1647年,贝弗利家的四个孩子——爱德华、汉弗莱、艾丽斯和小伊迪丝——正藏在新森林里。这时,英国国王被关在狱中,全国各地都在打仗——克伦威尔的人和国王的人打仗。而如果你是支持国王的,你可就极度危险了。 It is 1647 and the four Beverley children — Edward, Humphrey, Alice and little Edith — are in hiding in the New Forest. The King of England is in prison, and there is fighting everywhere in the country — Cromwell's men against the King's men. And if you are a friend of the King, you are in great danger. 孩子们的父亲为国王作战时牺牲了,他们的母亲也死了,克伦威尔的士兵烧了他们的家,他们没有钱,没有食物,什么都没有了。但是他们有个真正的朋友——老雅各布·阿米蒂奇。所以现在,在雅各布的帮助下,他们必须学会靠土地生活——学习在森林里猎食,学习种菜,学习喂猪养鸡。 The children's father died while fighting for the King, their mother is dead, Cromwell's soldiers have burnt their home, and they have no money, no food, nothing. But they have one true friend — old Jacob Armitage. So now, with Jacob to help them, they must learn to live off the land — to hunt for meat in the forest, to plant vegetables, to look after the pigs and chickens. 但是到处都是克伦威尔的人,孩子们必须学会永远不能说出他们是姓贝弗利…… But Cromwell's men are everywhere, and the children must learn never to say that their name is Beverley...
The next morning Jacob rode to the town of Lymington. There he heard that the King was in prison again and that Cromwell’s soldiers were going back to London. Jacob bought cottage clothes for the children and a few things for the house. Then he put everything on his horse and walked back home through the forest.
While he walked, he thought about the children. They were so young, and alone in a dangerous world — he was their only friend. But he was an old man, and perhaps would not live long. He knew he must teach them how to find food and do everything for themselves.
After dinner, he called the children round him. ’Now, remember, you are my grandchildren and your name is Armitage, not Beverley. I’ve bought you some cottage clothes to wear, and you must all learn to work and live like a forester’s children. Edward is the oldest and he must come out with me into the forest and learn how to hunt. Then we’ll have meat to eat every day. Humphrey, you must look after the horse and the pigs, and bring water from the river every day. Alice dear, you must light the fire, clean the house and wash the clothes, and you and Humphrey will both learn how to cook. And little Edith will look after the chickens and look for the eggs every morning — will you, Edith?’
读书笔记
是否公开
4
-
“愿意,”伊迪丝说,“我在安伍德的时候就喜欢小鸡。”
读书笔记
是否公开
4
-
Yes,’ said Edith. ’I liked the chickens at Arnwood.’
There was no more meat in the cottage and so the next morning Jacob and Edward, with the dog Smoker, went out into the forest. They walked quietly and did not speak. The red deer of the forest could see, hear and smell very well, and it was hard to get near them.
After more than a mile, Jacob dropped down to the ground, and through the trees Edward saw three deer. Jacob moved silently forward on his hands and knees, and Edward and Smoker followed him. Slowly they got nearer, but then suddenly the deer, who were quietly eating grass, put up their heads and walked away.
读书笔记
是否公开
7
-
雅各布转过身。“你看,爱德华,打猎是个慢活。现在我们必须穿过树林,从鹿群的另一侧再试试看。”
读书笔记
是否公开
7
-
Jacob turned. ’You see, Edward, hunting is slow work. Now we must go through the woods around the other side of the deer and try again.’
读书笔记
是否公开
8
-
“你觉得是什么吓着它们了?”爱德华问。
读书笔记
是否公开
8
-
What frightened them, do you think?’ asked Edward.
读书笔记
是否公开
9
-
“你刚才跟着我的时候,我想你的膝盖压到了一根树枝,把它弄断了。”
读书笔记
是否公开
9
-
When you were following me, I think you put your knee on a piece of stick and it broke.’
Only a little noise will frighten a red deer,’ said Jacob kindly. ’But these mistakes can happen to anyone, and you will learn. Now — not a word, and not a sound!’
In half an hour they found the deer again, and again Jacob dropped down to the ground and moved forward without a sound. At last, he lifted his gun and shot one of the deer behind the shoulder. The deer dropped to its knees and fell dead, and the other deer ran away.
This is a fine deer and the meat will be good,’ said Jacob. ’We’re about five miles from the cottage, Edward, but Smoker will take you home, and you can come back with White Billy. He must carry the meat home for us.’
It was a good beginning to their new life, and the next day Jacob rode to Lymington to sell some of the meat. With the money he bought things for the vegetable garden, a big bag of oatmeal for the winter, and a gun for Edward.
That winter was long and cold, and they stayed in the cottage most of the time. Alice learned how to cook and to mend clothes. Edith learned to read and write, and to make oatmeal bread and cook it on the stones by the fire. Humphrey was clever with his hands, and learned how to make things out of wood. Edward learned how to shoot and to look after his gun. They were all busy and happy, but Edward sometimes felt angry. He kept his father’s sword by his bed and often cleaned it. He hated Cromwell and his soldiers, and he wanted to fight for the King.
