The night passed without incident. The colonists were on the qui vive, and did not leave their post at the Chimneys. —
夜晚平安无事地过去了。殖民者们提高了警惕，并没有离开Chimneys的岗位。 —

The pirates, on their side, did not appear to have made any attempt to land. —
而海盗们也没有表现出有任何登陆的意图。 —

Since the last shots fired at Ayrton not a report, not even a sound, had betrayed the presence of the brig in the neighborhood of the island. —
从上次在Ayrton身上开的枪声以来，没有任何消息，甚至声音，透露出船只在岛屿附近。 —

It might have been fancied that she had weighed anchor, thinking that she had to deal with her match, and had left the coast.
可以想象她可能已经起锚，认为她需要对付自己的对手，而离开了海岸。

But it was no such thing, and when day began to dawn the settlers could see a confused mass through the morning mist. —
但事实并非如此，在黎明开始时，定居者们可以透过晨雾看到一团团混乱的东西。 —

It was the “Speedy.”
那就是“Speedy”。

“These, my friends,” said the engineer, “are the arrangements which appear to me best to make before the fog completely clears away. —
“这些，朋友们，”工程师说，“在雾完全散去之前，我认为这些安排是最好的。 —

It hides us from the eyes of the pirates, and we can act without attracting their attention. —
它让我们免受海盗的注意。 —

The most important thing is, that the convicts should believe that the inhabitants of the island are numerous, and consequently capable of resisting them. —
最重要的是，囚犯们应该相信岛上的居民人数众多，因此有能力抵抗他们。 —

I therefore propose that we divide into three parties. —
因此，我建议我们分成三组。 —

The first of which shall be posted at the Chimneys, the second at the mouth of the Mercy. As to the third, I think it would be best to place it on the islet, so as to prevent, or at all events delay, any attempt at landing. —
第一组应该驻守在Chimneys，第二组在Mercy河口。至于第三组，我认为最好安排在小岛上，以防止，或者至少延迟，任何登陆企图。 —

We have the use of two rifles and four muskets. —
我们拥有两支步枪和四支火枪。 —

Each of us will be armed, and, as we are amply provided with powder and shot, we need not spare our fire. —
每个人都将武装起来，而且我们充分准备了火药和子弹，我们不必节约开火。 —

We have nothing to fear from the muskets nor even from the guns of the brig. —
我们不必担心火枪，甚至不必担心船只的炮火。 —

What can they do against these rocks? And, as we shall not fire from the windows of Granite House, the pirates will not think of causing irreparable damage by throwing shell against it. —
他们对这些巨石能做些什么呢？而且，我们不会从Granite House的窗户开枪，海盗们也不会考虑通过抛炮弹来造成无法弥补的损坏。 —

What is to be feared is, the necessity of meeting hand-to-hand, since the convicts have numbers on their side. —
应当担心的是，必须进行近身格斗，因为囚犯们人数占优势。 —

We must therefore try to prevent them from landing, but without discovering ourselves. —
因此，我们必须设法阻止他们登陆，但不能暴露自己。 —

Therefore, do not economize the ammunition. Fire often, but with a sure aim. —
因此，不要吝惜弹药。频繁开火，但要瞄准准确。 —

We have each eight or ten enemies to kill, and they must be killed!”
我们每个人都要杀死八到十个敌人，他们必须被杀死！

Cyrus Harding had clearly represented their situation, although he spoke in the calmest voice, as if it was a question of directing a piece of work and not ordering a battle. —
赛勒斯·哈丁清楚地描述了他们的处境，尽管他的语气平静，好像只是在指导一项工作，而不是下令战斗。 —

His companions approved these arrangements without even uttering a word. —
他的同伴们纷纷赞同这些安排，甚至没有发一言。 —

There was nothing more to be done but for each to take his place before the fog should be completely dissipated. —
在雾气完全消散之前，每个人都只能在所定位。 —

Neb and Pencroft immediately ascended to Granite House and brought back a sufficient quantity of ammunition. —
尼布和彭克罗夫立即升上花岗岩屋，带回足够的弹药。 —

Gideon Spilett and Ayrton, both very good marksmen, were armed with the two rifles, which carried nearly a mile. —
吉迪恩·斯皮莱特和艾尔顿，两位神射手，携带了两支射程近一英里的步枪。 —

The four other muskets were divided among Harding, Neb, Pencroft, and Herbert.
另外四支火枪分给哈丁、尼布、彭克罗夫和赫伯特。

The posts were arranged in the following manner:–
岗位安排如下：–

Cyrus Harding and Herbert remained in ambush at the Chimneys, thus commanding the shore to the foot of Granite House.
赛勒斯·哈丁和赫伯特躲在烟囱旁埋伏，从那里指挥着岸边至花岗岩屋脚下的海岸。

