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I expected every minute to see the three prisoners killed; so I fitted myself up for battle, though with much caution. I ordered Friday also to load himself with arms. I myself took two fowling pieces, and I gave him two muskets. My figure was very fierce; I had my goatskin coat on, with the great cap, a naked sword, two pistols in my belt, and a gun upon each shoulder.
我原以為很快就會看到這三個俘虜被殺；盡管我很小心，還是做好了戰斗準備。我命令星期五裝備上武器。我自己拿了兩支鳥槍，給了他兩支步槍。我的身材健碩，穿著山羊皮大衣，頭戴大帽子，帶著一把出鞘的劍，腰帶上帶著兩支手槍，兩肩各扛著一把槍。
It was my purpose not to make any attempt till it was dark; but about two o’clock, it being the heat of the day, I found they had all gone straggling into the woods, and, as I thought, had all lain down to sleep. The three poor prisoners had, however, sat down under the shelter of a great tree.
我的目的是天黑之后再嘗試行動；但大約兩點鐘，由于天氣炎熱，我發現他們都分散著進入樹林，就像我想的那樣，他們都躺下睡覺了。然而，可憐的三個俘虜卻在一棵大樹的樹蔭下坐下。
I resolved to show myself to them and learn something of their condition; immediately I marched toward them, my man Friday at a good distance behind me. I came as near them undiscovered as I could, and then, before any of the prisoners saw me, I called aloud to them in Spanish, “Who are ye, sirs?”
我決定出現在他們面前，并了解他們的情況；我立刻向他們走去，我的仆人星期五就在我身后很遠的地方。我盡可能的靠近他們，沒有被發現，然后，在俘虜們看到我之前，我用西班牙語大聲向他們喊道：“先生們，你們是誰？”
They gave a start at my voice and at my strange dress, and made a move as if they would flee from me. I said, “Do not fear me, for it may be that you have a friend at hand, though you do not think it.” “He must be sent from the sky, then,” said one of them with a grave look; and he took off his hat to me at the same time.“All help is from the sky, sir,” I said. “But what can I do to aid you? Your speech shows me that you come from the same land as I do. I will do all I can to serve you. Tell me your case.”
他們聽見我的聲音，看見我奇怪的穿著，嚇了一跳，就好像要逃離我似的。我說；“不要怕我，因為也許我會很快成為你的朋友，盡管你并不這樣認為。”“他一定是上天派來的，”其中一個人嚴肅地說；他同時向我脫帽致意。我說，“先生，所有的幫助都是來自上天的，”“但是我能幫你什么忙？你的話讓我知道你和我來自同一個地方。我會盡我所能為你服務。告訴我你的情況。”
