However, the chief business of the colonists was to make that complete exploration of the island which had been decided upon, and which would have two objects: —
然而，殖民者的主要任务是对岛屿进行完整的探索，这是早已决定的事情，这次探索将有两个目的： —

to discover the mysterious being whose existence was now indisputable, and at the same time to find out what had become of the pirates, what retreat they had chosen, what sort of life they were leading, and what was to be feared from them. —
发现那个现在毫无疑问存在的神秘生物，同时找出海盗们的行踪，他们选择了什么藏身地，过着什么样的生活，以及应该从他们那里面临什么危险。 —

Cyrus Harding wished to set out without delay; —
赛勒斯·哈丁希望能立即出发； —

but as the expedition would be of some days duration, it appeared best to load the cart with different materials and tools in order to facilitate the organization of the encampments. —
但由于这次探险将持续几天，最好是把手推车装满各种材料和工具，以便于组织营地。 —

One of the onagers, however, having hurt its leg, could not be harnessed at present, and a few days’ rest was necessary. —
不过，有一匹野驴腿受伤，目前无法套上马具，需要休息几天。 —

The departure was, therefore, put off for a week, until the 20th of November. —
因此，出发被推迟到下周，即11月20日。 —

The month of November in this latitude corresponds to the month of May in the northern zones. —
在这个纬度上，11月相当于北方区域的5月。 —

It was, therefore, the fine season. The sun was entering the tropic of Capricorn, and gave the longest days in the year. —
因此，现在是旱季。太阳正进入摩羯座，让一年中的白天最长。 —

The time was, therefore, very favorable for the projected expedition, which, if it did not accomplish its principal object, would at any rate be fruitful in discoveries, especially of natural productions, since Harding proposed to explore those dense forests of the Far West, which stretched to the extremity of the Serpentine Peninsula.
因此，对计划中的探险来说，现在是一个非常有利的时机，即使未能达到主要目标，至少也将富有发现，尤其是关于自然产物，因为哈丁打算探索那些一直伸延到蛇形半岛尽头的茂密森林。

During the nine days which preceded their departure, it was agreed that the work on Prospect Heights should be finished off.
在出发前的九天里，他们决定把展望高地的工作完成。

Moreover, it was necessary for Ayrton to return to the corral, where the domesticated animals required his care. —
此外，由于需要艾尔顿返回牛栏，家畜需要他照料。 —

It was decided that he should spend two days there, and return to Granite House after having liberally supplied the stables.
决定他在那里呆两天，然后在充分供应了马厩后返回花岗岩屋。

As he was about to start, Harding asked him if he would not like one of them to accompany him, observing that the island was less safe than formerly. —
当他准备出发时，哈丁问他是否需要有人陪同，指出岛屿不再像以前那样安全。 —

Ayrton replied that this was unnecessary, as he was enough for the work, and that besides he apprehended no danger. —
艾尔顿回答说这是不必要的，因为他自己就足够完成工作，而且他并不担心有危险。 —

If anything occurred at the corral, or in the neighborhood, he could instantly warn the colonists by sending a telegram to Granite House.
如果牛栏或周围发生任何事情，他可以立即发送电报给花岗岩屋警告殖民者。

Ayrton departed at dawn on the 9th, taking the cart drawn by one onager, and two hours after, the electric wire announced that he had found all in order at the corral.
艾尔顿在9日黎明时分出发，带着一头野驴拉的马车，两小时后，电线传来消息，称他已在畜栏那里发现一切井井有条。

During these two days Harding busied himself in executing a project which would completely guard Granite House against any surprise. —
在这两天里，哈丁忙着执行一个计划，将完全防范任何突袭。 —