Gideon Spilett and Neb crouched among the rocks at the mouth of the Mercy, from which the drawbridges had been raised, so as to prevent any one from crossing in a boat or landing on the opposite shore.
吉迪恩·斯皮莱特和尼布躲藏在梅西河口的岩石间，那里的吊桥已被升起，防止任何人划船越过河流或登上对岸。

As to Ayrton and Pencroft, they shoved off in the boat, and prepared to cross the channel and to take up two separate stations on the islet. —
至于艾尔顿和彭克罗夫，他们驾驶小船准备穿过海峡，并在岛上占据两个分开的位置。 —

In this way, shots being fired from four different points at once, the convicts would be led to believe that the island was both largely peopled and strongly defended.
通过这种方式，从四个不同的地点同时开火，囚犯们会相信该岛不仅人口众多，而且防守坚固。

In the event of a landing being effected without their having been able to prevent it, and also if they saw that they were on the point of being cut off by the brig’s boat, Ayrton and Pencroft were to return in their boat to the shore and proceed towards the threatened spot.
如果迫不得已降落，并且看到他们几乎被小船截断，艾尔顿和彭克罗夫将会返回到海岸，朝着受威胁的地点前进。

Before starting to occupy their posts, the colonists for the last time wrung each other’s hands.
开始占据各自的岗位之前，殖民者最后一次握手告别。

Pencroft succeeded in controlling himself sufficiently to suppress his emotion when he embraced Herbert, his boy! —
在拥抱他的孩子赫伯特时，彭克罗夫设法控制住自己的情感！ —

and then they separated.
然后他们分开了。

In a few moments Harding and Herbert on one side, the reporter and Neb on the other, had disappeared behind the rocks, and five minutes later Ayrton and Pencroft, having without difficulty crossed the channel, disembarked on the islet and concealed themselves in the clefts of its eastern shore.
在几分钟内，哈丁和赫伯特一边，记者和内布一边，消失在岩石后面，五分钟后，艾尔顿和彭克罗夫毫无困难地越过水道，登上小岛，并藏身于其东岸的缝隙中。

None of them could have been seen, for they themselves could scarcely distinguish the brig in the fog.
他们任何一个都不可能被看到，因为他们自己几乎分辨不出雾中的这艘大帆船。

It was half-past six in the morning.
上午六点半。

Soon the fog began to clear away, and the topmasts of the brig issued from the vapor. —
雾很快开始散去，大帆船的桅杆从蒸气中显露出来。 —

For some minutes great masses rolled over the surface of the sea, then a breeze sprang up, which rapidly dispelled the mist.
几分钟内，海面上滚动着巨大的块状物，然后一股微风升起，迅速驱散了薄雾。

The “Speedy” now appeared in full view, with a spring on her cable, her head to the north, presenting her larboard side to the island. —
“迅捷”号现在全景亮相，缆绳一弹，头向北，左板侧对着岛屿。 —

Just as Harding had calculated, she was not more than a mile and a quarter from the coast.
正如哈丁所计算的，她距离海岸只有一英里一刻远。

The sinister black flag floated from the peak.
邪恶的黑旗从桅杆尖飘扬。

The engineer, with his telescope, could see that the four guns on board were pointed at the island. —
工程师用他的望远镜，能看到船上的四门炮对准了这个岛屿。 —

They were evidently ready to fire at a moment’s notice.
显然他们随时准备开火。

In the meanwhile the “Speedy” remained silent. —
与此同时，”迅捷”号保持着沉默。 —

About thirty pirates could be seen moving on the deck. A few more on the poop; —
甲板上可以看到大约三十名海盗在移动。船尾甲板上还有几个海盗； —

two others posted in the shrouds, and armed with spyglasses, were attentively surveying the island.
另外两个在索具上，手持望远镜，专注地观察着岛屿。

Certainly, Bob Harvey and his crew would not be able easily to give an account of what had happened during the night on board the brig. —
当然，鲍勃·哈维和他的船员对昨晚在船上发生的事情不会轻易交代清楚。 —

Had this half-naked man, who had forced the door of the powder-magazine, and with whom they had struggled, who had six times discharged his revolver at them, who had killed one and wounded two others, escaped their shot? —
这个半裸的男子强行闯入火药库的人，与他们搏斗过，六次向他们开枪，致一人死亡、两人受伤，他们难道已经逃脱子弹？ —

Had he been able to swim to shore? Whence did he come? What had been his object? —
他能游到岸上吗？他是从哪里来的？他的目的是什么？ —

Had his design really been to blow up the brig, as Bob Harvey had thought? —
他真的打算像鲍勃·哈维所想的那样炸毁这艘 brig 吗？ —

All this must be confused enough to the convicts’ minds. —
这一切对囚犯们的思维一定是相当混乱的。 —

But what they could no longer doubt was that the unknown island before which the “Speedy” had cast anchor was inhabited, and that there was, perhaps, a numerous colony ready to defend it. —
但他们再也不能怀疑的是，”快车号”靠岸的这个未知岛屿是有人居住的，也许还有一支准备捍卫的庞大殖民地。 —

