Chapter 19

CHAPTER NINETEEN They sprinted up the stairs, rounded a corner and almost collided with a shrimp-laden waiter. Apologising hastily, they looked around. The deck was brimming with white balloons and parasols, crisp tablecloths and fluttering flags. Subtle jazz was playing. Everyone was dressed up in their best frills and saying things like "How charming" and "Sugared Shrimp?"

第十九章 他们飞奔着冲上楼梯，转过一个拐角，差点和端着满满一盘虾的服务员撞个正着。 他们急急忙忙道了歉，接着环顾四周。 甲板上摆满了白色的气球和遮阳伞，还有平整的桌布和飘飘扬扬的旗子。 轻柔的爵士乐正响着。 每个人都穿着最精致的华服，嘴里说着“真迷人呀”还有“要来点糖渍虾吗？”这类话。

How were they supposed to find C.A. Bloom in this maze of frills and confetti? "We need to split up, commanded Kate. "Roo, take the tables; Bertie, block the railings with rope or something." She glanced around her and saw a platform with a microphone stand. "I'll head up there for a better view. Go!" And they were off. Kate wove through all types of legs- smooth legs, hairy legs, legs wearing floor- length gowns- as fast as she could. She was just about to jump up the steps when... "Welcome to Miss Custard's Condiment Cruise Bi-Annual

在这满是花边装饰和彩屑的地方，他们要怎么才能找到C.A.布鲁姆啊？ “我们得兵分两路。”凯特下令道。 “鲁，你去餐桌那边找；伯蒂，用绳子或者别的什么把栏杆那边堵住。” 她扫了一圈四周，看到了一个立着麦克风架的平台。 “我去上面，视野更好。 行动！” 于是大家立刻分头行动了。 凯特拼命往前跑，在各式各样的腿之间灵活穿梭——有光滑的腿，有毛茸茸的腿，还有穿着拖地长裙的腿。 她刚要跳上台阶，就在这时…… “欢迎大家来到卡仕达小姐调味品游轮双年度

Champion-Shrimps Awards Ceremony!" sang Captain Mustard, who had sprung up from nowhere and was now in front of the microphone. She was dressed to the tens— this was the most important day of the year for her. "It's time to announce the Grand Winner!" Molluscs! Kate couldn't get on the podium now! She strained above the crowd and caught sight of Rupert jumping up and down and waving at her from atop a huge pile of steamed fish. His tail was pointing at a dark head moving towards the stern. C. A. Bloom!

鲜虾冠军颁奖典礼！”芥末船长高声唱道，她不知道从哪儿冒了出来，此刻正站在麦克风前面。 她打扮得十分隆重——今天对她来说是一年里最重要的日子。 “现在是时候公布最终大奖的得主了！” 我的天呀！ 凯特现在根本没法上台了！ 她踮起脚越过人群往远处看，瞧见鲁伯特正站在好大一堆蒸鱼上，对着她蹦蹦跳跳地挥手。 他的尾巴正指着一个往船尾走的黑色脑袋。 是C.A.布鲁姆！

He was getting away! Kate could see Bertie struggling against the tide of happy passengers making their way to the podium. He would never reach C.A. Bloom in time, and, even if he did, what could he do once he got there? Above her, Captain Mustard was gaining momentum. "...One of the most outstanding fishermen I have ever seen..." Kate looked around in desperation. And then she saw it. A red envelope sitting on a small shiny table. A red envelope that said WINNER" on the front. Quick as a snake she dashed over and tore it open. Inside was a piece of paper that read:

他要跑掉了！ 凯特看见伯蒂正被往领奖台走的开心乘客们挤得寸步难行。 他绝对没法及时赶到C.A.布鲁姆那儿，而且就算他赶到了，到时候他又能做什么呢？ 这时，台上的芥末船长发言的声音越来越洪亮了。 “……这是我见过的最优秀的渔民之一……” 凯特急得团团转，四处张望。 接着她看到了那个东西。 一张亮闪闪的小桌子上放着一个红色信封。 信封正面写着“获奖者”三个字。 她像小蛇一样飞快地冲过去，一把撕开了信封。 里面有一张纸条，上面写着：

WINNER: Oh no. This was certainly a horrible conundrum to be in. But she had to do something. "A man whose dedication to facial moisturiser is truly an inspiration..." continued the Captain. With her heart in her mouth, Kate scribbled out Dad's name and wrote another in its place, replacing it all just seconds before Captain Mustard reached for the envelope and read out...

获奖者： 哦，糟了。 这下可真是撞上大难题了。 但她必须得做点什么。 “这个人对面部保湿霜的执着，实在太值得我们学习了……”船长还在继续念着。 凯特的心都提到了嗓子眼，她划掉爸爸的名字，在原来的位置写上了另一个名字，她刚弄完没几秒钟，芥末船长就伸手拿起信封，念出了……

"GENERAL HORNBILL?!" The Captain was dumbfounded. "He's over THERE!" Kate yelled, pointing straight at him. The crowd parted, revealing the dazed winner, who was frozen to the spot with a map between his teeth, and a backpack stuffed full of terrible bird-catching traps. Before he could so much as blink,

“犀鸟将军？！” 船长整个人都懵了。 “他在那边！” 凯特指着他大声喊道。 人群往两边分开，露出了愣在原地的获奖者，他嘴里叼着一张地图，背包里塞得满满当当的，全是些糟糕的捕鸟陷阱。 他还没来得及眨一下眼睛，