大學(xué)英語綜合教程1課文翻譯

1、全新版大學(xué)英語（第二版）綜合教程Unit1WritingforMyself1課文翻譯RussellBaker1TheideaofbecomingawriterhadcometomeoffandonsincemychildhoodinBelleville,butitwasntuntilmythirdyearinhighschoolthatthepossibilitytookhold.UntilthenIvebeenboredbyeverythingassociatedwithEnglishcourses.IfoundEnglishgrammardullanddifficult.Ihatedthe

2、assignmentstoturnoutlong,lifelessparagraphsthatwereagonyforteacherstoreadandformetowrite.為自己而寫拉塞爾貝克從孩提時代，我還住在貝爾維爾時，我的腦子里就斷斷續(xù)續(xù)地轉(zhuǎn)著當(dāng)作家的念頭，但直等到我高中三年級，這一想法才有了實(shí)現(xiàn)的可能。在這之前，我對所有跟英文課沾邊的事都感到膩味。我覺得英文語法枯燥難懂。我痛恨那些長而乏味的段落寫作，老師讀著受累，我寫著痛苦。2WhenourclasswasassignedtoMr.Fleagleforthird-yearEnglishIanticipatedanotherche

3、erlessyearinthatmosttediousofsubjects.Mr.Fleaglehadareputationamongstudentsfordullnessandinabilitytoinspire.Hewassaidtobeveryformal,rigidandhopelesslyoutofdate.Tomehelookedtobesixtyorseventyandexcessivelyprim.Heworeprimlysevereeyeglasses,hiswavyhairwasprimlycutandprimlycombed.Heworeprimsuitswithneck

4、tiessetprimlyagainstthecollarbuttonsofhiswhiteshirts.Hehadaprimlypointedjaw,aprimlystraightnose,andaprimmannerofspeakingthatwassocorrect,sogentlemanly,thatheseemedacomicantique.弗利格爾先生接我們的高三英文課時，我就準(zhǔn)備著在這門最最單調(diào)乏味的課上再熬上沉悶的一年。弗利格爾先生在學(xué)生中以其說話干巴和激勵學(xué)生無術(shù)而出名。據(jù)說他拘謹(jǐn)刻板，完全落后于時代。我看他有六七十歲了，古板之極。他戴著古板的毫無裝飾的眼鏡，微微卷曲的頭發(fā)剪

5、得筆齊，梳得紋絲不亂。他身穿古板的套裝，領(lǐng)帶端端正正地頂著白襯衣的領(lǐng)扣。他長著古板的尖下巴，古板的直鼻梁，說起話來一本正經(jīng)，字斟句酌，彬彬有禮，活脫脫一個滑稽的老古董。3IpreparedforanunfruitfulyearwithMr.Fleagleandforalongtimewasnotdisappointed.Lateintheyearwetackledtheinformalessay.Mr.Fleagledistributedahomeworksheetofferingusachoiceoftopics.Nonewasquitesosimple-mindedasWhatIDidon

6、MySummerVacation,;butmostseemedtobealmostasdull.Itookthelisthomeanddidnothinguntilthenightbeforetheessaywasdue.Lyingonthesofa,Ifinallyfaceduptotheunwelcometask,tookthelistoutofmynotebook,andscannedit.ThetopiconwhichmyeyestoppedwasTheArtofEatingSpaghetti.我作好準(zhǔn)備，打算在弗利格爾先生的班上一無所獲地混上一年，不少日子過去了，還真不出所料。后半學(xué)

7、期我們學(xué)寫隨筆小品文。弗利格爾先生發(fā)下一張家庭作業(yè)紙，出了不少題目供我們選擇。像暑假二三事那樣傻乎乎的題目倒是一個也沒有，但絕大多數(shù)一樣乏味。我把作文題帶回家，一直沒寫，直到要交作業(yè)的前一天晚上。我躺在沙發(fā)上，最終不得不面對這一討厭的功課，便從筆記本里抽出作文題目單粗粗一看。我的目光落在吃意大利細(xì)面條的藝術(shù)這個題目上。4Thistitleproducedanextraordinarysequenceofmentalimages.VividmemoriescamefloodingbackofanightinBellevillewhenallofuswereseatedaroundthesuppe