And yet no one was to be seen, neither on the shore, nor on the heights. —
但是，在海岸线上，甚至在高地上都看不到一个人。 —

The beach appeared to be absolutely deserted. At any rate, there was no trace of dwellings. —
海滩似乎完全无人。无论如何，看不到任何住所的痕迹。 —

Had the inhabitants fled into the interior? —
居民们逃到内陆去了吗？ —

Thus probably the pirate captain reasoned, and doubtless, like a prudent man, he wished to reconnoiter the locality before he allowed his men to venture there.
所以海盗船长可能这样推断，毫无疑问，像一个谨慎的人，他希望在允许手下冒险之前仔细探查一下当地情况。

During an hour and a half, no indication of attack or landing could be observed on board the brig. —
在一个半小时的时间里，没有观察到任何进攻或登陆的迹象。 —

Evidently Bob Harvey was hesitating. Even with his strongest telescopes he could not have perceived one of the settlers crouched among the rocks. —
显然，鲍勃·哈维犹豫了。即使拿着最强的望远镜，他也不可能看到一名隐藏在岩石间的定居者。 —

It was not even probable that his attention had been awakened by the screen of green branches and creepers hiding the windows of Granite House, and showing rather conspicuously on the bare rock. —
他甚至不可能因为挡在花岗岩屋窗前的绿树枝和攀缘植物而引起注意，而这些在光秃岩石上显得非常显眼。 —

Indeed, how could he imagine that a dwelling was hollowed out, at that height, in the solid granite? From Claw Cape to the Mandible Capes, in all the extent of Union Bay, there was nothing to lead him to suppose that the island was or could be inhabited.
确实，他怎么能想象到在那样的高度，岩石中会有一个洞穴呢？从爪角到颏角，整个联合湾的范围内，没有什么能让他认为这个岛屿是或者可能被居住的。

At eight o’clock, however, the colonists observed a movement on board the “Speedy.” —
然而在八点钟的时候，殖民者们观察到了“速度号”上的一丝动静。 —

A boat was lowered, and seven men jumped into her. They were armed with muskets; —
一艘小船被放下水，七个人跳进了船里。他们手持步枪； —

one took the yoke-lines, four others the oars, and the two others, kneeling in the bows, ready to fire, reconnoitered the island. —
一个拿起了舵杆，其他四人拉桨，另外两人跪在船头，准备开枪，观察岛屿。 —

Their object was no doubt to make an examination but not to land, for in the latter case they would have come in larger numbers. —
他们的目的无疑是进行一次侦察，而不是登陆，因为如果是后者，他们会以更多人的形式前来。 —

The pirates from their look-out could have seen that the coast was sheltered by an islet, separated from it by a channel half a mile in width. —
从他们的瞭望处，海盗们可以看到海岸被一个小岛所遮蔽，两者之间隔着一条半英里宽的海峡。 —

However, it was soon evident to Cyrus Harding, on observing the direction followed by the boat, that they would not attempt to penetrate into the channel, but would land on the islet.
然而，辛巴斯·哈丁很快就观察到，根据小船前进的方向，他们不会企图进入海峡，而会登陆在小岛上。

Pencroft and Ayrton, each hidden in a narrow cleft of the rock, saw them coming directly towards them, and waited till they were within range.
彭克罗夫特和艾顿各自隐藏在岩石的一个窄缝中，看着他们直接朝自己走来，并等待着合适的射程。

The boat advanced with extreme caution. The oars only dipped into the water at long intervals. —
小船非常谨慎地前进。桨只是偶尔在水中划动。 —

It could now be seen that one of the convicts held a lead-line in his hand, and that he wished to fathom the depth of the channel hollowed out by the current of the Mercy. This showed that it was Bob Harvey’s intention to bring his brig as near as possible to the coast. —
现在可以看到，其中一名囚犯手持一根悬线，他希望测量梅西河水流冲刷出的海峡的深度。这表明鲍勃·哈维打算尽可能地让他的大副船靠近海岸。 —

About thirty pirates, scattered in the rigging, followed every movement of the boat, and took the bearings of certain landmarks which would allow them to approach without danger. —
大约有三十名海盗散布在帆索上，观察着船的每一个动作，并记录下一些标志物，这将帮助他们无危险地靠近。 —

The boat was not more than two cables-lengths off the islet when she stopped. —
当船到达小岛只有两个码长的时候停下了。 —

The man at the tiller stood up and looked for the best place at which to land.
舵手站起来，寻找着最适合登陆的地方。

At that moment two shots were heard. Smoke curled up from among the rocks of the islet. —
就在那个时刻，传来了两声枪响。烟雾从小岛的岩石中升腾而起。 —

The man at the helm and the man with the lead-line fell backwards into the boat. —
舵手和手持悬线的人倒在了船里。 —

Ayrton’s and Pencroft’s balls had struck them both at the same moment.
艾尔顿和彭克罗夫的子弹同时击中了他们。

