評論
打印
"Boys," he said solemnly, "it is a great thing we are undertaking this day.
“小伙子們，”他鄭重地說，“這是我們今天要做的一件大事。
Our government has entrusted to us the safe carrying and delivery of its mails.
我國政府已委托我們安全運送政府郵件。
I have only this to say to you: Come what may, the mail must go through.
我只想和你們說：無論發生什么事，郵件都必須送達。
In my hat I am placing a slip of paper for each of you.
在我的帽子里，我為你們每個人放了一張紙條。
Upon one of the slips I have marked a cross in pencil.
在其中一張紙條上，我用鉛筆畫了一個十字。
He who draws the cross shall carry the first pouch. Draw!"
抽到畫十字的將會運送這第一批郵件。大家請抽吧！”
Eagerly they crowded around him and drew.
他們急切地圍著他，開始抽簽。
"I've got it," yelled Johnny Frye joyfully.
“我抽到了，” 約翰尼·弗萊高興地喊道。
One after another, his fellows stepped up to shake his hand and wish him luck, in spite of their own disappointment.
同伴們一個接一個地走上前和他握手，并祝他好運，盡管他們自己也很失望。
"Now for the horse that shall bear you," said Majors.
“現在去找一匹將要馱你的馬兒吧，” 梅杰斯說道。
"You shall have your pick from the corral. William!"
“你可以從畜欄里挑一匹你中意的。威廉！”
Out from the corner where he had been an interested listener, William Saunders, a sturdy boy of sixteen, approached his employer.
16歲的威廉·桑德斯是一個健壯的男孩，之前一直在饒有興趣地聽著，現在他從角落里走出來，走向他的雇主。
His blue eyes glowed with excitement.
他的藍眼睛因興奮而發亮。
Through his veins the blood was racing madly with the thrill of knowing that he had a part, small as it was, in this great day.
他的血管里涌動著熱血，因為他知道在這個偉大的日子里，他承擔著一個小小的角色，這讓他激動不已。
He held his head high;
他高昂著頭；
he had been employed by Russell, Majors and Waddell to take charge of the horses kept ready for the riders of the Pony Express between St.Joseph and the first relay station on the long trail westward.
他曾受雇于拉塞爾、梅杰斯和瓦德爾，負責為圣約瑟夫和西行漫長路線上的第一個中轉站之間的“快馬郵遞”的騎手們準備好馬匹。
"William," Majors ordered, "take Johnny Frye to the corral and let him look over the ponies.
“威廉，”梅杰斯命令道，“帶約翰尼·弗萊去畜欄，讓他看看小馬。
You will see that the one he chooses is properly groomed, saddled, and bridled, and is on hand at the railroad station when the train from the East arrives."
你會看到他選擇的馬兒打扮得很好，上了鞍，上了韁繩，等火車從東方駛來的時候，就在火車站旁邊。”
