭克罗夫叹了口气。

The fishing did not take five minutes, for the crayfish were swarming in the creek. —
捕鱼没有花费五分钟，因为小溪里有许多小龙虾。 —

A bag was filled with the crustaceae, whose shells were of a cobalt blue. —
一个袋子被装满了贝壳呈钴蓝色的甲壳动物。 —

The settlers then pushed on.
然后，移居者们继续前进。

They advanced more rapidly and easily along the bank of the river than in the forest. —
他们沿着河岸前进比在森林里更快更容易。 —

From time to time they came upon the traces of animals of a large size who had come to quench their thirst at the stream, but none were actually seen, and it was evidently not in this part of the forest that the peccary had received the bullet which had cost Pencroft a grinder.
他们不时会遇到体型较大的动物在河边解渴的痕迹，但没有实际看到，显然不是这片森林里，狩猎猪已经被一枪击中，这枪花费了彭克罗夫一枚磨牙。

In the meanwhile, considering the rapid current, Harding was led to suppose that he and his companions were much farther from the western coast than they had at first supposed. —
同时，考虑到迅速的水流，哈丁得出结论，他和同伴离西海岸的距离比最初所想的要远得多。 —

In fact, at this hour, the rising tide would have turned back the current of the creek, if its mouth had only been a few miles distant. —
实际上，在这个时候，如果河口只有几英里远，涨潮会使溪流的水流方向倒转。 —

Now, this effect was not produced, and the water pursued its natural course. —
然而，这种效应并没有出现，水保持了它的自然流向。 —

The engineer was much astonished at this, and frequently consulted his compass, to assure himself that some turn of the river was not leading them again into the Far West.
工程师对此感到非常惊讶，经常查看指南针，以确保他们没有再次被河流的转弯领向了远西。

However, the creek gradually widened and its waters became less tumultuous. —
然而，溪流逐渐变宽，水流也变得不再那么湍急。 —

The trees on the right bank were as close together as on the left bank, and it was impossible to distinguish anything beyond them; —
右岸的树与左岸一样密集，无法看到树后的任何东西； —

but these masses of wood were evidently uninhabited, for Top did not bark, and the intelligent animal would not have failed to signal the presence of any stranger in the neighborhood.
但这些树木显然是无人居住的，因为犬医没有叫，这只聪明的动物不会错过在周围发现陌生人的存在。

At half-past ten, to the great surprise of Cyrus Harding, Herbert, who was a little in front, suddenly stopped and exclaimed,–
十点半时，赛勒斯·哈丁大为惊讶，在前方轻轻提醒的赫伯特突然停下来并喊道，-

“The sea!”
“海岸！”

In a few minutes more, the whole western shore of the island lay extended before the eyes of the settlers.
几分钟后，整个岛屿的西海岸展现在定居者的眼前。

But what a contrast between this and the eastern coast, upon which chance had first thrown them. —
但这与将他们首先置于其中的东海岸形成了鲜明的对比。 —

No granite cliff, no rocks, not even a sandy beach. —
没有花岗岩悬崖，没有岩石，甚至没有一片沙滩。 —

The forest reached the shore, and the tall trees bending over the water were beaten by the waves. —
森林延伸到海岸，高大的树木被海浪冲击。 —

It was not such a shore as is usually formed by nature, either by extending a vast carpet of sand, or by grouping masses of rock, but a beautiful border consisting of the most splendid trees. —
这不是通常因大片沙滩或岩石堆积而形成的海岸，而是由最辉煌的树木构成的美丽边缘。 —

The bank was raised a little above the level of the sea, and on this luxuriant soil, supported by a granite base, the fine forest trees seemed to be as firmly planted as in the interior of the island.
岸边稍高于海平面，在这富饶的土壤上，支撑着花岗岩基座，高大的森林树木看起来坚固如同岛屿内部。

The colonists were then on the shore of an unimportant little harbor, which would scarcely have contained even two or three fishing-boats. —
定居者们当时正位于一个不太重要的小港湾的岸边，这个港湾甚至容纳不了两三只渔船。 —