It was necessary to completely conceal the opening of the old outlet, which was already walled up and partly hidden under grass and plants, at the southern angle of Lake Grant. Nothing was easier, since if the level of the lake was raised two or three feet, the opening would be quite beneath it. —
有必要完全掩盖旧出口的开口，已经被墙壁封住，并且在格兰特湖南角部分被隐藏在草地和植物下。这并不难，因为如果湖面提高两三英尺，那个开口就会完全被淹没在水下。 —

Now, to raise this level they had only to establish a dam at the two openings made by the lake, and by which were fed Creek Glycerine and Falls River.
现在，要提升这个水平，他们只需在湖泊的两个流出口处建立水坝，这两处分别为甘油溪和瀑布河。

The colonists worked with a will, and the two dams which besides did not exceed eight feet in width by three in height, were rapidly erected by means of well-cemented blocks of stone.
殖民者们积极工作，两个水坝，宽度不超过八英尺，高度不到三英尺，通过粘结坚固的石块迅速搭建完成。

This work finished, it would have been impossible to guess that at that part of the lake, there existed a subterranean passage through which the overflow of the lake formerly escaped.
这项工作完成后，在湖的那一部分，根本看不出曾有一条地下通道，用以泄洪。

Of course the little stream which fed the reservoir of Granite House and worked the lift, had been carefully preserved, and the water could not fail. —
当然，供给格兰特小屋水库和提升机的小溪已被小心保留，水源不会中断。 —

The lift once raised, this sure and comfortable retreat would be safe from any surprise.
提升机升起，这个安全舒适的避难所将远离任何突袭。

This work had been so quickly done, that Pencroft, Gideon Spilett, and Herbert found time to make an expedition to Port Balloon, The sailor was very anxious to know if the little creek in which the “Bonadventure” was moored, had been visited by the convicts.
这项工作进展迅速，以至于潘克罗夫、吉迪恩·斯普莱特和赫伯特有时间去波特气球港探险。水手非常担心，“好兄弟们”就此时登陆南海岸，如果他们沿岸前行，恐怕已经发现了小海湾，那样一来，我们的“宝天际”（Bonadventure）的命运堪忧。

“These gentlemen,” he observed, “landed on the south coast, and if they followed the shore, it is to be feared that they may have discovered the little harbor, and in that case, I wouldn’t give half-a-dollar for our ‘Bonadventure.’”
潘克罗夫的担忧并非没有根据，因此拜访波特气球港显得非常必要。

Pencroft’s apprehensions were not without foundation, and a visit to Port Balloon appeared to be very desirable. —
水手和他的同伴在11月10日午饭后出发，带好武器。 —

The sailor and his companions set off on the 10th of November, after dinner, well armed. —
潘克罗夫在枪管里大肆塞入两颗子弹，摇了摇头，表示任何靠近他的人或动物都不会有好果子吃，正如他所说的那样。 —

Pencroft, ostentatiously slipping two bullets into each barrel of his rifle, shook his head in a way which betokened nothing good to any one who approached too near him, whether “man or beast,” as he said. —
吉迪恩·斯普莱特和赫伯特也带着枪，大约三点，三人离开了格兰特小屋。 —

Gideon Spilett and Herbert also took their guns, and about three o’clock all three left Granite House.
内布陪他们到慈悲河的拐角处，当他们过河后，他拉起了桥。

Neb accompanied them to the turn of the Mercy, and after they had crossed, he raised the bridge. —
Ne。 —

It was agreed that a gunshot should announce the colonists’ return, and that at the signal Neb should return and reestablish the communication between the two banks of the river.
商定了枪声应该宣告殖民者的返回，并且在信号响起时尼布应该返回并重新建立两岸之间的联系。

The little band advanced directly along the road which led to the southern coast of the island. —
这支小队径直沿着通往岛南部海岸的道路前行。 —

This was only a distance of three miles and a half, but Gideon Spilett and his companions took two hours to traverse it. —
这仅仅是三英里半的距离，但吉迪恩·斯皮莱特和他的同伴花了两个小时才走完。 —

