英语听书《白鲸记》第103期

 There he stood, very quietly overlooking some sailmakers who were mending a top-sail in the waist.  比勒达显然一时不知该说什么好了，他系上上衣的扣子，在甲板上来回地走着，偶尔停注，若无其事地盯着在中甲板上补帆的几个帆工，

Now and then he stooped to pick up a patch, or save an end of tarred twine¹, which otherwise might have been wasted.  看上一会儿，再低下头捡起一块碎布片儿或者一截断绳头之类的东西。 

Shipmates, have ye shipped in that ship?  哈，船友，你们当上那只船的水手啦？ 

Queequeg and I had just left the Pequod, and were sauntering away from the water, for the moment each occupied with his own thoughts,  就在我和魁魁格离开裴廓德号，走上码头时，

when the above words were put to us by a stranger, who, pausing before us, levelled his massive forefinger² at the vessel³ in question.  有人突然这样问了我们一句。 

He was but shabbily apparelled in faded jacket and patched trowsers; a rag of a black handkerchief investing his neck.  我停下脚步，注意地看了一下这个人：他穿得很脏，一手指着裴廓德号的方向。 

A confluent small-pox had in all directions flowed over his face, and left it like the complicated ribbed bed of a torrent⁴, when the rushing waters have been dried up.  我争取着时间，又注意地观察了一下他缀满了补丁的裤子和脖子上黑布似的白围脖，以及他脸上那像汹涌的波浪般的天花。 

1 twine   

v.搓，织，编饰；（使）缠绕

参考例句：

• He tied the parcel with twine.他用细绳捆包裹。
• Their cardboard boxes were wrapped and tied neatly with waxed twine.他们的纸板盒用蜡线扎得整整齐齐。

2 forefinger   

n.食指

参考例句：

• He pinched the leaf between his thumb and forefinger.他将叶子捏在拇指和食指之间。
• He held it between the tips of his thumb and forefinger.他用他大拇指和食指尖拿着它。

3 vessel   

n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管

参考例句：

• The vessel is fully loaded with cargo for Shanghai.这艘船满载货物驶往上海。
• You should put the water into a vessel.你应该把水装入容器中。

4 torrent   

n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发

参考例句：

• The torrent scoured a channel down the hillside. 急流沿着山坡冲出了一条沟。
• Her pent-up anger was released in a torrent of words.她压抑的愤怒以滔滔不绝的话爆发了出来。