I could not bring myself to the point of heaving all those pretty things overboard; but seeing what a dread27 he had of them, I stowed them all in the late skipper’s berth28 under his bed-place, in two large drawers, which I locked, and hung the key round my neck. Then, for the first time, I began to think about working the ship. Unfortunately, I had not the faintest idea of which was the best direction to steer29 in, for I did not know, within at least a thousand miles, our position. I imagined, of course, that we were somewhere south of Formosa, and between that great island and the Philippines; but that was vague in the extreme. And I was in hourly terror of being sighted by a wandering junk of whatever character, feeling certain of a barbarous death at the hands of any of You Sing’s countrymen who might happen to find such a prize as the Blitzen. How I longed for the sight of a smoke-wreath festooning the horizon! That vision would have nearly sent me crazy with joy. But I suppose we were far out of the track of steamers, for we saw no sign of one.
Aided most manfully and sensibly by You Sing, I clewed up the royals and topgallant sails with a view of making the vessel13 easier to handle, and with a great deal of labour managed to haul up the courses (mainsail and foresail) as well, taking the gear to the capstan where it was too heavy for our united efforts, until those great squares of canvas hung snug30 as they could be without being actually furled. Then, after long cogitation31, I decided32 to make for the coast of China, which I knew must be west of us, and trust to a merciful God to bring us in sight of either some civilized33 port or ship before any of those calm, merciless pagans came across us. Now we each took a regular trick at the wheel (You Sing learned to do so in less than half an hour); and little Elsie, all her high spirits gone, and docile34 as You Sing himself, even took a spell at steering35 when we would let her. Heaven alone knows what our track would have looked like on the chart, but it’s my belief that we were getting to the westward36 at the rate of about twenty miles a day for the best part of a week (I lost all count of time); and, though it seems hard to believe, I was actually beginning to feel quite important as the commander of a big vessel on the high seas. We fed well and we slept well—at least Elsie and I did; as for You Sing, I don’t know whether he ever slept at all. He did all the cooking, kept everything clean and tidy, and was ever ready when called upon. Besides all this, he had won his way into the affections of Elsie; and I almost felt a pang37 of jealousy38 when I heard her clear laugh at some of the quaint antics he cut in order to amuse her. Had it not been for the one haunting dread of being overhauled39 by a junk, I believe we should have been quite happy; for the terror of the past tragedy had faded from our minds, and the sea was kind and gentle, the soft breeze blew sweetly, though it varied40 a great deal, making our task of trimming the yards in order to keep the vessel somewhere near her course—due west—an uncommonly41 heavy one.
Then it fell a flat calm. Now, I had, even at that early age, all a sailor’s horror of a calm, and this one troubled me more than any I had yet experienced. The silence was almost unbearable42. I could not rest day or night—it lasted three days—for more than an hour or so at a time; and when I fell asleep from sheer weariness, I always woke with my heart thumping43 furiously and in an icy sweat of fear. The inaction got upon my nerves, so that I began to hear strange noises, and to imagine that the dead crew were among us, grieving because we were yet alive, and scheming to secure our company. This state of mind grew upon me to such an extent that at last I dared not leave You Sing, clinging to him as the one hope I had of ever again seeing the land of the living. He—grave, careful, and kind as ever—accepted this entire change in our relative positions with the same serene44 behaviour as before; and in my worst mental trouble I had only to look into his eyes to be completely comforted. Elsie, strange to say, seemed quite happy. She was carelessly kind to me; but she loved our Chinese friend. A word or two from him, in an unintelligible45 jargon46, would set her dancing with delight, and it was only during his unavoidable absence from her for a short time that she ever seemed to feel the misery47 of our position.
On the tenth evening (I think) of our loneliness, and the third of the calm, I was lolling against the useless wheel watching, with eyes that observed naught48, the fantastic efforts of You Sing to amuse Elsie, when an appalling49 feeling of dread suddenly78 came over me. It was as if I was going to be violently sea-sick, and affected51 my limbs to such an extent that I slid down from the wheel to the deck. This disabling sensation was happily only momentary52 in its effect, so that I was able to rise to my feet again almost immediately, though trembling violently. Whatever mysterious cause had thus affected me I could not tell, and it was evidently peculiar53 to myself, for my two shipmates were still merry at their play. But I was desperately54 uneasy, fearing that I was going to be very ill. I left the deck, and descended55 into the cabin, seeing, to my astonishment56, several rats prowling uneasily about. They took scarcely any notice of me, and I was too upset to obey the momentary impulse to chase them. I sank down on a settee and tried to collect myself, but I was too uneasy to sit still, and soon wandered out on the main-deck again.
