Chapter 9

9 Under the Stars Once they'd found the perfect spot near the river, they set about making camp. With Rosa's help,Nan built a shelter from branches and string, with a thin waterproof sheet stretched tight over its top. 'There we are!' said Nan, slapping the sheet like a drum. It made a pleasing'doink'noise. 'That'll keep us dry if it rains.

他们在河边找到了一个完美的地方，就开始扎营了。 在罗莎的帮助下，南用树枝和绳子搭了一个庇护所，上面盖了一张薄薄的防水纸。 “我们到了！”南说着，像敲鼓一样拍打着床单。 它发出悦耳的“叮当”声。 “如果下雨的话，这样我们就不会被淋湿了。

Rosa hadn't slept outdoors before,but even in the pure darkness of the night-time forest, it felt safe enough. 'Won't we get cold?'she asked. 'Don't you worry about that,' said Nan. 'We'll get a little fire going and all will be well.' Nan placed down her torch with the beam still on and set to making a fire. Nan was an old hand at the life outdoors, and always carried a little tin full of everything that she needed to start a fire. With a few well-placed twigs and a handful of crisp, dry tinder, Nan only needed a spark to set it going. The first few flames took hold instantly. 'Wow,' said Rosa. 'That was like magic.'

罗莎以前从未在户外睡过觉，但即使是在漆黑的夜间森林里，她也觉得很安全。 “我们不会冷吗？””她问。 “别担心，”南说。 “我们生一堆火，一切都会好起来的。”楠放下手电筒，灯还亮着，开始生火。 南是户外生活的老手，她总是带着一个装满生火所需的东西的小罐子。 有了几根合适的树枝和一把干爽的火种，南只需要一个火花就能点燃它。 最初的几团火焰立即燃烧起来。 “哇，”罗莎说。“那就像变魔术一样。”

'Oh,it's easy,my girl,' said Nan. 'If you're careful and prepare it all properly, that is. I'll teach you. Don't you worry. Rosa felt so excited, and, despite what Nan said, it really was magic. Fire sprites danced up into the sky, skittishly moving through the treetops, and the fire's burning heart shimmered blue then golden yellow like a dragon's flame. Wrapped up in blankets,Rosa and Nan nestled down to enjoy the evening, feeling safe and warm. Lone songs of night birds and the shouts of grumpy owls coloured the air, and every now and then moths and midges fluttered and buzzed nearby, passing judgement on some matter or other. And as for the stars, Nan was right.

“哦，这很容易，我的孩子，”南说。 “如果你细心，准备得当，那就可以了。 我来教你。别担心。 罗莎感到非常兴奋，不管南怎么说，这真的很神奇。 火精灵跳上天空，在树梢间轻快地移动，火焰燃烧的心闪烁着蓝色，然后是金黄色，就像一条龙的火焰。 罗莎和南裹着毯子，依偎在地上享受着夜晚，感到安全和温暖。 夜鸟孤独的歌声和暴躁的猫头鹰的叫声使空气变得五彩缤纷，飞蛾和蠓不时在附近拍打着翅膀，嗡嗡地叫着，对这样或那样的事情作出判断。 至于星星，南是对的。

The sky looked unlike anything Rosa had ever experienced. Huge clusters of shimmering blue and pink stars formed a rippling backbone across the heavens. 'Why don't we have them like this in the city?' asked Rosa. 'Because of the street lights polluting the skies,' said Nan. 'But without the lamps I guess you'd always be tripping over someone or other' 'Hmm,' agreed Rosa, lying back. The stars filled her with a peculiar sense of calm.

天空看起来和罗莎从未经历过的任何东西都不一样。 巨大的蓝色和粉红色闪烁的星团形成了横跨天空的涟漪支柱。 “为什么我们城市里没有这样的车？”罗莎问。 南说，因为路灯污染了天空。 “但是如果没有灯，我猜你总是会被别人绊倒的。”“嗯，”罗莎同意了，向后躺了躺。 星星使她感到一种特殊的平静。