Almost immediately a louder report was heard, a cloud of smoke issued from the brig’s side, and a ball, striking the summit of the rock which sheltered Ayrton and Pencroft, made it fly in splinters, but the two marksmen remained unhurt.
几乎立即传出更大声的响声，一团烟从船的一侧升腾而起，一颗子弹击中了遮风挡雨的岩石顶，使其四分五裂，但两名枪手都毫发无伤。

Horrible imprecations burst from the boat, which immediately continued its way. —
船上传来恶毒的咒骂声，随后立即继续航行。 —

The man who had been at the tiller was replaced by one of his comrades, and the oars were rapidly plunged into the water. —
掌舵的人被他的同伴之一取代，桨迅速划入水中。 —

However, instead of returning on board as might have been expected, the boat coasted along the islet, so as to round its southern point. —
然而，他们并没有按照预期返回船上，而是沿着小岛边航行，绕过其南端。 —

The pirates pulled vigorously at their oars that they might get out of range of the bullets.
海盗们用力划桨，以躲开子弹的射程。

They advanced to within five cables-lengths of that part of the shore terminated by Flotsam Point, and after having rounded it in a semicircular line, still protected by the brig’s guns, they proceeded towards the mouth of the Mercy.
他们继续前进到距离以漂流物点为终点的岸边五个绳索长度之内，并在半圆形线路上绕过它，仍然受到船炮的保护，然后朝向梅西河口。

Their evident intention was to penetrate into the channel, and cut off the colonists posted on the islet, in such a way, that whatever their number might be, being placed between the fire from the boat and the fire from the brig, they would find themselves in a very disadvantageous position.
他们明显的意图是进入河道，并切断驻守小岛的殖民者，这样，无论他们的人数有多少，都将陷入非常不利的位置，被船和船炮夹击。

A quarter of an hour passed while the boat advanced in this direction. —
船朝这个方向前进了一刻钟。 —

Absolute silence, perfect calm reigned in the air and on the water.
空气和水面上皆是绝对的寂静和平静。

Pencroft and Ayrton, although they knew they ran the risk of being cut off, had not left their post, both that they did not wish to show themselves as yet to their assailants, and expose themselves to the “Speedy’s” guns, and that they relied on Neb and Gideon Spilett, watching at the mouth of the river, and on Cyrus Harding and Herbert, in ambush among the rocks at the Chimneys.
尽管他们知道自己有被包围的危险，彭克罗夫和艾尔顿仍留在原位，一方面是因为他们不想立刻暴露给袭击者，暴露在“快速”号的炮火下，另一方面是因为他们依赖眼前守候在河口的尼布和斯皮莱特，以及在烟囱岩缝中埋伏的赛勒斯·哈丁和赫伯特。

Twenty minutes after the first shots were fired, the boat was less than two cables-lengths off the Mercy. As the tide was beginning to rise with its accustomed violence, caused by the narrowness of the straits, the pirates were drawn towards the river, and it was only by dint of hard rowing that they were able to keep in the middle of the channel. —
第一枪响起后二十分钟，船距禅河不到两个绳索长度。由于潮水开始随惯常的剧烈引力上涨，这是由海峡狭窄造成的，盗匪们被引向河流，只有拼命划桨才能保持在河道中央。 —

But, as they were passing within good range of the mouth of the Mercy, two balls saluted them, and two more of their number were laid in the bottom of the boat. —
当他们经过梅西河口时，两颗子弹向他们开火，又有两名同伴倒在船底。 —

Neb and Spilett had not missed their aim.
尼布和斯皮莱特没有失误。

The brig immediately sent a second ball on the post betrayed by the smoke, but without any other result than that of splintering the rock.
船只立即向由烟雾暴露的位置发射第二颗子弹，但除了打碎岩石外没有任何效果。

The boat now contained only three able men. —
船上现在只剩下三名能干的人。 —

Carried on by the current, it shot through the channel with the rapidity of an arrow, passed before Harding and Herbert, who, not thinking it within range, withheld their fire, then, rounding the northern point of the islet with the two remaining oars, they pulled towards the brig.
被水流带动，它像箭一样射过水道，经过哈定和赫伯特，他们认为没有射程，就没有开火，然后，用剩下的两只桨划向大帆船北端。

Hitherto the settlers had nothing to complain of. —
到目前为止，定居者没有什么好抱怨的。 —

Their adversaries had certainly had the worst of it. —
他们的对手显然吃了亏。 —

The latter already counted four men seriously wounded if not dead; —
后者已经有四名严重受伤甚至可能死亡的人； —

they, on the contrary, unwounded, had not missed a shot. —
相反，他们未受伤，没有一个子弹打偏。 —

If the pirates continued to attack them in this way, if they renewed their attempt to land by means of a boat, they could be destroyed one by one.
如果海盗们继续以这种方式袭击他们，如果他们通过一只小船再次尝试登岸，他们可以一个接一个地被消灭。