They examined all the border of the road, the thick forest, as well as Tabor Marsh. They found no trace of the fugitives who, no doubt, not having yet discovered the number of the colonists, or the means of defense which they had at their disposal, had gained the less accessible parts of the island.
他们检查了道路边界的所有地方、茂密的森林，以及塔伯沼泽。他们没有发现逃犯的任何痕迹，毫无疑问，逃犯还没有发现殖民者的数量或者他们装备的防御手段，已经转移到了岛的较不易接近的地方。

Arrived at Port Balloon, Pencroft saw with extreme satisfaction that the “Bonadventure” was tranquilly floating in the narrow creek. —
到达气球港时，潘克罗夫看到“冒险号”正安静地漂浮在狭窄的小溪里。 —

However, Port Balloon was so well hidden among high rocks, that it could scarcely be discovered either from the land or the sea.
然而，气球港被高石头很好地藏匿在其中，从陆地或海面上几乎找不到。

“Come,” said Pencroft, “the blackguards have not been there yet. —
“走吧，”潘克罗夫说，“混蛋们还没有到过那里。” —

Long grass suits reptiles best, and evidently we shall find them in the Far West.”
高草最适合爬行动物，很明显我们会在很远的西部找到他们。

“And it’s very lucky, for if they had found the ‘Bonadventure’,” added Herbert, “they would have gone off in her, and we should have been prevented from returning to Tabor Island.”
“而且这非常幸运，因为如果他们已经找到了‘冒险号’，”赫伯特补充说，“他们就会乘她离开，我们将被阻止返回塔伯岛。”

“Indeed,” remarked the reporter, “it will be important to take a document there which will make known the situation of Lincoln Island, and Ayrton’s new residence, in case the Scotch yacht returns to fetch him.”
“的确，”记者说，“在我们完成对岛屿的探索后做这件事很重要。

“Well, the ‘Bonadventure’ is always there, Mr. Spilett,” answered the sailor. —
潘克罗夫回答说：“‘冒险号’总是在那里，斯皮莱特先生。 —

“She and her crew are ready to start at a moment’s notice!”
她和她的船员随时准备出发!”

“I think, Pencroft, that that is a thing to be done after our exploration of the island is finished. —
“我认为，潘克罗夫，这是在我们探索岛屿完成后要做的事。 —

It is possible after all that the stranger, if we manage to find him, may know as much about Tabor Island as about Lincoln Island. —
虽然我们有可能找到那个陌生人，他可能对塔伯岛如同对林肯岛一样了解。 —

Do not forget that he is certainly the author of the document, and he may, perhaps, know how far we may count on the return of the yacht!”
不要忘记他很可能是这份文件的作者，也许他知道我们可以多大程度上指望游艇的返回!”

“But!” exclaimed Pencroft, “who in the world can he be? —
“但！”彭克罗夫大喊道，“他到底是谁？” —

The fellow knows us and we know nothing about him! —
那家伙认识我们，而我们对他一无所知！ —

If he is a simple castaway, why should he conceal himself! —
如果他只是个遇难者，那为什么要隐瞒自己呢？ —

We are honest men, I suppose, and the society of honest men isn’t unpleasant to any one. —
我们是诚实的人，我想，对任何人来说和诚实的人在一起都不会让人感到不愉快。 —

Did he come here voluntarily? Can he leave the island if he likes? —
他是自愿来这里的吗？他想走的话能离开这个岛吗？ —

Is he here still? Will he remain any longer?”
他还在这里吗？他会再呆多久？”

Chatting thus, Pencroft, Gideon Spilett, and Herbert got on board and looked about the deck of the “Bonadventure.” —
三人一边聊着，一边上了“幸运号”的甲板，四处查看。 —

All at once, the sailor having examined the bitts to which the cable of the anchor was secured,–
突然，水手查看了锚索固定的系索处，

“Hallo,” he cried, “this is queer!”
“喂，”他叫道，“这有点奇怪！”

