It was now two years and a half since the castaways from the balloon had been thrown on Lincoln Island, and during that period there had been no communication between them and their fellow-creatures. Once the reporter had attempted to communicate with the inhabited world by confiding to a bird a letter which contained the secret of their situation, but that was a chance on which it was impossible to reckon seriously. Ayrton, alone, under the circumstances which have been related, had come to join the little colony. Now, suddenly, on this day, the 17th of October, other men had unexpectedly appeared in sight of the island, on that deserted sea!
There could be no doubt about it! A vessel was there! But would she pass on, or would she put into port? In a few hours the colonists would definitely know what to expect.
Cyrus Harding and Herbert having immediately called Gideon Spilett, Pencroft, and Neb into the dining-room of Granite House, told them what had happened. Pencroft, seizing the telescope, rapidly swept the horizon, and stopping on the indicated point, that is to say, on that which had made the almost imperceptible spot on the photographic negative,--
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“谢天谢地!真是一只船!”他喊道,但是他并没有带着十分满意的口气。
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"I’m blessed but it is really a vessel!" he exclaimed, in a voice which did not express any great amount of satisfaction.
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“它是向这儿开吗?”吉丁·史佩莱问道。
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"Is she coming here?" asked Gideon Spilett.
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“现在还很难说,”潘克洛夫回答说,“因为只有桅杆露在水平线上,船身还一点看不见呢。”
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"Impossible to say anything yet," answered Pencroft, "for her rigging alone is above the horizon, and not a bit of her hull can be seen."
And for a considerable time the settlers remained silent, given up to all the thoughts, and the emotions, all the fears, all the hopes, which were aroused by this incident--the most important which had occurred since their arrival in Lincoln Island. Certainly, the colonists were not in the situation of castaways abandoned on a sterile islet, constantly contending against a cruel nature for their miserable existence, and incessantly tormented by the longing to return to inhabited countries. Pencroft and Neb, especially, who felt themselves at once so happy and so rich, would not have left their island without regret. They were accustomed, besides, to this new life in the midst of the domain which their intelligence had as it were civilized. But at any rate this ship brought news from the world, perhaps even from their native land. It was bringing fellow-creatures to them, and it may be conceived how deeply their hearts were moved at the sight!
From time to time Pencroft took the glass and rested himself at the window. From thence he very attentively examined the vessel, which was at a distance of twenty miles to the east. The colonists had as yet, therefore, no means of signalizing their presence. A flag would not have been perceived; a gun would not have been heard; a fire would not have been visible. However, it was certain that the island, overtopped by Mount Franklin, could not escape the notice of the vessel’s lookout. But why was the ship coming there? Was it simple chance which brought it to that part of the Pacific, where the maps mentioned no land except Tabor Island, which itself was out of the route usually followed by vessels from the Polynesian Archipelagoes, from New Zealand, and from the American coast? To this question, which each one asked himself, a reply was suddenly made by Herbert.
The "Duncan," as has been said, was Lord Glenarvan’s yacht, which had left Ayrton on the islet, and which was to return there someday to fetch him. Now, the islet was not so far distant from Lincoln Island, but that a vessel, standing for the one, could pass in sight of the other. A hundred and fifty miles only separated them in longitude, and seventy in latitude.
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“我们一定要告诉艾尔通,”吉丁·史佩莱说,“立刻把他喊来。只有他能告诉我们这只船是不是邓肯号。”
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"We must tell Ayrton," said Gideon Spilett, "and send for him immediately. He alone can say if it is the ’Duncan.’"
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大家都表示同意,于是通讯记者就跑到联系畜栏和“花岗石宫”的电报机旁,发了—个电报:“速来。”
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This was the opinion of all, and the reporter, going to the telegraphic apparatus which placed the corral in communication with Granite House, sent this telegram:--"Come with all possible speed."
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几分钟后,铃响了。
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In a few minutes the bell sounded.
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艾尔通的回电是:“即来。”
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"I am coming," replied Ayrton.
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于是居民们继续守望着船只。
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Then the settlers continued to watch the vessel.
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“假如是邓肯号,”赫伯特说,“艾尔通是能毫不困难地认出来的,因为他在那只船上呆过一个时期。”
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"If it is the ’Duncan,’" said Herbert, "Ayrton will recognize her without difficulty, since he sailed on board her for some time."
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“假如艾尔通认出了它,”潘克洛夫接着说,“他一定会非常激动的!”
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"And if he recognizes her," added Pencroft, "it will agitate him exceedingly!"
"Yes," answered Cyrus Harding; "but now Ayrton is worthy to return on board the ’Duncan,’ and pray Heaven that it is indeed Lord Glenarvan’s yacht, for I should be suspicious of any other vessel. These are ill-famed seas, and I have always feared a visit from Malay pirates to our island."
