評論
打印
He demanded their purpose in thus coming together with arms, in violation of the prison laws.
他嚴正指出，囚犯們手拿武器的集聚行為，嚴重地違背了監獄法規，
They replied that they were determined to obtain the remission of the punishment of their three comrades.
對方則回答，他們已下定決心，促使獄方赦免三位囚犯。
He said it was impossible; the rules of the prison must be obeyed, and they must submit.
他說，這點完全不可能，監獄法規必須服從，囚犯務必退讓。
At the hint of submission they drew a little nearer together, prepared their weapons for service,
在貌似順從的暗示下，囚犯們開始聚攏過來，時刻準備抄家伙。
and, as they were dimly seen in the further end of the hall by those who observed from the gratings that opened up to the day,
通過餐廳遠端那處天花光柵，外面監視的警官們影影綽綽看到下面囚犯的舉動。
a more appalling sight can not be conceived, nor one of more moral grandeur, than that of the single man standing within their grasp,
那一令人恐怖的景象看來模糊不清，那種高尚感動的犧牲亦無從獲悉細節，只能看見那位警官孤身站在一群窮兇極惡的匪徒中間，
and exposed to be torn limb from limb instantly if a word or look should add to the already intense excitement.
哪怕任何只言片語不合，或眼神不對路，不過瞬間工夫，他們就可一擁而上將他撕成碎片。
That excitement, too, was of a most dangerous kind.
最可怕的危機已經降臨。
It broke not forth in noise and imprecations, but was seen only in the dark looks and the strained nerves that showed a deep determination.
這種危機并非以嘈雜或詛咒形式爆發，黑暗中感覺的不過是那些暴戾眼神與緊繃神經，以及罪犯們毫不退讓的殘忍果狠。
The officer expostulated. He reminded them of the hopelessness of escape; that the town was alarmed, and that the government of the prison would submit to nothing but unconditional surrender.
那位警官有禮有節地訓誡囚犯，暗示他們無法逃脫的結局；小鎮此刻亦已獲知監獄的消息，除了無條件投降，獄方管理方不會屈從囚犯提出的任何條件。
He said that all those who would go quietly away should be forgiven for this offense;
他還說，所有退出暴亂的囚犯將會得到寬恕，隨后不再追究，
but that if every prisoner were killed in the contest, power enough would be obtained to enforce the regulations of the prison.
但如果有囚徒在沖突中死亡，監獄將獲取更多警力支持，以強化監獄法規的執行。
