03 It's Time

CHAPTER III. IT'S TIME. Annie lifted up her long dress and ran to a tree close to the river. Jack held on to his hat and ran after her. They peeked out from behind the tree. More snow flurries swirled in the twilight. Red coats? whispered Annie. Can't tell, said Jack. In the flickering firelight the men didn't seem to be wearing uniforms at all. They wore ragged pants and coats. Some even had their feet wrapped in tattered cloth.

第三章 时间到了 安妮提起她的长裙子，跑到河边的一棵树旁。杰克紧紧抓住 他的帽子，跟在她后面跑。他们从树后探出头张望。更多的小雪片打着旋 在暮色里飞舞。 是红衫军吗？安妮小声问。 看不出来。杰克说。 摇曳的火光里，那些人看起来根本没穿制服。他们穿着 破破烂烂的裤子和外套，有些人甚至脚上裹着破布。

Come on, Annie said. She ran to a tree closer to the river. Jack followed. This is as close as we should get, he whispered. But we still can't tell what they're wearing, said Annie. She crept forward and hid behind a scraggly bush. No, closer, Jack whispered. But Annie took off again. She crouched behind a rock. She was only about ten feet from the campfire. Brother, she's way too close now, Jack thought. But he took a deep breath and ran to the rock.

走呀。安妮说。 她跑到离河边更近的一棵树后面。 杰克跟了上去。 我们最多就走到这儿了。他小声说。 可我们还是看不清他们穿的什么呀。安妮说。 她蹑手蹑脚往前挪，躲到了一丛乱蓬蓬的灌木后面。 别，再近点。杰克小声说。 可安妮又跑起来了。 她蹲在了一块岩石后面。 她离篝火只有大概十英尺远。 天呐，她现在靠得太近了。杰克心想。 可他深吸了一口气，也朝那块岩石跑了过去。

When he joined Annie, she looked at him and grinned. This is like hide and seek, she whispered. It's not a game, Annie, Jack whispered back. It's war. Be serious. I am serious, said Annie, her voice rising.

他走到安妮身边时，安妮看着他咧嘴笑了。 这好像捉迷藏呀。她小声说。 这不是游戏，安妮。杰克小声回道。 这是战争。 严肃点。 我很严肃啊。安妮说，声音变大了点。

Sshh! said Jack. But it was too late. One of the men stood up and looked around.

嘘！杰克说。可已经太晚了。其中一个男人站了起来，四处张望。

What's the matter, Captain? Another asked. I heard something, said the captain. He held up his musket. Jack stopped breathing. Who's there? The captain shouted. Jack looked at Annie. She shrugged. We're caught, she whispered. Who's there? The captain shouted again. Just two kids, Annie answered in a small voice. Come out and show yourselves, the captain said. Jack and Annie stood up from behind the rock. They both held up their hands. We come in peace, said Annie. In the shadowy twilight, the captain moved toward them.

怎么了，队长？ 另一个人问道。 我听到了什么动静。队长说。 他举起了自己的滑膛枪。 杰克屏住了呼吸。 谁在那里？ 队长大声喊道。 杰克看向安妮。 她耸了耸肩。 我们被发现了。她小声说。 谁在那里？ 队长又喊了一遍。 只是两个小孩。安妮小声回答道。 出来让我们看看。队长说。 杰克和安妮从岩石后面站了起来。 两个人都举起了手。 我们没有恶意。安妮说。 昏暗的暮色中，队长朝他们走了过来。

Who are you? He asked. We're Jack and Annie, said Annie. Why were you spying on us? He asked. We weren't spying, said Jack. We just wanted to know if you were red coats or patriots. Which would you like us to be? The shadowy figure asked. Patriots, said Jack. We are patriots, the captain said. Thank goodness, said Annie. The captain smiled. Where are you from? He asked. His voice had softened. We're visiting relatives nearby, Jack said. Frog Creek, Pennsylvania, said Annie at the same time.

你们是谁？ 他问道。 我们是杰克和安妮。安妮说。 你们为什么要偷看我们？ 他问道。 我们没有偷看。杰克说。 我们只是想知道你们是红衫军还是爱国者。 你们希望我们是哪一边的？ 那个模糊的身影问道。 爱国者。杰克说。 我们就是爱国者。队长说。 谢天谢地。安妮说。 队长笑了。 你们从哪里来？ 他问道。 他的语气柔和了下来。 我们来附近探望亲戚。杰克说。 宾夕法尼亚州的青蛙溪。安妮同时开口说道。