There was no longer any doubt as to the pirates’ intentions. —
毫无疑问，海盗们的意图已经明朗了。 —

They had dropped anchor at a short distance from the island, and it was evident that the next day by means of their boats they purposed to land on the beach!
他们在离岛不远的地方抛锚，很明显第二天他们打算通过小船登陆海滩！

Cyrus Harding and his companions were ready to act, but, determined though they were, they must not forget to be prudent. —
赛勒斯·哈丁和他的伙伴们已经准备就绪，但尽管他们已经决心，也不能忘记要谨慎。 —

Perhaps their presence might still be concealed in the event of the pirates contenting themselves with landing on the shore without examining the interior of the island. —
也许海盗只是打算登陆海岸，而不会探查岛屿内部，他们的存在也许依然可以隐藏。 —

It might be, indeed, that their only intention was to obtain fresh water from the Mercy, and it was not impossible that the bridge, thrown across a mile and a half from the mouth, and the manufactory at the Chimneys might escape their notice.
他们也许只是想从米尔西河获取淡水，也有可能他们没注意到距离出口一英里半的桥和烟囱附近的工厂。

But why was that flag hoisted at the brig’s peak? What was that shot fired for? —
但是为什么他们在大帆船的桅杆尖端升起旗子？那一枪为什么打响？ —

Pure bravado doubtless, unless it was a sign of the act of taking possession. —
无疑是在耍嘴炮，除非这是占领行动的标志。 —

Harding knew now that the vessel was well armed. —
哈丁现在知道那艘船装备精良。 —

And what had the colonists of Lincoln Island to reply to the pirates’ guns? —
而林肯岛殖民者要如何回应海盗的炮火呢？ —

A few muskets only.
仅有几支步枪。

“However,” observed Cyrus Harding, “here we are in an impregnable position. —
“不过，”赛勒斯·哈丁观察到，“我们现在处于一个攻不破的位置。” —

The enemy cannot discover the mouth of the outlet, now that it is hidden under reeds and grass, and consequently it would be impossible for them to penetrate into Granite House.”
敌人无法发现出口的入口，因为现在它被芦苇和草覆盖着，因此他们不可能进入花岗岩屋。

“But our plantations, our poultry-yard, our corral, all, everything!” —
“但是我们的园艺场，鸡舍，圈舍，一切，所有的一切！” —

exclaimed Pencroft, stamping his foot. “They may spoil everything, destroy everything in a few hours!”
彭克罗夫怒气冲冲地说道，“他们可能破坏一切，在几个小时内摧毁一切！”

“Everything, Pencroft,” answered Harding, “and we have no means of preventing them.”
“一切，彭克罗夫，”哈丁回答道，“我们无法阻止他们。”

“Are they numerous? that is the question,” said the reporter. —
“他们人数众多吗？这是个问题，”记者说道。 —

“If they are not more than a dozen, we shall be able to stop them, but forty, fifty, more perhaps!”
“如果不超过十几个，我们应该可以阻止他们，但是四十、五十个，甚至更多！”

“Captain Harding,” then said Ayrton, advancing towards the engineer, “will you give me leave?”
艾尔顿走向工程师哈丁说道：“哈丁船长，你能让我去吗？”

“For what, my friend?”
“干什么，我的朋友？”

“To go to that vessel to find out the strength of her crew.”
“去那艘船上，查看她的船员人数。”

“But Ayrton–” answered the engineer, hesitating, “you will risk your life–”
“但是，艾尔顿–”工程师犹豫地回答道，“你会冒着生命危险–”

“Why not, sir?”
“为什么不，先生？”

“That is more than your duty.”
“这超出了你的责任。”

“I have more than my duty to do,” replied Ayrton.
“我有更多的事情要做，”艾尔顿回答道。

“Will you go to the ship in the boat?” asked Gideon Spilett.
“你要坐船去那艘船吗？”吉迪恩·斯派莱特问道。

“No, sir, but I will swim. A boat would be seen where a man may glide between wind and water.”
“不，先生，但我会游过去。船会被发现，而人可以在风和水之间滑行。”

