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. —
自气球上的幸存者被投入林肯岛以来，已经过去了两年半，期间他们与其他人类之间没有任何交流。 —

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. —
有一次，记者曾试图通过向一只鸟托付一封含有他们处境秘密的信来与有人居住的世界沟通，但那只是一个无法认真计算的偶然。 —

Ayrton, alone, under the circumstances which have been related, had come to join the little colony. —
艾尔顿，独自一人，在事情的情况下，来加入了小殖民地。 —

Now, suddenly, on this day, the 17th of October, other men had unexpectedly appeared in sight of the island, on that deserted sea!
现在，突然地，在这个17日的一天，其他人意外出现在了那座荒无人烟的海岛的视野中！

There could be no doubt about it! A vessel was there! —
这一点是毫无疑问的！有一艘船在那里！ —

But would she pass on, or would she put into port? —
但她会继续前进，还是会停泊？ —

In a few hours the colonists would definitely know what to expect.
在几个小时内，殖民者们将明确地知道应当期望什么。

Cyrus Harding and Herbert having immediately called Gideon Spilett, Pencroft, and Neb into the dining-room of Granite House, told them what had happened. —
赛勒斯·哈丁和赫伯特立即召集吉迪恩·斯派勒特，彭克罗夫特和尼布进入花岗岩屋的餐厅，告诉他们发生的事情。 —

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,–
彭克罗夫特抓起望远镜，迅速扫视地平线，停在了所指的地方，即在照片底片上留下几乎看不见的点上，–

“I’m blessed but it is really a vessel!” he exclaimed, in a voice which did not express any great amount of satisfaction.
“天啊，真的是一艘船！”他说道，声音并没有表达出太多满足之情。

“Is she coming here?” asked Gideon Spilett.
“她会向这里靠近吗？”吉迪恩·斯派勒特问道。

“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.”
“现在不可能说任何事情，”彭克罗夫特回答道，”因为仅仅是她的帆在地平线之上，看不到她的任何船体部分。”

“What is to be done?” asked the lad.
“应该怎么办？”小伙子问道。

“Wait,” replied Harding.
“等待，”哈丁回答道。

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. —
一段相当长的时间里，殖民者们保持着沉默，完全沉浸在这个事件引发的所有想法、情感、恐惧以及希望之中–这是自他们抵达林肯岛以来最重要的事件。 —

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. —
当然，殖民者并不是被遗弃在一座贫瘠小岛上的弃儿，他们不断与残酷的自然搏斗来维持悲惨的生活，并不时地深深想念着返回有人居住的地方。 —

Pencroft and Neb, especially, who felt themselves at once so happy and so rich, would not have left their island without regret. —
尤其是Pencroft和Neb，他们感到如此幸福如此富有，不愿离开他们的岛屿。 —

They were accustomed, besides, to this new life in the midst of the domain which their intelligence had as it were civilized. —
他们习惯了这种在自己的智慧“开化”了的领地中过新生活。 —

But at any rate this ship brought news from the world, perhaps even from their native land. —
但无论如何，这艘船带来了世界的消息，甚至可能来自他们的祖国。 —

It was bringing fellow-creatures to them, and it may be conceived how deeply their hearts were moved at the sight!
它将他们的同类带来，可以想象他们看到船只时内心有多么激动！

From time to time Pencroft took the glass and rested himself at the window. —
有时候，Pencroft拿起望远镜，在窗口处歇息。 —

From thence he very attentively examined the vessel, which was at a distance of twenty miles to the east. —
从那里，他非常仔细地观察着船只，距离东方二十英里。 —

The colonists had as yet, therefore, no means of signalizing their presence. —
因此，殖民者还没有办法使自己的存在被发现。 —

A flag would not have been perceived; a gun would not have been heard; —
旗帜不会被看见；枪声不会被听见； —

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. —
火光也看不见。不过，可以确定那座被弗兰克林山覆盖的小岛，不会逃过船只的守望者的眼睛。 —

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? —
但是，为什么这艘船会来这里呢？是简简单单的巧合把它带到太平洋那个地方，在地图上除了塔伯岛之外，没有任何陆地，而塔伯岛本身也不在通常从波利尼西亚群岛、新西兰和美洲海岸往来的船只路线上。 —