It served as a neck to the new creek, of which the curious thing was that its waters, instead of joining the sea by a gentle slope, fell from a height of more than forty feet, which explained why the rising tide was not felt up the stream. —
它成为了新溪流的一道脖子，其中一个奇怪的事情是，它的水并没有沿着一个缓坡流入海洋，而是从超过四十英尺高的地方倾泻而下，这解释了为什么涨潮并没有被沿溪流感觉到。 —

In fact, the tides of the Pacific, even at their maximum elevation, could never reach the level of the river, and, doubtless, millions of years would pass before the water would have worn away the granite and hollowed a practicable mouth.
实际上，太平洋的潮汐，即使在最大涨幅时，也永远无法达到河流的水平，无疑，数百万年可能会过去，水才可能侵蚀花岗岩，挖出一个可行的入口。

It was settled that the name of Falls River should be given to this stream. —
决定将这条溪流命名为瀑布河。 —

Beyond, towards the north, the forest border was prolonged for a space of nearly two miles; —
在向北的方向，森林边界延伸了近两英里； —

then the trees became scarcer, and beyond that again the picturesque heights described a nearly straight line, which ran north and south. —
然后树木变得更稀少，再往北，风景如画的高地形成了一条几乎笔直向南北延伸的直线。 —

On the contrary, all the part of the shore between Falls River and Reptile End was a mass of wood, magnificent trees, some straight, others bent, so that the long sea-swell bathed their roots. —
相反，从瀑布河到爬行动物端的海岸部分是一片树木茂盛的地方，一些树挺直，另一些弯曲，长长的海浪波浪浸泡着它们的根基。 —

Now, it was this coast, that is, all the Serpentine Peninsula, that was to be explored, for this part of the shore offered a refuge to castaways, which the other wild and barren side must have refused.
现在，要进行探索的地方就是这段海岸，也就是整个蛇形半岛，因为这段海岸为遇险者提供了一个避难所，而另一边的荒凉荒芜之地则无法提供。

The weather was fine and clear, and from a height of a hillock on which Neb and Pencroft had arranged breakfast, a wide view was obtained. —
天气晴朗，从纳布和彭克洛夫安排的小山丘眺望，可以看到辽阔的景色。 —

There was, however, not a sail in sight; —
然而，海上看不见一丝风帆； —

nothing could be seen along the shore as far as the eye could reach. —
沿着海岸往远处看，什么也看不见。 —

But the engineer would take nothing for granted until he had explored the coast to the very extremity of the Serpentine Peninsula.
但工程师决定不抓一切机会，直到探索到蛇形半岛的极端。

Breakfast was soon despatched, and at half-past eleven the captain gave the signal for departure. —
早餐很快就解决了，十一点半，船长发出了出发信号。 —

Instead of proceeding over the summit of a cliff or along a sandy beach, the settlers were obliged to remain under cover of the trees so that they might continue on the shore.
沿崖顶或沿沙滩前进的方向，使者们不得不留在树荫下，这样才能继续在海岸线上前行。

The distance which separated Falls River from Reptile End was about twelve miles. —
瀑布河和爬行动物端之间的距离大约是十二英里。 —

It would have taken the settlers four hours to do this, on a clear ground and without hurrying themselves; —
如果在平坦地面上，而且不急促地行走，使者们需要花四个小时才能走完这段距离。 —

but as it was they needed double the time, for what with trees to go round, bushes to cut down, and creepers to chop away, they were impeded at every step, these obstacles greatly lengthening their journey.
但如今情况却需要加倍的时间，因为他们需要绕过树木，砍伐灌木，清除爬藤，每走一步都受到阻碍，这些障碍大大延长了他们的旅程。

There was, however, nothing to show that a shipwreck had taken place recently. —
然而，并没有任何迹象表明最近发生过船只遇险。 —

