美国语文第五册 第102期:马萨诸塞州的监狱叛乱(2)

 　　The warden¹, the surgeon, and some other officers of the prison were there at the time,  当时，监狱典狱长、医生以及部分警官都已赶到现场，

　　and were alarmed at the consequences likely to ensue from the conflict necessary to restore order. 他们因可能引发冲突而产生严重后果倍感警觉，并试图恢复常规秩序。

　　They huddled² together, and could scarcely be said to consult, as the stoutest³ among them lost all presence of mind in overwhelming fear. 囚犯们乱哄哄地拥挤成团，与警方谈判磋商几乎无法进行，由于极度恐惧，哪怕内心最坚强的人也会失去正常心智。

　　The news rapidly spread through the town, and a subordinate officer, of the most mild and kind disposition⁴, hurried to the scene,  监狱暴乱的消息迅速地传遍整个小镇，一位性情温和、宅心仁厚然而级别较低的警官闻讯后匆忙赶到现场，

　　and came calm and collected into the midst of the officers. 冷静自若地走进狱方警官们中间。

　　The most equable-tempered and the mildest man in the government was in this hour of peril⁵ the firmest. 面对一触即发的危险境地，他的神情最为坚毅。

　　He instantly dispatched a request to Major Wainright, commander of the marines stationed at the Navy Yard, for assistance, 那位警官即刻向韦恩赖特海军少将发出求救，少将为驻扎附近海军基地陆战队的指挥官，

　　and declared his purpose to enter into the hall and try the force of firm demeanor⁶ and persuasion⁷ upon the enraged⁸ multitude. 然后向同僚们陈述他将走进餐厅的意图与目的，即以强势态度表现震慑力威严，并劝导说服愤怒的罪犯。

　　All his brethren exclaimed against an attempt so full of hazard, but in vain. 他的同僚无不大呼小叫地阻止他实施任何冒险举动，然而无济于事。

　　They offered him arms, a sword and pistols, but he refused them,  他们让他随身带上一把匕首和一支手枪，他仍然拒绝携带任何武器进去。

　　and said that he had no fear, and, in case of danger, arms would do him no service; 他对同事们说，他毫不畏惧，即便真有危险，这些刀枪根本帮不上忙。

　　and alone, with only a little rattan⁹, which was his usual walking stick, 于是，不过拿了那根平日他走路用的拐杖，

　　he advanced into the hall to hold parley¹⁰ with the selected, congregated¹¹, and enraged villains¹² of the whole commonwealth¹³. 然后独自一人走进大厅，与美国联邦恶贯满盈、最为暴虐以及怒火中烧的囚徒们开始谈判。

1 warden   

n.监察员，监狱长，看守人，监护人

参考例句：

• He is the warden of an old people's home.他是一家养老院的管理员。
• The warden of the prison signed the release.监狱长签发释放令。

2 huddled   

挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• We huddled together for warmth. 我们挤在一块取暖。
• We huddled together to keep warm. 我们挤在一起来保暖。

3 stoutest   

粗壮的( stout的最高级 )； 结实的； 坚固的； 坚定的

参考例句：

• The screams of the wounded and dying were something to instil fear into the stoutest heart. 受伤者垂死者的尖叫，令最勇敢的人都胆战心惊。

4 disposition   

n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署

参考例句：

• He has made a good disposition of his property.他已对财产作了妥善处理。
• He has a cheerful disposition.他性情开朗。

5 peril   

n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物

参考例句：

• The refugees were in peril of death from hunger.难民有饿死的危险。
• The embankment is in great peril.河堤岌岌可危。

6 demeanor   

n.行为；风度

参考例句：

• She is quiet in her demeanor.她举止文静。
• The old soldier never lost his military demeanor.那个老军人从来没有失去军人风度。

7 persuasion   

n.劝说；说服；持有某种信仰的宗派

参考例句：

• He decided to leave only after much persuasion.经过多方劝说，他才决定离开。
• After a lot of persuasion,she agreed to go.经过多次劝说后，她同意去了。

8 enraged   

使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤

参考例句：

• I was enraged to find they had disobeyed my orders. 发现他们违抗了我的命令，我极为恼火。
• The judge was enraged and stroke the table for several times. 大法官被气得连连拍案。

9 rattan   

n.藤条，藤杖

参考例句：

• When they reached a long bridge fastened with rattan strips,everyone got out and walked.走到那顶藤条扎的长桥，大家都下车步行。
• Rattan furniture,include rattan chair,rattan table,and so on.藤器家具包括藤椅藤桌等等。

10 parley   

n.谈判

参考例句：

• The governor was forced to parley with the rebels.州长被迫与反叛者谈判。
• The general held a parley with the enemy about exchanging prisoners.将军与敌人谈判交换战俘事宜。

11 congregated   

（使）集合，聚集( congregate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The crowds congregated in the town square to hear the mayor speak. 人群聚集到市镇广场上来听市长讲话。
• People quickly congregated round the speaker. 人们迅速围拢在演说者的周围。

12 villains   

n.恶棍( villain的名词复数 )；罪犯；（小说、戏剧等中的）反面人物；淘气鬼

参考例句：

• The impression of villains was inescapable. 留下恶棍的印象是不可避免的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Some villains robbed the widow of the savings. 有几个歹徒将寡妇的积蓄劫走了。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

13 commonwealth   

n.共和国，联邦，共同体

参考例句：

• He is the chairman of the commonwealth of artists.他是艺术家协会的主席。
• Most of the members of the Commonwealth are nonwhite.英联邦的许多成员国不是白人国家。