It was General Zaroff. He made his way along with his eyes fixed in utmost concentration on the ground. He paused, almost beneath the tree, dropped to his knees and studied the ground. Rainsford's impulse was to hurl himself down like a panther, but he saw that the general's right hand held something metallic—a small automatic pistol.
這個人就是扎洛夫將軍。他兩眼死死地盯著地面,一步一步走過來。快到樹下時他停了下來,跪下來仔細察看著地面。雷恩斯福德頓時有一股沖動,想像豹子那樣一躍而下,但他看到了將軍右手握著的某種金屬物件——一把微型自動手槍。
The hunter shook his head several times, as if puzzled. Then he straightened up and took out a cigarette. Rainsford held his breath. The general's eyes were now traveling inch by inch up the tree. Rainsford froze there, every muscle tensed for a spring. But the sharp eyes of the hunter stopped before they reached the limb where Rainsford lay; a smile spread over his face. Very deliberately he blew a smoke ring into the air, and then turned and walked carelessly away.
這位獵手搖了幾下頭,好像一副困惑的樣子。接著他站了起來,拿出一支煙。雷恩斯福德屏住呼吸。將軍的目光沿著樹干一點一點向上移,雷恩斯福德一動不動地僵在那兒,肌肉緊繃著,準備一躍而下。但是,獵手那銳利的目光在尚未移到雷恩斯福德藏身的樹杈時卻停住了,他的臉上泛起一絲微笑。他從容地向空中吐了一個煙圈,隨即轉身漫不經心地走開了。
The pent-up air burst hotly from Rainsford's lungs. His first thought made him feel sick and numb. The general could follow an extremely difficult trail through the woods at night; he must have uncanny powers; only by the merest chance had the Cossack failed to see his quarry.
雷恩斯福德憋在胸中的一口熱氣吐了出來。他的第一個想法讓他感到難受,渾身發麻。將軍居然在夜晚也能順著一條極其難尋的足跡穿越樹林;他肯定有著某種超人的本領。只因極為偶然的情況,這個哥薩克人才沒有發現他的獵物。
Rainsford's second thought was even more terrible. It sent a shudder of cold horror through his whole being. Why had the general smiled? Why had he turned back?
雷恩斯福德的第二個想法更是令人感到恐怖,這個想法讓他不寒而栗。將軍為什么會微笑?他為什么轉身離開?
The truth was clear. The general was playing with him! He was saving him for another day's sport! The Cossack was the cat; he was the mouse. It was then that Rainsford knew the full meaning of horror.
事實明擺著,將軍在捉弄他!將軍留下他是為了能多玩一天!那個哥薩克人是只貓,而他卻是只老鼠。直到這個時候,雷恩斯福德才真正體會到恐怖的滋味。