They motored down the main street to where the police launch was waiting at the jetty and set off at a good twenty knots across the beautiful bay and round the headland into the Sea of Genkai. Tiger produced sandwiches and a flask of sake for each of them, and they ate their luncheon13 as the jagged green coast -with its sandy beaches passed slowly by to port. Tiger pointed14 out a distant dot on the horizon. 'Kuro Island,' he said. 'Cheer up, Bondo-san 1 You seem preoccupied15. Think of all those beautiful naked women you will soon be swimming with! And this Japanese Greta Garbo with whom you will be passing the nights!'
'And the sharks who will already be gathering16 at the news of my swim to the castle!'
'If they do not eat the Amas, why should they eat a bit of tough Englishman? Look at the two fish eagles circling 1 That is an excellent augury17. One alone would have been less propitious18. Four would have been disastrous19, for with us four is the same as your thirteen - the worst number of all. But, Bondo-san, does it not amuse you to think of that foolish dragon dozing20 all unsuspecting in his castle while St George comes silently riding towards his lair21 across the waves? It would make the subject for a most entertaining Japanese print.'
'You've got a funny sense of humour, Tiger.'
'It is merely different from yours. Most of our funny stories involve death or disaster. I am not a "picture-daddy" - a professional story-teller - but I will tell you my favourite. It concerns the young girl who comes to the toll22 bridge. She tosses one sen, a very small piece of money, to the watchman, and walks on. The watchman calls after her, "Hey! You know that the toll for crossing the bridge is two sen." The girl answers, "But I do not intend to cross the bridge. I intend only to go halfway23 and then throw myself into the river." ' Tiger laughed uproariously.
Bond smiled politely. 'I must save that one up for London. They'll split their sides over it.'
The small speck24 on the horizon grew larger and soon revealed itself as a horned island about five miles in circumference25 with steep cliffs and a small harbour facing north. On the mainland, Doctor Shatterhand's small peninsula reached out into the sea, and the fortress-like black wall soared up out of the breaking waves. Above it were the tops of trees, and, behind them, in the distance, the winged roof of the topmost storey of the castle broke the skyline. The formidable silhouette26 reminded Bond vaguely27 of photographs of Alcatraz taken from sea-level. He shivered slightly at the thought of the night's swim across the half-mile channel and of the black spider that would then scale those soaring fortifications. Ah well! He turned his attention back to Kuro Island.
It appeared to be made of black volcanic28 rock, but there was much green vegetation right up to the summit of a small peak on which there was some kind of a stone beacon29. When they rounded the headland that formed one arm of the bay, a crowded little village and a jetty appeared. Out to sea, thirty or more rowing boats were scattered30 and there was the occasional glint of pink flesh in the sunlight. Naked children were playing among the big smooth black boulders31 that tumbled like bathing hippos along the shoreline, and there were green nets hung up to dry. It was a pretty scene, with the delicate remoteness, the fairyland quality, of small fishing communities all the world over. Bond took an immediate32 liking33 to the place, as if he was arriving at a destination that had been waiting for him and that would be friendly and welcoming.
A group of village elders, grave, gnarled old men with the serious expressions of simple people on important occasions, led by the Shinto priest, was on the jetty to welcome them. The priest was in ceremonial robes, a dark-red, three-quarter-length kimono with vast hanging sleeves, a turquoise34 skirt in broad pleats and the traditional shining black hat in the shape of a blunt cone35. He was a man of simple dignity and considerable presence, middle-aged36, with a round face and round spectacles and a pursed, judging mouth. His shrewd eye took them in one by one as they came ashore37, but they rested longest on Bond. Superintendent38 Ando was greeted with friendship as well as respect. This was part of his parish, and he was the ultimate source of all fishing permits, reflected Bond ungraciously, but he had to admit that the deference39 of the bows was not exaggerated and that he was lucky in his ambassador. They proceeded up the cobbled path of the main street to the priest's house, a modest, weather-beaten affair of stone and carpentered driftwood. They entered and sat on the spotless polished wood floor in an arc in front of the priest, and the Superintendent made a long speech punctuated40 by serious 'Hai's' and 'Ah, so desu ka's' from the priest, who occasionally let his wise eyes rest thoughtfully on Bond. He made a short speech in return, to which the Superintendent and Tiger listened with deference. Tiger replied, and the business of the meeting was over save for the inevitable41 tea.