To this question, which each one asked himself, a reply was suddenly made by Herbert.
对于这个每个人都在自问的问题，赫伯特突然给出了答案。

“Can it be the ‘Duncan’?” he cried.
“难道是《邓肯号》？”他喊道。

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. —
正如前面所说，《邓肯号》是格伦阿文勋爵的游艇，曾经离开艾尔顿在小岛上，并将在某一天返回那里接他。 —

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. —
现在，那座小岛离林肯岛并不远，一艘前往其中一座岛屿的船只，可能会经过另一座岛屿的视野。 —

A hundred and fifty miles only separated them in longitude, and seventy in latitude.
只有一百五十英里的经度和七十英里的纬度分隔着他们。

“We must tell Ayrton,” said Gideon Spilett, “and send for him immediately. —
“我们必须告诉艾尔顿,“吉迪恩·斯皮莱特说道，”立刻派人把他带来。” —

He alone can say if it is the ‘Duncan.’”
只有他能确认那是否是’邓肯’号。”

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: —
所有人都赞同这个看法，记者走到与花园洞穴相连的电报设备旁，发了这样一条电报： —

–“Come with all possible speed.”
–“尽快前来。”

In a few minutes the bell sounded.
几分钟后，传达器响了。

“I am coming,” replied Ayrton.
“我来了,“艾尔顿回答道。

Then the settlers continued to watch the vessel.
然后居民们继续注视着那艘船。

“If it is the ‘Duncan,’” said Herbert, “Ayrton will recognize her without difficulty, since he sailed on board her for some time.”
“如果那是’邓肯’号,“赫伯特说道，”艾尔顿会毫无困难地认出她，因为他曾在她上面航行过一段时间。”

“And if he recognizes her,” added Pencroft, “it will agitate him exceedingly!”
“如果他认出她,“彭克罗夫补充道，”那会让他激动极了！”

“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. —
“是的,“赛勒斯·哈丁回答道；”但现在艾尔顿值得回到’邓肯’号上，愿苍天保佑那确实是格兰纳文勋爵的游艇，因为我对任何其他船只都存有疑虑。 —

These are ill-famed seas, and I have always feared a visit from Malay pirates to our island.”
这些是臭名昭著的海域，我一直担心会有马来海盗上我们的岛上来。”

“We could defend it,‘, cried Herbert.
“我们可以守卫它,“赫伯特喊道。

“No doubt, my boy,” answered the engineer smiling, “but it would be better not to have to defend it.”
“毫无疑问，我的孩子,“工程师笑着回答说，”但最好是不必守卫它。”

“A useless observation,” said Spilett. “Lincoln Island is unknown to navigators, since it is not marked even on the most recent maps. —
“多余的观察,“斯皮莱特说道。”林肯岛对航海者来说是未知的，因为即使是最新的地图上也没有标出。” —

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?”
你认为，赛勒斯，这是一艘船在意外发现新陆地后应该试图前往而不是避开的足够动机吗？

“Certainly,” replied Pencroft.
“当然，”潘克罗夫回答道。

“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.”
“我也是这么认为的，”工程师补充说。“甚至可以说，对于一位船长来说，前来勘察任何尚未知晓的陆地或岛屿是一种义务，而林肯岛就处于这种位置。”

“Well,” said Pencroft, “suppose this vessel comes and anchors there a few cables-lengths from our island, what shall we do?”
“那么，”潘克罗夫说，“假设这艘船来了，停泊在离我们岛几个船长度的地方，我们会怎么做呢？”

This sudden question remained at first without any reply. —
这突然的问题一开始没有得到任何回答。 —

But Cyrus Harding, after some moments’ thought, replied in the calm tone which was usual to him,–
但赛勒斯·哈丁经过一些思考后，用他平常的镇定语气回答道，-

“What we shall do, my friends? What we ought to do is this: —
“我们会做什么，我的朋友们？我们应该做的是： —

–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. —
我们会与船只联系，我们会登上她，我们会离开我们的岛屿，然后以美利坚合众国的名义占领它。 —