“What is the matter, Pencroft?” asked the reporter.
“怎么了，彭克罗夫？”记者问道。

“The matter is, that it was not I who made this knot!”
“问题在于，这个结不是我系的！”

And Pencroft showed a rope which fastened the cable to the bitt itself.
彭克罗夫展示了一个绳子，将缆绳固定在系索上。

“What, it was not you?” asked Gideon Spilett.
“你确定不是你系的吗？”吉迪恩·斯比列特问。

“No! I can swear to it. This is a reef knot, and I always make a running bowline.”
“不是！我可以发誓。这是个平结，我总是系滑控绳结。”

“You must be mistaken, Pencroft.”
“你一定是搞错了，彭克罗夫。”

“I am not mistaken!” declared the sailor. —
“我没有错!” 水手宣称。 —

“My hand does it so naturally, and one’s hand is never mistaken!”
“我手自然而然地做到这一点，手从不会错!”

“Then can the convicts have been on board?” asked Herbert.
“那么囚犯可能登上了船吗?” 赫伯特问道。

“I know nothing about that,” answered Pencroft, “but what is certain, is that some one has weighed the ‘Bonadventure’s’ anchor and dropped it again! —
“我对此一无所知,” 潘克罗夫回答说，”但可以肯定的是，某人已经起了’邦纳德芬奇号’的锚，然后又把它放下了! —

And look here, here is another proof! The cable of the anchor has been run out, and its service is no longer at the hawse-hole. —
看这里，这是另一个证据! 锚链已经被扯出，不再在舷孔处使用。 —

I repeat that some one has been using our vessel!”
我再次重申，肯定有人在使用我们的船！”

“But if the convicts had used her, they would have pillaged her, or rather gone off with her.”
“但如果囚犯使用过她，他们会掠夺她，或者把她带走。

“Gone off! where to–to Tabor Island?” replied Pencroft. —
“带走! 去哪里——去塔伯岛?” 潘克罗夫回答。 —

“Do you think, they would risk themselves in a boat of such small tonnage?”
“你认为，他们会冒险坐在这样的小吨位船上吗?”

“We must, besides, be sure that they know of the islet,” rejoined the reporter.
“此外，我们必须确保他们知道这个小岛,” 记者回答道。

“However that may be,” said the sailor, “as sure as my name is Bonadventure Pencroft, of the Vineyard, our ‘Bonadventure’ has sailed without us!”
“无论怎样,” 水手说，”这是千真万确的，只要我叫邦纳德·潘克罗夫，来自葡萄园，我们的’邦纳德芬奇号’已经在没有我们的情况下启航了！”

The sailor was positive that neither Gideon Spilett nor Herbert could dispute his statement. —
水手确信吉迪恩·斯奈特和赫伯特无法否认他的说法。 —

It was evident that the vessel had been moved, more or less, since Pencroft had brought her to Port Balloon. —
很明显，自从潘克罗夫把船带到气球港口，船已经被移动了一点或多点。 —

As to the sailor, he had not the slightest doubt that the anchor had been raised and then dropped again. —
至于水手，他毫不怀疑锚已经被提起后再次放下。 —

Now, what was the use of these two maneuvers, unless the vessel had been employed in some expedition?
现在，除非船被用于某项远征，否则这两个操作有什么用呢？

“But how was it we did not see the ‘Bonadventure’ pass in the sight of the island?” —
“但是我们为什么没有看到‘波那文图尔号’经过岛屿？” —

observed the reporter, who was anxious to bring forward every possible objection.
“观察者说道，他急于提出所有可能的反对意见。”

“Why, Mr. Spilett,” replied the sailor, “they would only have to start in the night with a good breeze, and they would be out of sight of the island in two hours.”
“嗯，斯皮莱特先生，”水手回答道，“他们只需要在夜晚出发，顺风而行，两个小时之内就能看不见岛屿了。”