It is true that, as Gideon Spilett observed, any remains of it might have drifted out to sea, and they must not take it for granted that because they could find no traces of it, a ship had not been castaway on the coast.
不过，正如吉迪恩·斯皮莱特所观察到的，任何残骸都可能漂到海里，他们不能认定因为找不到任何痕迹，就意味着海岸上没有遭到船只遇难。

The reporter’s argument was just, and besides, the incident of the bullet proved that a shot must have been fired in Lincoln Island within three months.
记者的论点是正确的，而且还有子弹事件证明林肯岛上在三个月内曾有枪声响起。

It was already five o’clock, and there were still two miles between the settlers and the extremity of the Serpentine Peninsula. —
现在已经是五点钟了，离开拓者们和蛇形半岛的尽头还有两英里的路程。 —

It was evident that after having reached Reptile End, Harding and his companions would not have time to return before dark to their encampment near the source of the Mercy. It would therefore be necessary to pass the night on the promontory. —
显然，在到达爬行动物角之后，哈丁和他的同伴们不可能在天黑之前返回到位于慈悲河源头附近的野营地。因此，他们必须在岬角上过夜。 —

But they had no lack of provisions, which was lucky, for there were no animals on the shore, though birds, on the contrary, abound–jacamars, couroucous, tragopans, grouse, lories, parrots, cockatoos, pheasants, pigeons, and a hundred others. —
但幸运的是，他们并没有缺少食物，因为海岸上没有动物，尽管鸟类却很多——有螳螂鹃、珠冠椋鸟、喜鹊、虹雉、辉雀、乌鸦、鹦鹉、白凤头鹦鹉、野鸡、鸽子等一百多种。 —

There was not a tree without a nest, and not a nest which was not full of flapping wings.
每棵树上都有一个鸟巢，而每个鸟巢里都满是拍打着翅膀的小鸟。

Towards seven o’clock the weary explorers arrived at Reptile End. Here the seaside forest ended, and the shore resumed the customary appearance of a coast, with rocks, reefs, and sands. —
累得走不动的探险者们在黄昏时分到达了爬行动物角。这里海滨森林结束了，岸边重新呈现出典型的海岸景观，有岩石、暗礁和沙滩。 —

It was possible that something might be found here, but darkness came on, and the further exploration had to be put off to the next day.
这里可能会有什么线索，但天色渐暗，进一步的探索只能推迟到第二天。

Pencroft and Herbert hastened on to find a suitable place for their camp. —
彭克罗夫特和赫伯特赶紧找到一个适合搭建营地的地方。 —

Among the last trees of the forest of the Far West, the boy found several thick clumps of bamboos.
在西远森林的最后几棵树间，男孩发现了几丛茂密的竹子。

“Good,” said he; “this is a valuable discovery.”
“很好,” 他说; “这是一个宝贵的发现。”

“Valuable?” returned Pencroft.
“宝贵?” 彭克罗夫特回答。

“Certainly,” replied Herbert. “I may say, Pencroft, that the bark of the bamboo, cut into flexible laths, is used for making baskets; —
“当然,” 赫伯特说。”我可以说，彭克罗夫特，竹子的皮切成柔软的條，用来编织篮子” —

that this bark, mashed into a paste, is used for the manufacture of Chinese paper; —
这种树皮捣碎成糊状，用于制造中国纸； —

that the stalks furnish, according to their size, canes and pipes and are used for conducting water; that large bamboos make excellent material for building, being light and strong, and being never attacked by insects. —
—

I will add that by sawing the bamboo in two at the joint, keeping for the bottom the part of the transverse film which forms the joint, useful cups are obtained, which are much in use among the Chinese. —
茎提供了竹藤和管道，根据其大小，可用于引水；大型竹子是建筑的绝佳材料，轻巧坚固，且不易受虫害。 —

No! you don’t care for that. But–”
我要补充的是，通过在节点处将竹子锯成两半，保留形成节点的横膜底部，可以获得有用的杯子，这在中国非常常见。

“But what?”
不行！你不在意这些。但–”