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!”
然后，我们将带着愿意跟随我们的人返回，永久定居并让美利坚合众国在太平洋这一地区拥有一个有用的据点！”

“Hurrah!” exclaimed Pencroft, “and that will be no small present which we shall make to our country! —
“万岁！”潘克罗夫叫道，“这将是我们送给我们国家的一份不小的礼物！ —

The colonization is already almost finished; names are given to every part of the island; —
殖民已经几乎结束；每个岛的部分都有名字； —

there is a natural port, fresh water, roads, a telegraph, a dockyard, and manufactories; —
有天然港口、淡水、道路、电报、船坞和工厂； —

and there will be nothing to be done but to inscribe Lincoln Island on the maps!”
除了在地图上标明林肯岛之外，将不需要做任何事情！”

“But if anyone seizes it in our absence?” observed Gideon Spilett.
“但如果有人趁我们不在时占领它呢？”吉迪恩·斯皮莱特观察到。

“Hang it!” cried the sailor. “I would rather remain all alone to guard it: —
“该死！”水手喊道。“我宁愿独自留下来守卫它！” —

and trust to Pencroft, they shouldn’t steal it from him, like a watch from the pocket of a swell!”
“所以我们必须尽快掌握这艘船的情况，”毕卡芬说，“并且要相信彭克罗夫，他们不应该偷走他的东西，就像小偷从有钱人的口袋里偷表一样！”

For an hour it was impossible to say with any certainty whether the vessel was or was not standing towards Lincoln Island. —
有一个小时，人们无法确定船是否正朝着林肯岛航行。 —

She was nearer, but in what direction was she sailing? This Pencroft could not determine. —
她离得更近了，但她在朝哪个方向航行呢？彭克罗夫无法确定。 —

However, as the wind was blowing from the northeast, in all probability the vessel was sailing on the starboard tack. —
然而，由于风是从东北吹来的，很有可能这艘船正在向右舷航行。 —

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.
况且，风对于她驶向岛屿是有利的，而且，由于海面平静，她也不会害怕靠近，尽管浅滩在海图上未标示。

Towards four o’clock–an hour after he had been sent for–Ayrton arrived at Granite House. He entered the dining-room saying,–
大约四点左右——他被召唤去时已经一个小时了——艾尔顿到达花岗岩屋。他走进餐厅说道，

“At your service, gentlemen.”
“请问各位需要我做什么。”

Cyrus Harding gave him his hand, as was his custom to do, and, leading him to the window,–
赛勒斯·哈定像往常一样伸出手握住他，并且，引导他到窗前说，

“Ayrton,” said he, “we have begged you to come here for an important reason. —
“艾尔顿，”哈定说，“我们请你来这儿有一个重要的原因。 —

A ship is in sight of the island.”
一艘船出现在岛屿附近。”

Ayrton at first paled slightly, and for a moment his eyes became dim; —
艾尔顿起初微微变白，并且他的眼睛一瞬间变得模糊； —

then, leaning out the window, he surveyed the horizon, but could see nothing.
然后，探出窗外，他审视了地平线，但什么也看不见。

“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.”
“用这支望远镜，”斯皮莱特说，“仔细看，艾尔顿，因为这艘船可能是‘邓肯号’来这片海域的目的可能是把你带回家。”

“The ‘Duncan!’” murmured Ayrton. “Already?” —
“邓肯号！” 艾尔顿喃喃自语，“已经？” —

This last word escaped Ayrton’s lips as if involuntarily, and his head drooped upon his hands.
艾尔顿说这最后一个词像是不经意间漏口，然后他的头垂在手上。

Did not twelve years’ solitude on a desert island appear to him a sufficient expiation? —
在一个荒岛上独自生活了十二年，他觉得这已经是足够的赎罪了吗？ —

Did not the penitent yet feel himself pardoned, either in his own eyes or in the eyes of others?
后悔的人自己感觉到获得了宽恕吗，无论是在自己的眼中还是在他人眼中？

“No,” said he, “no! it cannot be the ‘Duncan’!”
“不，”他说，“不可能是‘邓肯’号！”

