血字的研究 50沙漠中的旅客(8)（在线收听）

They had reached the base of the hill by this time, and were surrounded by crowds of the pilgrims–pale-faced, meek-looking women; strong, laughing children; and anxious, earnest-eyed men.

这时，他们已经来到山脚下，一大群移民立刻一拥而上，把他们围了起来，其中有面白温顺的妇女，有嬉笑健壮的儿童，还有目光恳挚的男子。

Many were the cries of astonishment and of commiseration which arose from them when they perceived the youth of one of the strangers and the destitution of the other.

大家看到这两个陌生人，孩子是那么幼小，大人是那么虚弱，都不禁怜悯地叹息起来。

Their escort did not halt, however, but pushed on, followed by a great crowd of Mormons, until they reached a wagon, which was conspicuous for its great size and for the gaudiness and smartness of its appearance.

但是，护送的人们并没有停住脚步，他们排开众人前进，后边还跟着一大群摩门教徒，一直来到一辆马车前面。这辆马车十分高大，特别华丽讲究，和别的马车大不相同。

Six horses were yoked to it, whereas the others were furnished with two, or, at most, four apiece.

这辆车套有六七马，而别的都是两匹，最多的也不过四匹。

Beside the driver there sat a man who could not have been more than thirty years of age, but whose massive head and resolute expression marked him as a leader.

在驭者的旁边，坐着一个人，年纪不过卅岁，但是他那巨大的头颅和坚毅的神情，一看就知道他是一个领袖人物。

He was reading a brown-backed volume, but as the crowd approached he laid it aside, and listened attentively to an account of the episode.

他正在读一本棕色封面的书。当这群人来到他的面前时，他就把书放在一边，注意地听取了这件奇闻的汇报。

Then he turned to the two castaways. "If we take you with us," he said, in solemn words, "it can only be as believers in our own creed. We shall have no wolves in our fold.

听完之后，他瞧着这两个落难人。他正言厉色地说道："只有信奉我们的宗教，我们才能带着你们一块儿走。我们不允许有狼混进我们的羊群。

Better far that your bones should bleach in this wilderness than that you should prove to be that little speck of decay which in time corrupts the whole fruit. Will you come with us on these terms?"

与其让你们这个腐烂的斑点日后毁坏整个的果子，那倒不如就叫你们的骸骨暴露在这旷野之中。你愿意接受这个条件跟我们走吗？"

"Guess I'll come with you on any terms," said Ferrier, with such emphasis that the grave Elders could not restrain a smile.

"我愿意跟着你们走，什么条件都行。"费瑞厄那样加重语气的说法，就连那些稳重的长老都忍不住笑了。

The leader alone retained his stern, impressive expression. "Take him, Brother Stangerson," he said, "give him food and drink, and the child likewise.

只有这位首领依旧保持着庄严、肃穆的神情。他说："斯坦节逊兄弟，你收留他吧，给他吃的喝的，也给这孩子。

Let it be your task also to teach him our holy creed. We have delayed long enough. Forward! On, on to Zion!"

你还要负责给他讲授咱们的教义。咱们耽搁的太久了，起身吧，向郇山前进！"

"On, on to Zion!" cried the crowd of Mormons, and the words rippled down the long caravan, passing from mouth to mouth until they died away in a dull murmur in the far distance.

"前进，向郇山前进！"摩门教徒们一起喊了起来。命令象波浪一样，一个接一个地传了下去，人声渐渐地在远处消失了。

With a cracking of whips and a creaking of wheels the great wagons got into motion, and soon the whole caravan was winding along once more.

鞭声噼啪，车声隆隆，大队车马行动起来，整个行列又蜿蜒前进了。

The Elder to whose care the two waifs had been committed led them to his wagon, where a meal was already awaiting them.

斯坦节逊长老把两个落难人带到他的车里，那里早已给他们预备好了吃食。

"You shall remain here," he said. "In a few days you will have recovered from your fatigues. In the meantime, remember that now and forever you are of our religion.

他说："你们就住在这里。不久你们就能恢复疲劳了。从今以后，要永远记住，你们是我们教的教徒了。

Brigham Young has said it, and he has spoken with the voice of Joseph Smith, which is the voice of God."

卜瑞格姆·扬是这样指示的，他的话是凭借着约瑟·史密斯的声音说的，也就是传达上帝的意旨。"