“Do you know that the brig is a mile and a quarter from the shore?” said Herbert.
“你知道那艘大副船离岸有一英里零四分之一吗？”赫伯特说道。

“I am a good swimmer, Mr. Herbert.”
“我是个好游泳者，赫伯特先生。”

“I tell you it is risking your life,” said the engineer.
“我告诉你这是在冒生命危险，”工程师说道。

“That is no matter,” answered Ayrton. “Captain Harding, I ask this as a favor. —
“这并不重要，”艾尔顿回答道。“哈丁船长，这是我请求的一个 favor。” —

Perhaps it will be a means of raising me in my own eyes!”
也许这会让我重新看待自己！

“Go, Ayrton,” replied the engineer, who felt sure that a refusal would have deeply wounded the former convict, now become an honest man.
“去吧，艾顿，”工程师回答道，他确信如果拒绝会深深伤害这个以前的囚犯，现在成为一个诚实的人。

“I will accompany you,” said Pencroft.
“我会陪着你去的，”彭克罗夫说道。

“You mistrust me!” said Ayrton quickly.
“你不信任我！”艾顿迅速地说道。

Then more humbly,–
更谦卑地说，–

“Alas!”
“哎呀！”

“No! no!” exclaimed Harding with animation, “no, Ayrton, Pencroft does not mistrust you. —
“不！不！”哈丁充满活力地说道，“不，艾顿，彭克罗夫并不不信任你。 —

You interpret his words wrongly.”
你误解他的话了.”

“Indeed,” returned the sailor, “I only propose to accompany Ayrton as far as the islet. —
“确实，”水手回答道，”我只是建议陪伴艾顿到那座小岛。 —

It may be, although it is scarcely possible, that one of these villains has landed, and in that case two men will not be too many to hinder him from giving the alarm. —
虽然很少可能，但有可能有恶棍登陆了，那样的话两个人一起阻止他发出警报就不算多了。 —

I will wait for Ayrton on the islet, and he shall go alone to the vessel, since he has proposed to do so.” —
我会在小岛等艾顿，他可以独自前往船只，因为他提议这么做。 —

These things agreed to, Ayrton made preparations for his departure. —
事情商定后，艾顿准备出发。 —

His plan was bold, but it might succeed, thanks to the darkness of the night. —
他的计划是大胆的，但在夜晚的黑暗中可能会成功。 —

Once arrived at the vessel’s side, Ayrton, holding on to the main chains, might reconnoiter the number and perhaps overhear the intentions of the pirates.
一旦到达船边，抓住主链的艾顿可能会侦察到海盗的数量，甚至窥听到他们的意图。

Ayrton and Pencroft, followed by their companions, descended to the beach. —
艾顿和彭克罗夫，跟着他们的同伴们，下到了海滩。 —

Ayrton undressed and rubbed himself with grease, so as to suffer less from the temperature of the water, which was still cold. —
艾顿脱去衣服，涂抹上油脂，以便在仍然寒冷的水温下感觉不那么冷。 —

He might, indeed, be obliged to remain in it for several hours.
他可能确实不得不在水中待几个小时。

Pencroft and Neb, during this time, had gone to fetch the boat, moored a few hundred feet higher up, on the bank of the Mercy, and by the time they returned, Ayrton was ready to start. —
与此同时，潘克洛夫和内布去接小船，小船停泊在更高的地方，离慈悲河岸边几百英尺远，当他们返回时，艾顿已经准备好出发。 —

A coat was thrown over his shoulders, and the settlers all came round him to press his hand.
他的肩膀上披了件外衣，为此，所有的定居者都围在他周围握着他的手。

Ayrton then shoved off with Pencroft in the boat.
此后，艾顿和潘克洛夫搭船启程。

It was half-past ten in the evening when the two adventurers disappeared in the darkness. —
当两位冒险家消失在黑暗中时，时间已经是晚上十点半。 —

Their companions returned to wait at the Chimneys.
他们的同伴回到烟囱那等候。

The channel was easily traversed, and the boat touched the opposite shore of the islet. —
水道很容易通过，小船触及了小岛对岸。 —