“Look, Ayrton,” then said the engineer, “for it is necessary that we should know beforehand what to expect.”
“看，艾尔顿，”工程师接着说，“我们需要提前知道要预料到什么。”

Ayrton took the glass and pointed it in the direction indicated. —
艾尔顿拿起望远镜，对着指示的方向指了过去。 —

During some minutes he examined the horizon without moving, without uttering a word. Then,–
几分钟内，他静止不动，不发一言，审视着地平线。然后，–

“It is indeed a vessel,” said he, “but I do not think she is the ‘Duncan.’”
“的确是一艘船，”他说，“但我不认为她是‘邓肯’号。”

“Why do you not think so?” asked Gideon Spilett.
“你为什么这么认为？”吉迪恩·斯普莱特问道。

“Because the ‘Duncan’ is a steam-yacht, and I cannot perceive any trace of smoke either above or near that vessel.”
“因为‘邓肯’号是一艘蒸汽游艇，我看不到她上方或附近有任何烟雾的痕迹。”

“Perhaps she is simply sailing,” observed Pencroft. —
“也许她只是在航行，”彭克罗夫提出。 —

“The wind is favorable for the direction which she appears to be taking, and she may be anxious to economize her coal, being so far from land.”
“风势对她看起来要走的方向有利，她可能希望节约燃料，因为离岸那么远。”

“It is possible that you may be right, Mr. Pencroft,” answered Ayrton, “and that the vessel has extinguished her fires. —
“你说的有可能正确， 彭克罗夫先生”，艾尔顿回答说，“这艘船可能灭掉了火。” —

We must wait until she is nearer, and then we shall soon know what to expect.”
“我们得等她靠近一些，然后我们很快就会知道要预料到什么。”

So saying, Ayrton sat down in a corner of the room and remained silent. —
这样说着，艾尔顿坐在屋角一个地方，保持沉默。 —

The colonists again discussed the strange ship, but Ayrton took no part in the conversation. —
殖民者们再次讨论这艘神秘的船只，但艾尔顿没有参与对话。 —

All were in such a mood that they found it impossible to continue their work. —
他们全部都处于一种情绪之中，以至于找不到继续工作的可能。 —

Gideon Spilett and Pencroft were particularly nervous, going, coming, not able to remain still in one place. —
吉迪恩·斯普利特和彭克罗夫特尤其紧张，来回走动，无法静止在一个地方。 —

Herbert felt more curiosity. Neb alone maintained his usual calm manner. —
赫伯特感到更多的好奇。只有尼布保持着平常的镇定态度。 —

Was not his country that where his master was? —
他的国家不就是他主人所在的地方吗？ —

As to the engineer, he remained plunged in deep thought, and in his heart feared rather than desired the arrival of the ship. —
至于工程师，他陷入深思之中，内心更多的是恐惧而非渴望船只的到来。 —

In the meanwhile, the vessel was a little nearer the island. —
与此同时，船只离岛有一点点更近了。 —

With the aid of the glass, it was ascertained that she was a brig, and not one of those Malay proas, which are generally used by the pirates of the Pacific. —
通过望远镜，确定那是一艘大帆船，而不是那些通常由太平洋海盗使用的马来小船。 —

It was, therefore, reasonable to believe that the engineer’s apprehensions would not be justified, and that the presence of this vessel in the vicinity of the island was fraught with no danger.
因此，有理由相信工程师的担忧是没有根据的，这艘船在岛附近的存在并不带来任何危险。

Pencroft, after a minute examination, was able positively to affirm that the vessel was rigged as a brig, and that she was standing obliquely towards the coast, on the starboard tack, under her topsails and top- gallant-sails. —
在经过仔细检查后，彭克罗夫特能够肯定地证实船只是一艘大帆船，她正斜向海岸，处于右舷舷风下，横帆和致帆都已张开。 —