“Well,” resumed Gideon Spilett, “I ask again, what object could the convicts have had in using the ‘Bonadventure,’ and why, after they had made use of her, should they have brought her back to port?”
“嗯，吉迪恩·斯皮莱特接着说，”我再问一遍，囚犯们使用‘波那文图尔号’有什么目的，为什么他们使用过后又把她带回港口？”

“Why, Mr. Spilett,” replied the sailor, “we must put that among the unaccountable things, and not think anything more about it. —
“嗯，斯皮莱特先生，”水手回答道，“我们必须把这件事归类为无法解释的事情，不再想太多。” —

The chief thing is that the ‘Bonadventure’ was there, and she is there now. —
“最重要的是‘波那文图尔号’在那里，现在还在那里。” —

Only, unfortunately, if the convicts take her a second time, we shall very likely not find her again in her place!”
“唯一不幸的是，如果囚犯们第二次拿走她，我们很可能无法再在原地找到她！”

“Then, Pencroft,” said Herbert, “would it not be wisest to bring the ‘Bonadventure’ off to Granite House?”
“那么，潘克罗夫特，”赫伯特说，“将‘波那文图尔号’开到花岗岩屋里会不会更明智？”

“Yes and no,” answered Pencroft, “or rather no. —
“是和否，”潘克罗夫特回答道，“或者更确切地说不会。” —

The mouth of the Mercy is a bad place for a vessel, and the sea is heavy there.”
“梅西河口对一艘船来说是个糟糕的地方，那里的海浪很汹涌。”

“But by hauling her up on the sand, to the foot of the Chimneys?”
“但是将她拖到烟囱脚下的沙滩上呢？”

“Perhaps yes,” replied Pencroft. “At any rate, since we must leave Granite House for a long expedition, I think the ‘Bonadventure’ will be safer here during our absence, and we shall do best to leave her here until the island is rid of these blackguards.”
“也许是，”潘克罗夫特回答道，“无论如何，既然我们必须离开花岗岩屋进行长时间的远征，我认为‘波那文图尔号’在我们离开期间留在这里会更安全，我们最好等到这个岛上没有这些坏蛋之后再把她带走。”

“That is exactly my opinion,” said the reporter. —
“这正是我的看法，”报道者说。 —

“At any rate in the event of bad weather, she will not be exposed here as she would be at the mouth of the Mercy.”
“无论如何在恶劣天气的情况下，她在这里不会像在梅西河口那样暴露。”

“But suppose the convicts pay her another visit,” said Herbert.
“但是如果囚犯再次造访她呢？”赫伯特说。

“Well, my boy,” replied Pencroft, “not finding her here, they would not be long in finding her on the sands of Granite House, and, during our absence, nothing could hinder them from seizing her! —
“嗯，孩子们，”潘克罗夫回答道，“如果她没有在这儿，他们肯定会很快在花岗岩屋前的沙滩上找到她，而在我们不在的时候，他们就可以随意抓住她了！” —

I agree, therefore, with Mr. Spilett, that she must be left in Port Balloon. —
“我同意斯派莱特先生的意见，她应该留在气球港。” —

But, if on our return we have not rid the island of those rascals, it will be prudent to bring our boat to Granite House, until the time when we need not fear any unpleasant visits.”
“但是，如果我们回来时还没有把岛上的那些恶棍们赶走，最好把我们的小船开到花岗岩屋，直到我们不再担心受到干扰的时候。”

“That’s settled. Let us be off,” said the reporter.
“那就这么定了。让我们出发吧，”记者说。

Pencroft, Herbert, and Gideon Spilett, on their return to Granite House, told the engineer all that had passed, and the latter approved of their arrangements both for the present and the future. —
回到花岗岩屋后，潘克罗夫、赫伯特和吉迪恩·斯派莱特告诉了工程师发生的一切，后者对他们现在和将来的安排都表示赞同。 —