Bond asked Tiger how his presence and mission had been explained. Tiger said that it would have been of no use lying to the priest who was a shrewd man, so he-had been told most of the truth. The priest had expressed regret that such extreme measures were contemplated42, but he agreed that the castle across the sea was a most evil place and its owner a man in league with the devil. In the circumstances, he would give the project his blessing43 and James Bond would be allowed to stay on the island for the minimum time necessary to accomplish his mission.
The priest would invite the Suzuki family to accord him an honourable44 welcome. Bond would be explained away to the elders as a famous gaijin anthropologist45 who had come to study the Ama way of life. Bond should therefore study it, but the priest requested that Bond should behave in a sincere manner. 'Which means,' explained Tiger with a malicious46 grin,'that you are not to go to bed with the girls.'
In the evening they walked back to the jetty. The sea was a dark slate47 colour and mirror-calm. The little boats, bedecked with coloured flags which meant that it had been an exceptional day's fishing, were winging their way back. The entire population of Kuro, perhaps two hundred souls, was lined up along the shore to greet the heroines of the day, the older people holding carefully folded shawls and blankets to warm up the girls on their way to their homes where, according to Tiger, they would be given hot basin-baths to get back their circulation and remove all traces of salt.Itwas now five o'clock. They would be asleep by eight, said Tiger, and out again with the dawn. Tiger was sympathetic. 'You will have to adjust your hours, Bondo-san. And your way of life. The Ama live very frugally48, very cheaply, for their earnings49 are small - no more than the price of sparrows' tears, as we say. And for heaven's sake be very polite to the parents, particularly the father. As for Kissy…' He left the sentence hanging in the air.
Eager hands reached for each boat and, with happy shouts, pulled it up on the black pebbles50. Big wooden tubs were lifted out and rushed up the beach to a kind of rickety market where, according to Tiger, the awabi were graded and priced. Meanwhile, the chattering51, smiling girls waded52 in through the shallows and cast modestly appraising53 glances at the three mainland strangers on the jetty.
To Bond, they all seemed beautiful and gay in the soft evening light-the proud, rather coarse-nippled breasts, the gleaming, muscled buttocks, cleft54 by the black cord that held in place the frontal triangle of black cotton, the powerful thong55 round the waist with its string of oval lead weights, through which was stuck an angular steel pick, the white rag round the tumbled hair and, below, the laughing dark eyes and lips that were happy with the luck of the day. At that moment, it all seemed to Bond as the world, as life, should be, and he felt ashamed of his city-slicker appearance, let alone the black designs it concealed56.
One girl, rather taller than the rest, seemed to pay no attention to the men on the jetty or to the police launch riding beside it. She was the centre of a crowd of laughing girls as she waded with a rather long, perhaps studied, stride over the shiny black pebbles and up the beach. She flung back a remark at her companions and they giggled57, putting their hands up to their mouths. Then a wizened59 old woman held out a coarse brown blanket to her and she wrapped it round herself and the group dispersed60.
The couple, the old woman and the young one, walked up the beach to the market. The young one talked excitedly. The old one paid attention and nodded. The priest was waiting for them. They bowed very low. He talked to them and they listened with humility61, casting occasional glances towards the group on the jetty. The tall girl drew her blanket more closely round her. James Bond had guessed it already. Now he knew. This was Kissy Suzuki.
The three people, the splendidly attired62 priest, the walnut-faced old fisherwoman and the tall naked girl wrapped in her drab blanket came along the jetty, the girl hanging back. In a curious way they were a homogeneous trio, and the priest might have been the father. The women stopped and the priest came forward. He bowed to Bond and addressed him. Tiger translated: 'He says that the father and mother of Kissy Suzuki would be honoured to receive you in their humble63 abode64 for whose poverty they apologize. They regret that they are not accustomed to Western ways, but their daughter is proficient65 in English as a result of her work in America and will endeavour to convey your wishes to them. The priest asks if you can row a boat. The father, who previously66 rowed for his daughter, is stricken with rheumatism67. It would be of great assistance to the family if you would deign68 to take his place.'
Bond bowed. He said, 'Please convey to his reverence69 that I am most grateful for his intercession on my behalf. I would be most honoured to have a place to lay my head in the home of Suzuki-san. My needs are very modest and I greatly enjoy the Japanese way of life. I would be most pleased to row the family boat or help the household in any other way.' He added, sotto voce, 'Tiger, I may need these people's help when the time comes. Particularly the girl's. How much can I tell her?'
