英国语文第五册(双语):起火的大草原(4)
When they reached the place, however, the stunted grass itself announced the absence of that moisture which had fed the rank weeds of most of the plain,
当到达那个地方，他们才发现矮小的草丛并没有像往常滋润大片草原的水珠。
and furnished a clew to the evidence by which he had judged of the formation of the ground hidden beneath.
这就为他判断隐藏在下面的土地的形成提供了线索。
Here a few minutes were lost in breaking down the tops of the surrounding herbage—which, notwithstanding the advantage of their position,
在这里，他们花了几分钟的时间才把周围的草皮剥开。
rose even above the heads of Middleton and Paul—and in obtaining a look-out that might command a view of the surrounding sea of fire.
尽管如此，他们位置处于甚至比米德尔顿和保罗的头顶还高所带来的优势，可以一眼望见火海。
The examination which his companions so instantly and so intently made, rather served to assure them of their desperate situation than to appease their fears.
他的同伴迅速并专注地做得检查是为了安抚他们绝望的情绪。
Huge columns of smoke were rolling up from the plain, and thickening in gloomy masses around the horizon.
巨大的浓烟从草原上滚滚而来，厚重的阴暗环绕着地平线。
The red glow which gleamed upon their enormous folds, now lighted their volumes with the glare of the conflagration, now flashed to another point, as the flame beneath glided ahead,
闪着红光的火焰团，发出刺眼的光芒，如今这团火开始向另一边滚去，火势不断蔓延
leaving all behind enveloped in awful darkness, and proclaiming louder than words the character of the imminent and rapidly approaching danger.
滚过之处留下的尽是一片乌黑，发出隆隆声，预示着迫在眉睫的危险。
"This is terrible!" exclaimed Middleton, folding the trembling Inez to his heart. "At such a time as this, and in such a manner!"
米德尔顿说“这太可怕了”。他紧紧抱着伊内兹。
"The gates of heaven are open to all who truly believe," murmured the gentle wife.
“天堂之门会向真诚地相信它的人敞开的”温柔的妻子喃喃地说。
"This resignation is maddening! But we are men, and will make a struggle for our lives!
“顺从实在令人发狂！我们是人类，我们要为自己的生存反抗！
How now, my brave and spirited friend;—shall we yet mount and push across the flames; or shall we stand here, and see those we most love perish in this frightful manner without an effort?"
现在，我勇敢和激情的朋友们——我们是应该在火中攀登向前，还是看着我们最爱的那些人、物死去而不做任何努力？”
"I am for a swarming-time and a flight before the hive is too hot to hold us," said the bee hunter, to whom it will be at once seen that the half-distracted Middleton had addressed himself.
捕蜂人说：“我同意在密集的热火包围我们之前反击。”他看见走神的米德尔顿对捕兽者说，
"Come, old trapper, you must acknowledge this is but a slow way of getting out of danger.
“来吧，老捕兽者，你必须意识到这个尽管缓慢却能让我们脱离危险的方法。