This was not done without precaution, for fear lest the pirates might be roaming about there. —
为了防止海盗在附近游荡而不得不采取谨慎行动。 —

But after a careful survey, it was evident that the islet was deserted. —
但经过仔细勘察，小岛显然无人居住。 —

Ayrton then, followed by Pencroft, crossed it with a rapid step, scaring the birds nestled in the holes of the rocks; —
随后，艾顿紧随潘克洛夫，大步跨过小岛，惊起了藏在岩洞里的鸟儿； —

then, without hesitating, he plunged into the sea, and swam noiselessly in the direction of the ship, in which a few lights had recently appeared, showing her exact situation. —
然后毫不犹豫地冲入大海，并静默地向船只游去，船只上最近出现了几盏灯光，显露出她的确切位置。 —

As to Pencroft, he crouched down in a cleft of the rock, and awaited the return of his companion.
至于潘克洛夫，他蜷缩在岩石的裂缝中，等待他的伙伴回来。

In the meanwhile, Ayrton, swimming with a vigorous stroke, glided through the sheet of water without producing the slightest ripple. —
与此同时，艾顿以有力的划桨，穿过水面，毫不激起一丝涟漪。 —

His head just emerged above it and his eyes were fixed on the dark hull of the brig, from which the lights were reflected in the water. —
他的头刚好浮在水面上，眼睛盯着黑暗的大帆船船体，船上的灯光在水中倒影。 —

He thought only of the duty which he had promised to accomplish, and nothing of the danger which he ran, not only on board the ship, but in the sea, often frequented by sharks. —
他只考虑了他承诺要完成的任务，而没有考虑在船上和经常有鲨鱼出没的海里面对的危险。 —

The current bore him along and he rapidly receded from the shore.
水流冲着他，他迅速地离开了岸边。

Half an hour afterwards, Ayrton, without having been either seen or heard, arrived at the ship and caught hold of the main-chains. —
在半小时后，艾尔顿没有被发现或听见，就到达了那艘船，并抓住了主缆。 —

He took breath, then, hoisting himself up, he managed to reach the extremity of the cutwater. —
他喘了口气，然后爬起来，设法到达了船头的尖端。 —

There were drying several pairs of sailors’ trousers. He put on a pair. —
那里有几条水手的裤子在晾干。他穿了一条。 —

Then settling himself firmly, he listened. They were not sleeping on board the brig. —
然后他稳住身子，倾听着。船上的人不是在睡觉。 —

On the contrary, they were talking, singing, laughing. —
相反，他们在说话，唱歌，笑。 —

And these were the sentences, accompanied with oaths, which principally struck Ayrton:–
艾尔顿听到的主要是这些句子，伴随着谩骂:–

“Our brig is a famous acquisition.”
“我们的大帆船是个了不起的收获。”

“She sails well, and merits her name of the ‘Speedy.’”
“她航行得很好，并配得上她的名字’迅捷’。”

“She would show all the navy of Norfolk a clean pair of heels.”
“她能把诺福克的所有海军甩在后面。”

“Hurrah for her captain!”
“为她的船长欢呼！”

“Hurrah for Bob Harvey!”
“为鲍勃·哈维欢呼！”

What Ayrton felt when he overheard this fragment of conversation may be understood when it is known that in this Bob Harvey he recognized one of his old Australian companions, a daring sailor, who had continued his criminal career. —
当艾尔顿听到这段谈话的片段时，他的内心感受可以理解，他在这个鲍勃·哈维中认出了他的一个老澳大利亚同伴，一个继续犯罪生涯的大胆水手。 —

Bob Harvey had seized, on the shores of Norfolk Island this brig, which was loaded with arms, ammunition, utensils, and tools of all sorts, destined for one of the Sandwich Islands. —
鲍勃·哈维在诺福克岛的海岸上劫持了这艘满载着武器、弹药、器具和各种工具的大帆船，目的地是夏威夷群岛。 —