Tiger said softly, 'Use your discretion70. The priest knows, therefore the girl can know. She will not spread it abroad. And now come forward and let the priest introduce you. Don't forget that your name here is Taro71, which means " first son", Todoroki, which means "thunder". The priest is not interested in your real name. I have said that this is an approximation of your English name. It doesn't matter. Nobody will care. But you must try to assume some semblance72 of a Japanese personality for when you get to the other side. This name is on your identity card-and on your miner's union card from the coal mines of Fukuoka. You need not bother with these things here for you are among friends. On the other side, if you are caught, you will show the card that says you are deaf and dumb. All right?'
Tiger talked to the priest and Bond was led forward to the two women. He bowed low to the mother, but he remembered not to bow too low as she was only a woman, and then he turned to the girl.
She laughed gaily73. She didn't titter or giggle58, she actually laughed. She said, 'You don't have to bow to me and I shall never bow to you.' She held out her hand. 'How do you do. My name is Kissy Suzuki.'
The hand was ice-cold. Bond said, 'My name is Taro Todoroki and I am sorry to have kept you here so long. You are cold and you ought to go and have your hot bath. It is very kind of your family to accept me as your guest, but I do not want to be an imposition. Are you sure it's all right?'
'Whatever the kannushi-san, the priest, says is all right. And I have been cold before. When you have finished with your distinguished74 friends, my mother and I will be happy to lead you to our house. I hope you are good at peeling potatoes.'
Bond was delighted. Thank God for a straightforward75 girl at last! No more bowing and hissing76 1 He said, 'I took a degree in it. And I am strong and willing and I don't snore. What time do we take out the boat?'
'About five thirty. When the sun comes up. Perhaps you will bring me good luck. The awabi shells are not easy to find. We had a lucky day today and I earned about thirty dollars, but it is not always so.'
'I don't reckon in dollars. Let's say ten pounds.'
'Aren't Englishmen the same as Americans? Isn't the money the same?'
'Very alike, but totally different.'
'Is that so?'
'You mean "Ah, so desti ka?'' '
The girl laughed. 'You have been well trained by the important man from Tokyo. Perhaps you will now say goodbye to him and we can go home. It is at the other end of the village.'
The priest, the Superintendent and Tiger had been talking together, ostensibly paying no attention to Bond and the girl. The mother had been standing77 humbly78, but with shrewd eyes, watching every expression on the two faces. Bond now bowed again to her and went back to the group of men.
Farewells were brief. Dusk was creeping up over the sea and the orange ball of the sun had already lost its brilliance79 in the evening haze80. The engine of the police boat had been started up and its exhaust bubbled softly. Bond thanked the Superintendent and was wished good fortune in his honourable endeavours. Tiger looked serious. He took Bond's hand in both of his, an unusual gesture for a Japanese. He said, 'Bondo-san, I am certain you will succeed, so I will not wish you luck. Nor will I say "sayonara", farewell. I will simply say a quiet "banzai!" to you and give you this little presento in case the gods frown upon your venture and, through no fault of yours, things go wrong, very wrong.' He took out a little box and gave it to Bond.
The box rattled81. Bond opened it. Inside was one long brownish pill. Bond laughed. He gave it back to Tiger and said, 'No thanks, Tiger. As Basho said, or almost said, "You only live twice." If my second life comes up, I would rather look it in the face and not turn my back on it. But thanks, and thanks for everything. Those live lobsters82 were really delicious. I shall now look forward to eating plenty of seaweed while I'm here. So long! See you in about a week.'
Tiger got down into the boat and the engine revved83 up. As the boat took the swell84 at the entrance to the harbour, Tiger raised a hand and brought it swiftly down with a chopping motion and then the boat was round the sea-wall and out of sight.
Bond turned away. The priest had gone. Kissy Suzuki said impatiently, 'Come along, Todoroki-san. The kannushi-san says I am to treat you as a comrade, as an equal. But give me one of those two little bags to carry. For the sake of the villagers who will be watching inquisitively85, we will wear the Oriental face in public.'
And the tall man with the dark face, cropped hair and slanting86 eyebrows87, the tall girl, and the old woman walked off along the shore with their angular Japanese shadows preceding them across the smooth black boulders.