He also promised the sailor that he would study that part of the channel situated between the islet and the coast, so as to ascertain if it would not be possible to make an artificial harbor there by means of dams. —
他还答应了水手，他会研究一下小岛和海岸之间的那个海峡部分，看看是否可以通过筑坝来在那里建造一个人工码头。 —

In this way, the “Bonadventure” would be always within reach, under the eyes of the colonists, and if necessary, under lock and key.
这样，“冒险号”永远都在殖民者的视线范围内，并且在必要时可以锁起来。

That evening a telegram was sent to Ayrton, requesting him to bring from the corral a couple of goats, which Neb wished to acclimatize to the plateau. —
那天晚上派了一份电报给艾尔顿，要求他从畜栏里带来一对山羊，因为尼布想把它们适应高原。 —

Singularly enough, Ayrton did not acknowledge the receipt of the despatch, as he was accustomed to do. —
奇怪的是，艾尔顿没有像往常一样承认收到了电报。 —

This could not but astonish the engineer. —
这让工程师感到很惊讶。 —

But it might be that Ayrton was not at that moment in the corral, or even that he was on his way back to Granite House. In fact, two days had already passed since his departure, and it had been decided that on the evening of the 10th or at the latest the morning of the 11th, he should return. —
但可能艾尔顿此时没有在畜栏里，甚至可能他正在返回花岗岩屋的路上。实际上，自他离开以来已经过去了两天，决定在10号的晚上或最迟11号的早上他应该回来。 —

The colonists waited, therefore, for Ayrton to appear on Prospect Heights. —
因此，殖民者等待着艾尔顿出现在展望高地。 —

Neb and Herbert even watched at the bridge so as to be ready to lower it the moment their companion presented himself.
尼布和赫伯特甚至在桥边守望，准备在伙伴出现时立即放下桥梁。

But up to ten in the evening, there were no signs of Ayrton. —
但直到晚上十点，艾尔顿都还没有出现。 —

It was, therefore, judged best to send a fresh despatch, requiring an immediate reply.
因此，最好再次发送一份新的电报，要求立即回复。

The bell of the telegraph at Granite House remained mute.
花岗岩屋的电报铃仍然一声不响。

The colonists’ uneasiness was great. What had happened? —
殖民者们感到很不安。发生了什么事呢？ —

Was Ayrton no longer at the corral, or if he was still there, had he no longer control over his movements? —
艾尔顿不在畜栏了吗，或者如果他仍在那里，他已经失去了对自己动作的控制？ —

Could they go to the corral in this dark night?
他们能在这漆黑的夜晚前往畜栏吗？

They consulted. Some wished to go, the others to remain.
他们进行了商讨。一些人想去，另一些人想留下。

“But,” said Herbert, “perhaps some accident has happened to the telegraphic apparatus, so that it works no longer?”
“但是，”赫伯特说，“也许电报器材出了故障，无法继续工作呢？”

“That may be,” said the reporter.
“可能是的，”记者说。

“Wait till to-morrow,” replied Cyrus Harding. —
“等到明天吧，”赛勒斯·哈定回答道。 —

“It is possible, indeed, that Ayrton has not received our despatch, or even that we have not received his.”
“是可能的，实际上艾尔顿可能没有收到我们的电文，甚至我们也没有收到他的。”

They waited, of course not without some anxiety.
他们无疑地焦急地等待着。

At dawn of day, the 11th of November, Harding again sent the electric current along the wire and received no reply.
11月11日黎明时分，哈定再次沿着电线发送电流，却没有得到回应。

He tried again: the same result.
他再试一次：结果一样。

“Off to the corral,” said he.
“前往畜栏，”他说。

“And well armed!” added Pencroft.
“而且要带好武器！”彭克罗夫补充道。

It was immediately decided that Granite House should not be left alone and that Neb should remain there. —
立即决定让花岗岩屋不被留空，内布留在那里。 —

