Out of the trunk, the branches grow; out of them, the twigs. —
从树干上生长出树枝；从树枝上长出小枝。 —

So, in productive subjects, grow the chapters.
因此，在有生产力的主题中，章节不断增长。

The crotch alluded to on a previous page deserves independent mention. —
前一页提到的分叉值得单独提及。 —

It is a notched stick of a peculiar form, some two feet in length, which is perpendicularly inserted into the starboard gunwale near the bow, for the purpose of furnishing a rest for the wooden extremity of the harpoons, whose other naked, barbed end slopingly projects from the prow. —
它是一根特殊形状的有凹槽的长约两英尺的木棍，垂直插入船头附近的右侧舷板，用于提供一个支架，用来承托鱼齿的木质末端，鱼齿的另一端露出并斜斜地从船头伸出。 —

Thereby the weapon is instantly at hand to its hurler, who snatches it up as readily from its rest as a backwoodsman swings his rifle from the wall. —
这样武器就可以立即到达投掷者手中，他可以像一个深林猎手从墙上拿起他的步枪一样迅速地抓起它。 —

It is customary to have two harpoons reposing in the crotch, respectively called the first and second irons.
习惯上在分叉处安放两支鱼叉，分别称为第一铁和第二铁。

But these two harpoons, each by its own cord, are both connected with the line; —
但这两支鱼叉，各自用自己的绳索连接着钓索； —

the object being this: to dart them both, if possible, one instantly after the other into the same whale; —
目的是为了，如果可能的话，立即将它们都投向同一头鲸； —

so that if, in the coming drag, one should draw out, the other may still retain a hold. —
这样，如果在之后的拖拽中，一支被拽出来，另一支仍然可以保持固定。 —

It is a doubling of the chances. But it very often happens that owing to the instantaneous, violent, convulsive running of the whale upon receiving the first iron, it becomes impossible for the harpooneer, however lightning-like in his movements, to pitch the second iron into him. —
这是增加机会的一种方法。但很多时候，由于鲸鱼在受到第一支铁瞬间的激烈、猛烈的冲刺，导致鱼叉手，无论他多么迅速地动作，都无法将第二支铁投向鲸鱼。 —

Nevertheless, as the second iron is already connected with the line, and the line is running, hence that weapon must, at all events, be anticipatingly tossed out of the boat, somehow and somewhere; —
然而，由于第二支铁已经与钓索连接，而钓索正在运行，因此那支武器必须无论如何，在任何情况下，被提前从船上抛出； —

else the most terrible jeopardy would involve all hands. —
否则将会危及所有人的安危。 —

Tumbled into the water, it accordingly is in such cases; —
在这种情况下，它被擦入水中； —

the spare coils of box line (mentioned in a preceding chapter) making this feat, in most instances, prudently practicable. —
大多数情况下，这个必要动作仍可谨慎地完成，之前章节提到的备用盒线环绕着这个。 —

But this critical act is not always unattended with the saddest and most fatal casualties.
但这个关键的行为并不总是没有伴随最悲惨和最致命的意外事故。

Furthermore: you must know that when the second iron is thrown overboard, it thenceforth becomes a dangling, sharp-edged terror, skittishly curvetting about both boat and whale, entangling the lines, or cutting them, and making a prodigious sensation in all directions. —
此外：你必须知道，当第二只铁锚被扔到海里时，它就会变成一个摇摆的、尖锐的恐怖，敏捷地在船和鲸鱼周围踱步，纠缠着绳索，或者切断它们，在各个方向引起巨大的骚动。 —

Nor, in general, is it possible to secure it again until the whale is fairly captured and a corpse.
而且，通常情况下，除非鲸鱼被完全捕获并且尸体被切开，否则是不可能再次将它固定住的。

Consider, now, how it must be in the case of four boats all engaging one unusually strong, active, and knowing whale; —
请想象一下，当四条船都在追逐一只异常强壮、活跃、聪明的鲸鱼时，情形会是怎样的； —

when owing to these qualities in him, as well as to the thousand concurring accidents of such an audacious enterprise, eight or ten loose second irons may be simultaneously dangling about him. —
因为由于他本身的这些特质，以及这种大胆企图中的数千种可能的事故，可能会有八到十只松散的第二只铁锚同时在他周围摇摆。 —

For, of course, each boat is supplied with several harpoons to bend on to the line should the first one be ineffectually darted without recovery. —
因为每艘船都配备了几只鱼叉，以便在第一只鱼叉未能成功刺中而不能回收时，可以把它们弯曲在绳子上。 —

All these particulars are faithfully narrated here, as they will not fail to elucidate several most important however intricate passages, in scenes hereafter to be painted.
所有这些细节都在这里忠实地叙述，因为它们将不会辜负解释接下来将会描绘的若干最重要、但却复杂的情节。