It was now seen how advantageous the engineer’s arrangements had been. —
现在可以看出工程师的安排是多么有利。 —

The pirates would think that they had to deal with numerous and well-armed adversaries, whom they could not easily get the better of.
海盗们会认为他们需要应对众多且装备精良的对手，他们很难占上风。

Half an hour passed before the boat, having to pull against the current, could get alongside the “Speedy.” —
一只小船耗时半个小时，因为需逆流而行，才能靠近“Speedy”。 —

Frightful cries were heard when they returned on board with the wounded, and two or three guns were fired with no results.
当他们带着伤员返回船上时听到可怕的呼喊声，还有两三发枪声，但没有结果。

But now about a dozen other convicts, maddened with rage, and possibly by the effect of the evening’s potations, threw themselves into the boat. —
但是此时大约还有十几名其他暴徒，因愤怒，也可能是晚间的酒精作用，纷纷跳进小船。 —

A second boat was also lowered, in which eight men took their places, and while the first pulled straight for the islet, to dislodge the colonists from thence the second maneuvered so as to force the entrance of the Mercy.
第二只小船也被放下，八名男子坐在上面，第一只小船直奔小岛，试图赶走定居者，第二只则操控以强行进入慈悲河口。

The situation was evidently becoming very dangerous for Pencroft and Ayrton, and they saw that they must regain the mainland.
显然，潘克罗夫和埃尔顿的情况变得非常危险，他们意识到必须重新回到陆地。

However, they waited till the first boat was within range, when two well- directed balls threw its crew into disorder. —
但是，他们等到第一只小船靠近射程时，两发瞄准良好的子弹打乱了船员的队形。 —

Then, Pencroft and Ayrton, abandoning their posts, under fire from the dozen muskets, ran across the islet at full speed, jumped into their boat, crossed the channel at the moment the second boat reached the southern end, and ran to hide themselves in the Chimneys.
然后，潘克罗夫和艾尔顿抛下了他们的岗位，在一打火枪的火力下，全速穿过小岛，跳入他们的小船，穿过海峡的时候第二艘小船已经到达南端，并跑去藏身在烟囱里。

They had scarcely rejoined Cyrus Harding and Herbert, before the islet was overrun with pirates in every direction. —
他们几乎是在武装海盗在各个方向占领小岛之前回到了赛勒斯·哈丁和赫伯特身边。 —

Almost at the same moment, fresh reports resounded from the Mercy station, to which the second boat was rapidly approaching. —
几乎同时，从水稻站传来新的报告，第二艘小船正在迅速接近。 —

Two, out of the eight men who manned her, were mortally wounded by Gideon Spilett and Neb, and the boat herself, carried irresistibly onto the reefs, was stove in at the mouth of the Mercy. But the six survivors, holding their muskets above their heads to preserve them from contact with the water, managed to land on the right bank of the river. —
其中两名船员受了致命伤，被吉迪恩·斯皮莱特和内布击中，船自己被冲向礁石，砸在了水稻河口。但是这六名幸存者将他们的火枪举过头顶，以免接触水，设法登上了河的右岸。 —

Then, finding they were exposed to the fire of the ambush there, they fled in the direction of Flotsam Point, out of range of the balls.
然后，他们发现自己暴露在那里埋伏的火力之下，便朝着浮木角逃去，超出了子弹的射程。

The actual situation was this: on the islet were a dozen convicts, of whom some were no doubt wounded, but who had still a boat at their disposal; —
实际情况是这样的：小岛上有十几名囚犯，其中一些无疑是受伤的，但他们仍然有一艘可用的小船; —

on the island were six, but who could not by any possibility reach Granite House, as they could not cross the river, all the bridges being raised.
岛上有六人，但他们无论如何无法到达花岗岩屋，因为他们无法渡过这条河，所有桥都被升起来了。

“Hallo,” exclaimed Pencroft as he rushed into the Chimneys, “hallo, captain! —
“喂，”潘克罗夫冲进烟囱，说，“喂，船长！ —

What do you think of it, now?”
现在你觉得怎么样？”

“I think,” answered the engineer, “that the combat will now take a new form, for it cannot be supposed that the convicts will be so foolish as to remain in a position so unfavorable for them!”
“我认为，”工程师回答道，“战斗现在将会采取新的形式，因为不能想象囚犯们会愚蠢到留在这么不利于他们的位置！”

“They won’t cross the channel,” said the sailor. —
“他们不会穿过海峡，”水手说道。 —

“Ayrton and Mr. Spilett’s rifles are there to prevent them. —
“艾尔顿和斯皮莱特先生的步枪就在那里阻止他们。 —

You know that they carry more than a mile!”
你知道它们的射程超过了一英里！”

“No doubt,” replied Herbert; “but what can two rifles do against the brig’s guns?”
“毫无疑问，”赫伯特回答，“但是两支步枪对付大帆船的炮能做什么？”

