美國語文第五冊 第228期：捕捉野馬（04）
The flanking parties were quietly extending themselves out of sight, on each side of the valley,
同時，側翼人馬也在悄無聲息地散開，消失在遠方，他們將在山谷四邊設好埋伏圈。
and the residue were stretching themselves like the links of a chain across it,
最后剩下的人，將補充填實整條包圍圈可能出現的缺口。
when the wild horses gave signs that they scented an enemy; snuffing the air, snorting, and looking about.
就在這時，野馬群發(fā)出信號，它們發(fā)現了危險臨近，馬群不停地嗅嗅四周，打出噴嚏，然后環(huán)顧左右，
At length they pranced off slowly toward the river, and disappeared behind a green bank.
最后三三兩兩地緩慢地朝那條河走去，消失在那條河綠色堤岸后。
Here, had the regulations of the chase been observed,
哎呀，假如嚴格遵守圍獵規(guī)則，
they would have been quietly checked and turned back by the advance of a hunter from among the trees.
野馬群很可能被樹林里冒出的獵手攔阻，然后安靜地后撤，
Unluckily, however, we had our wildfire, Jack-o'-lantern little Frenchman to deal with.
然而，不幸的是，鬼使神差中，那位身材矮小的法國佬讓整個打圍過程變得詭異無常。
Instead of keeping quietly up the right side of the valley, to get above the horses,
他們一行設伏在山谷右面，未能保持按兵不動，從而掌控野馬群走向；
the moment he saw them move toward the river he broke out of the covert of woods and dashed furiously across the plain in pursuit of them.
那家伙一看見馬群朝河流那邊移動，竟然從樹林里沖出來，發(fā)狂地穿過草原追攆馬群，從而使整個計劃徹底亂套。
This put an end to all system. The half-breeds, and half a score of rangers, joined in the chase.
這時，一些混血兒騎手，加上其他十多位游牧騎手，亦爭先恐后地參與瘋狂追趕。
A way they all went over the green bank.
那些騎手們飛馳越過綠色堤岸，
In a moment or two the wild horses reappeared, and came thundering down the valley,
不一會兒，野馬群再度進入視線，山谷下一片喊聲震天。
with Frenchman, half-breeds, and rangers galloping and bellowing behind them.
那位矮小的法國人，那些混血兒打圍者，還有那些游牧騎手們策馬飛奔，吼叫聲、吶喊聲在馬群身后響成一片。
It was in vain that the line drawn across the valley attempted to check and turn back the fugitives;
此刻，那道穿越山谷準備圍堵攔截野馬群的防線完全失去作用。
they were too hotly pressed by their pursuers: in their panic they dashed through the line, and clattered down the plain.
馬群遭遇追趕者的猛烈追逐，它們在恐慌中狂奔，沖破了那道防線，草原上嘈雜喊叫震地連天。
