美国小学英语教材5:第29课 邮件必须送达(11)

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　　Unless the pony¹'s sense of direction came to their rescue, they were lost. 除非小马的方向感来拯救他们，否则他们就会迷路。

　　He loosened the reins², and the pony whirled around and plodded³ off in another direction. 他松开缰绳，那匹小马转过身，迈着沉重的步子朝另一个方向走去。

　　Two hours later the patient animal began to show signs of renewed life; 两个小时后，这只耐心的动物开始显示出新生的迹象；

　　his head came up, his ears went forward, and he began to whinny. 他抬起头来，耳朵向前伸着，开始呜咽。

　　From somewhere ahead came an answering whinny, a fence loomed⁴ up out of the darkness and, following it around, they came to the cabin of the remount station. 前面不知从什么地方传来了一声呜呜声，从黑暗中隐约出现了一道栅栏，他们跟着栅栏来到了换马站的小木屋。

　　Fifteen minutes later, warmed by the hot coffee he had found ready and with a fresh horse under him. 十五分钟后，他发现已经准备好了一杯热咖啡，脚下是一匹崭新的马，热得浑身暖烘烘的。

　　William was off for the relay station a dozen miles away. 威廉出发去十多英里外的中继站。

　　Before his eyes rose visions of hot food, a roaring fire in a big stove, and a warm bunk⁵ when he should have turned over the mail to the rider of the final relay into St. Joseph, fifty-odd miles away. 在他眼前出现了热乎乎的食物，一个大火炉里熊熊燃烧的火焰，还有一个温暖的铺位，他本应该把邮件交给在五十多英里以外的圣约瑟夫接力的骑手的。

　　“Bless me,”yelled the man at the relay station. “上帝保佑我，”中继站的那个人喊道。

　　“It's William Saunders. “这是威廉·桑德斯。

　　Where did you drop from, boy? 你从哪里来的，小子?

　　Thought you were headed west with the supply train.” 我还以为你是跟着补给队往西走呢。”

　　Briefly⁶, William explained, as he took off his coat and gloves, and warmed himself at the fire. 威廉脱下外套和手套，在炉火旁取暖，简短地解释道。

　　“Where's the other rider?” the boy demanded. “另一个骑手在哪里?”男孩问。

　　“He ought to be starting now with the pouch⁷.” “他现在应该拿着邮袋。”

　　The man's face grew grave. 那人的脸变得严肃起来。

　　“He got in about an hour ago, all worn out from facing the storm,” he said. “他大约一小时前才进来，因为要面对暴风雨，他已经筋疲力尽了，”他说。

　　“He's in a bunk in the other room dead to the world.” “他睡在另一个房间的铺位上，对世界毫无知觉。”

　　“Wake him,” ordered William. “摇醒他，” 威廉命令道。

　　“The mail must go through.” “邮件必须送达。”

　　But the Express rider could not be aroused. 但是骑手却没有被唤醒。

　　He made a brave effort to get up, fell back, and was sound asleep again instantly. 他勇敢地站了起来，向后一倒，立刻又睡得很熟。

　　Wearily William began to pull on his outer clothing again. 威廉疲倦地又开始穿上外衣。

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