“Well, the brig isn’t in the channel yet, I fancy!” said Pencroft.
“嗯，我想大帆船还没到海峡里吧！”潘克罗夫说。

“But suppose she does come there?” said Harding.
“但是假如她确实到了那里呢？”哈丁说。

“That’s impossible, for she would risk running aground and being lost!”
“这是不可能的，因为她会冒着搁浅丧失的风险！”

“It is possible,” said Ayrton. “The convicts might profit by the high tide to enter the channel, with the risk of grounding at low tide, it is true; —
“这是有可能的，”艾尔顿说。“囚犯们可能会利用高潮进入海峡，尽管存在搁浅的风险，这倒是真的； —

but then, under the fire from her guns, our posts would be no longer tenable.”
是，在遭受她炮火的情况下，我们的阵地将不再可守。”

“Confound them!” exclaimed Pencroft, “it really seems as if the blackguards were preparing to weigh anchor.”
“该死的！”彭克罗夫咒骂道，“看起来贼寇们确实在准备起锚。”

“Perhaps we shall be obliged to take refuge in Granite House!” observed Herbert.
“也许我们会被迫退到花岗岩屋里去！”赫伯特观察道。

“We must wait!” answered Cyrus Harding.
“我们必须等待！”赛勒斯·哈丁回答。

“But Mr. Spilett and Neb?” said Pencroft.
“但是斯派莱特先生和内布呢？”彭克罗夫说。

“They will know when it is best to rejoin us. Be ready, Ayrton. —
“他们会知道何时最好重新加入我们。做好准备，艾尔顿。 —

It is yours and Spilett’s rifles which must speak now.”
现在轮到你和斯派莱特的步枪发挥作用了。”

It was only too true. The “Speedy” was beginning to weigh her anchor, and her intention was evidently to approach the islet. —
这只会让人感到遗憾。 “快船”号正在开始起锚，她的意图显然是接近小岛。 —

The tide would be rising for an hour and a half, and the ebb current being already weakened, it would be easy for the brig to advance. —
潮汐会涨一个半小时，而且已经有所减弱的退潮流，对于快船来说是很容易前进的。 —

But as to entering the channel, Pencroft, contrary to Ayrton’s opinion, could not believe that she would dare to attempt it.
但是关于进入海峡，彭克罗夫，与艾尔顿的看法相反，不相信她会胆敢尝试。

In the meanwhile, the pirates who occupied the islet had gradually advanced to the opposite shore, and were now only separated from the mainland by the channel.
与此同时，占领小岛的海盗们逐渐向对岸进发，他们现在只被海峡与大陆分隔。

Being armed with muskets alone, they could do no harm to the settlers, in ambush at the Chimneys and the mouth of the Mercy; —
他们只装备着火铳，无法对埋伏在烟囱和梅西河口的移民造成伤害； —

but, not knowing the latter to be supplied with long-range rifles, they on their side did not believe themselves to be exposed. —
但是，由于他们并不知道对方配备了远程步枪，因此他们并不认为自己暴露在风险中。 —

Quite uncovered, therefore, they surveyed the islet, and examined the shore.
因此，他们毫无遮掩地观察了小岛，并检查了岸边。

Their illusion was of short duration. Ayrton’s and Gideon Spilett’s rifles then spoke, and no doubt imparted some very disagreeable intelligence to two of the convicts, for they fell backwards.
他们的幻想很快就被打破了。艾顿和吉迪恩·斯派莱特的步枪响起，毫无疑问给了两名罪犯一些非常不愉快的信息，因为他们向后倒下。

Then there was a general helter-skelter. The ten others, not even stopping to pick up their dead or wounded companions, fled to the other side of the islet, tumbled into the boat which had brought them, and pulled away with all their strength.
随后爆发了一片混乱。其他十名罪犯甚至没有停下来捡起死亡或受伤的同伴，他们朝小岛的另一侧逃去，跌进了带他们来的船上，并全力划开。

“Eight less!” exclaimed Pencroft. “Really, one would have thought that Mr. Spilett and Ayrton had given the word to fire together!”
“少了八个！” 彭克罗夫惊呼道。 “真的，人们本来会以为斯派莱特先生和艾顿已经一起开枪了！”

“Gentlemen,” said Ayrton, as he reloaded his gun, “this is becoming more serious. —
“先生们，” 艾顿重新装填他的枪时说， “情况变得更加严重了。 —

The brig is making sail!”
大帆船正在起航！”

“The anchor is weighed!” exclaimed Pencroft.
“锚已经起了！” 彭克罗夫喊道。

“Yes, and she is already moving.”
“是的，她已经开始移动了。”

In fact, they could distinctly hear the creaking of the windlass. —
事实上，他们可以清楚地听到绞盘的吱吱声。 —

The “Speedy” was at first held by her anchor; —
“迅捷号”一开始被她的锚固定住了； —

then, when that had been raised, she began to drift towards the shore. —
然后，当锚被提起时，她开始朝小岛靠近。 —