All his gang had gone on board, and pirates after having been convicts, these wretches, more ferocious than the Malays themselves, scoured the Pacific, destroying vessels, and massacring their crews.
他的整个团伙已经上了船，这些海盗曾经是囚犯，比马来人更加凶残，肆虐太平洋，摧毁船只，屠杀船员。

The convicts spoke loudly, they recounted their deeds, drinking deeply at the same time, and this is what Ayrton gathered. —
囚犯们大声喧哗，他们喝得痛快，同时讲述着自己的罪行，艾尔顿听到了这些。 —

The actual crew of the “Speedy” was composed solely of English prisoners, escaped from Norfolk Island.
“快船”的实际船员只由逃离诺福克岛的英国囚犯组成。

Here it may be well to explain what this island was. —
这里可能需要解释一下这座岛是什么。 —

In 29deg 2’ south latitude, and 165deg 42’ east longitude, to the east of Australia, is found a little island, six miles in circumference, overlooked by Mount Pitt, which rises to a height of 1,100 feet above the level of the sea. —
在距离澳大利亚东部的29度2’南纬和165度42’东经处，有一个小岛，周长六英里，被皮特山俯瞰，海拔1100英尺。 —

This is Norfolk Island, once the seat of an establishment in which were lodged the most intractable convicts from the English penitentiaries. —
这就是诺福克岛，曾经是一个收容英国监狱最难管教囚犯的地方。 —

They numbered 500, under an iron discipline, threatened with terrible punishments, and were guarded by 150 soldiers, and 150 employed under the orders of the governor. —
那里有500名囚犯，在铁的纪律下，受到可怕的惩罚威胁，由150名士兵和150名在总督指挥下工作的人员看守。 —

It would be difficult to imagine a collection of greater ruffians. —
很难想象还有更大的一伙流氓。 —

Sometimes,–although very rarely,–notwithstanding the extreme surveillance of which they were the object, many managed to escape, and seizing vessels which they surprised, they infested the Polynesian Archipelagoes.
有时候，尽管他们受到极端监视，许多人仍然设法逃脱，并抢夺他们袭击到的船只，骚扰波利尼西亚群岛。

Thus had Bob Harvey and his companions done. Thus had Ayrton formerly wished to do. —
鲍勃·哈维和他的伙伴曾这样做过。 艾尔顿曾经也希望这样做过。 —

Bob Harvey had seized the brig “Speedy,” anchored in sight of Norfolk Island; —
鲍勃·哈维抢夺了停泊在诺福克岛附近的”快船”号； —

the crew had been massacred; and for a year this ship had scoured the Pacific, under the command of Harvey, now a pirate, and well known to Ayrton!
船员已经被屠杀；一年来，这条船一直在太平洋上巡航，由现在成为海盗的哈维指挥！

The convicts were, for the most part, assembled under the poop; —
囚犯们大部分聚集在船舱尾部； —

but a few, stretched on the deck, were talking loudly.
但有几个躺在甲板上，大声交谈。

The conversation still continued amid shouts and libations. —
对话仍在进行中，伴随着喧哗和酒宴。 —

Ayrton learned that chance alone had brought the “Speedy” in sight of Lincoln Island; —
艾顿得知，仅仅是偶然才让“速度号”看到了林肯岛； —

Bob Harvey had never yet set foot on it; —
鲍勃·哈维从未踏足那片土地； —

but, as Cyrus Harding had conjectured, finding this unknown land in his course, its position being marked on no chart, he had formed the project of visiting it, and, if he found it suitable, of making it the brig’s headquarters.
但是，正如赛勒斯·哈丁所猜测的那样，发现这片未知土地位于航线上，且在任何海图上都没有标记，他就打算前往参观，并且如果发现合适的话，把它作为这艘大帆船的总部。

As to the black flag hoisted at the “Speedy’s” peak, and the gun which had been fired, in imitation of men-of-war when they lower their colors, it was pure piratical bravado. —
至于“速度号”桅杆上升起的黑旗和开火的炮响，只是海盗式的傲慢行为。 —

It was in no way a signal, and no communication yet existed between the convicts and Lincoln Island.
这不是任何信号，而且逃犯与林肯岛之间还没有任何联系。

