評論
打印
The boys eagerly agreed to Old Pluck's plan, and in about half an hour they quietly arose and stole toward the stairs.
孩子們急切地同意了老崔克的計劃，大約半小時后，他們悄悄地站起來，向樓梯走去。
The full moon was shining in through the windows, so that they could see perfectly well where they were going.
滿月透過窗戶照進來，這樣他們就能清楚地看到他們要去的地方。
They had gone a short distance down the great staircase, when Old Pluck, who led the way, heard a slight noise behind him.
他們沿著大樓梯走了很短的一段路，這時帶路的老崔克聽到身后有輕微的響聲。
Turning to inquire what this was, he was told it was the cracking of Tomtit's knees. Pass the word to Tomtit, he whispered,
他轉過身去問是什么聲音，被告知是托米特的膝蓋骨折了。把話傳給托米特，他低聲說，
that if he can't keep his knees from cracking, he must stay where he is. Poor little Tomtit, who brought up the rear,
如果他不能保證膝蓋不骨折，他必須呆在原地。可憐的小托米特，他在后面，
was dreadfully troubled when he heard this; but he bravely passed the word back that his knees should not crack any more.
他聽到這話，心里非常不安，但他勇敢地回話，說他的膝蓋不會骨折了。
It was difficult now for Tomtit to take a step, for if he bent his knees they were sure to crack. He tried going downstairs stiff-legged,
托米特現在很難邁出一步，因為如果他屈膝，膝蓋肯定會骨折。他試著硬著腿下樓，
like a pair of scissors; but this he found almost impossible. So he made up his mind that the only thing he could do was to slide down the broad banister.
就像一把剪刀；但他發現這幾乎是不可能的。所以他下定決心，他唯一能做的就是從寬欄桿上滑下來。
He was used to this feat, and he performed it with much skill. The banister, however, was very smooth and steep,
他已經習慣了這項壯舉，而且他表演得很有技巧。然而，欄桿非常光滑陡峭，
and he went down much faster than he intended, shooting off at the bottom, and landing on the broad of his back.
他下得比他預想的快得多，從底部向下落，然后寬闊后背著地。
STRIKING A BARGAIN
達成交易
The boys were now in the great hall, and, seeing a light in the adjoining room, they looked into it. There, upon couches made of the skins of wild beasts,
孩子們現在在大廳里，看見隔壁房間里有一盞燈，他們就往里面看。在那里，在野獸皮做的沙發上，
they saw the six robbers, fast asleep. A happy thought now came into the mind of Old Pluck. Stepping back, he looked around him,
他們看見六個強盜，正熟睡著。一個快樂的想法現在浮現在老崔克的腦海里。退后一步，他環顧四周，
and soon saw in one corner of the hall a quantity of rich stuffs, and other booty, bound up into bundles with heavy cords.
不久，在大廳的一個角落里，看見許多貴重物品和其他戰利品，用粗繩捆成一捆。
Taking out his knife he quickly cut off a number of these cords and gave them to his companions.
他掏出刀，迅速切斷了幾根繩子，交給同伴。
Boys, he then whispered, I have thought of a splendid plan. Let us bind these robbers hand and foot, and then,
兄弟們，他低聲說，我想到了一個絕妙的計劃。讓我們把這些強盜手腳綁起來，
instead of doing what they want us to do, we can make them do what we want. That will be ever so much better fun than running away.
與其做他們想讓我們做的事，我們可以讓他們做我們想做的。那會比逃跑有趣得多。
Good! said the boys. But suppose they wake up while we are tying them?
很好！男孩們說。但假設他們在我們綁他們的時候醒來？