This was confirmed by Ayrton. But by continuing in this direction she must soon disappear behind Claw Cape, as the wind was from the southwest, and to watch her it would be then necessary to ascend the height of Washington Bay, near Port Balloon–a provoking circumstance, for it was already five o’clock in the evening, and the twilight would soon make any observation extremely difficult.
艾尔顿也证实了这一点。但船继续沿这个方向前进，很快就将消失在爪哇角背后，因为风是从西南方吹来的，要观察她，则必须登上华盛顿湾附近的鼓山，这是个令人恼火的情况，因为已经是傍晚五点钟了，夜幕很快会让任何观察变得非常困难。

“What shall we do when night comes on?” asked Gideon Spilett. —
“夜幕降临后我们该怎么办呢？”吉迪恩·斯普利特问道。 —

“Shall we light a fire, so as to signal our presence on the coast?”
“我们是否应该点起火，以示在海岸上的存在呢？”

This was a serious question, and yet, although the engineer still retained some of his presentiments, it was answered in the affirmative. —
这是个严肃的问题，尽管工程师仍保留着一些直觉，但回答是肯定的。 —

During the night the ship might disappear and leave for ever, and, this ship gone, would another ever return to the waters of Lincoln Island? —
夜晚船只可能消失，永远地离开。那么，一旦这艘船消失，还会有另一艘船返回林肯岛吗？ —

Who could foresee what the future would then have in store for the colonists?
谁能预料到未来对殖民者来说会带来什么？

“Yes,” said the reporter, “we ought to make known to that vessel, whoever she may be, that the island is inhabited. —
“是的”，记者说道，“我们应该告诉那艘船，无论她是谁，这个岛屿是有人居住的。” —

To neglect the opportunity which is offered to us might be to create everlasting regrets.”
“忽视我们现在拥有的机会可能会造成永远的遗憾。”

It was therefore decided that Neb and Pencroft should go to Port Balloon, and that there, at nightfall, they should light an immense fire, the blaze of which would necessarily attract the attention of the brig.
因此，决定让尼布和彭克罗夫前往热气球港，而在夜幕降临时，在那里点燃一堆巨大的火，火光必然会吸引那艘大帆船的注意。

But at the moment when Neb and the sailor were preparing to leave Granite House, the vessel suddenly altered her course, and stood directly for Union Bay. The brig was a good sailer, for she approached rapidly. —
但就在尼布和水手准备离开花岗岩屋的时刻，那艘船突然改变了航向，直接驶向了联合湾。那艘大帆船船速颇快，因为她迅速接近。 —

Neb and Pencroft put off their departure, therefore, and the glass was put into Ayrton’s hands, that he might ascertain for certain whether the ship was or was not the “Duncan.” —
因此尼布和彭克罗夫推迟了离开，这时朗半身镜被交到了艾顿手中，他要确定那艘船是不是“邓肯”。 —

The Scotch yacht was also rigged as a brig. —
苏格兰游艇也是作为大帆船装配的。 —

The question was, whether a chimney could be discerned between the two masts of the vessel, which was now at a distance of only five miles.
问题是，能否在两根桅杆之间看到船只的烟囱，而那艘船现在离他们只有五英里远。

The horizon was still very clear. The examination was easy, and Ayrton soon let the glass fall again, saying–
地平线依然非常清晰。这次检查很容易，而艾顿很快再次放下望远镜，说道-

“It is not the ‘Duncan’! It could not be!”
“那不是‘邓肯’！不可能是！”

Pencroft again brought the brig within the range of the telescope, and could see that she was of between three and four hundred tons burden, wonderfully narrow, well-masted, admirably built, and must be a very rapid sailer. —
彭克罗夫再次将那艘大帆船放入望远镜的范围内，发现她的吨位在三四百吨之间，结构精巧，桅杆良好，建造精良，并且一定是一个非常快速的帆船。 —

But to what nation did she belong? That was difficult to say.
但她属于哪个国家呢？这很难说。

“And yet,” added the sailor, “a flag is floating from her peak, but I cannot distinguish the colors of it.”
“而且”，水手补充道，“她的桅尖上飘着一面旗帜，但我看不清楚颜色。”

“In half an hour we shall be certain about that,” answered the reporter. —
“半小时后我们就可以确定了”，记者答道。 —