The settlers’ domain was now menaced with terrible danger. —
定居者的领地现在受到了可怕的威胁。 —

Evidently the island, with its water, its harbor, its resources of all kinds so increased in value by the colonists, and the concealment afforded by Granite House, could not but be convenient for the convicts; —
很显然，这座岛屿，有着丰富的水源、港口和各种资源，以及因格兰特屋带来的隐匿，对殖民者来说意义非凡，并且对逃犯来说也会非常方便； —

in their hands it would become an excellent place of refuge, and, being unknown, it would assure them, for a long time perhaps, impunity and security. —
若他们攫取了岛屿，它将成为一个绝佳的避难之地，由于未知，他们可以长时间内得以逍遥无忧； —

Evidently, also, the lives of the settlers would not be respected, and Bob Harvey and his accomplices’ first care would be to massacre them without mercy. —
显然，居民的生命将不会受到尊重，鲍勃·哈维和他的共犯们的首要任务将是无情地屠杀他们。 —

Harding and his companions had, therefore, not even the choice of flying and hiding themselves in the island, since the convicts intended to reside there, and since, in the event of the “Speedy” departing on an expedition, it was probable that some of the crew would remain on shore, so as to settle themselves there. —
因此，林肯岛也无法成为逃跑和隐蔽的选择，因为逃犯打算在那里居住，同时，如果“速度号”出海进行探险，船员中可能会有一些人留在岸上，以便在那里安定下来。 —

Therefore, it would be necessary to fight, to destroy every one of these scoundrels, unworthy of pity, and against whom any means would be right. —
因此，必须抵抗，摧毁所有这些不值得怜悯的恶棍，而对抗他们可以采取任何手段。 —

So thought Ayrton, and he well knew that Cyrus Harding would be of his way of thinking.
艾顿就是这样想的，而他很清楚赛勒斯·哈丁会同意他的看法。

But was resistance and, in the last place, victory possible? —
但是，抵抗，甚至最后胜利是否可能？ —

That would depend on the equipment of the brig, and the number of men which she carried.
这将取决于那艘大帆船的装备和搭载的人数。

This Ayrton resolved to learn at any cost, and as an hour after his arrival the vociferations had begun to die away, and as a large number of the convicts were already buried in a drunken sleep, Ayrton did not hesitate to venture onto the “Speedy’s” deck, which the extinguished lanterns now left in total darkness. —
艾顿决定不惜一切弄清楚这一点，并且一个小时后，喧嚣开始消散，很多逃犯已经陷入了醉睡，艾顿毫不犹豫地冒险踏上了“速度号”的甲板，因为熄灭的灯笼让整个甲板在完全黑暗之中。 —

He hoisted himself onto the cutwater, and by the bowsprit arrived at the forecastle. —
他把自己拉到了船头的尖端，通过腰檣来到了船艏甲板。 —

Then, gliding among the convicts stretched here and there, he made the round of the ship, and found that the “Speedy” carried four guns, which would throw shot of from eight to ten pounds in weight. —
接着，在散落在各处的囚犯之间滑行，他绕着船走了一圈，发现“快速号”上装备了四门炮，可以发射每发重达八至十磅的炮弹。 —

He found also, on touching them that these guns were breech-loaders. —
他还发现，这些炮是后装式的。 —

They were therefore, of modern make, easily used, and of terrible effect.
因此，它们是现代制造的，易于使用，威力惊人。

As to the men lying on the deck, they were about ten in number, but it was to be supposed that more were sleeping down below. —
至于躺在甲板上的人，大约有十个，但可以想象下面还有更多人在睡觉。 —

Besides, by listening to them, Ayrton had understood that there were fifty on board. —
此外，从倾听他们的对话，艾顿知道船上有五十人。 —

That was a large number for the six settlers of Lincoln Island to contend with! —
对于林肯岛上的六名定居者来说，这是一个庞大的对手! —

But now, thanks to Ayrton’s devotion, Cyrus Harding would not be surprised, he would know the strength of his adversaries, and would make his arrangements accordingly.
但现在，多亏了艾顿的奉献精神，赛勒斯·哈丁不会感到惊讶，他会了解对手的实力，并相应地做出安排。