Aimlessly I slouched forrard and climbed up on the forecastle head. As soon as I reached it, on looking ahead, I saw a sight that thickened my blood. Right before the vessel rose a dense57 mass of inky cloud, extending over an arc of the horizon of about one-sixth of its circumference58. It was dome-shaped, and upon its apex59 rested the descending60 sun, his glowing disc changed into a dull bronze-green ball that shed no light around. It looked as if the glorious orb61 was sick unto death. As I watched with growing anxiety, the painfully changed luminary62 sank slowly into that black mountain of gloom and disappeared. But above it the clear sky reflected its ghastliness, not by reason of its rays ascending63, for it appeared to have none, but as if some unknown light from the bowels64 of the earth had broken through the sea, and was thus disfiguring the beautiful face of the heavens.
Tearing myself away from the disabling fascination65 of the sight, I returned to the poop, noticing with much satisfaction that my trembling had almost ceased. I found You Sing and Elsie sitting on a hen-coop, watching with solemn faces the rising gloom ahead in perfect silence, all their pleasant play at an end. Meeting You Sing’s eye, I read therein a reflection of my own concern, and in an instant we understood each other. Doubtless, it being his native country, he understood the ominous66 signs far better than I, although even the child could see and feel that something terrible was impending67; and as I went up to her to coax68 her below he murmured in my ear two words of pure Chinese, which, because they have passed into the English language, I understood at once: “Ty foong!” They rang through my brain like a sentence of death; but I actually felt some relief at knowing the worst. For if we were about to encounter a typhoon in our utter helplessness either to prepare for it by furling sail, or to handle the vessel in any way, what hope could there be of our survival? But there is a certain satisfaction in knowing that, whatever happens, it is no fault of yours; that you can do nothing of any service, but just endure and hope. And that was exactly our position.
We got Elsie down below without alarming her, laid in a stock of fresh water in the cabin, and barricaded69 the doors opening on to the main-deck. Then80 we got some old sails up from the locker70 and covered the cabin skylight, lashing71 it down as securely as we knew how. The cabin being as secure as we could make it, we braced72 the yards sharp up on the starboard tack7 (although I don’t know why I chose that side, I’m sure), for I had a dim idea that we should stand a better chance so than with the yards square as they were, since I knew very well that in heavy gales73 of wind a vessel ought to be hove to, and that that was always effected by bracing74 the yards forrard. Then I let go the topsail-sheets and lowered the upper topsails down on the cap. We also hauled all the jibs and stay-sails down, making them as snug as we could. Last of all, I put the helm hard down, and lashed75 it there. My hope was that in the first burst of the tempest the big sails that were loose would blow away, and that the vessel would then heave herself to naturally, although I knew well enough that if caught by the lee she would probably capsize or drive under stern foremost.
While we had been thus busy the rising pall50 of clouds had imperceptibly grown until exactly half of the concave above was perfectly76 black—black as the adit of a coal-mine. The other half astern was of an ugly green tint77, as unlike the deep violet of the night sky in those latitudes78 as could well be imagined. Its chief peculiarity79, though, was its light. That segment of the sky was full of glare, diffused80 light that was even reflected on to the vessel, and yet could not be traced to any definite source. The contrast between this uncanny radiance and the crêpe-like darkness of the other half of the sky was tremendous, and of itself enough to inspire fear in the breast of any creature living.
Presently, as we watched in strained silence, came the beginning of what we were to know; a twining golden webwork of electric fires all over the swart roof of cloud, or whatever that gloom was built of, and in a hot puff81 of wind the destroying genie82 of the tropics uplifted the opening strains of his song. All cries of uttermost woe83 were blended in it as it faintly fell upon our ears, indistinctly, as if echoed and re-echoed from immeasurable distances, but growing louder and wilder with every burning breath. Then, in one furious blast, accompanied by a cracking blaze of lightning, the typhoon burst upon us. It was just sufficiently84 on the starboard bow to avoid catching85 us aback, and the vessel paid off, heeling over to its force until her lee rail was awash, and the gleaming foam86 toppled inboard in a smother87 of pale light. Lower and lower the sky descended, until it seemed as if we might have reached upward and touched it; and, unable to bear the sight any longer, I fled below, followed by You Sing, and securely fastened the scuttle15 behind us.
