血字的研究 62逃命（1）（在线收听）

Chapter 4 A FLIGHT FOR LIFE

第四章 逃命

ON THE morning which followed his interview with the Mormon Prophet, John Ferrier went in to Salt Lake City,

约翰·费瑞厄在和摩门教先知会谈后的第二天早晨，就到盐湖城去了。

and having found his acquaintance, who was bound for the Nevada Mountains, he entrusted him with his message to Jefferson Hope.

他在那里找到了那个前往内华达山区去的朋友以后，就把一封写给杰弗逊·侯波的信托他带去了。

In it he told the young man of the imminent danger which threatened them, and how necessary it was that he should return.

他在信中把这个威胁着他们的迫在眉睫的危险情况告诉了他，并且要他回来。

Having done thus he felt easier in his mind, and returned home with a lighter heart.

这件事办妥以后，他的心中觉得轻松了一些，于是带着比较愉快的心情回家来了。

As he approached his farm, he was surprised to see a horse hitched to each of the posts of the gate.

当他走近他的田庄时，他很惊奇地看到大门两旁的门柱上，一边拴着一骑马。

Still more surprised was he on the entering to find two young men in possession of his sitting-room.

更使他惊异的是，当他走进屋子时，他发现客厅里有两个年轻人。

One, with a long pale face, was leaning back in the rocking-chair, with his feet cocked up upon the stove.

一个是长长的脸，面色苍白；他躺在摇椅上，两只脚跷得高高的，伸到火炉上去。

The other, a bull-necked youth with coarse, bloated features, was standing in front of the window with his hands in his pockets whistling a popular hymn.

另一个粗大丑陋，傲气凌人；他站在窗前，两手插在裤袋里，嘴里吹着流行的赞美诗。

Both of them nodded to Ferrier as he entered, and the one in the rocking-chair commenced the conversation.

费瑞厄进来的时候，他们向他点了点头。躺在椅子上的那一个首先开了口。

"Maybe you don't know us," he said.

他说："也许你还不认识我们，

"This here is the son of Elder Drebber, and I'm Joseph Stangerson, who travelled with you in the desert when the Lord stretched out His hand and gathered you into the true fold."

这一位是锥伯长老的儿子，我是约瑟夫·斯坦节逊。当上帝伸出它的圣手，把你们引进善良的羊群里的时候，我们就和你们一块儿在沙漠上旅行过。"

"As He will all the nations in His own good time," said the other in a nasal voice; "He grindeth slowly but exceeding small."

另一个鼻音很重地说："上帝终究是要把溥天之下的人们都引进来的。上帝虽然研磨得缓慢，但却非常精细，毫无疏漏。"

John Ferrier bowed coldly. He had guessed who his visitors were.

约翰·费瑞厄冷冷地鞠了一躬。他已经料到这两位来客是何许人了。

"We have come," continued Stangerson, "at the advice of our fathers to solicit the hand of your daughter for whichever of us may seem good to you and to her.

斯坦节逊继续说道："我们是奉了父亲的指示，前来向你的女儿求婚的，请你和你的女儿看看，我们两个人之中，你们究竟看中谁，谁最合意。

As I have but four wives and Brother Drebber here has seven, it appears to me that my claim is the stronger one."

我呢，只有四个老婆，可是锥伯兄弟已经有了七个。因此，我看，我的需要比他大。"

"Nay, nay, Brother Stangerson," cried the other; "the question is not how many wives we have, but how many we can keep.

另一个大声叫道："不对，不对，斯坦节逊兄弟。问题不在于咱们有了多少老婆，而是在于你我究竟能够养活多少。

My father has now given over his mills to me, and I am the richer man."

我的父亲现在已经把他的磨坊给我了，所以，我比你有钱。"

"But my prospects are better," said the other, warmly.

斯坦节逊激烈地说："但是，我的希望却比你更大。

"When the Lord removes my father, I shall have his tanning yard and his leather factory. Then I am your elder, and am higher in the Church."

等到上帝把我的老头子请去的时候，我就可以拿到他的硝石场和制革厂了。到那时，我就是你的长老了，我在教会中的地位也就要比你高了。"

"It will be for the maiden to decide," rejoined young Drebber, smirking at his own reflection in the glass. "We will leave it all to her decision."

小锥伯一面照着镜子，端详着自己，一面装作满脸笑容地说："那么只有让这位姑娘来决定喽。咱们还是完全听起她的选择好了。"