美国语文第四册 第85期:马(2)

 　　The trampling¹ of the animals sounds like distant thunder; 动物们发出的踢踏声听起来像远处的雷声，

　　and such is the rapidity and impetuosity of their advance, that it seems to threaten instant destruction. 那是它们飞快且疾速前进的声音，似乎带来了瞬间毁灭的威胁。

　　Sometimes, however, they suddenly stop short, utter a loud and piercing neigh, 但有的时候，它们会突然间停下来，发出高亢而尖利的嘶叫声，

　　and, with a rapid wheel, take an opposite course, and altogether disappear. 然后迅速转弯，朝着对面跑去，全部消失不见。

　　On such occasions it requires great care in the traveler to prevent his horses from breaking loose and escaping with the wild herd². 在这种情形下，旅游者需要特别小心，防止他自己的马挣脱缰绳随着野马群一起跑掉。

　　In those countries where wild horses are so plentiful³, the inhabitants do not take the trouble to raise others, 在那些野马数量很多的国家，居民们不必费力去饲养它们。

　　but whenever they want one they mount upon an animal accustomed to the sport, 但当他们需要一匹马时，会骑上一匹善于奔跑的马，

　　and gallop⁴ over the plain toward a herd, which is readily found at no great distance. 朝着平原上不远处就能找到的马群奔去。

　　The rider gradually approaches some stragglers from the main body, and, having selected the one he wishes, 骑马的人渐渐地接近从大群里掉队的马匹，选择一匹他想要的，

　　he dexterously⁵ throws the lasso either over the wild horse's head or in such a manner as to entangle⁶ his hind⁷ legs; 灵活地抛出索套，或者套住野马的头，或者缠住它的后腿。

　　which is a long rope with a running noose⁸, and is firmly fixed⁹ to his saddle, 一条长绳子，一端系个套，另一端牢牢地绑在他的鞍上

　　and by the sudden checking of his own horse, he throws the captured animal over on its side. 然后突然停住自己的马，把捕到的马拉向一边。

　　In an instant he jumps off his horse, wraps his cloak round the head of the captive, 随后，他快速跳下马，用斗篷遮在被捕马匹的头上，

　　forces a bit into his mouth, and straps¹⁰ a saddle on his back. 给它喂些吃的，在它背上套上马鞍。

　　He then removes the cloak, and the animal starts to his feet. 然后他移开斗篷，马匹就会开始走起来。

1 trampling   

踩( trample的现在分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯

参考例句：

• Diplomats denounced the leaders for trampling their citizens' civil rights. 外交官谴责这些领导人践踏其公民的公民权。
• They don't want people trampling the grass, pitching tents or building fires. 他们不希望人们踩踏草坪、支帐篷或生火。

2 herd   

n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起

参考例句：

• She drove the herd of cattle through the wilderness.她赶着牛群穿过荒野。
• He had no opinions of his own but simply follow the herd.他从无主见，只是人云亦云。

3 plentiful   

adj.富裕的，丰富的

参考例句：

• Their family has a plentiful harvest this year.他们家今年又丰收了。
• Rainfall is plentiful in the area.这个地区雨量充足。

4 gallop   

v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展

参考例句：

• They are coming at a gallop towards us.他们正朝着我们飞跑过来。
• The horse slowed to a walk after its long gallop.那匹马跑了一大阵后慢下来缓步而行。

5 dexterously   

adv.巧妙地，敏捷地

参考例句：

• He operates the machine dexterously. 他操纵机器动作非常轻巧。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• How dexterously he handled the mite. 他伺候小家伙，有多么熟练。 来自辞典例句

6 entangle   

vt.缠住，套住；卷入，连累

参考例句：

• How did Alice manage to entangle her hair so badly in the brambles?爱丽丝是怎么把头发死死地缠在荆棘上的？
• Don't entangle the fishing lines.不要让钓鱼线缠在一起。

7 hind   

adj.后面的，后部的

参考例句：

• The animal is able to stand up on its hind limbs.这种动物能够用后肢站立。
• Don't hind her in her studies.不要在学业上扯她后腿。

8 noose   

n.绳套，绞索（刑）；v.用套索捉；使落入圈套；处以绞刑

参考例句：

• They tied a noose round her neck.他们在她脖子上系了一个活扣。
• A hangman's noose had already been placed around his neck.一个绞刑的绳圈已经套在他的脖子上。

9 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

10 straps   

n.带子( strap的名词复数 )；挎带；肩带；背带v.用皮带捆扎( strap的第三人称单数 )；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带

参考例句：

• the shoulder straps of her dress 她连衣裙上的肩带
• The straps can be adjusted to suit the wearer. 这些背带可进行调整以适合使用者。