四签名 103琼诺赞·斯茂的奇异故事（13）（在线收听）

There is a rajah in the northern provinces who has much wealth, though his lands are small.

我们印度北部有一个土王，他的领土虽小，财产却很丰富。

Much has come to him from his father, and more still he has set by himself,

他的财产一半是他父亲传下来的，一半是由他自己搜括来的。

for he is of a low nature and hoards his gold rather than spend it.

他嗜财如命而又吝啬非常。

When the troubles broke out he would be friends both with the lion and the tiger

乱起以后，这土王听到白人惨遭屠杀，

with the sepoy and with the Company's raj.

一面附和叛兵向白人抵抗，

Soon, however, it seemed to him that the white men's day was come,

可又怕白人一旦得手，自身遭到不利。

for through all the land he could hear of nothing but of their death and their overthrow.

迟疑好久，不能决定。

Yet, being a careful man, he made such plans that, come what might,

最后他想出一个两全之策：

half at least of his treasure should be left to him.

他把所有的财产分做两份，

That which was in gold and silver he kept by him in the vaults of his palace,

凡是金银钱币都放在他宫中的保险柜里；

but the most precious stones and the choicest pearls that he had he put in an iron box

凡是珠宝钻石另放在一个铁箱里，

and sent it by a trusty servant, who, under the guise of a merchant,

差一个扮作商人的亲信

should take it to the fort at Agra, there to lie until the land is at peace.

带到阿格拉碉堡来藏匿。

Thus, if the rebels won he would have his money,

如果叛兵得到胜利，就保住了金银钱币；

but if the Company conquered, his jewels would be saved to him.

如果白人得胜，金钱虽失，还有钻石珠宝可以保全。

Having thus divided his hoard, he threw himself into the cause of the sepoys,

他把财产这样划分以后就投入了叛党

since they were strong upon his borders.

因为他的边界上的叛兵实力很强。

By his doing this, mark you, sahib, his property becomes the due of those who have been true to their salt.

先生你试想，他的财产是不是应当归到始终尽忠于一方的人的手里。

This pretended merchant, who travels under the name of Achmet,

这个被派来的乔装商人化名阿奇麦特，

is now in the city of Agra and desires to gain his way into the fort.

现在阿格拉城内，他准备潜入堡内。