After having accompanied his friends to Creek Glycerine, he raised the bridge; —
在几个朋友来到甘油溪后，他抬起了吊桥； —

and waiting behind a tree he watched for the return of either his companions or Ayrton.
在一棵树后等待，观察着他的同伴或艾尔顿的返回；

In the event of the pirates presenting themselves and attempting to force the passage, he was to endeavor to stop them by firing on them, and as a last resource he was to take refuge in Granite House, where, the lift once raised, he would be in safety.
如果海盗出现并试图强行通过，他将努力射击阻止他们，最后的资源是前往花岗岩屋，举起升降机后就会安全了；

Cyrus Harding, Gideon Spilett, Herbert, and Pencroft were to repair to the corral, and if they did not find Ayrton, search the neighboring woods.
塞勒斯·哈丁、吉迪恩·斯派莱特、赫伯特和潘克罗夫计划前往畜栏，如果找不到艾尔顿，就搜查附近的树林；

At six o’clock in the morning, the engineer and his three companions had passed Creek Glycerine, and Neb posted himself behind a small mound crowned by several dragon trees, on the left bank of the stream.
早晨六点，工程师和他的三位同伴经过甘油溪，奈布站在小丘后面，在溪流的左岸上，山龙眼树的顶部被占据；

The colonists, after leaving the plateau of Prospect Heights, immediately took the road to the corral. —
殖民者们离开了展望高地的高原后，立即沿着通往畜栏的路走去； —

They shouldered their guns, ready to fire on the slightest hostile demonstration. —
他们扛着枪，随时准备对任何敌对示威进行反击； —

The two rifles and the two guns had been loaded with ball.
两支步枪和两支枪已经装满子弹；

The wood was thick on each side of the road and might easily have concealed the convicts, who owing to their weapons would have been really formidable.
路旁的树木浓密，很容易藏匿罪犯，由于他们携带武器，会变得非常可怕；

The colonists walked rapidly and in silence. —
殖民者们快速而默默地行走； —

Top preceded them, sometimes running on the road, sometimes taking a ramble into the wood, but always quiet and not appearing to fear anything unusual. —
托普走在他们前面，有时在路上奔跑，有时进入树林漫步，但始终安静，似乎不害怕任何不寻常的事情； —

And they could be sure that the faithful dog would not allow them to be surprised, but would bark at the least appearance of danger.
他们可以确信这只忠实的狗不会让他们受到突袭，会在危险出现时吠叫；

Cyrus Harding and his companions followed beside the road the wire which connected the corral with Granite House. After walking for nearly two miles, they had not as yet discovered any explanation of the difficulty. —
塞勒斯·哈丁和他的同伴沿着连接畜栏和花岗岩屋的电线走。走了近两英里后，他们还没有找到任何解释困难的线索； —

The posts were in good order, the wire regularly extended. —
支柱整齐，电线延伸正常； —

However, at that moment the engineer observed that the wire appeared to be slack, and on arriving at post No. 74, Herbert, who was in advance stopped, exclaiming,–
然而，此刻工程师观察到电线似乎有些松弛，在到达第74号支柱时，领先的赫伯特停下来，呼喊道–

“The wire is broken!”
“电线断了！”

His companions hurried forward and arrived at the spot where the lad was standing. —
他的同伴们急忙赶到了那个少年站立的地方。 —

The post was rooted up and lying across the path. —
那根柱子被连根拔起，横在小径上。 —

The unexpected explanation of the difficulty was here, and it was evident that the despatches from Granite House had not been received at the corral, nor those from the corral at Granite House.
问题的意外解释在这里，很显然格兰特庄园的急件未能送到围栏，围栏的急件也未能送到格兰特庄园。

“It wasn’t the wind that blew down this post,” observed Pencroft.
“刮倒这根柱子的并不是风,” 潘克罗夫观察到。