8、rtableUncleAllen,mymother,UncleCharlie,Doris,UncleHalandAuntPatservedspaghettiforsupper.Spaghettiwasstillalittleknownforeigndishinthosedays.NeitherDorisnorIhadevereatenspaghetti,andnoneoftheadultshadenoughexperiencetobegoodatit.AllthegoodhumorofUncleAllenshousereawokeinmymindasIrecalledthelaughingar

9、gumentswehadthatnightaboutthesociallyrespectablemethodformovingspaghettifromplatetomouth.這個題目在我腦海里喚起了一連串不同尋常的圖像。貝爾維爾之夜的清晰的回憶如潮水一般涌來，當(dāng)時，我們大家一起圍坐在晚餐桌旁艾倫舅舅、我母親、查理舅舅、多麗絲、哈爾舅舅帕特舅媽晚飯做的是意大利細(xì)面條。那時意大利細(xì)面條還是很少聽說的異國食品。多麗絲和我都還從來沒吃過，在座的大人也是經(jīng)驗(yàn)不足，沒有一個吃起來得心應(yīng)手的。艾倫舅舅家詼諧有趣的場景全都重現(xiàn)在我的腦海中，我回想起來，當(dāng)晚我們笑作一團(tuán)，爭論著該如何地把面條從盤子上送到嘴里

10、才算合乎禮儀。5SuddenlyIwantedtowriteaboutthat,aboutthewarmthandgoodfeelingofit,butIwantedtoputitdownsimplyformyownjoy,notforMr.Fleagle.ItwasamomentIwantedtorecaptureandholdformyself.Iwantedtorelivethepleasureofthatevening.TowriteitasIwanted,however,wouldviolatealltherulesofformalcompositionIdlearnedinscho

11、ol,andMr.Fleaglewouldsurelygiveitafailinggrade.Nevermind.IwouldwritesomethingelseforMr.FleagleafterIhadwrittenthisthingformyself.突然我就想描述那一切，描述當(dāng)時那種溫馨美好的氣氛，但我把它寫下來僅僅是想自得其樂，而不是為弗利格爾先生而寫。那是我想重新捕捉并珍藏在心中的一個時刻。我想重溫那個夜晚的愉快。然而，照我希望的那樣去寫，就會違反我在學(xué)校里學(xué)的正式作文的種種法則，弗利格爾先生也肯定會打它一個不及格。沒關(guān)系。等我為自己寫好了之后，我可以再為弗利格爾先生寫點(diǎn)什么別的東

12、西。6WhenIfinisheditthenightwashalfgoneandtherewasnotimelefttocomposeaproper,respectableessayforMr.Fleagle.TherewasnochoicenextmorningbuttoturninmytaleoftheBellevillesupper.TwodayspassedbeforeMr.Fleaglereturnedthegradedpapers,andhereturnedeveryonesbutmine.IwaspreparingmyselfforacommandtoreporttoMr.Fle

13、agleimmediatelyafterschoolfordisciplinewhenIsawhimliftmypaperfromhisdeskandknockfortheclasssattention.等我寫完時已是半夜時分，再沒時間為弗利格爾先生寫一篇循規(guī)蹈矩、像模像樣的文章了。第二天上午，我別無選擇，只好把我為自己而寫的貝爾維爾晚餐的故事交了上去。兩天后弗利格爾先生發(fā)還批改過的作文，他把別人的都發(fā)了，就是沒有我的。我正準(zhǔn)備著遵命一放學(xué)就去弗利格爾先生那兒挨訓(xùn)，卻看見他從桌上拿起我的作文，敲了敲桌子讓大家注意聽。7Now,boys,hesaid.Iwanttoreadyouanessay.

14、Thisistitled,TheArtofEatingSpaghetti.好了，孩子們，他說。我要給你們念一篇小品文。文章的題目是：吃意大利細(xì)面條的藝術(shù)。8Andhestartedtoread.Mywords!Hewasreadingmywordsoutloudtotheentireclass.Whatsmore,theentireclasswaslistening.Listeningattentively.Thensomebodylaughed,thentheentireclasswaslaughing,andnotincontemptandridicule,butwithopen-hear

15、tedenjoyment.EvenMr.Fleaglestoppedtwoorthreetimestoholdbackasmallprimsmile.于是他開始念了。是我寫的！他給全班大聲念我寫的文章。更不可思議的是，全班同學(xué)都在聽著他念，而且聽得很專心。有人笑出聲來，接著全班都笑了，不是輕蔑嘲弄，而是樂乎乎地開懷大笑。就連弗利格爾先生也停頓了兩三次，好抑制他那一絲拘謹(jǐn)?shù)奈⑿Α?Ididmybesttoavoidshowingpleasure,butwhatIwasfeelingwaspuredelightatthisdemonstrationthatmywordshadthepowertom