The wind was blowing from the sea; the jib and the foretopsail were hoisted, and the vessel gradually approached the island.
风从海上吹来；船上的三角帆和船首帆都已升起，船逐渐靠近小岛。

From the two posts of the Mercy and the Chimneys they watched her without giving a sign of life, but not without some emotion. —
从慈悲河和烟囱的两个观察点，他们默默地观察着，没有发出任何生命的迹象，但也不缺乏一些激动。 —

What could be more terrible for the colonists than to be exposed, at a short distance, to the brig’s guns, without being able to reply with any effect? —
对殖民者来说，有什么比暴露在离船炮不远的地方，却无法有效回应，更可怕的呢？ —

How could they then prevent the pirates from landing?
他们如何防止海盗登陆呢?

Cyrus Harding felt this strongly, and he asked himself what it would be possible to do. —
赛勒斯·哈定深有同感，并自问可以做些什么。 —

Before long, he would be called upon for his determination. But what was it to be? —
不久之后，他将需要展现自己的决心。但应该采取何种行动呢? —

To shut themselves up in Granite House, to be besieged there, to remain there for weeks, for months even, since they had an abundance of provisions? —
他们是否应该将自己关在花岗岩屋内，受围困，留在那里数周，甚至数月，因为他们有丰富的食物供应? —

So far good! But after that? The pirates would not the less be masters of the island, which they would ravage at their pleasure, and in time, they would end by having their revenge on the prisoners in Granite House.
直到那时为止一切都还好! 但之后呢? 海盗们仍将控制着这个岛屿，任意掠夺，最终会报复困在花岗岩屋的囚徒。

However, one chance yet remained; it was that Bob Harvey, after all, would not venture his ship into the channel, and that he would keep outside the islet. —
然而，仍有一线希望；即便鲍勃·哈维最终不敢冒险将船进入海峡，他会绕过小岛。 —

He would be still separated from the coast by half a mile, and at that distance his shot could not be very destructive.
离岸半英里，他的炮击力量就会大大减弱。

“Never!” repeated Pencroft, “Bob Harvey will never, if he is a good seaman, enter that channel! —
“绝不可能!” 潘克罗夫再次重复说道，”如果鲍勃·哈维是个优秀的船长，他绝不会进入那条海峡！ —

He knows well that it would risk the brig, if the sea got up ever so little! —
他知道这样做会让这艘大副岐针，哪怕海面稍有波涛！ —

And what would become of him without his vessel?”
他失去了船，他会怎么办呢?”

In the meanwhile the brig approached the islet, and it could be seen that she was endeavoring to make the lower end. —
与此同时，大副船靠近小岛，可以看到她正努力靠近南端。 —

The breeze was light, and as the current had then lost much of its force, Bob Harvey had absolute command over his vessel.
微风习习，潮流已经减弱，鲍勃·哈维完全掌控着船只。

The route previously followed by the boats had allowed her to reconnoiter the channel, and she boldly entered it.
之前船只使用的航线使得她得以侦察海峡，于是勇敢地进入了其中。

The pirate’s design was now only too evident; —
现在海盗的意图再清楚不过； —

he wished to bring her broadside to bear on the Chimneys and from there to reply with shell and ball to the shot which had till then decimated her crew.
他希望将船的舷侧对准烟囱，并从那里用炮弹回击此前使她船员伤亡惨重的炮击。

Soon the “Speedy” reached the point of the islet; she rounded it with ease; —
“Speedy”很快到达了小岛的尽头；她轻松地绕过它； —

the mainsail was braced up, and the brig hugging the wind, stood across the mouth of the Mercy.
主帆被拉紧，大帆船顺风方向行驶，横穿了梅西河口；

“The scoundrels! they are coming!” said Pencroft.
“可恶！他们来了！”潘克罗夫说；

At that moment, Cyrus Harding, Ayrton, the sailor, and Herbert, were rejoined by Neb and Gideon Spilett.
此时，塞勒斯·哈定、埃尔顿、海伯特、尼布和吉迪恩·斯皮莱特重新聚在一起；

The reporter and his companion had judged it best to abandon the post at the Mercy, from which they could do nothing against the ship, and they had acted wisely. —
报道员和他的同伴认为最好放弃了在梅西河的位置，他们无法对抗这艘船，他们这样做明智； —

It was better that the colonists should be together at the moment when they were about to engage in a decisive action. —
当他们即将进行一次决定性行动时，还是最好把殖民者们聚集在一起； —

Gideon Spilett and Neb had arrived by dodging behind the rocks, though not without attracting a shower of bullets, which had not, however, reached them.
吉迪恩·斯皮莱特和尼布绕过岩石躲了过来，虽然吸引了一阵子子弹，但并未击中他们；

“Spilett! Neb!” cried the engineer. “You are not wounded?”
“斯皮莱特！尼布！”工程师叫道，“你们没受伤吧？”