“Besides, it is very evident that the intention of the captain of this ship is to land, and, consequently, if not today, to-morrow at the latest, we shall make his acquaintance.”
“再说，很显然这艘船长的意图是登陆，因此，如果不是今天，最迟明天，我们就会见到他。”

“Never mind!” said Pencroft. “It is best to know whom we have to deal with, and I shall not be sorry to recognize that fellow’s colors!”
“无所谓！”，彭克罗夫说。“最好知道我们要面对的是谁，我很想认出那家伙的旗帜！”

And, while thus speaking, the sailor never left the glass. —
此时，水手一直没有离开望远镜。 —

The day began to fade, and with the day the breeze fell also. —
白天开始消逝，随着白天的消逝，微风也逐渐停止了。 —

The brig’s ensign hung in folds, and it became more and more difficult to observe it.
帆船的国旗飘动不定，变得越来越难以观察清楚。

“It is not the American flag,” said Pencroft from time to time, “nor the English, the red of which could be easily seen, nor the French or German colors, nor the white flag of Russia, nor the yellow of Spain. One would say it was all one color. —
“这不是美国国旗,” Pencroft 时不时地说道, “也不是英国的，它的红色很容易看到，也不是法国或德国的颜色，也不是俄罗斯的白色旗帜，也不是西班牙的黄色旗帜。这一面，让人觉得像是同一种颜色。 —

Let’s see: in these seas, what do we generally meet with? The Chilean flag? —
让我们看看：在这些海域，我们通常会遇到什么？智利的国旗？ —

–but that is tri-color. Brazilian?–it is green. Japanese? —
–但那是三色旗。巴西的国旗？– 是绿色的。日本的？ —

–it is yellow and black, while this–”
– 是黄黑相间的，而这面–”

At that moment the breeze blew out the unknown flag. —
就在那一刻，微风吹熄了那面未知的旗帜。 —

Ayrton seizing the telescope which the sailor had put down, put it to his eye, and in a hoarse voice,–
艾尔顿抓起了那个水手放下的望远镜，把它对准了眼睛，嘶哑地说道，–

“The black flag!” he exclaimed.
“黑旗!“他惊叫道。

And indeed the somber bunting was floating from the mast of the brig, and they had now good reason for considering her to be a suspicious vessel!
事实上，那艘小船的桅杆上飘着阴森的旗帜，他们现在有充分的理由认为这是一艘可疑的船只!

Had the engineer, then, been right in his presentiments? Was this a pirate vessel? —
工程师的直觉是正确的吗? 这是一艘海盗船吗? —

Did she scour the Pacific, competing with the Malay proas which still infest it? —
她是在太平洋肆虐，与仍然在该海域出没的马来小艇竞争吗? —

For what had she come to look at the shores of Lincoln Island? —
她是来探查林肯岛的海岸的吗? —

Was it to them an unknown island, ready to become a magazine for stolen cargoes? —
她是要在一个未知的岛屿上，准备成为一个窃取货物的库存的? —

Had she come to find on the coast a sheltered port for the winter months? —
她是来寻找海岸上一个避风港，过冬的吗? —

Was the settlers’ honest domain destined to be transformed into an infamous refuge–the headquarters of the piracy of the Pacific?
定居者诚实的领地注定要被转变成一个臭名昭著的避难所吗–太平洋海盗的总部吗?

All these ideas instinctively presented themselves to the colonists’ imaginations. —
这些想法本能地呈现在殖民者的想象力中。 —

There was no doubt, besides, of the signification which must be attached to the color of the hoisted flag. —
毫无疑问，还有必须附加在被升起的旗帜颜色上的意义。 —

It was that of pirates! It was that which the “Duncan” would have carried, had the convicts succeeded in their criminal design! —
那是海盗的旗帜! 如果囚犯们成功实施了他们的罪恶计划，这就是”邓肯”号会悬挂的旗帜! —

No time was lost before discussing it.
在就此加以讨论之前，不要浪费时间。

“My friends,” said Cyrus Harding, “perhaps this vessel only wishes to survey the coast of the island. Perhaps her crew will not land. —
“我的朋友们，”赛勒斯·哈丁说道，”也许这艘船只是想勘测一下岛屿的海岸。也许她的船员不会登陆。 —