16、akepeoplelaugh.Intheeleventhgrade,attheeleventhhourasitwere,Ihaddiscoveredacalling.Itwasthehappiestmomentofmyentireschoolcareer.WhenMr.Fleaglefinishedheputthefinalsealonmyhappinessbysaying,Nowthat,boys,isanessay,dontyousee.Itsdontyouseeitsoftheveryessenceoftheessay,dontyousee.Congratulations,Mr.Bake

17、r.我盡力不流露出得意的心情，但是看到我寫的文章竟然能使別人大笑，我真是心花怒放。就在十一年級，可謂是最后的時刻，我找到了一個今生想做的事。這是我整個求學(xué)生涯中最幸福的一刻。弗利格爾先生念完后說道：瞧，孩子們，這就是小品文，懂了沒有。這才是知道嗎這才是小品文的精髓，知道了沒有。祝賀你，貝克先生。浸在十全十美的幸福之中。他這番話使我沉Headings1BakersfeelingsaboutEnglishcourses2BakersimpressionofhisnewEnglishteacher3AtopicthatattractsBakersattention4Vividmemoriesthet

18、itlebroughtback5Bakerssuddendesiretowriteaboutthattopic6Answer:Anticipatingpunishment7Mr.Fleaglesannouncement8Classmatesresponsetotheessay9WhatBakerdiscoveredMainideasPartOne(Paras1-2)BakerwasboredbyeverythingassociatedwithEnglishcourses,includingessaywriting.Part2o(Paras3-5)Bakerfoundhimselfattract

19、edbyoneparticulartopicandwroteaboutitforhisownjoy.Part3ree(Paras6-9)Theexperienceofwritingtheessayhelpedhimdiscoverhistalentforwritingandrealizewhathewishedtodoinlife.Unit2TextAAlltheCabbieHadWasaLetterFosterFurcolo1HemusthavebeencompletelylostinsomethinghewasreadingbecauseIhadtotaponthewindshieldto

20、gethisattention.出租車司機(jī)擁有的就剩一封信福斯特弗克洛他準(zhǔn)是完全沉浸在所讀的東西里了，因?yàn)槲也坏貌磺脫躏L(fēng)玻璃來引起他的注意。2Isyourcabavailable?Iaskedwhenhefinallylookedupatme.Henodded,thensaidapologeticallyasIsettledintothebackseat,Imsorry,butIwasreadingaletter.Hesoundedasifhehadacoldorsomething.他總算抬頭看我了。“你出車嗎？”我問道。他點(diǎn)點(diǎn)頭，當(dāng)我坐進(jìn)后座時，他抱歉地說：“對不起，我在讀一封信。”聽上去他

21、像是得了感冒什么的。3Iminnohurry,Itoldhim.Goaheadandfinishyourletter.“我不著急，”我對他說，“你接著把信讀完吧?！?Heshookhishead.Ivereaditseveraltimesalready.IguessIalmostknowitbyheart.他搖了搖頭?！拔乙呀?jīng)讀了好幾遍了。我想我都能背出來了。”5Lettersfromhomealwaysmeanalot,Isaid.AtleasttheydowithmebecauseImontheroadsomuch.Then,estimatingthathewas60or70yearsol

22、d,Iguessed:Fromachildormaybeagrandchild?“家書抵萬金啊，”我說?！爸辽賹ξ襾碚f是這樣，因?yàn)槲依鲜窃谕饴眯?。”我估量他有六七十歲了，便猜測說：“是孩子還是孫子寫來的？”6Thisisntfamily,hereplied.Although,hewenton,cometothinkofit,itmightjustaswellhavebeenfamily.OldEdwasmyoldestfriend.Infact,weusedtocalleachotherOldFriend-whenwedmeet,thatis.Imnotmuchofahandatwriting

23、.“不是家里人，”他回答說?！安贿^，”他接著說，“想起來，也可以算是一家人了。埃德老伙計(jì)是我最老的朋友了。實(shí)際上，過去我倆總是以老朋友相稱的就是說，當(dāng)我倆相見時。我這人就是不大會寫東西?！?Idontthinkanyofuskeepupourcorrespondencetoowell,Isaid.IknowIdont.ButItakeithessomeoneyouveknownquiteawhile?“我看大家寫信都不那么勤快，”我說，“我自己筆頭就很懶。我看，你認(rèn)識他挺久了吧？”8Allmylife,practically.Wewerekidstogether,sowegowayback.“