“No,” answered the reporter, “a few bruises only from the ricochet! —
“没有，”报道员回答，“只是被跳弹砸了几下！” —

But that cursed brig has entered the channel!”
“可恶的大帆船已经进入了海峡！”彭克罗夫说；

“Yes,” replied Pencroft, “and in ten minutes she will have anchored before Granite House!”
“是的，”塞勒斯·哈定回答，“而且十分钟后她就会在花岗岩屋前停泊！”

“Have you formed any plan, Cyrus?” asked the reporter.
“你有什么计划，塞勒斯？”报道员问；

“We must take refuge in Granite House while there is still time, and the convicts cannot see us.”
“在还有时间的时候我们必须躲进花岗岩屋，这样囚犯就看不见我们了。”塞勒斯回答；

“That is, my opinion, too,” replied Gideon Spilett, “but once shut up–”
“我也同意这个看法，”吉迪恩·斯皮莱特说，“但一旦关上门–”

“We must be guided by circumstances,” said the engineer.
“我们必须根据情况来决定，”工程师说。

“Let us be off, then, and make haste!” said the reporter.
“那么，我们走吧，赶快！”记者说。

“Would you not wish, captain, that Ayrton and I should remain here?” asked the sailor.
“船长，您不希望艾顿和我留在这里吗？”水手问道。

“What would be the use of that, Pencroft?” replied Harding. “No. We will not separate!”
“那有什么用呢，潘克罗夫？”哈丁回答道，“不，我们不会分开！”

There was not a moment to be lost. The colonists left the Chimneys. —
没有时间可以浪费。殖民者离开了烟囱。 —

A bend of the cliff prevented them from being seen by those in the brig, but two or three reports, and the crash of bullets on the rock, told them that the “Speedy” was at no great distance.
岩壁的转弯使他们不能被船上的人看到，但两三声枪响和子弹在岩石上的撞击声告诉他们，“速度”号并不远。

To spring into the lift, hoist themselves up to the door of Granite House, where Top and Jup had been shut up since the evening before, to rush into the large room, was the work of a minute only.
跳进升降机，把自己吊到花岗岩屋的门口，自从前一天晚上起就被关在那里的托普和朱普冲进大房间，只需一分钟的时间。

It was quite time, for the settlers, through the branches, could see the “Speedy,” surrounded with smoke, gliding up the channel. —
时机已经很紧迫了，因为通过树枝，殖民者可以看到“速度”号，被烟围绕着沿着河道滑动。 —

The firing was incessant, and shot from the four guns struck blindly, both on the Mercy post, although it was not occupied, and on the Chimneys. —
射击是持续的，四门炮的炮弹盲目地击中了梅西岗哨，尽管没有人占领，也击中了烟囱。 —

The rocks were splintered, and cheers accompanied each discharge. —
岩石破碎了，欢呼声伴随着每一次开火。 —

However, they were hoping that Granite House would be spared, thanks to Harding’s precaution of concealing the windows when a shot, piercing the door, penetrated into the passage.
但他们希望哈丁事先隐藏窗户的措施会保住花岗岩屋，因为其中一枚炮弹穿透门才进入通道。

“We are discovered!” exclaimed Pencroft.
“我们被发现了！”潘克罗夫喊道。

The colonists had not, perhaps, been seen, but it was certain that Bob Harvey had thought proper to send a ball through the suspected foliage which concealed that part of the cliff. —
殖民者可能还没有被看到，但是鲍勃·哈维认为有必要派一颗子弹穿过那部分悬崖上的可疑的树叶。 —

Soon he redoubled his attack, when another ball having torn away the leafy screen, disclosed a gaping aperture in the granite.
很快他加大了攻击力，当另一颗子弹撕掉了茂密的屏风，露出了花岩层的一个张着的裂口。

The colonists’ situation was desperate. Their retreat was discovered. —
殖民者的处境很绝望。他们的藏身之处被发现了。 —

They could not oppose any obstacle to these missiles, nor protect the stone, which flew in splinters around them. —
他们无法对这些导弹提出任何阻碍，也无法保护石头，那些石头在他们周围飞溅成碎片。 —

There was nothing to be done but to take refuge in the upper passage of Granite House, and leave their dwelling to be devastated, when a deep roar was heard, followed by frightful cries!
只能躲在花岗岩屋的上部通道，把他们的住所让其毁灭，当一声深沉的咆哮响起，接着是可怕的呼喊声！

Cyrus Harding and his companions rushed to one of the windows–
塞勒斯·哈丁和他的同伴们冲向一扇窗户–

The brig, irresistibly raised on a sort of water-spout, had just split in two, and in less than ten seconds she was swallowed up with all her criminal crew!
这条大帆船被一股类似旋风的水柱无情地抬了起来，刚刚分裂成两段，不到十秒钟，她和她所有的罪犯船员都被吞没了！