“But I can tell you, if you are ignorant of it, that in India these bamboos are eaten like asparagus.”
“但是什么？”

“Asparagus thirty feet high!” exclaimed the sailor. “And are they good?”
“但是我可以告诉你，如果你不知道的话，在印度，这些竹子像芦笋一样被食用。”

“Excellent,” replied Herbert. “Only it is not the stems of thirty feet high which are eaten, but the young shoots.”
“30英尺高的芦笋！”水手惊呼道。“它们好吃吗？”

“Perfect, my boy, perfect!” replied Pencroft.
Herbert回答道：“很好呀。只是不是被食用的30英尺高的茎，而是年轻的嫩芽。”

“I will also add that the pith of the young stalks, preserved in vinegar, makes a good pickle.”
“完美，我的孩子，太完美了！”Pencroft说。

“Better and better, Herbert!”
“我还要补充，年轻茎的髓部，泡在醋里，可以制成一种美味的腌制品。”

“And lastly, that the bamboos exude a sweet liquor which can be made into a very agreeable drink.”
“越来越完美，Herbert！”

“Is that all?” asked the sailor.
“最后，竹子会分泌一种甜美的液体，可以酿成一种非常宜人的饮料。”

“That is all!”
“就这些吗？”水手问道。

“And they don’t happen to do for smoking?”
“就这些！”

“No, my poor Pencroft.”
“不，可怜的潘克洛夫。”

Herbert and the sailor had not to look long for a place in which to pass the night. —
赫伯特和水手没费多大力气就找到了一个可以过夜的地方。 —

The rocks, which must have been violently beaten by the sea under the influence of the winds of the southwest, presented many cavities in which shelter could be found against the night air. —
这些岩石显然在西南风的影响下被海浪猛烈打击，形成了许多可以遮风挡雨的洞穴。 —

But just as they were about to enter one of these caves a loud roaring arrested them.
但就在他们准备进入其中一个洞穴时，一阵巨大的咆哮声停住了他们。

“Back!” cried Pencroft. “Our guns are only loaded with small shot, and beasts which can roar as loud as that would care no more for it than for grains of salt!” —
“退后！”潘克洛夫喊道，“我们的枪只装了小铅弹，能发出那么响的野兽对此根本不在乎，就像对盐粒一样！” —

And the sailor, seizing Herbert by the arm, dragged him behind a rock, just as a magnificent animal showed itself at the entrance of the cavern.
水手拉着赫伯特的胳膊，把他拖到一块岩石后面，一个华丽的动物出现在洞穴的入口处。

It was a jaguar of a size at least equal to its Asiatic congeners, that is to say, it measured five feet from the extremity of its head to the beginning of its tail. —
那是一只美洲豹，至少大小与亚洲的同类相当，也就是说，从头部到尾部长度至少有五英尺。 —

The yellow color of its hair was relieved by streaks and regular oblong spots of black, which contrasted with the white of its chest. —
它的黄色毛发上有成条和规则的黑色长斑点，与它胸部的白色形成鲜明对比。 —

Herbert recognized it as the ferocious rival of the tiger, as formidable as the puma, which is the rival of the largest wolf!
赫伯特认出它是凶猛的老虎之敌，与最大狼之敌——美洲狮一样可怕！

The jaguar advanced and gazed around him with blazing eyes, his hair bristling as if this was not the first time he had scented men.
美洲豹走近，用炽热的眼睛环顾四周，它的毛发竖立，仿佛它不是第一次闻到人类的气味。

At this moment the reporter appeared round a rock, and Herbert, thinking that he had not seen the jaguar, was about to rush towards him, when Gideon Spilett signed to him to remain where he was. —
这时，记者从一块岩石后面出现，赫伯特认为他没有看到美洲豹，正要冲向他，吉迪恩·斯皮莱特示意他留在原地。 —

This was not his first tiger, and advancing to within ten feet of the animal he remained motionless, his gun to his shoulder, without moving a muscle. —
这不是他第一次面对老虎，他就近走到离动物十英尺的地方，举起枪，一动不动。 —