24、差不多認(rèn)識了一輩子了。我倆小時候就一起玩，所以我倆的友誼確實(shí)很長了。”9Wenttoschooltogether?“一起上的學(xué)？”10Allthewaythroughhighschool.Wewereinthesameclass,infact,throughbothgradeandhighschool.“都一起上到高中呢。事實(shí)上，我倆從小學(xué)到高中都在一個班里?！?1Therearenottoomanypeoplewhovehadsuchalongfriendship,Isaid.“保持這么長久友誼的人可真不多見啊，”我說。12Actually,thedriverwenton,Ihadntsee

25、nhimmorethanonceortwiceayearoverthepast25or30yearsbecauseImovedawayfromtheoldneighborhoodandyoukindoflosetoucheventhoughyouneverforget.Hewasagreatguy.“其實(shí)呢，”司機(jī)接著說，“近25到30年來，我跟他一年只見一兩次面，因?yàn)槲覐脑瓉碜〉慕謪^(qū)搬了出來，聯(lián)系自然就少了，雖說你一直放在心上。他在的時候可真是個大好人。13Yousaidwas.Doesthatmean?“你剛才說他在的時候。你是說？”14Henodded.Diedacoupleofweek

26、sago.他點(diǎn)了點(diǎn)頭?！扒皫讉€星期過世啦?！?5Imsorry,Isaid.Itsnofuntoloseanyfriend-andlosingarealoldoneiseventougher.“真遺憾，”我說，“失去朋友真不是個滋味，失去個真正的老朋友更讓人受不了。”16Hedidntreplytothat,andwerodeoninsilenceforafewminutes.ButIrealizedthatOldEdwasstillonhismindwhenhespokeagain,almostmoretohimselfthantome:Ishouldhavekeptintouch.Yes,

27、herepeated,Ishouldhavekeptintouch.他開著車，沒有接話兒。我們沉默了幾分鐘?？晌抑浪€在想著老埃德。他又開口時，與其說是跟我說話，還不如說是自言自語：“我真該一直保持聯(lián)系。真的，”他重復(fù)道，“我真該一直保持聯(lián)系?！?7Well,Iagreed,weshouldallkeepintouchwitholdfriendsmorethanwedo.Butthingscomeupandwejustdontseemtofindthetime.“是啊，”我表示贊同，“我們都該與老朋友保持更多的聯(lián)系。不過總是有事情冒出來，好像就是抽不出空來?！?8Heshrugged.Weu

28、sedtofindthetime,hesaid.Thatsevenmentionedintheletter.Hehandeditovertome.Takealook.他聳了聳肩?！拔覀冞^去總能抽出空來，”他說?！靶爬镞€提到呢?！彼研胚f給我，“你看看吧?！?9Thanks,Isaid,butIdontwanttoreadyourmail.Thatsprettypersonal.”我說，“不過我不想讀你的信。這純屬私事。20Thedrivershrugged.OldEdsdead.Theresnothingpersonalnow.Goahead,heurgedme.司機(jī)聳一聳肩?！袄习５氯硕妓懒?/p>

29、。沒什么私事不私事了?？窗?，”他催促說。21Theletterwaswritteninpencil.ItbeganwiththegreetingOldFriend,andthefirstsentenceremindedmeofmyself.Ivebeenmeaningtowriteforsometime,butIvealwayspostponedit.Itthenwentontosaythatheoftenthoughtaboutthegoodtimestheyhadhadtogetherwhentheybothlivedinthesameneighborhood.Ithadreference

30、stothingsthatprobablymeantsomethingtothedriver,suchasthetimeTimSheabrokethewindow,theHalloweenthatwetiedOldMr.Parkersgate,andwhenMrs.Culverusedtokeepusafterschool.信是用鉛筆寫的。稱呼寫著“老朋友”，而開頭第一句話讓我想到自己?！霸缇拖雽懶帕?，可就是一拖再拖?！毙爬锝又鴮懙?，他常?；叵霃那皟扇俗≡谝粋€街區(qū)時的快樂時光。信里提到些事，可能對司機(jī)很重要，比如“那次蒂姆謝打破窗子，那年萬圣節(jié)前夕，我們把老帕克先生的大門拴了起來，還有卡爾弗太

