美国语文第五册 第106期:马萨诸塞州的监狱叛乱(6)

 　　This only caused a growl¹ of determination, and no one blenched² or seemed disposed to shrink from the foremost exposure. 事与愿违，双方紧张对峙激起了更为顽强的反抗，黑压压的囚犯中没有任何人退却，面对生命危险，没有人流露任何畏惧的举动。

　　They knew that their number would enable them to bear down and destroy the handful of marines after the first discharge, 他们内心清楚，就人数对比来看，暴徒们占有相当优势，他们可以一拥而上，消灭为数不多的士兵，

　　and before their pieces could be reloaded. 因为第一轮枪支开火后，子弹未及再度上膛。

　　Again they were ordered to retire; but they answered with more ferocity than ever. 囚犯们再次被要求后退，但他们恶狠狠的回答愈见嚣张。

　　The marines were ordered to take their aim so as to be sure and kill as many as possible. 少将要求手下准确瞄准，以确保尽可能多地射杀对方。

　　Their guns were presented, but not a prisoner stirred, except to grasp more firmly his weapon. 士兵们枪支各就各位，但暴徒人群中没有任何人心悸恐慌，只是紧紧攥住了手中武器。

　　Still desirous to avoid such a tremendous slaughter³ as must have followed the discharge of a single gun, 最后一丝希望犹存。如何避免大规模的血腥屠戮，哪怕一枪射发亦会使所有努力霎时灰飞烟灭。

　　Major Wainright advanced a step or two, and spoke⁴ even more firmly than before, urging them to depart. 韦恩赖特少将往前跨了一两步，用比先前更为坚定的语气力劝囚犯离开。径直面对子弹已上膛的枪口，

　　Again, and while looking directly into the muzzles⁵ of the guns which they had seen loaded with ball, 径直面对子弹已上膛的枪口，

　　they declared their intention "to fight it out." 他们重申“以武力解决”的明确意图。

　　This intrepid⁶ officer then took out his watch, and told his men to hold their pieces aimed at the convicts, 那位勇敢的少将随即取出他的手表，吩咐士兵们举枪瞄准，

　　but not to fire till they had orders; then, turning to the prisoners, he said:  听到命令后开火，然后转身朝着囚犯们说，

　　"You must leave this hall; I give you three minutes to decide; if at the end of that time a man remains⁷, he shall be shot dead." “你们必须离开餐厅，我给你们三分钟时间决定，如果三分钟后还有人坚持不走，一律就地枪决。”

1 growl   

v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣

参考例句：

• The dog was biting,growling and wagging its tail.那条狗在一边撕咬一边低声吼叫，尾巴也跟着摇摆。
• The car growls along rutted streets.汽车在车辙纵横的街上一路轰鸣。

2 blenched   

v.（因惊吓而）退缩，惊悸( blench的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）变白，（使）变苍白

参考例句：

• She blenched before her accuser. 她在指控者面前畏缩了。 来自互联网

3 slaughter   

n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀

参考例句：

• I couldn't stand to watch them slaughter the cattle.我不忍看他们宰牛。
• Wholesale slaughter was carried out in the name of progress.大规模的屠杀在维护进步的名义下进行。

4 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

5 muzzles   

枪口( muzzle的名词复数 )； （防止动物咬人的）口套； （四足动物的）鼻口部； （狗）等凸出的鼻子和口

参考例句：

• Several muzzles at once aimed at the fleeing birds in the air. 好几支猎枪的枪口，同时瞄准了这些空中猎物。 来自汉英文学 - 散文英译
• All gun-ports were open and the muzzles peeped wickedly from them. 所有的炮眼都开着，炮口不怀好意地从炮眼里向外窥探。

6 intrepid   

adj.无畏的，刚毅的

参考例句：

• He is not really satisfied with his intrepid action.他没有真正满意他的无畏行动。
• John's intrepid personality made him a good choice for team leader.约翰勇敢的个性适合作领导工作。

7 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。