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“我们可以防御。”赫伯特叫道。
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"We could defend it,’, cried Herbert.
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“那当然,孩子,”工程师含笑说,“要是能不防御,那不是更好吗?”
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"No doubt, my boy," answered the engineer smiling, "but it would be better not to have to defend it."
"A useless observation," said Spilett. "Lincoln Island is unknown to navigators, since it is not marked even on the most recent maps. Do you think, Cyrus, that that is a sufficient motive for a ship, finding herself unexpectedly in sight of new land, to try and visit rather than avoid it?"
"I think so too," added the engineer. "It may even be said that it is the duty of a captain to come and survey any land or island not yet known, and Lincoln Island is in this position."
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“那么,”潘克洛夫说,“假如这只船来了,并且就在离我们的岛几锚链的地方下了锚,我们该怎么办呢?”
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"Well," said Pencroft, "suppose this vessel comes and anchors there a few cables-lengths from our island, what shall we do?"
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这个突如其来的问题一时没有得到回答。赛勒斯·史密斯考虑了一会儿,然后和往常一样,用镇静的口气答道:
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This sudden question remained at first without any reply. But Cyrus Harding, after some moments’ thought, replied in the calm tone which was usual to him,--
"What we shall do, my friends? What we ought to do is this:--we will communicate with the ship, we will take our passage on board her, and we will leave our island, after having taken possession of it in the name of the United States. Then we will return with any who may wish to follow us to colonize it definitely, and endow the American Republic with a useful station in this part of the Pacific Ocean!"
"Hurrah!" exclaimed Pencroft, "and that will be no small present which we shall make to our country! The colonization is already almost finished; names are given to every part of the island; there is a natural port, fresh water, roads, a telegraph, a dockyard, and manufactories; and there will be nothing to be done but to inscribe Lincoln Island on the maps!"
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“但是,假如有人乘我们不在的时候来夺取它呢?”吉丁·史佩莱说。
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"But if anyone seizes it in our absence?" observed Gideon Spilett.
"Hang it!" cried the sailor. "I would rather remain all alone to guard it: and trust to Pencroft, they shouldn’t steal it from him, like a watch from the pocket of a swell!"
For an hour it was impossible to say with any certainty whether the vessel was or was not standing towards Lincoln Island. She was nearer, but in what direction was she sailing? This Pencroft could not determine. However, as the wind was blowing from the northeast, in all probability the vessel was sailing on the starboard tack. Besides, the wind was favorable for bringing her towards the island, and, the sea being calm, she would not be afraid to approach although the shallows were not marked on the chart.
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艾尔通在将近四点钟的时候——在邀请他的一小时之后——来到了“花岗石宫”。他走进餐厅,说:
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Towards four o’clock--an hour after he had been sent for--Ayrton arrived at Granite House. He entered the dining-room saying,--
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“各位先生,有什么吩咐吗?”
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"At your service, gentlemen."
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赛勒斯·史密斯照例向他伸出手来,然后把他领到窗口。
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Cyrus Harding gave him his hand, as was his custom to do, and, leading him to the window,--
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“艾尔通,”他说,“我们请你来有一件重要的事情。我们发现了一只船。”
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"Ayrton," said he, "we have begged you to come here for an important reason. A ship is in sight of the island."
Ayrton at first paled slightly, and for a moment his eyes became dim; then, leaning out the window, he surveyed the horizon, but could see nothing.
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“用望远镜仔细看一下!”史佩莱说,“艾尔通,也许是邓肯号到这里来接你回去了。”
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"Take this telescope," said Spilett, "and look carefully, Ayrton, for it is possible that this ship may be the ’Duncan’ come to these seas for the purpose of taking you home again."
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“邓肯号!”艾尔通喃喃地说,接着,又不由自主地说道:“这么快就来了吗?”说完以后,他用两手捧着头。
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"The ’Duncan!’" murmured Ayrton. "Already?" This last word escaped Ayrton’s lips as if involuntarily, and his head drooped upon his hands.
Did not twelve years’ solitude on a desert island appear to him a sufficient expiation? Did not the penitent yet feel himself pardoned, either in his own eyes or in the eyes of others?
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“不,”他说,“不是!决不是邓肯号。”
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“你瞧,艾尔通,”工程师说,“我们一定要预先知道将要发生什么事。”
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艾尔通拿起望远镜,朝着大家所指的方向看去。他默默地对着水平线一动也不动地看了几分钟,然后说:
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“的确是一只船,但我想不是邓肯号。”
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"It is indeed a vessel," said he, "but I do not think she is the ’Duncan.’"