31、太老是在放學(xué)后把咱倆留下訓(xùn)斥的那陣子”。22Youmusthavespentalotoftimetogether,Isaidtohim.“你們倆準(zhǔn)是在一起度過了不少時光，”我對他說。23Likeitsaysthere,heanswered,aboutallwehadtospendinthosedayswastime.Heshookhishead:Time.“就跟信里寫的那樣，”他回答說，“我倆在那個時候能花的只有時間。”他搖頭嘆道：“時間啊?！?4Ithoughtthenextparagraphoftheletterwasalittlesad:IbegantheletterwithOldFri

32、endbecausethatswhatwevebecomeovertheyears-oldfriends.Andtherearentmanyofusleft.信里接下來的那段我覺得有點(diǎn)凄涼：“信的開頭我寫著老朋友，因?yàn)檫@么多年來，我們這對老朋友漸漸都老了。我們這些人當(dāng)中留下的也不多了?！?5Youknow,Isaidtohim,whenitsaysherethattherearentmanyofusleft,thatsabsolutelyright.EverytimeIgotoaclassreunion,forexample,therearefewerandfewerstillaround.“

33、你要知道，”我對他說，“信里說我們這些人當(dāng)中留下的不多了，說得一點(diǎn)不錯。比如說，每次我去參加老同學(xué)聚會，來的人總是越來越少?！?6Timegoesby,thedriversaid.“時間不饒人啊，”司機(jī)說。27Didyoutwoworkatthesameplace?Iaskedhim.“你們倆以前在一起工作嗎？”我問他。28No,butwehungoutonthesamecornerwhenweweresingle.Andthen,whenweweremarried,weusedtogotoeachothershouseeverynowandthen.Butforthelast20or30ye

34、arsitsbeenmostlyjustChristmascards.Ofcoursetheredbealwaysanotewedeachaddtothecards-usuallysomenewsaboutourfamilies,youknow,whatthekidsweredoing,whomovedwhere,anewgrandchild,thingslikethat-butneverarealletteroranythinglikethat.“不，不過沒成家時我倆總在一起閑蕩。后來，兩人都成了家，就不時相互串門?？勺罱@二三十年來，主要就是寄寄圣誕卡了。當(dāng)然，我倆都總在卡上寫幾句通常是關(guān)

35、于各自家里的情況，不是嗎，孩子們在干些什么，誰搬到哪兒，添了個小孫子，都是這類事可一直都沒正兒八經(jīng)地寫過信什么的?！?9Thisisagoodparthere,Isaid.WhereitsaysYourfriendshipovertheyearshasmeantanawfullottome,morethanIcansaybecauseImnotgoodatsayingthingslikethat.Ifoundmyselfnoddinginagreement.Thatmusthavemadeyoufeelgood,didntit?“這一處寫得好，”我說，“這里寫道：你多年的友誼對我非常重要，遠(yuǎn)比

36、我能說出來的重要得多，因?yàn)槲也簧瞄L說這樣的話?！蔽翌h首稱是?！斑@話準(zhǔn)讓你聽著開心，是吧？”30ThedriversaidsomethingthatIcouldntunderstandbecauseheseemedtobeallchokedup,soIcontinued:IknowIdliketoreceivealetterlikethatfrommyoldestfriend.司機(jī)說了句什么，可我沒聽明白，因?yàn)樗坪踹煲脜柡?。于是我接著說：“我也真想收到這樣一封老朋友的來信?！?1WeweregettingclosetoourdestinationsoIskippedtothelastpara

37、graph.SoIthoughtyoudliketoknowthatIwasthinkingofyou.Anditwassigned,YourOldFriend,Tom.我們快到目的地了，于是我跳到最后一段?！耙虼宋蚁肽阋欢ㄏ胫牢业胗浿恪！毙拍┦鹈骸袄吓笥褱贰?。32Ihandedbacktheletteraswestoppedatmyhotel.Enjoyedtalkingwithyou,IsaidasItookmysuitcaseoutofthecab.Tom?TheletterwassignedTom?我們在我的旅店前停下，我把信遞了回去?！昂芨吲d能和你聊聊，”我將衣箱從車上提下時

