血字的研究 47沙漠中的旅客(5)（在线收听）

He watched over her slumber for some time, but Nature proved to be too strong for him.

他瞧她睡了一会儿，但是他也无法抵抗自然的力量，

For three days and three nights he had allowed himself neither rest nor repose.

因为他三天三夜一直没有休息过，没有合过眼。

Slowly the eyelids drooped over the tired eyes, and the head sunk lower and lower upon the breast, until the man's grizzled beard was mixed with the gold tresses of his companion, and both slept the same deep and dreamless slumber.

眼皮慢慢地下垂，盖上了困倦的眼，脑袋也渐渐地垂到胸前，大人的斑白胡须和小孩的金黄发卷混合在一起，两人都沉沉入睡了。

Had the wanderer remained awake for another half-hour a strange sight would have met his eyes.

如果这个流浪汉晚睡半小时，他就能看到一幕奇景了。

Far away on the extreme verge of the alkali plain there rose up a little spray of dust, very slight at first,

在这片硷地遥远的尽头，扬起了一股烟尘。最初很轻，远远看去，

and hardly to be distinguished from the mists of the distance, but gradually growing higher and broader until it formed a solid, well-defined cloud.

很难和远处的雾气分清楚。但是后来烟尘越飞越高，越来越广，直到形成了一团浓云；

This cloud continued to increase in size until it became evident that it could only be raised by a great multitude of moving creatures.

显然只有行进中的大队人马才能卷起这样的飞尘。

In more fertile spots the observer would have come to the conclusion that one of those great herds of bisons which graze upon the prairie land was approaching him.

如果这里是一个肥沃的地区，人们就会断定，这是草原上游牧的大队牛群，正在向着他这方面移动。

This was obviously impossible in these arid wilds.

但是在这不毛之地上，这种情形显然是不可能的。

As the whirl of dust drew nearer to the solitary bluff upon which the two castaways were reposing,

滚滚烟尘向着这两个落难人睡觉的峭壁这边前进着，越来越近了。

the canvas-covered tilts of wagons and the figures of armed horsemen began to show up through the haze, and the apparition revealed itself as being a great caravan upon its journey for the West.

在烟尘弥漫之中，出现了帆布为顶的篷车和武装骑士的身影，原来这是一大队往西方进发的篷车。

But what a caravan!

真是一支浩浩荡荡的篷车队啊！

When the head of it had reached the base of the mountains, the rear was not yet visible on the horizon.

前队已到山脚下，后队还在地平线那边遥不可见。

Right across the enormous plain stretched the straggling array, wagons and carts, men on horseback, and men on foot.

就在这片无边的旷野上，双轮车、四轮车络绎不绝，有的男人品在马上，有的男人步行着，展开了一支断断续续的行列。

Innumerable women who staggered along under burdens, and children who toddled beside the wagons or peeped out from under the white coverings.

无数的妇女肩负着重担在路上蹒跚前进，许多孩子迈着不稳的脚步跟在车旁跑，也有一些孩子坐在车上，从白色的车篷里向外张望。

This was evidently no ordinary party of immigrants, but rather some nomad people who had been compelled from stress of circumstances to seek themselves a new country.

显而易见，这不是一群平常的移民队伍，而象是一支游牧民族，由于环境所迫，正在迁居，另觅乐土。

There rose through the clear air a confused clattering and rumbling from this great mass of humanity, with the creaking of wheels and the neighing of horses.

在这清彻的空气里，人喊马嘶，叮叮当当，车声隆隆，乱成一团。

Loud as it was, it was not sufficient to rouse the two tired wayfarers above them.

即使这样喧声震天，也没有惊醒山上两个困乏的落难人。

At the head of the column there rode a score or more of grave, iron-faced men, clad in sombre homespun garments and armed with rifles.

二十多个意志坚定、神情严肃的骑马的人走在行列的前面。他们穿着朴素的手工织布做的衣服，带着来复枪。