The jaguar collected itself for a spring, but at that moment a shot struck it in the eyes, and it fell dead.
美洲豹准备跳跃，但就在那一刻，一发子弹击中了它的眼睛，它倒在地上死去。

Herbert and Pencroft rushed towards the jaguar. —
赫伯特和潘克洛夫冲向美洲豹。 —

Neb and Harding also ran up, and they remained for some instants contemplating the animal as it lay stretched on the ground, thinking that its magnificent skin would be a great ornament to the hall at Granite House.
内布和哈丁也赶了过来，他们停下来几秒钟注视着这只倒在地上的动物，认为它华丽的皮毛将是花岗岩屋大厅的一大装饰品。

“Oh, Mr. Spilett, how I admire and envy you!” cried Herbert, in a fit of very natural enthusiasm.
“哦，斯皮莱特先生，我真是羡慕又钦佩你！”赫伯特兴奋地喊道。

“Well, my boy,” replied the reporter, “you could have done the same.”
“哦，我的孩子，”记者回答道，“你也可以做到的。”

“I! with such coolness!–”
“我！这么冷静地–”

“Imagine to yourself, Herbert, that the jaguar is only a hare, and you would fire as quietly as possible.”
“想象一下，赫伯特，把美洲豹想象成一只野兔，你就会尽可能地冷静地开枪了。”

“That is,” rejoined Pencroft, “that it is not more dangerous than a hare!”
“也就是说，”潘克洛夫补充道，“美洲豹并不比野兔更危险！”

“And now,” said Gideon Spilett, “since the jaguar has left its abode, I do not see, my friends, why we should not take possession of it for the night.”
“现在，”吉迪恩·斯皮莱特说，“既然美洲豹离开了它的巢穴，我不见得我们为什么不能占据它过夜。”

“But others may come,” said Pencroft.
“但是其他动物可能会过来，”潘克洛夫说。

“It will be enough to light a fire at the entrance of the cavern,” said the reporter, “and no wild beasts will dare to cross the threshold.”
“在洞穴入口点一把火就好了，”记者说，“没有野兽敢跨越门槛。”

“Into the jaguar’s house, then!” replied the sailor, dragging after him the body of the animal.
“那就进入美洲豹的房子吧！”水手说着，拖着动物的尸体。

While Neb skinned the jaguar, his companions collected an abundant supply of dry wood from the forest, which they heaped up at the cave.
当奈布剥皮美洲豹时，他的同伴们在森林中收集了充足的干木，堆在洞穴前面。

Cyrus Harding, seeing the clump of bamboos, cut a quantity, which he mingled with the other fuel.
塞勒斯·哈定看到一丛竹子，砍下一些，并和其他燃料混合起来。

This done, they entered the grotto, of which the floor was strewn with bones, the guns were carefully loaded, in case of a sudden attack, they had supper, and then just before they lay down to rest, the heap of wood piled at the entrance was set fire to. —
准备工作完成后，他们进入了洞穴，地面上散布着骨头，枪械被小心地装填好，以防突然袭击，他们吃了晚饭，然后在休息之前点燃了洞穴入口处堆积起来的木柴。 —

Immediately, a regular explosion, or rather a series of reports, broke the silence! —
立刻，一连串爆炸声或者说是一系列的枪声打破了寂静！ —

The noise was caused by the bamboos, which, as the flames reached them, exploded like fireworks. —
那噪音是竹子爆炸产生的，火焰接触到它们时，类似烟花一样爆炸。 —

The noise was enough to terrify even the boldest of wild beasts.
这噪音足以让即使是最勇敢的野兽也感到恐惧。

It was not the engineer who had invented this way of causing loud explosions, for, according to Marco Polo, the Tartars have employed it for many centuries to drive away from their encampments the formidable wild beasts of Central Asia.
并非工程师发明了这种引起巨大爆炸的方式，据马可·波罗称，蒙古人已经使用这种方式几个世纪来驱赶中亚可怕的野兽。