38、說。湯姆？信的署名是湯姆？33IthoughtyourfriendsnamewasEd,Isaid.WhydidhesignitTom?“我記得你朋友叫埃德，”我說，“為什么他署名湯姆呢？”34TheletterwasnotfromEdtome,heexplained.ImTom.ItsaletterIwrotetohimbeforeIknewheddied.SoInevermailedit.“這封信不是湯姆寫給我的，”他解釋說，“我是湯姆。這是我在得知他去世前寫給他的信。所以我一直沒寄出?！?5Helookedsortofsorrowful,orasifheweretryingtoseeso

39、methinginthedistance.IguessIshouldhavewrittenitsooner.他神情有點(diǎn)悲傷，似乎想看清遠(yuǎn)處什么東西?！拔蚁胛艺嬖撛缧戇@封信?！?6WhenIgottomyhotelroomIdidntunpackrightaway.FirstIhadtowritealetterandmailit.我進(jìn)了旅館房間之后，沒有馬上打開箱包。首先我得寫封信而且要寄出去。Answersthequestions1Whatdoesthestorybeginwith?Answer:Thestorybeginswiththecabdriverreadingaletter.2Wh

40、athelpedstartaconversationbetweenthecabdriverandthepassenger?Answer:TheletterTomwrotetohisfriendEd.3Whatwastheirconversationcenteredon?Answer:TheirconversationwascenteredonthelifelongfriendshipbetweenthedriverandOldEd.4HowdidtheauthorgettolearnmoreaboutthefriendshipbetweenthedriverandEd?Answer:Theau

41、thorgottolearnmoreabouttheirfriendshipbyreadingtheletterhimself.MainideasPartOne(Paras1-20)FromaconversationwiththecabdrivertheauthorlearnedhowmuchheregrettedfailingtokeepupcorrespondencewithhisoldfriendEd.PartTwo(Paras21-35)Readingtheletterbyhimself,theauthorlearnedmoreaboutthelifelongfriendshipbet

42、weenthedriverandOldEd.PartThree(Paras36)Thedriversexperienceurgedtheauthortoreachforhispen.TextBNeverLetaFriendDownJimHutchison1Comingtothefootballmatchthisafternoon?BillMcIntoshasked59-year-oldRoyceWeddingastheydrankbeerattheEurekaHotelintheAustraliantownofRainbow.Royceshookhishead.IpromisedMomIdbu

43、rnofftheweedsononeofourfields.決不拋棄朋友吉姆赫奇森”下午去看足球賽嗎？比爾麥金托什問59歲的羅伊斯韋丁。他們兩人正在澳大利亞的虹鎮(zhèn)尤里卡飯店喝啤酒。羅伊斯搖搖頭。我答應(yīng)我媽給我家的一塊地?zé)摹?Bill,whowasthinbutstrong,lookingfarlessthanhis79years,peeredoutsideattheheat.Alightbreezewasblowingfromthenorth,makingconditionsperfectfortheburn.ButBillfeltuneasyaboutRoycedoingthejobalo

44、ne.Thefarmerhadabadlegandwalkedwithgreatdifficulty.比爾瘦削而結(jié)實(shí)，79歲，但看上去遠(yuǎn)沒有那么老。他望著外面的炎熱空氣。一陣輕風(fēng)自北向南吹，這條件最適宜燒荒了。不過比爾對羅伊斯獨(dú)自干這活不放心。這個農(nóng)夫有條腿不好，行走很費(fèi)勁。3Thepairhadbeenbestoffriendsfor30years,eversincethedayswhentheytraveledtogetherfromfarmtofarminsearchofwork.Now,livingalone12mileseastoftown,Billscrapedalivinghun

45、tingfoxesandrabbits.OnceafortnighthewenttotowntobuysuppliesandcatchupwithRoyce,whohelpedruntheWeddingfamilysfarm.Illgiveyouahand,Billsaid.兩人曾一起從一個農(nóng)場走到另一個農(nóng)場尋些活兒干，迄今已是30年的好朋友了。如今比爾獨(dú)自一人住在鎮(zhèn)東12英里處，靠打狐貍和野兔勉強(qiáng)過活。他兩個星期一次前來小鎮(zhèn)購物，會會幫著經(jīng)管自家的農(nóng)場的羅伊斯。我?guī)湍阋话?，比爾說。4ThepairsetoffinRoycescar.Soontheywerebumpingoverasandyt