There is a chance of it. However that may be, we ought to do everything we can to hide our presence here. —
这是有可能的。不管怎样，我们应该尽量隐藏我们在这里的存在。 —

The windmill on Prospect Heights is too easily seen. Let Ayrton and Neb go and take down the sails. —
在展望高地的风车太容易被看见了。让艾顿和内布去拆卸帆布。 —

We must also conceal the windows of Granite House with thick branches. —
我们还必须用厚厚的树枝遮住花岗岩屋的窗户。 —

All the fires must be extinguished, so that nothing may betray the presence of men on the island.”
所有的火都必须熄灭，以免泄露岛上有人的存在。

“And our vessel?” said Herbert.
“那我们的船呢？”赫伯特问道。

“Oh,” answered Pencroft, “she is sheltered in Port Balloon, and I defy any of those rascals there to find her!”
“哦，”潘克罗夫答道，“她停靠在巴龙港，我保证那些无赖们找不到她！”

The engineer’s orders were immediately executed. —
工程师的命令立即得到执行。 —

Neb and Ayrton ascended the plateau, and took the necessary precautions to conceal any indication of a settlement. —
内布和艾顿登上高地，采取必要措施，隐藏任何定居点的迹象。 —

While they were thus occupied, their companions went to the border of Jacamar Wood, and brought back a large quantity of branches and creepers, which would at some distance appear as natural foliage, and thus disguise the windows in the granite cliff. —
在他们忙碌的时候，他们的同伴走向亚秋沼地的边界，带回了大量的树枝和藤蔓，远看起来像自然的树叶，从而掩饰花岗岩峭壁上的窗户。 —

At the same time, the ammunition and guns were placed ready so as to be at hand in case of an unexpected attack.
同时，弹药和枪支被摆放好，以备突如其来的袭击。

When all these precautions had been taken,–
所有这些预防措施都已经采取了。

“My friends,” said Harding, and his voice betrayed some emotion, “if the wretches endeavor to seize Lincoln Island, we shall defend it–shall we not?”
“我的朋友们，”哈丁说道，他的声音流露出一些情感，“如果那些恶棍试图夺取林肯岛，我们将保卫它，对吗？”

“Yes, Cyrus,” replied the reporter, “and if necessary we will die to defend it!”
“是的，赛勒斯，”报道员回答道，“必要时我们将为守护它而死！”

The engineer extended his hand to his companions, who pressed it warmly. —
工程师伸出手给他的伙伴们，他们热烈地握住了。 —

Ayrton remained in his corner, not joining the colonists. —
艾顿留在他的角落，没有加入殖民者们。 —

Perhaps he, the former convict, still felt himself unworthy to do so!
也许他，这位前囚犯，仍然觉得自己不配这么做！

Cyrus Harding understood what was passing in Ayrton’s mind, and going to him–
赛勒斯·哈丁理解了艾尔顿心中所想，走到他面前–

“And you, Ayrton,” he asked, “what will you do?”
“那你，艾尔顿，你打算怎么办？”

“My duty,” answered Ayrton.
“尽我的职责，”艾尔顿回答道。

He then took up his station near the window and gazed through the foliage.
然后，他走到窗边站定，透过树叶注视着。

It was now half-past seven. The sun had disappeared twenty minutes ago behind Granite House. Consequently the Eastern horizon was becoming obscured. —
现在已经是七点半了。太阳二十分钟前已经在花岗岩屋背后的地平线下落了。因此，东方的地平线正开始隐没。 —

In the meanwhile the brig continued to advance towards Union Bay. She was now not more than two miles off, and exactly opposite the plateau of Prospect Heights, for after having tacked off Claw Cape, she had drifted towards the north in the current of the rising tide. —
与此同时，那艘大帆船继续驶向联合湾。她现在离岸不到两英里，恰好位于展望高地的高台对面，因为在经过爪洞角后，她在涨潮的潮流中朝北漂流。 —

One might have said that at this distance she had already entered the vast bay, for a straight line drawn from Claw Cape to Cape Mandible would have rested on her starboard quarter.
在这个距离上，有人可能会说她已经进入了广阔的海湾，因为从爪洞角到颚角画一条直线会经过她的右后侧。