There was nothing more for Ayrton to do but to return, and render to his companions an account of the mission with which he had charged himself, and he prepared to regain the bows of the brig, so that he might let himself down into the water. —
艾顿没有别的事情可做了，只能回去，向他的同伴们作出他委托的使命的报告，并准备返回船头，让自己下到水中。 —

But to this man, whose wish was, as he had said, to do more than his duty, there came an heroic thought. —
但对于这个立志要做出超越职责的人来说，他脑海中闪过了一个英勇的念头。 —

This was to sacrifice his own life, but save the island and the colonists. —
那就是牺牲自己的生命，拯救岛屿和殖民者。 —

Cyrus Harding evidently could not resist fifty ruffians, all well armed, who, either by penetrating by main force into Granite House, or by starving out the besieged, could obtain from them what they wanted. —
显然，赛勒斯·哈丁无法抵抗五十名武装粗暴的暴徒，他们要么通过武力闯入花岗岩屋，要么通过围困饥饿来获取他们想要的东西。 —

And then he thought of his preservers–those who had made him again a man, and an honest mm, those to whom he owed all–murdered without pity, their works destroyed, their island turned into a pirates’ den! —
然后他想到了他的救世主–那些使他重新成为一个人，一个诚实的人的人们，那些他欠一切的人–毫不留情地被谋杀，他们的作品被摧毁，他们的岛屿变成了海盗的窝点! —

He said to himself that he, Ayrton, was the principal cause of so many disasters, since his old companion, Bob Harvey, had but realized his own plans, and a feeling of horror took possession of him. —
他想到自己是那么多灾难的主要原因，因为他的老伙伴鲍勃·哈维只不过实现了他自己的计划，一种恐怖之感占据了他。 —

Then he was seized with an irresistible desire to blow up the brig and with her, all whom she had on board. —
然后，他被一种无法抗拒的冲动所抓住，要炸毁那艘船以及她上面的所有人。 —

He would perish in the explosion, but he would have done his duty.
他会在爆炸中丧生，但他会完成他的职责。

Ayrton did not hesitate. To reach the powder-room, which is always situated in the after-part of a vessel, was easy. —
艾尔顿毫不犹豫。到达火药库的位置通常在船只的后部，这并不困难。 —

There would be no want of powder in a vessel which followed such a trade, and a spark would be enough to destroy it in an instant.
在从事这种贸易的船只上不会缺乏火药，一点火星足以立即摧毁它。

Ayrton stole carefully along the between-decks, strewn with numerous sleepers, overcome more by drunkenness than sleep. —
艾尔顿小心地穿过中层甲板，上面散布着许多陷入醉酒而非睡眠中的船员。 —

A lantern was lighted at the foot of the mainmast, round which was hung a gun-rack, furnished with weapons of all sorts.
在主桅杆脚下点燃了一盏灯笼，周围挂着一排枪架，枪架上摆放着各种武器。

Ayrton took a revolver from the rack, and assured himself that it was loaded and primed. —
艾尔顿从枪架上拿起一把左轮手枪，并确保它已经装填和上膛。 —

Nothing more was needed to accomplish the work of destruction. —
实现毁灭的工作已经毫无困难。 —

He then glided towards the stern, so as to arrive under the brig’s poop at the powder-magazine.
他随后朝船尾滑去，以便在镇船尾楼下抵达火药库。

It was difficult to proceed along the dimly lighted deck without stumbling over some half-sleeping convict, who retorted by oaths and kicks. —
在昏暗的甲板上前行时很难不碰倒一些半睡半醒的囚犯，他们对此用咒骂和踢反击。 —

Ayrton was, therefore, more than once obliged to halt. —
因此，艾尔顿不得不多次停下脚步。 —

But at last he arrived at the partition dividing the aftercabin, and found the door opening into the magazine itself.
但最终他抵达了分隔后舱的隔板，并找到了通往火药库本身的门。

