and the course — for the present, East-south-east — which he was to steer, if practicable, was once more given to the helmsman. For during the violence of the gale, he had only steered according to its vicissitudes. But as he was now bringing the ship as near her course as possible, watching the compass meanwhile, lo! a good sign! the wind seemed coming round astern; aye, the foul breeze became fair!
那個舵手現(xiàn)在又要掌握的(如果行的話)航向,暫時是東南東了。因為,在狂風肆虐的時候,他只能根據風勢隨機應變地掌舵。不過,等到他現(xiàn)在能夠盡力把船駛得比較接近它的航向,同時瞧著那羅盤的時候,哎喲!好兆頭來了!風似乎是打船梢兜過來了;啊,逆風變成順風了!
Instantly the yards were squared, to the lively song of "Ho! the fair wind! oh-ye-ho cheerly, men!" the crew singing for joy, that so promising an event should so soon have falsified the evil portents preceding it.
于是水手們都快活得一面唱起那《嗬,順風啦!大伙啊,用勁啊,嗬嗨嗬》的活潑的歌子,一面立刻調正了桅桁,如此大有指望的事情,竟一下子造成這么一個假象,好象前途毫無兇兆了。
In compliance with the standing order of his commander — to report immediately, and at any one of the twenty-four hours, any decided change in the affairs of the deck, — Starbuck had no sooner trimmed the yards to the breeze — however reluctantly and gloomily, — than he mechanically went below to apprise Captain Ahab of the circumstance.
為了遵從船長那個既定的命令——如遇甲板上有決定性的變化情況,必須隨時立刻報告——斯達巴克一把桅桁調向順風后——盡管他很勉強又很沒有神氣——他就機械地走下艙里,把情況報告給亞哈。
Ere knocking at his state-room, he involuntarily paused before it a moment. The cabin lamp — taking long swings this way and that — was burning fitfully, and casting fitful shadows upon the old man's bolted door, — a thin one, with fixed blinds inserted, in place of upper panels.
在敲船長室的艙門之先,他不自覺地在門前停了一會。艙室里那盞燈——晃來晃去,晃得很厲害——一閃一爍地亮著,在那老頭的上了閂的門上,投下一抹忽明忽暗的影子,——那扇薄薄的門,上邊沒有嵌板,裝的是簾幔。