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The ship which the American frigate had now to oppose, was a vessel of near her own size and equipage;
這艘美國防衛(wèi)艦此刻的對手，為一艘與其體積配置所差無幾的英國戰(zhàn)艦，
and when Griffith looked at her again, he perceived that she had made her preparations to assert her equality in manful fight.
格里菲斯船長再度打量了自己艦艇，意識到準(zhǔn)備工作已經(jīng)就緒，完全可以投入即將到來的激烈戰(zhàn)斗。
Her sails had been gradually reduced to the usual quantity,
護(hù)衛(wèi)艦航行速度緩慢地減到正常時速后，
and, by certain movements on her decks, the lieutenant and his constant attendant, the Pilot,
隨同一直左右的領(lǐng)航員，上尉船長登上甲板觀察后發(fā)現(xiàn)，
well understood that she only wanted to lessen the distance a few hundred yards to begin the action.
只要將兩艦距離減少數(shù)百碼，便可即刻發(fā)動攻擊。
“Now spread everything,” whispered the stranger.
“進(jìn)入戰(zhàn)斗狀態(tài)，”那位新來的領(lǐng)航員低聲說道。
Griffith applied the trumpet to his mouth, and shouted, in a voice that was carried even to his enemy,
格里菲斯船長揚(yáng)起喇叭，他的聲音洪亮，在空中炸響，甚至敵艦亦能聽見，
Let fall—out with your booms—sheet home—hoist away of everything!
士兵們，各就各位投入戰(zhàn)斗，做好炮擊準(zhǔn)備，立即升起風(fēng)帆！
The inspiring cry was answered by a universal bustle.
船艦上頓時一團(tuán)喧囂忙亂。
Fifty men flew out on the dizzy heights of the different spars, while broad sheets of canvas rose as suddenly along the masts,
五十位軍人如離弦的箭般飛奔爬向高低不同的大小桅桿，數(shù)張寬闊的船帆頃刻間沿著桅桿嗖嗖地升起展開，
as if some mighty bird were spreading its wings.
宛如巨鳥霎時打開寬闊雙翼。
The Englishman instantly perceived his mistake, and he answered the artifice by a roar of artillery.
英國人旋即意識到自己的失策，很快用一通轟鳴火炮回應(yīng)美艦的襲擊。
Griffith watched the effects of the broadside with an absorbing interest as the shot whistled above his head;
當(dāng)炮彈呼嘯著從格里菲斯頭頂掠過，
but when he perceived his masts untouched, and the few unimportant ropes, only, that were cut,
船長急切地察看隆隆炮聲后的船舷，防衛(wèi)艦上所有桅桿毫發(fā)無傷，不過只是炸斷幾根不甚緊要的繩索，
he replied to the uproar with a burst of pleasure.
他的心頭不禁泛起一陣狂喜。
