08 Who Am I?

Chapter 8. Who am I? A fly buzzed by Jack's ear. He slapped it away. He opened his eyes. The sun was high above the canyon walls. He had slept a long time. Slim and Annie were sitting by a fire, drinking from tin cups. Coffee? Biscuit? Annie asked Jack. Where did you get them? said Jack. Cowboy always carries biscuits in a canteen of coffee, said Slim.

第八章 我是谁？ 一只苍蝇在杰克耳边嗡嗡叫，他挥手把它赶开，睁开了眼睛。 太阳高高挂在峡谷岩壁上方，他已经睡了好久啦。 斯利姆和安妮正坐在火堆旁，用锡杯喝东西。 “要喝咖啡吗？吃饼干吗？”安妮问杰克。“你们从哪弄来的这些呀？”杰克说。 “牛仔总会随身带饼干，还有一壶咖啡呀。”斯利姆说。

He walked over and gave Jack a biscuit and a cup of coffee. It's hard as a rock, Slim said, and bitter as muddy river water, but a cowboy takes what he can get. Jack took a bite and a sip. The biscuit was very hard and the coffee was very bitter, but that was okay with Jack. Since cowboys didn't mind, he didn't mind either. I'll saddle up dusty, Slim said, and take you back to town to catch your stage. Then what will you do? said Annie. Head south with my herd, said Slim. Sell them, then ride across the plains and round up more Mustangs. While Slim saddled dusty, Jack took out his notebook and pencil. He wrote,

他走过来，递给杰克一块饼干和一杯咖啡。 “这饼干硬得像石头，咖啡苦得像浑河水，不过牛仔有什么就用什么啦。”斯利姆说。 杰克咬了一口饼干，抿了一口咖啡。 饼干确实硬邦邦的，咖啡也特别苦， 不过杰克一点都不在乎。既然牛仔们都不介意，他也不介意呀。 “我去给达斯蒂套上马鞍，”斯利姆说，“然后带你们回镇子赶驿站马车。” “那你之后要做什么呀？”安妮问。 “带着我的马群往南走，” 斯利姆说，“把它们卖掉，然后骑马穿过平原，再去围捕更多野马。” 斯利姆给达斯蒂套马鞍的时候，杰克掏出了他的笔记本和铅笔，他写道：

Cowboy breakfast, bitter coffee, hard biscuits. Hey Shorty, called Slim, what are you doing? Taking notes, said Jack. What for? He likes writing things down, said Annie. Yeah, said Slim. Me too. In fact, I first came out west to write a book. But one thing led to another. Next thing I know, I'm a Mustang herder. Slim, you should write your book, said Annie, and let the Mustangs go free. Think so, said Slim.

牛仔早餐：苦咖啡，硬饼干。 “嘿，小不点，”斯利姆喊道，“你在干嘛呀？” “我在记笔记呀。”杰克说。 “记这个干嘛呀？” “他喜欢把事情都写下来呀。”安妮说。 “哦，这样啊。”斯利姆说。 “我也是哦。” “其实我最开始来西部，是想写一本书的。” “不过后来发生了好多事，计划赶不上变化。” “等我反应过来的时候，我已经成了一个牧马人啦。” “斯利姆，你应该去写你的书呀，”安妮说，“然后把这些野马都放归自由吧。” “你是这么想的吗？”斯利姆说。

They looked at the grazing wild horse. I know so, said Annie. Yep, said Jack. Your book should be about the wild west, Slim. Slim kept staring at his herd. Maybe you're right, he said. I could settle in Laramie and right there. Wouldn't have to chase after rustlers anymore. Slim turned back to Jack and Annie. Yep, I think I'll be a rider. Let's go, before I change my mind, he said. Yay, said Annie. I'll go tell them. She jumped up and ran to the Mustangs. Jack packed his backpack, while Slim packed his saddlebags. Then Slim and Jack climbed onto Dusty. They rode over to Annie, who was stroking Sunset's neck.

他们看向正在吃草的野马群。 “我就是这么想的呀。”安妮说。 “对呀。”杰克附和道。 “斯利姆，你的书就应该写狂野西部的故事呀。” 斯利姆一直盯着他的马群看。 “或许你们说得对。”他说。 “我可以在拉勒米定居，就在那儿写书。” “那样我就再也不用去追偷马贼啦。” 斯利姆转过身看向杰克和安妮。 “没错，我还是先当我的骑手吧。” “咱们走吧，免得我改主意。”他说。 “太棒啦！”安妮欢呼。 “我去告诉野马们。” 她跳起来，朝着野马群跑过去。 杰克收拾他的背包，与此同时斯利姆收拾他的鞍囊。 然后斯利姆和杰克爬上了达斯蒂的背。 他们骑着马走到安妮身边，安妮正摸着日落的脖子呢。

I told him he's as free as the wind now," said Annie. Sounds good, said Slim. Give me your hand, Smiley. Slim pulled Annie onto Dusty. She sat in front of Jack. Slim snapped his reins. Dusty started off. The sun was hot as Dusty climbed out of the canyon. When they reached the top, they peered down at the canyon floor. The Mustangs pranced playfully, their coats shining in the hazy light. They'll find their way out soon, Slim said, then cut across the prairie. Yelled goodbye to your pal, Smiley. Stay with your mother, Sunset, shouted Annie. Goodbye. Out of the blue, a voice called, bye.

“我告诉他，他现在就像风一样自由啦。”安妮说。 “听起来不错呀。”斯利姆说。 “把你的手给我，小开心果。” 斯利姆把安妮拉到达斯蒂背上。 她坐在杰克的前面。 斯利姆啪的一声抖了抖缰绳。 达斯蒂就迈开步子跑了起来。 达斯蒂往峡谷外爬的时候，太阳晒得暖洋洋的。 等他们爬到山顶的时候，他们低头看向峡谷底部。 野马们正在嬉闹蹦跳，它们的皮毛在朦胧的光线里闪闪发亮。 “它们很快就能找到出去的路，”斯利姆说，“然后就能横穿大草原啦。” “快跟你的好朋友说再见呀，小开心果。” “日落，要好好待在妈妈身边哦！”安妮大声喊道。 “再见啦！” 突然，不知从哪儿传来一个声音：“再见。”

Annie gasped. Who said that? She asked. The ghost? Nope, said Jack. It's just an echo. It's caused by sound bouncing off the canyon walls. Slim cupped his hands around his mouth. Who am I? He shouted. Am I? Came the distant voice. Oh, man, Jack said softly. That's the answer. To Markin's riddle, said Annie. Echo, she and Jack said together. Jack looked at Slim. You knew the answer last night, he said. Slim just smiled and snapped his reins. Let's go, partners, he said.

安妮倒吸了一口凉气。 “刚才是谁在说话？” 她问道。 “是鬼吗？” “不是哦。”杰克说。 “那只是回声呀。” “是声音碰到峡谷的岩壁反弹回来形成的。” 斯利姆把双手拢在嘴边。 “我是谁？” 他大喊道。 “是谁？” 远处传来了这样的声音。 “哦，天啊。”杰克小声说。 “这就是答案呀。” “就是马金那个谜语的答案呀。”安妮说。 “回声。”她和杰克异口同声地说。 杰克看向斯利姆。 “你昨天晚上就知道答案了对不对？”他说。 斯利姆只是笑了笑，又抖了抖缰绳。 “咱们走吧，伙伴们。”他说。