04 Freedom Fighters

Chapter 4. Freedom Fighters Jack carried the water bucket into the tent. The scene inside was like a nightmare. The tent was hot and stuffy. A dozen injured soldiers lay on small cots. Some called for food, others begged for water or just moaned. Jack wanted to rush back outside, but Annie got right She rolled up her sleeves and smiled. Hi everybody, she said cheerfully.

第四章 自由战士 杰克提着水桶走进帐篷。里面的景象简直像一场噩梦。 帐篷里又闷又热。十几个受伤的士兵躺在小行军床上。有的喊着要吃的，有的 讨水喝，还有的只是低声呻吟。杰克想立刻冲回外面去，可安妮却径直 挽起袖子，脸上带着笑意。 “大家好呀。”她开心地说道。

None of the soldiers smiled back. I have good news, she said. We've brought lunch. Annie moved down the row of cots. She handed out pieces of bread and chunks of potatoes to all the patients. You'll be feeling better soon, she said to one sick man. You'll see your family again, she told another. Jack looked around nervously. He wasn't sure what to do. Give them water, Jack, Annie called to him. Jack saw a tin cup beside each man's cot. He picked up the first cup. Carefully, he used the ladle to fill it with water. Keeping his eyes down, Jack handed the cup to the patient. He felt shy and uncomfortable. He didn't know what to say.

士兵们没有一个人笑着回应她。 “我有好消息要告诉大家哦。”她说。 “我们带午饭来啦。” 安妮沿着一排行军床往前走。 她把一片片面包和一块块土豆分给所有的伤员。 “你很快就会好起来的。”她对一个生病的士兵说。 “你会再见到你的家人的。”她对另一个士兵说。 杰克紧张地四下张望。 他不知道自己该做什么。 “杰克，给他们递水呀。”安妮朝他喊道。 杰克看到每个士兵的床边都放着一个锡杯。 他拿起第一个杯子。 他小心翼翼地用长勺把杯子盛满水。 杰克垂着眼睛，把杯子递给了伤员。 他觉得有点害羞，浑身不自在。 他不知道该说些什么。

Jack moved on to the next patient, then the next. He gave each wounded man a cup of water, but he never looked right at any of them or spoke a word. Soon Jack and Annie had finished passing out food and water. Goodbye, Annie said. She waved and left the tent. Jack quickly followed her. Let's go home now, he begged once they were outside. We've got what we came for. If we leave now, the patients in the next tent will go hungry and thirsty, said Annie. Jack sighed. Okay, he said, but after we take care of them we're leaving for sure. He followed Annie into the next tent.

杰克接着给下一个伤员递水，一个接一个。 他给每个受伤的士兵都递了一杯水，但他从来没有正眼看过他们，也没有说 过一句话。 很快杰克和安妮就分发完了食物和水。 “再见啦。”安妮说。 她挥了挥手，走出了帐篷。 杰克赶紧跟在她身后。 他们一走到外面，杰克就央求道：“我们现在回家吧。” “我们来这儿的事已经办完了。” 安妮说：“如果我们现在走的话，下一个帐篷的伤员就要挨饿受渴了。” 杰克叹了口气。 “好吧，”他说，“但我们照顾完他们之后就必须得走了。” 他跟着安妮走进了下一个帐篷。

Just like the last tent, it was filled with wounded soldiers. But the soldiers in this tent were all African Americans. Hi, everybody, Annie said, smiling warmly. Again, she passed out potatoes and bread. She also talked and made jokes. Jack poured water into each of the tin cups. Again, he didn't speak to any of the soldiers. But as he handed over the last cup, a patient spoke to him. Thank you for your kindness, son, the soldier said. Jack glanced shyly at the man on the cot. He was an elderly silver -haired black man. You're welcome, said Jack. He tried to think of something else to say. He remembered Annie's cheerful words.

和上一个帐篷一样，这里也住满了受伤的士兵。 不过这个帐篷里的士兵全都是非裔美国人。 “大家好呀。”安妮说着，露出了暖暖的笑容。 她又开始分发土豆和面包。 她还一边和大家聊天，讲笑话。 杰克把水倒进每个锡杯里。 和之前一样，他没有和任何一个士兵说话。 但当他递出最后一杯水的时候，一个伤员开口和他说话了。 “小家伙，谢谢你的好意。”这个士兵说。 杰克害羞地瞥了一眼床上的男人。 他是个上了年纪的黑人，头发都花白了。 “不客气。”杰克说。 他努力想找点别的话来说。 他想起了安妮那些让人开心的话。

You'll get well soon, he told the patient. You'll be with your family again. The man shook his head. No, I'll never be with my family again, he said quietly. My wife and children were sold long ago. Sold, said Jack.

“你很快就会好起来的。”他对这个伤员说。 “你会再和你的家人团聚的。” 男人摇了摇头。 “不会了，我再也见不到我的家人了。”他轻声说道。 “我的妻子和孩子很早之前就被卖掉了。” “卖掉了？”杰克惊讶地说。

you

你？