Elsie was asleep when I peeped into her room, for which I felt profoundly thankful; since how could we have comforted her? I sat down by You Sing’s side and looked up wonderingly into his impassive face which, as usual, was lighted by a tender smile as he met my troubled gaze. He took hold of my hand and patted it, murmuring his shibboleth88, “’Ullo, Tommy;” and, in spite of my terrors, I smiled. Outside, the uproar89 was beyond description; but except that we lay over at a most dangerous angle we were fairly steady. The force of the wind did not permit the sea to rise, and so between sleeping and waking that awful night passed.
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1
justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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enunciate
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| v.发音；（清楚地）表达 | |
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3
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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5
hoard
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| n./v.窖藏，贮存，囤积 | |
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6
preying
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| v.掠食( prey的现在分词 )；掠食；折磨；（人）靠欺诈为生 | |
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tack
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| n.大头钉；假缝，粗缝 | |
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8
reprisals
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| n.报复（行为）( reprisal的名词复数 ) | |
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deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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plundered
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| 掠夺，抢劫( plunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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13
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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15
scuttle
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| v.急赶，疾走，逃避；n.天窗；舷窗 | |
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scuttled
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| v.使船沉没( scuttle的过去式和过去分词 )；快跑，急走 | |
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17
wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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18
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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19
atoned
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| v.补偿，赎（罪）( atone的过去式和过去分词 )；补偿，弥补，赎回 | |
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survivors
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| 幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 ) | |
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21
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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22
divesting
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| v.剥夺( divest的现在分词 )；脱去（衣服）；2。从…取去…；1。（给某人）脱衣服 | |
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nemesis
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| n.给以报应者，复仇者，难以对付的敌手 | |
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tyrants
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| 专制统治者( tyrant的名词复数 )； 暴君似的人； （古希腊的）僭主； 严酷的事物 | |
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intervention
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| n.介入，干涉，干预 | |
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quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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berth
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| n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊 | |
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steer
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| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
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snug
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| adj.温暖舒适的，合身的，安全的；v.使整洁干净，舒适地依靠，紧贴；n.（英）酒吧里的私房 | |
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cogitation
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| n.仔细思考，计划，设计 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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docile
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| adj.驯服的，易控制的，容易教的 | |
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steering
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| n.操舵装置 | |
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westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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39
overhauled
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| v.彻底检查( overhaul的过去式和过去分词 )；大修；赶上；超越 | |
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40
varied
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| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
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41
uncommonly
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| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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42
unbearable
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| adj.不能容忍的；忍受不住的 | |
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43
thumping
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| adj.重大的，巨大的；重击的；尺码大的；极好的adv.极端地；非常地v.重击(thump的现在分词)；狠打；怦怦地跳；全力支持 | |
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44
serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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45
unintelligible
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| adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的 | |
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jargon
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| n.术语，行话 | |
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47
misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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49
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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50
pall
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| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
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51
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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52
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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53
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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54
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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55
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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56
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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57
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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58
circumference
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| n.圆周，周长，圆周线 | |
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59
apex
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| n.顶点，最高点 | |
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descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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61
orb
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| n.太阳；星球；v.弄圆；成球形 | |
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luminary
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| n.名人，天体 | |
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ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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64
bowels
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| n.肠，内脏，内部；肠( bowel的名词复数 )；内部，最深处 | |
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65
fascination
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| n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋 | |
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ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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coax
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| v.哄诱，劝诱，用诱哄得到，诱取 | |
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barricaded
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| 设路障于，以障碍物阻塞( barricade的过去式和过去分词 )； 设路障[防御工事]保卫或固守 | |
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70
locker
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| n.更衣箱，储物柜，冷藏室，上锁的人 | |
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71
lashing
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| n.鞭打；痛斥；大量；许多v.鞭打( lash的现在分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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72
braced
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| adj.拉牢的v.支住( brace的过去式和过去分词 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
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73
gales
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| 龙猫 | |
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bracing
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| adj.令人振奋的 | |
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lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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76
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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77
tint
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| n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
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latitudes
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| 纬度 | |
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peculiarity
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| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
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diffused
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| 散布的，普及的，扩散的 | |
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81
puff
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| n.一口(气)；一阵(风)；v.喷气，喘气 | |
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82
genie
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| n.妖怪，神怪 | |
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woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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84
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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85
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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86
foam
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| v./n.泡沫，起泡沫 | |
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87
smother
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| vt./vi.使窒息；抑制；闷死；n.浓烟；窒息 | |
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88
shibboleth
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| n.陈规陋习；口令；暗语 | |
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89
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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