“No,” replied Gideon Spilett. “The earth has been dug up round its foot, and it has been torn up by the hand of man.”
“不是,” 吉迪恩·斯派莱特回答道。 “地面在它的脚部被挖开了，并且是人为拔起的。”

“Besides, the wire is broken,” added Herbert, showing that the wire had been snapped.
“而且，电线断了,” 赫伯特补充说，展示着电线被切断的地方。

“Is the fracture recent?” asked Harding.
“这裂缝是最近发生的吗？” 哈丁问道。

“Yes,” answered Herbert, “it has certainly been done quite lately.”
“是的,” 赫伯特回答道，”明显是最近才被做出来的。”

“To the corral! to the corral!” exclaimed the sailor.
“前往围栏！前往围栏！” 水手们惊呼道。

The colonists were now half way between Granite House and the corral, having still two miles and a half to go. —
殖民者们此刻正处在格兰特庄园和围栏之间的半路上，还有两英里半的路要走。 —

They pressed forward with redoubled speed.
他们以加倍的速度向前赶去。

Indeed, it was to be feared that some serious accident had occurred in the corral. —
实在是令人担心在围栏里发生了严重事故。 —

No doubt, Ayrton might have sent a telegram which had not arrived, but this was not the reason why his companions were so uneasy, for, a more unaccountable circumstance, Ayrton, who had promised to return the evening before, had not reappeared. —
毫无疑问，艾尔顿可能已经发送了一封尚未送到的电报，但这并不是他的同伴们如此焦虑的原因，更无法解释的是，已经答应前一晚回来的艾尔顿至今仍未露面。 —

In short, it was not without a motive that all communication had been stopped between the corral and Granite House, and who but the convicts could have any interest in interrupting this communication?
总之，围栏和格兰特庄园之间的所有沟通中断并非无缘无故，有谁会对打断这种沟通有任何兴趣呢，除了囚犯们？

The settlers hastened on, their hearts oppressed with anxiety. —
移民们匆匆前行，心中充满焦虑。 —

They were sincerely attached to their new companion. —
他们真心喜爱他们的新同伴。 —

Were they to find him struck down by the hands of those of whom he was formerly the leader?
他们会发现他被他曾经领导的人击倒吗？

Soon they arrived at the place where the road led along the side of the little stream which flowed from the Red Creek and watered the meadows of the corral. —
很快他们来到了小溪边的路边，这条溪流从红溪流出，灌溉着围栏的草地。 —

They then moderated their pace so that they should not be out of breath at the moment when a struggle might be necessary. —
他们减速，以免在必要时失去呼吸。 —

Their guns were in their hands ready cocked. —
他们手中的枪已经上膛。 —

The forest was watched on every side. Top uttered sullen groans which were rather ominous.
森林四周都有人看守。Top发出了沉闷的咆哮，预示着不祥。

At last the palisade appeared through the trees. No trace of any damage could be seen. —
最终，围栏从树间显露出来。没有发现任何损坏的痕迹。 —

The gate was shut as usual. Deep silence reigned in the corral. —
门照常关闭。围栏里静悄悄的。 —

Neither the accustomed bleating of the sheep nor Ayrton’s voice could be heard.
没有羊的惯常叫声，也听不到爱顿的声音。

“Let us enter,” said Cyrus Harding.
“让我们进去，”赛勒斯·哈丁说。

And the engineer advanced, while his companions, keeping watch about twenty paces behind him, were ready to fire at a moment’s notice.
工程师向前走去，而他的同伴们则在二十步之外保持警惕，随时准备开枪。

Harding raised the inner latch of the gate and was about to push it back, when Top barked loudly. —
哈丁抬起了门内的门闩，准备把门打开，这时Top大声吠叫。 —

A report sounded and was responded to by a cry of pain.
一声枪响，后面响起了一声痛苦的呼喊。

Herbert, struck by a bullet, lay stretched on the ground.
被子弹击中，赫伯特倒在地上。