In the month of May, the leaves came out and the forest began to look green again. ’And now, Edward,’ said Jacob one day, ’we need more meat, both to eat and to sell. So let’s get our guns and go out. You can shoot first.’
They walked four or five miles before they saw a deer. ’Stay here, while I go through the trees with Smoker,’ said Jacob quietly. ’Then I’ll stand up, and the deer will run towards you. Remember, shoot it behind the shoulder.’
Edward waited quietly, and after a time the deer ran out of the trees in front of him. He lifted his gun, shot the deer behind the shoulder, and it fell to the ground.
Well done!’ said Jacob, when he came back. ’You killed your first deer! And it’s a fine one, too. Soon I shall leave the hunting to you, and put my gun up on the wall!’
The spring was a busy time for everyone at the cottage. In the field they planted potatoes and lots of different vegetables. Little Edith was busy with her chickens, and Humphrey built a chicken-house, and a house for the pigs. Jacob sold some of the deer meat and bought a little cart. White Billy was not very happy about this at first, but he soon learned to pull the cart behind him, and it was a great help with all the farm work.
Humphrey loved the work on the farm. He was always making plans to do new things, and he was now very clever at building things out of wood. It was hard work. First he had to cut down a tree, and then cut the wood into pieces for building. One day he began to build a cow-house.
读书笔记
是否公开
22
-
“我们需要一头牛挤奶喝,”他对其他人说,“我打算去逮一头森林里的牛。”
读书笔记
是否公开
22
-
We need a cow to give us milk,’ he said to the others. ’I’m going to catch one of the forest cows.’
读书笔记
是否公开
23
-
爱德华大笑,雅各布却说:“森林里的牛非常野蛮,可能会有危险。你一定要小心。”
读书笔记
是否公开
23
-
Edward laughed, but Jacob said, ’The forest cows are very wild, and can be dangerous. You must be careful.’
June arrived, and they began to cut the long grass, to keep for food for the animals in winter. The girls helped too, and White Billy was busy every day, pulling home the new cart full of summer grass.
Humphrey did not forget about his cow. He finished building the cow-house and began to spend an hour or more every day out in the forest. He was watching the wild cows. Early one morning he came running home.
读书笔记
是否公开
26
-
“雅各布,爱德华,跟我来!把斯莫克尔也带上。”
读书笔记
是否公开
26
-
Jacob, Edward, come with me! Bring Smoker, too.’
读书笔记
是否公开
27
-
“为什么,出什么事了?”
读书笔记
是否公开
27
-
Why, what’s the matter?’
读书笔记
是否公开
28
-
“我找到了一头牛!她为了刚出生的小牛离开了其他的牛,所以落单了,我们可以逮住她。”
读书笔记
是否公开
28
-
I’ve found a cow! She’s left the other cows because of her new-born calf. So she’s alone, and we can catch her.’
Smoker will jump up at the cow,’ explained Humphrey, ’and keep her away from us while we put the calf in the cart. When we drive away, the cow will follow her baby.’
读书笔记
是否公开
32
-
母牛正躺在她的小牛旁边,但一看到他们,她就站了起来,愤怒地左右摇摆着脑袋。
读书笔记
是否公开
32
-
The cow was lying near her calf, but when she saw them, she got up and shook her head angrily from side to side.
Go, Smoker, go!’ Jacob called to his dog, and Smoker jumped at the cow, driving her back into the trees away from her calf. Edward and Humphrey quickly lifted the calf into the cart, and got in themselves.
Then Jacob hurried back and got in too. ’Drive off, Humphrey,’ he said. ’I’ll call Smoker now, and the cow will follow us. Here, Smoker, here!’
读书笔记
是否公开
35
-
斯莫克尔立刻跑出树丛。母牛在后面疯狂地跟着马车跑,向她的小牛大声叫着。没多久他们就回到了农舍。
读书笔记
是否公开
35
-
Smoker came running out of the trees at once. The cow followed and ran wildly after the cart, calling loudly to her calf. Before long they were back at the cottage.
读书笔记
是否公开
36
-
“艾丽斯和伊迪丝正往外跑呢!”雅各布喊道,“回屋里去,艾丽斯!母牛很危险!”
读书笔记
是否公开
36
-
There’s Alice and Edith running out!’ cried Jacob. ’Go back inside, Alice! The cow is dangerous!’
Humphrey drove the cart into the field. Smoker kept the cow away while they carried the calf into the cow-house. Then they left, and the cow followed its calf inside.
读书笔记
是否公开
38
-
“进去了!”汉弗莱说,“我们让她和小牛待在一起吧。明天我会给她割些草来。”
读书笔记
是否公开
38
-
There!’ said Humphrey. ’Let’s leave her with the calf. Tomorrow I’ll cut some grass for her.’
Every day for a fortnight Humphrey brought grass to the cow, and every day she was a little quieter. After a month, Humphrey began to take milk from the cow.
读书笔记
是否公开
40
-
“我学会了怎么打鹿,”爱德华说,“但是汉弗莱逮住了一头奶牛,让我们有牛奶喝。你比我聪明,弟弟!”
读书笔记
是否公开
40
-
I have learned how to shoot deer,’ said Edward. ’But Humphrey has caught a cow and given us milk. You are cleverer than I am, brother!’