Ayrton, compelled to force it open, set to work. —
艾尔顿被迫强行打开门。 —

It was a difficult operation to perform without noise, for he had to break a padlock. —
在不发出噪音的情况下执行这个艰巨任务并非易事，因为他不得不破坏一个挂锁。 —

But under his vigorous hand, the padlock broke, and the door was open.
但在他有力的手下，挂锁断裂了，门开了。

At that moment a hand was laid on Ayrton’s shoulder.
就在那时，有人的手搭在了艾尔顿的肩膀上。

“What are you doing here?” asked a tail man, in a harsh voice, who, standing in the shadow, quickly threw the light of a lantern in Ayrton’s face.
“你在这里做什么？”一个站在阴影中的男人，用一种严厉的声音问道，迅速将手电筒的光投向艾尔顿的脸上。

Ayrton drew beck. In the rapid flash of the lantern, he had recognized his former accomplice, Bob Harvey, who could not have known him, as he must have thought Ayrton long since dead.
艾尔顿退后了。在手电筒的快速闪烁中，他认出了他先前的同伙鲍勃·哈维，鲍勃·哈维认为艾尔顿早已经死了，所以不可能认出他。

“What are you doing here?” again said Bob Harvey, seizing Ayrton by the waistband.
“你在这里做什么？”鲍勃·哈维再次说道，抓住艾尔顿的腰带。

But Ayrton, without replying, wrenched himself from his grasp and attempted to rush into the magazine. —
但是艾尔顿没有回答，挣脱了他的控制，试图冲进弹药库。 —

A shot fired into the midst of the powder-casks, and all would be over!
一枪打进火药桶中，一切都将结束！

“Help, lads!” shouted Bob Harvey.
“帮忙，伙计们！”鲍勃·哈维喊道。

At his shout two or three pirates awoke, jumped up, and, rushing on Ayrton, endeavored to throw him down. —
在他叫喊的声音中，两三个海盗醒来，跳起来，冲向艾尔顿，试图将他摔倒。 —

He soon extricated himself from their grasp. —
他很快摆脱了他们的控制。 —

He fired his revolver, and two of the convicts fell, but a blow from a knife which he could not ward off made a gash in his shoulder.
他开枪，两个囚犯倒下了，但一记他无法避开的刀伤割开了他的肩膀。

Ayrton perceived that he could no longer hope to carry out his project. —
艾尔顿意识到他再也无法完成自己的计划了。 —

Bob Harvey had reclosed the door of the powder-magazine, and a movement on the deck indicated a general awakening of the pirates. —
鲍勃·哈维重新关上了火药库的门，甲板上的动静表明海盗们正在普遍醒来。 —

Ayrton must reserve himself to fight at the side of Cyrus Harding. —
艾尔顿必须保留自己，与赛勒斯·哈丁并肩战斗。 —

There was nothing for him but flight!
除了逃跑别无选择！

But was flight still possible? It was doubtful, yet Ayrton resolved to dare everything in order to rejoin his companions.
但是逃跑是否仍然可能？这值得怀疑，然而艾尔顿决定豁出去，一切为了重返他的伙伴们身边。

Four barrels of the revolver were still undischarged. —
还有四发左右的子弹没打完。 —

Two were fired– one, aimed at Bob Harvey, did not wound him, or at any rate only slightly, and Ayrton, profiting by the momentary retreat of his adversaries, rushed towards the companion-ladder to gain the deck. —
两发子弹被射出，其中一发瞄准鲍勃·哈维，未能重伤他，或至少只是轻伤，而艾尔顿利用对手短暂的后退冲向伙伴梯子，以赶上甲板。 —

Passing before the lantern, he smashed it with a blow from the butt of his revolver. —
过着灯笼前，他用手枪握把猛击它。 —

A profound darkness ensued, which favored his flight. —
深沉的黑暗随之而来，有利于他的逃跑。 —

Two or three pirates, awakened by the noise, were descending the ladder at the same moment.
两三个被噪音惊醒的海盗在同一时间下降梯子。

