但是,使人一楞的是,在最后一天,看到這個(gè)心地極好的女桂克,一手拿著一只長(zhǎng)長(zhǎng)的油勺子,一手拿著一把更長(zhǎng)的捕鯨槍走上船來(lái)。至于比勒達(dá)本人和法勒船長(zhǎng)的忙勁可也不差。且說(shuō)比勒達(dá),他隨身帶著一張記上所需的東西的長(zhǎng)單子,每當(dāng)一樣新東西送到時(shí),他就在單子上所列的東西旁邊做個(gè)記號(hào)。法勒則每隔一會(huì)兒就從那鯨骨的小窠里一步一點(diǎn)地走出來(lái),在艙口對(duì)下面的人咆哮一陣,又對(duì)那些在上面桅頂上工作的帆手們咆哮一陣,然后又大肆咆哮地回到他那小屋里去。
During these days of preparation, Queequeg and I often visited the craft, and as often I asked about Captain Ahab, and how he was, and when he was going to come on board his ship. To these questions they would answer, that he was getting better and better, and was expected aboard every day; meantime, the two Captains, Peleg and Bildad, could attend to everything necessary to fit the vessel for the voyage. If I had been downright honest with myself, I would have seen very plainly in my heart that I did but half fancy being committed this way to so long a voyage, without once laying my eyes on the man who was to be the absolute dictator of it, so soon as the ship sailed out upon the open sea. But when a man suspects any wrong, it sometimes happens that if he be already involved in the matter, he insensibly strives to cover up his suspicions even from himself. And much this way it was with me. I said nothing, and tried to think nothing.
在這些準(zhǔn)備開航的日子里,我和魁魁格經(jīng)常去探望那條船,也經(jīng)常探問(wèn)一下亞哈船長(zhǎng),他身體怎樣了,什么時(shí)候準(zhǔn)備到船上來(lái)。對(duì)于這些問(wèn)題,他們都回答說(shuō),他已逐漸恢復(fù)健康,預(yù)料隨時(shí)可以上船;同時(shí)還說(shuō),一切有關(guān)這條船的航程必需品,法勒和比勒達(dá)這兩個(gè)船東都可以對(duì)付。如果要我自己說(shuō)句真正的老實(shí)話,那我自己的心里是挺明白的,我這樣投身到一個(gè)時(shí)間非常長(zhǎng)的航程中,完全是一種異想天開的做法,因?yàn)檠劭催@條船就要駛到遼闊的海洋上去,我卻連那個(gè)要做這只船的絕對(duì)的獨(dú)裁者的人還一面未見。不過(guò),當(dāng)一個(gè)人在疑心有什么錯(cuò)失的時(shí)候,往往因?yàn)樗呀?jīng)做了局中人,甚至他對(duì)自己也會(huì)不知不覺(jué)地設(shè)法把他的疑惑給掩蓋起來(lái)。我就正是這樣。我一點(diǎn)也不說(shuō)什么,也盡量什么都不去想它。
At last it was given out that some time next day the ship would certainly sail. So next morning, Queequeg and I took a very early start.
最后,據(jù)通知,那條船大概在明天什么時(shí)候一定要啟碇了。因此,隔天早晨,我和魁魁格就很早地出發(fā)。