評論
打印
They replied that they expected that some would be killed,—that death would be better than such imprisonment;
囚犯們回應說，他們已經料到這場沖突中勢必有人傷亡，但死亡的結局興許比囚禁監獄更好；
and, with that look and tone which bespeak an indomitable purpose, they declared that not a man should leave the hall alive till the flogging was remitted.
那神色語調無不顯示了暴徒們不達目的、絕不罷休的兇殘。他們不依不饒地聲稱，除非免除三位囚犯的鞭刑，否則沒有一個人會活著離開餐廳。
At this period of the discussion their evil passions seemed to be more inflamed,
談判期間，囚犯們邪惡情緒似乎正加劇膨脹爆發，
and one or two offered to destroy the officer, who still stood firmer and with a more temperate pulse than did his friends,
那位警官，仍然神情堅毅地站在那里，比他的同事們更為冷靜溫和。
who saw from above, but could not avert, the danger that threatened him.
上面的人目睹這一場景，對隨時可能威脅其人身安全的危險行為，只能束手無策。
Just at this moment, and in about fifteen minutes from the commencement of the tumult,
就在那時，距騷亂發生大約十五分鐘后，
the officer saw the feet of the marines, on whose presence alone he relied for succor, filing by the small upper lights.
通過天花板上的微弱光亮，那位警官看到了海軍陸戰隊員的身影，他清楚自己可以依賴的救助近在眼前。
Without any apparent anxiety, he had repeatedly turned his attention to their approach;
他不露聲色，臉上未有絲毫焦慮之情，不過密切注意士兵們愈發逼近的腳步。
and now he knew that it was his only time to escape, before the conflict became, as was expected, one of the most dark and dreadful in the world.
此刻，他內心明白，這是沖突發生前可以逃脫的唯一良機，毫無疑問，正是世上最為可怕緊張的時刻。
He stepped slowly backward, still urging them to depart before the officers were driven to use the last resort of firearms.
他慢慢地往后挪動，嘴里仍然不停地勸說囚犯們，告訴他們最好在陸戰隊員們最后不得不開火前離開。
When within three or four feet of the door, it was opened, and closed instantly again as he sprang through,
離門三四英尺時，門突然被打開，他飛身跑了出去，旋即門重新關上，
and was thus unexpectedly restored to his friends.
出乎意料地，他重新回到了同僚們中間。
