福爾摩斯探案集·血字的研究 第50期:沙漠中的旅客(8)

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They had reached the base of the hill by this time, and were surrounded by crowds of the pilgrims–pale-faced, meek-looking women; strong, laughing children; and anxious, earnest-eyed men.

這時，他們已經(jīng)來到山腳下，一大群移民立刻一擁而上，把他們圍了起來，其中有面白溫順的婦女，有嬉笑健壯的兒童，還有目光懇摯的男子。

Many were the cries of astonishment and of commiseration which arose from them when they perceived the youth of one of the strangers and the destitution of the other.

大家看到這兩個陌生人，孩子是那么幼小，大人是那么虛弱，都不禁憐憫地嘆息起來。

Their escort did not halt, however, but pushed on, followed by a great crowd of Mormons, until they reached a wagon, which was conspicuous for its great size and for the gaudiness and smartness of its appearance.

但是，護送的人們并沒有停住腳步，他們排開眾人前進，后邊還跟著一大群摩門教徒，一直來到一輛馬車前面。這輛馬車十分高大，特別華麗講究，和別的馬車大不相同。

Six horses were yoked to it, whereas the others were furnished with two, or, at most, four apiece.

這輛車套有六七馬，而別的都是兩匹，最多的也不過四匹。

Beside the driver there sat a man who could not have been more than thirty years of age, but whose massive head and resolute expression marked him as a leader.

在馭者的旁邊，坐著一個人，年紀(jì)不過卅歲，但是他那巨大的頭顱和堅毅的神情，一看就知道他是一個領(lǐng)袖人物。

He was reading a brown-backed volume, but as the crowd approached he laid it aside, and listened attentively to an account of the episode.

他正在讀一本棕色封面的書。當(dāng)這群人來到他的面前時，他就把書放在一邊，注意地聽取了這件奇聞的匯報。

Then he turned to the two castaways. "If we take you with us," he said, in solemn words, "it can only be as believers in our own creed. We shall have no wolves in our fold.

聽完之后，他瞧著這兩個落難人。他正言厲色地說道："只有信奉我們的宗教，我們才能帶著你們一塊兒走。我們不允許有狼混進我們的羊群。

Better far that your bones should bleach in this wilderness than that you should prove to be that little speck of decay which in time corrupts the whole fruit. Will you come with us on these terms?"

與其讓你們這個腐爛的斑點日后毀壞整個的果子，那倒不如就叫你們的骸骨暴露在這曠野之中。你愿意接受這個條件跟我們走嗎？"

"Guess I'll come with you on any terms," said Ferrier, with such emphasis that the grave Elders could not restrain a smile.

"我愿意跟著你們走，什么條件都行。"費瑞厄那樣加重語氣的說法，就連那些穩(wěn)重的長老都忍不住笑了。

The leader alone retained his stern, impressive expression. "Take him, Brother Stangerson," he said, "give him food and drink, and the child likewise.

只有這位首領(lǐng)依舊保持著莊嚴(yán)、肅穆的神情。他說："斯坦節(jié)遜兄弟，你收留他吧，給他吃的喝的，也給這孩子。

Let it be your task also to teach him our holy creed. We have delayed long enough. Forward! On, on to Zion!"

你還要負(fù)責(zé)給他講授咱們的教義。咱們耽擱的太久了，起身吧，向郇山前進！"

"On, on to Zion!" cried the crowd of Mormons, and the words rippled down the long caravan, passing from mouth to mouth until they died away in a dull murmur in the far distance.

"前進，向郇山前進！"摩門教徒們一起喊了起來。命令象波浪一樣，一個接一個地傳了下去，人聲漸漸地在遠(yuǎn)處消失了。

With a cracking of whips and a creaking of wheels the great wagons got into motion, and soon the whole caravan was winding along once more.

鞭聲噼啪，車聲隆隆，大隊車馬行動起來，整個行列又蜿蜒前進了。

The Elder to whose care the two waifs had been committed led them to his wagon, where a meal was already awaiting them.

斯坦節(jié)遜長老把兩個落難人帶到他的車?yán)铮抢镌缫呀o他們預(yù)備好了吃食。

"You shall remain here," he said. "In a few days you will have recovered from your fatigues. In the meantime, remember that now and forever you are of our religion.

他說："你們就住在這里。不久你們就能恢復(fù)疲勞了。從今以后，要永遠(yuǎn)記住，你們是我們教的教徒了。

Brigham Young has said it, and he has spoken with the voice of Joseph Smith, which is the voice of God."

卜瑞格姆·揚是這樣指示的，他的話是憑借著約瑟·史密斯的聲音說的，也就是傳達(dá)上帝的意旨。"