Was the brig about to penetrate far into the bay? That was the first question. —
这艘大帆船是否打算深入海湾呢？这是第一个问题。 —

When once in the bay, would she anchor there? That was the second. —
一旦进入海湾，她会在那里抛锚吗？这是第二个问题。 —

Would she not content herself with only surveying the coast, and stand out to sea again without landing her crew? —
她会不会满足于仅仅勘察海岸，并在不登陆船员的情况下再次驶离海岸？ —

They would know this in an hour. The colonists could do nothing but wait.
他们一个小时后就会知道。殖民者们除了等待别无他法。

Cyrus Harding had not seen the suspected vessel hoist the black flag without deep anxiety. —
赛勒斯·哈丁看见可疑的船只升起黑旗，心里非常担忧。 —

Was it not a direct menace against the work which he and his companions had till now conducted so successfully? —
这岛屿上他和同伴们迄今为止成功进行的工作难道不是直接受到威胁吗？ —

Had these pirates–for the sailors of the brig could be nothing else–already visited the island, since on approaching it they had hoisted their colors. —
这些海盗–因为大帆船上的水手们不可能是别的–已经登上过这个岛屿了吗，因为在接近时他们举起了旗帜。 —

Had they formerly invaded it, so that certain unaccountable peculiarities might be explained in this way? —
他们以前是否入侵过这里，以便能用某些无法解释的特点来解释这种情况？ —

Did there exist in the as yet unexplored parts some accomplice ready to enter into communication with them?
在尚未探索的地方是否存在一些同谋愿意与他们交流？

To all these questions which he mentally asked himself, Harding knew not what to reply; —
对于这些问题，哈丁心里问自己，不知道该如何回答； —

but he felt that the safety of the colony could not but be seriously threatened by the arrival of the brig.
但他知道殖民地的安全肯定会受到这艘大帆船的到来的严重威胁。

However, he and his companions were determined to fight to the last gasp. —
然而，他和同伴决心奋战到底。 —

It would have been very important to know if the pirates were numerous and better armed than the colonists. —
要知道海盗是否人数众多且武装比殖民者好，这将非常重要。 —

But how was this information to he obtained?
但如何获取这些信息呢？

Night fell. The new moon had disappeared. Profound darkness enveloped the island and the sea. —
夜幕降临。新月已经消失。岛屿和大海笼罩在深沉的黑暗中。 —

No light could pierce through the heavy piles of clouds on the horizon. —
沉重的云层遮挡住了天际的光芒。 —

The wind had died away completely with the twilight. —
随着黄昏，风完全停了。 —

Not a leaf rustled on the trees, not a ripple murmured on the shore. —
树叶不再沙沙作响，海岸上也没有细微的波澜声。 —

Nothing could be seen of the ship, all her lights being extinguished, and if she was still in sight of the island, her whereabouts could not be discovered.
那艘船再也看不见了，船上的所有灯光都已熄灭，如果她仍在岛屿视线范围内，她的所在地就无法被查明。

“Well! who knows?” said Pencroft. “Perhaps that cursed craft will stand off during the night, and we shall see nothing of her at daybreak.”
“那么！谁知道呢？”潘克罗夫说。“也许那该死的船会在夜里保持距离，到了天亮我们就什么都看不见了。”

As if in reply to the sailor’s observation, a bright light flashed in the darkness, and a cannon-shot was heard.
就在水手的话说完的时候，在黑暗中一道明亮的光闪过，听到了一声炮响。

The vessel was still there and had guns on board.
那艘船依然在那里，而且船上带着火炮。

Six seconds elapsed between the flash and the report.
从闪光到声音的间隔是六秒。

Therefore the brig was about a mile and a quarter from the coast.
因此，这艘战舰距离海岸大约一英里零四分之一。

At the same time, the chains were heard rattling through the hawse-holes.
与此同时，锚链传来了通过舷孔的响声。

The vessel had just anchored in sight of Granite House!
这艘船刚刚在花岗岩屋的视野范围内下锚了！