46、racktotheweed-choked120-acrefield.Firestheonlywaytogetridofthisstuff,saidBillastheytiedanoldtiretothetowbarwitha50-footchain.Soakingthetirewithgasoline,Billputamatchtoitandjumpedinthecar.兩人坐著羅伊斯的車動身了。沒多一會兒他們就顛簸在一條沙土路上，朝一塊面積120公頃、雜草叢生的田地開去?；鹗浅ミ@玩意兒的惟一辦法，比爾說。他們用根50英尺長的鏈條把一個舊輪胎綁在牽引桿上。比爾在輪胎上澆透汽油，劃根火柴一點(diǎn)，

47、便跳進(jìn)車?yán)?Drivingslowlyfromthesouthernedgeofthefield,theyworkedtheirwayupwind,leavingalineofburningweedsintheirwake.Halfwayupthefield,andwithoutwarning,thecarpitchedviolentlyforward,plowingintoahiddenbankofsand.兩人從農(nóng)田的南邊緩緩開車逆風(fēng)而行，所過之處留下一條燃著的草帶。開到地當(dāng)中，車猛地朝前一顛，沒等察覺，就陷進(jìn)了一個被草遮著的沙堆。6Thebreezesuddenlyswungaround

48、totheirbacksandbegantogatherstrength.Fannedtowhiteheat,thefirelinesuddenlyburstintoawallofflame,headingdirectlytowardthem.Letsgetoutofhere!Roycesaid.微風(fēng)突然轉(zhuǎn)向，朝兩人身后吹來，而且越吹越強(qiáng)。火仗風(fēng)勢，燒得熾熱，一條火帶頓時就變成一道火墻，直撲兩人而來。咱們快離開這兒！羅伊斯說道。7Desperatelyhetriedtobackthecaroutofthesandbank.Butthewheelsonlyspundeeperinthesofts

49、and.他拼命想把車倒出沙堆?？绍囕喸谲浬忱镌睫D(zhuǎn)陷得越深。8Suddenlythefirewasonthem.Billpushedopenhisdooronlytofindhimselfflungthroughtheairas,witharoar,thegasolinetankexplodedandthecarleaptthreefeetofftheground.WhenitcrashedbackdownRoycefoundhimselfpinnedagainstthesteeringwheel,unabletomove.Thecarsseatsandroofwerenowonfire.火頓時

50、就撲到兩人身上。比爾推開車門，卻聽得一聲巨響，油箱爆炸了，車子飛離地面三英尺，他自己則被拋到空中。車子摔回地面后，羅伊斯發(fā)現(xiàn)自己被方向盤卡住，動彈不得。這時，車座和車頂也都燒著了。9Billlaywherehefell,allthebreathknockedoutofhim.Thefrontofhisshirt,shorts,barearmsandlegsweresoakedinburninggasoline.Thenthesightofthecarinflamesbroughthimuprightwithastart.Royce!hecried,strugglingtohisfeetandh

51、eadingforthecar.比爾躺在跌落的地方，摔得氣都喘不過來。他的襯衣前襟、短褲、光裸的手臂和雙腿都浸在燃燒著的汽油里。接著汽車著火了，見此情景他驚坐起來。羅伊斯！他邊喊邊掙扎著站起身來，向汽車沖去。10Pullingopenthedoor,heseizedRoycesarmsthroughthesmoke.Imstuck,Roycesaid.Getyourselfaway!他拉開車門，在煙霧中抓住羅伊斯的手臂。我給卡住了，羅伊斯說，你快走！11ThefirebitatBillsarms,faceandlegs,buthetightenedhisgriponRoyce.Imnotlea

52、vingyouhere,hesaid.火舌舔著比爾的雙臂、臉和雙腿，但他緊緊地抓住羅伊斯不放。我不會把你丟棄在這兒的，他說道。12NowBilldughisheelsintothesandandpulledashardashecould.Suddenlyhefellbackward.Roycewasfreeandoutofthecar.AssoonashehaddraggedhimawayhepattedouttheflamesonRoycesbodyandonhisownlegsandarmswithhisbarehands.比爾兩個腳跟扎在沙堆里，拼命用力拉。突然他仰面倒下，羅伊斯被拉出了

53、汽車。他一把將羅伊斯拉開，便趕緊赤手去撲滅羅伊斯身上以及自己腿上、手臂上的火。13Roycesawasecondexplosionrockthecar,asitwaseatenupbyflames.IdbeashesnowifBillhadntgottenmeout,hethought.Lookingdown,Roycewasshockedbytheextentofhisinjuries.Hisstomachandlefthipwerecoveredindeepburns.Worsestill,hisfingerswereburnedcompletelyoutofshape.羅伊斯看著又一次爆

