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When it was all over, Osa sat down. And I must confess that my own knees felt a trifle wobbly.
當一切都結束的時候，奧薩坐了下來。我必須承認，現在我有些站立不穩。
It had been a close call, and I would probably not have taken such foolish chances
這是一次距離非常近的接觸，要不是對奧薩的槍法有信心，
had it not been for my confidence in Osa’s marksmanship.
我絕對不會這么魯莽的。她的射擊能力比我強，
She is a better shot than I am and seldom misses her mark even under conditions that would shake the nerves of an experienced hunter.
在這種情況下，盡管是經驗豐富的獵人也會氣餒，而她很少失手。
She shoots only when the need is desperate,
不過，只有在非常需要或者在我們要為博物館搜集一種新物種時，
or when we collect an unusual specimen for the museum; and of course for food when necessary.
當然還有我們急需食物的時候，她才會出手。
Elephant citizens of the jungle
叢林中的大象公民
I like elephants. They are fine citizens of the jungle.
我喜歡大象。它們是叢林中的模范公民。
They mind their own business, fight little among themselves,
它們只關心自己的事，相互之間很少發生爭斗。
are intelligent in bringing up their young, and have a real sense of loyalty to the tribe.
它們在養育下一代方面很有智慧，而且對于自己的部族，它們絕對忠誠。
They lead a quiet family life, and never prey on other animals.
它們過著一種安靜的家庭生活，從不捕食其他動物。
Years of work in Africa have given me a close understanding of elephant character.
多年在非洲工作的經驗讓我對大象的性格有頗深的了解。
As a rule, I don't think they live much longer than a century. Age and size give them a great dignity.
一般來說，我認為它們的壽命不會長于一個世紀。年齡和體形賦予它們很高的尊嚴，
I think the old legend that elephants are blind must come from the fact that
我覺得那個說大象是瞎子的古老傳說一定是因為它們大多時候
they plod along much of the time as though half asleep, paying little attention to other animals.
都是拖著沉重的腳步緩慢行走，就好像睡著了似的，從不注意周遭其他動物。
They are so powerful that they are secure from attack and have grown careless through the years.
它們孔武有力，使得自身可以免遭其他動物的襲擊，長年自由生長，從不擔心周遭的威脅。
One day Osa asked Boculy how long elephants live.
一天，奧薩問鮑可利大象能活多久。
He could only say, Many years. He couldn't count far enough.
他只是說：“很多年?！彼粫禂?，
And of course he did not know. I think one hundred years is a very old age for them.
當然他也不知道。對它們來說，我覺得100歲是一個相當大的年齡了。