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1
automaton
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| n.自动机器，机器人 | |
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gangster
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| n.匪徒，歹徒，暴徒 | |
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botanist
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| n.植物学家 | |
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killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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expenditure
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| n.(时间、劳力、金钱等)支出；使用，消耗 | |
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fabulous
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| adj.极好的；极为巨大的；寓言中的，传说中的 | |
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meticulous
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| adj.极其仔细的，一丝不苟的 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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feud
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| n.长期不和；世仇；v.长期争斗；世代结仇 | |
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flask
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| n.瓶，火药筒，砂箱 | |
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luncheon
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| n.午宴，午餐，便宴 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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preoccupied
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| adj.全神贯注的，入神的；被抢先占有的；心事重重的v.占据（某人）思想，使对…全神贯注，使专心于( preoccupy的过去式) | |
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16
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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augury
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| n.预言，征兆，占卦 | |
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propitious
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| adj.吉利的；顺利的 | |
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19
disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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dozing
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| v.打瞌睡,假寐 n.瞌睡 | |
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21
lair
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| n.野兽的巢穴；躲藏处 | |
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toll
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| n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟) | |
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halfway
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| adj.中途的，不彻底的，部分的；adv.半路地，在中途，在半途 | |
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24
speck
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| n.微粒，小污点，小斑点 | |
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circumference
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| n.圆周，周长，圆周线 | |
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silhouette
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| n.黑色半身侧面影，影子，轮廓；v.描绘成侧面影，照出影子来，仅仅显出轮廓 | |
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vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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volcanic
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| adj.火山的；象火山的；由火山引起的 | |
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beacon
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| n.烽火，（警告用的）闪火灯，灯塔 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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boulders
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| n.卵石( boulder的名词复数 )；巨砾；（受水或天气侵蚀而成的）巨石；漂砾 | |
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32
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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turquoise
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| n.绿宝石；adj.蓝绿色的 | |
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cone
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| n.圆锥体，圆锥形东西，球果 | |
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middle-aged
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| adj.中年的 | |
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ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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superintendent
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| n.监督人，主管，总监；(英国)警务长 | |
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deference
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| n.尊重，顺从；敬意 | |
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punctuated
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| v.（在文字中）加标点符号，加标点( punctuate的过去式和过去分词 )；不时打断某事物 | |
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41
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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honourable
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| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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anthropologist
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| n.人类学家，人类学者 | |
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malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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slate
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| n.板岩，石板，石片，石板色，候选人名单；adj.暗蓝灰色的，含板岩的；vt.用石板覆盖，痛打，提名，预订 | |
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48
frugally
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| adv. 节约地, 节省地 | |
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earnings
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| n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得 | |
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50
pebbles
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| [复数]鹅卵石； 沙砾； 卵石，小圆石( pebble的名词复数 ) | |
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51
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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52
waded
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| （从水、泥等）蹚，走过，跋( wade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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appraising
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| v.估价( appraise的现在分词 )；估计；估量；评价 | |
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54
cleft
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| n.裂缝；adj.裂开的 | |
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thong
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| n.皮带；皮鞭；v.装皮带 | |
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56
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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57
giggled
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| v.咯咯地笑( giggle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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giggle
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| n.痴笑，咯咯地笑；v.咯咯地笑着说 | |
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59
wizened
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| adj.凋谢的；枯槁的 | |
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60
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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61
humility
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| n.谦逊，谦恭 | |
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attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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64
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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proficient
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| adj.熟练的，精通的；n.能手，专家 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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rheumatism
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| n.风湿病 | |
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deign
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| v. 屈尊, 惠允 ( 做某事) | |
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69
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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70
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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71
taro
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| n.芋，芋头 | |
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semblance
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| n.外貌，外表 | |
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73
gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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74
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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75
straightforward
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| adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的 | |
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76
hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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78
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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brilliance
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| n.光辉，辉煌，壮丽，（卓越的）才华，才智 | |
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haze
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| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
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81
rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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82
lobsters
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| 龙虾( lobster的名词复数 )； 龙虾肉 | |
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83
revved
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| v.（使）加速( rev的过去式和过去分词 )；（数量、活动等）激增；（使发动机）快速旋转；（使）活跃起来 | |
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84
swell
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| vi.膨胀，肿胀；增长，增强 | |
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85
inquisitively
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| 过分好奇地； 好问地 | |
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86
slanting
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| 倾斜的，歪斜的 | |
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87
eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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