我們走近碼頭的時候,已經快六點鐘了,天還只蒙蒙亮。
There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right, said I to Queequeg, it can't be shadows; she's off by sunrise, I guess; come on!
我要是沒看錯的話,那邊也有幾個水手在朝前跑去,我對魁魁格說,那不會是影子;我猜想,太陽一出來就要開船了;走吧!
Avast! cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us,
慢著!一個聲音嚷道,同時,那個說話的人已在我們后面走攏來了,兩只手搭著我們兩只肩膀,然后,擠到我們中間來,站在那里,
stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me. It was Elijah.
身子朝前微彎,在模糊的晨曦中,他顯得很是奇特地瞇著眼瞧瞧魁魁格,又瞧瞧我。原來是以利亞。
Going aboard?
上船啦?
Hands off, will you, said I.
把手拿開,好嗎?我說。
Lookee here, said Queequeg, shaking himself, go 'way!
喂,魁魁格身子一抖,說,走開!
Aint going aboard, then?
那么,是不是上船呵?
Yes, we are, said I, but what business is that of yours? Do you know, Mr. Elijah, that I consider you a little impertinent?
不錯,我們要上船了,我說,可是,這干你什么事?你可知道,以利亞先生,我認為你有點鹵莽吧?
No, no, no; I wasn't aware of that, said Elijah, slowly and wonderingly looking from me to Queequeg, with the most unaccountable glances.
不,不,不;我倒覺不到,以利亞說,他又以極其莫名其妙的眼色,奇特而慢慢地望望我,又望望魁魁格。
Elijah, said I, you will oblige my friend and me by withdrawing. We are going to the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and would prefer not to be detained.
以利亞,我說,請你放我的朋友和我走吧。我們是準備到印度洋和太平洋去的,所以不愿意讓人家耽擱時間。
Ye be, be ye? Coming back afore breakfast?
你們,是你們?早飯前就回來么?
He's cracked, Queequeg, said I, come on.
他瘋啦,魁魁格,我說,走吧。
Holloa! cried stationary Elijah, hailing us when we had removed a few paces.
喂!我們走了幾步后,那個站在那里一動不動的以利亞又叫了起來,招呼我們。
Never mind him, said I, Queequeg, come on.
別理他,我說,魁魁格,走吧。
But he stole up to us again, and suddenly clapping his hand on my shoulder, said--Did ye see anything looking like men going towards that ship a while ago?
但是,他又悄悄地跟上了我們,突然把他的手輕拍著我的肩膀,說剛才你看到一些象人一樣的東西朝那條船走去嗎?
Struck by this plain matter-of-fact question, I answered, saying, Yes, I thought I did see four or five men; but it was too dim to be sure.
我被他這個簡單平凡的問題打動了,回答道,看到的,我想我看到了四五個人;可是太模糊,摸不準是不是人。