A fifth shot from Ayrton laid one low, and the others drew back, not understanding what was going on. Ayrton was on deck in two bounds, and three seconds later, having discharged his last barrel in the face of a pirate who was about to seize him by the throat, he leaped over the bulwarks into the sea.
艾尔顿第五发子弹击倒一个，其他人退后，不明白发生了什么。艾尔顿两步登上甲板，三秒后，他的最后一发子弹射向一个准备抓住他喉咙的海盗的脸，然后他跃过舷桅跃入海中。

Ayrton had not made six strokes before shots were splashing around him like hail.
艾尔顿还未游六下划，子弹便像冰雹般在他周围溅起。

What were Pencroft’s feelings, sheltered under a rock on the islet! —
当龟卜在岛上的岩石下避难时，他有何感受！ —

What were those of Harding, the reporter, Herbert, and Neb, crouched in the Chimneys, when they heard the reports on board the brig! —
当哈丁、记者、赫伯特和内布躲在烟囱下听到船上枪声时，他们有何感受！ —

They rushed out on to the beach, and, their guns shouldered, they stood ready to repel any attack.
他们冲到海滩上，枪械已就绪，准备击退任何袭击。

They had no doubt about it themselves! Ayrton, surprised by the pirates, had been murdered, and, perhaps, the wretches would profit by the night to make a descent on the island!
他们自己毫无疑问！ 被海盗袭击的艾尔顿已被谋杀，也许恶棍们会利用黑夜袭击岛屿！

Half an hour was passed in terrible anxiety. —
一个半小时在可怕的焦虑中度过。 —

The firing had ceased, and yet neither Ayrton nor Pencroft had reappeared. Was the islet invaded? —
射击停止了，然而艾尔顿和龟卜都没有再出现。小岛被入侵了吗？ —

Ought they not to fly to the help of Ayrton and Pencroft? But how? —
他们不应该飞去帮助艾尔顿和龟卜吗？但怎么办？ —

The tide being high at that time, rendered the channel impassable. The boat was not there! —
那时，潮水过高，水道无法通行。小船不在那里！ —

We may imagine the horrible anxiety which took possession of Harding and his companions!
我们可以想象哈丁和他的伙伴所感受到的恐惧！

At last, towards half-past twelve, a boat, carrying two men, touched the beach. —
最后，快到十二点半时，一只载着两个人的小船靠岸了。 —

It was Ayrton, slightly wounded in the shoulder, and Pencroft, safe and sound, whom their friends received with open arms.
这是爱顿，肩膀受了轻伤，还有平克罗夫特，全身无恙，他们的朋友们热情地接待了他们。

All immediately took refuge in the Chimneys. —
所有人立即躲进了烟囱里。 —

There Ayrton recounted all that had passed, even to his plan for blowing up the brig, which he had attempted to put into execution.
爱顿讲述了一切经过，甚至包括他试图执行的炸毁那艘大副船的计划。

All hands were extended to Ayrton, who did not conceal from them that their situation was serious. —
大家都向爱顿伸出了援手，他也没有隐瞒，说他们的情况很严峻。 —

The pirates had been alarmed. They knew that Lincoln Island was inhabited. —
海盗们已经受到了惊吓，他们知道林肯岛有人居住。 —

They would land upon it in numbers and well armed. They would respect nothing. —
他们会带着大批武装登陆，对任何东西都不会手软。 —

Should the settlers fall into their hands, they must expect no mercy!
如果殖民者落入他们手中，他们应该不会得到什么怜悯!

“Well, we shall know how to die!” said the reporter.
“好吧，我们会知道如何去死的!” 记者说。

“Let us go in and watch,” answered the engineer.
“我们进去看看吧,” 工程师回答道。

“Have we any chance of escape, captain?” asked the sailor.
“船长，我们有逃脱的机会吗?” 水手问道。

“Yes, Pencroft.”
“有的，平克罗夫特.”

“Hum! six against fifty!”
“嗯! 六对五十!”

“Yes! six! without counting–”
“是的! 六! 还没算上–”

“Who?” asked Pencroft.
“谁?” 平克罗夫特问道.

Cyrus did not reply, but pointed upwards.
塞勒斯没有回答，而是指向上方。