So seated like Ontario Indians on the gunwales of the boats, we swiftly but silently paddled along; 我们都象安大略的印第安人一般坐在艇舷上，迅捷而悄悄地荡过去；

　　the calm not admitting of the noiseless sails being set. 静得连悄悄的扯帆声都听不到。

　　Presently, as we thus glided in chase, the monster perpendicularly flitted his tail forty feet into the air, 我们就这样悄悄赶去，不一会，那条大鲸把它的尾巴垂直地耸向空中，高达四十英尺，

　　and then sank out of sight like a tower swallowed up. 接着又象个被淹没了的大塔一般沉下去，看不见了。

　　"There go flukes!" was the cry,  “走啦！”传来了这一声叫喊，

　　an announcement immediately followed by Stubb's producing his match and igniting his pipe, 紧跟着这声通知，斯塔布就在摸他的火柴，燃点着他的烟斗，

　　for now a respite was granted. 因为现在可以休息一下了。

　　After the full interval of his sounding had elapsed, the whale rose again,  那条鲸深钻在海里好久后，又冒了出来，

　　and being now in advance of the smoker's boat, and much nearer to it than to any of the others,   而且，这时已经来到这个吸烟者的小艇前头，比其它任何一只小艇都要靠近，

　　Stubb counted upon the honor of the capture. 于是，斯塔布认为这是义不容辞，应该把它捕获的时机了。

　　It was obvious, now, that the whale had at length become aware of his pursuers. 很明显地，现在，那条鲸终于发觉它的追捕者了。

　　All silence of cautiousness was therefore no longer of use.  因此，再也用不着小心谨慎，偷偷摸摸了。

　　Paddles were dropped, and oars came loudly into play.  大家都不荡桨，桨子哗啦啦地划起来。

　　And still puffing at his pipe, Stubb cheered on his crew to the assault. 斯塔布一边还在吸烟斗，一边在给他几个要去进击的水手打气。

　　Yes, a mighty change had come over the fish. 不错，这条鲸跟先前大不相同了。

　　All alive to his jeopardy, he was going "head out";  它完全发现它的危境，正准备"露头"；

　　that part obliquely projecting from the mad yeast which he brewed. 它的头在它所吐出来的混浊的水沫中侧斜地向前突起。

　　Footnote: It will be seen in some other place of what a very light substance the entire interior of the sperm whale's enormous head consists.  原注：在其它场合，我们将可以看到抹香鲸那只大头的整个内部都是一种非常轻的东西。