54、炸把汽車震得直晃，車一下子被火苗吞噬。要不是比爾把我拉出來，我這會兒就燒成灰了，他暗想。他低頭一看，身上傷勢之嚴(yán)重令他大為驚訝。他腹部及左臀嚴(yán)重?zé)齻８愀獾氖?，手指被燒得完全變了形?4Lyingonhisback,Billwasinequallybadshape.Piecesofblackenedfleshandskinhungfromhisforearms,handsandlegs.比爾仰天躺在地上，也一樣被燒得不成樣子。前臂以及手和腿上，一塊塊燒得焦黑的皮肉掛了下來。15Billlookedacrossathisfriend.ReadingthedespaircloudingRoyce

55、sface,Billsaid,Illgethelp.Youhangon.Roycenodded,butashewatchedBillsetoffslowlyacrosstheblackenedfield,hewonderedhowhisfriendwasgoingtowalkalmosttwomilesandgetoverthreefences.比爾朝自己的朋友望去，看出羅伊斯?jié)M臉絕望，便說：我去叫人。你頂住。羅伊斯點(diǎn)了點(diǎn)頭，可當(dāng)他看著比爾穿過焦黑的田地緩緩走開時，真不知道這位朋友怎么去走那幾乎整整兩英里的路，還要跨越三道柵欄。16(Alifetimespentaroundthetoughpe

56、oplewhomaketheirhomeintheAustralianbushhadpermanentlyfixedintoBillssoultwoprinciples:nevergiveupnomatterhowbadtheoddsandneverletafrienddown.Now,witheverystepsendingpainpiercingthrougheverypartofhisbody,hedrewonthosetwinpillarsofcharacter.IfIdontmakeit,Roycewilldieoutthere,hetoldhimselfoverandover.一輩

57、子與居住在澳大利亞灌木地帶的那些剛強(qiáng)的硬漢一起生活的人生經(jīng)歷，將兩條準(zhǔn)則永久地銘刻在比爾心頭：無論多么艱難，決不泄氣，決不拋棄朋友。此時此刻，他每邁出一步，渾身上下便針扎似地疼，他完全是靠這兩種品質(zhì)支撐著。如果我不能挺住的話，羅伊斯就會死在那里，比爾一次又一次地告誡自己。17Whatsthematterwiththatdog?saidVickyWedding,Roycesmom,peeringoutherwindow.Startledbyanoisebehindher,sheturnedtoseeBillleaningagainstthedoor.那條狗怎么啦？羅伊斯的母親維基韋丁說著朝窗外望

58、去。聽到身后響動，她嚇了一跳，轉(zhuǎn)身一看，比爾正倚靠在門上。18DearGod,whathappened?sheexclaimed,grabbingBillashesliddownthedoorframe.天哪，出了什么事？她驚問道，趕緊扶住正沿著門框癱坐下去的比爾。19Wegotcaughtinthefire,hewhispered,barelyabletospeak.Gethelp.VickysatBilldown,coveredhiminwettowelstoeasethepainofhisburns,andthenpickedupthephone.我們遭火燒了，他低聲道，幾乎說不出話來。

59、快去叫人。維基扶比爾坐下，用濕毛巾敷在他身上以減輕燒傷的疼痛，隨后便拿起了電話。20Throughoutthebumpy,hour-and-a-halfridetothehospitalinHorsham,neitherofthetwoinjuredmenspokeoftheirpain.Weshouldvegonetothefootballmatch,Roycesaid,tryingtokeeptheirspiritsup.Billgrinnedweakly.他們坐上汽車前往霍舍姆的醫(yī)院，在長達(dá)一個半小時的顛簸的路途中，兩位傷者只字未提自己的傷痛。咱們真該去看足球賽，羅伊斯開口說道，想讓自己

60、和朋友振作一下精神。比爾也輕輕一笑。21NotlongafterBillfoundhimselfatGovernmentHousebeingpresentedwiththeBraveryMedalforhiscourageousrescue.ButtherealhighlightforBillcamesixmonthsafterthefire,whenRoyce,justoutofhospital,walkedintotheEurekaHotelandboughthimabeer.不久，比爾在鎮(zhèn)公所被授予勇敢獎?wù)拢员碚闷溆戮人说膲雅e。但真正最令比爾激動的時刻是火災(zāi)發(fā)生六個月之后，剛剛出院的