For besides the great length of the whaling voyage, the numerous articles peculiar to the prosecution of the fishery, and the impossibility of replacing them at the remote harbors usually frequented, it must be remembered, that of all ships, whaling vessels are the most exposed to accidents of all kinds, and especially to the destruction and loss of the very things upon which the success of the voyage most depends. Hence, the spare boats, spare spars, and spare lines and harpoons, and spare everythings, almost, but a spare Captain and duplicate ship.
因为除了捕鲸的航程很长之外,还有许多东西是从事渔业所不可缺少的,有许多东西往往是在偏僻的海港无法补给的,还必须记住,在一切船只中,捕鲸船是最会招致各种意外的船只,尤其是会丧失。毁坏那些决定航程成败的主要东西。因此,它需要有备用的小船,备用的圆木,备用的绳索和标枪以及除了一个后备船长和一条副号的船以外的几乎其它各种备用的东西。
At the period of our arrival at the Island, the heaviest storage of the Pequod had been almost completed; comprising her beef, bread, water, fuel, and iron hoops and staves. But, as before hinted, for some time there was a continual fetching and carrying on board of divers odds and ends of things, both large and small.
我们抵达这个海岛的时候,"裴廓德号"的最笨重的储备品差不多都已经准备完妥了;其中包括牛肉,面包,食水,燃料,铁箍和桶板。但是,如上所述,暂时还得继续不断把各式各样大小零星用品都弄上船来。
Chief among those who did this fetching and carrying was Captain Bildad's sister, a lean old lady of a most determined and indefatigable spirit, but withal very kindhearted, who seemed resolved that, if she could help it, nothing should be found wanting in the Pequod, after once fairly getting to sea. At one time she would come on board with a jar of pickles for the steward's pantry; another time with a bunch of quills for the chief mate's desk, where he kept his log; a third time with a roll of flannel for the small of some one's rheumatic back. Never did any woman better deserve her name, which was Charity-Aunt Charity, as everybody called her.
负责搬运这些东西的主要人物是比勒达船主的妹妹,她是个瘦小的老太婆,颇有决断,不知疲倦,心肠也很好,她象是抱定了主意,只要她力所能及,决不让"裴廓德号"在顺利地出海后,还会缺少什么需要的东西。她一会儿拿着一罐厨房用的酸菜上船来;再一会儿又拿着一扎大副写字台上用的鹅毛笔来(因为大副要记航海日志);第三次又拿来一卷给患风湿症的人护腰用的法兰绒。从来没有一个女人比她更为名副其实,她叫慈善。慈善姑妈,大家都这么叫她。
And like a sister of charity did this charitable Aunt Charity bustle about hither and thither, ready to turn her hand and heart to anything that promised to yield safety, comfort, and consolation to all on board a ship in which her beloved brother Bildad was concerned, and in which she herself owned a score or two of well-saved dollars.
这个慈善为怀的慈善姑妈,象一个慈善团的女修士一样到处忙着,时刻准备以她的手,她的心使得这只跟她可敬的哥哥有关的船上的一切人等都会平安,舒适,获得慰藉,这只船她自己也投资了几十个辛苦积攒的银元呢。
