也许，我又说，我们不能接近它，就像不能接近一条电鳗，或一个水雷那样!

　　Right, the commander replied. And if it has their power to electrocute, it's surely the most dreadful animal ever conceived by our Creator.

　　的确，舰长答，它身上有雷电般的力量，它一定是造物者造出来的最可怕的动物了。

　　That's why I'll keep on my guard, sir.

　　就是因为这个理由，先生，我才不得不十分小心在意。

　　The whole crew stayed on their feet all night long. No one even thought of sleeping.

　　全体船员在夜间都站着守望，没有一个人想到睡眠。

　　Unable to compete with the monster's speed, the Abraham Lincoln slowed down and stayed at half steam.

　　林肯号在速度上敌不过这个怪物，只好保持着低速度慢慢行驶。

　　For its part, the narwhale mimicked the frigate, simply rode with the waves, and seemed determined not to forsake the field of battle.

　　而独角鲸也模仿战舰，在波涛上随意摆动者，好象还不打算离开这个比武场。

　　However, near midnight it disappeared, or to use a more appropriate expression, it went out, like a huge glowworm.

　　不过，快到半夜的时候，它不见了，或用一句更准确的话说，它像一只大萤火虫一样不发光了。

　　Had it fled from us? We were duty bound to fear so rather than hope so.

　　它逃了吗？我介就怕它逃，我们不希望它逃。

　　But at 12:53 in the morning, a deafening hiss became audible, resembling the sound made by a waterspout expelled with tremendous intensity.

　　但到早晨零点五十三分的时候传来一种震耳欲聋的啸声，好橡被极强的压力挤出的水柱所发的啸声那样。