04 Commander-in-Chief

Chapter 4. Commander -in -Chief Jack and Annie ran along the river bank. The wind whooshed over the cold water. Wet snowflakes hissed in the dark. But then Jack heard other sounds. He heard voices. Lots of voices. He and Annie soon came upon hundreds and hundreds of soldiers gathered near the dark river. Many carried oil lanterns. The lanterns gave an eerie glow to the snowy twilight.

第四章 最高统帅 杰克和安妮沿着河岸奔跑。寒风掠过冰冷的河面，潮湿的雪花 在黑夜里簌簌落下。就在这时杰克听到了别的声响，好多好多说话的声音。他 和安妮很快就看见黑漆漆的河边聚了成百上千的士兵。 好多人都提着煤油灯，灯光给飘雪的暮色添了一丝诡异的光亮。

The captain and his men must be here somewhere," said Jack, looking around. Boats like giant canoes were tied near the river. Men were leading horses and loading cannons onto the boats. What are they all doing? said Annie. Jack pulled out their Revolutionary War book. He read in a whisper. On Wednesday, December 25, 1776. December 25? That's Christmas! said Annie. Today's Christmas! Cool! said Jack. He started reading again. On Wednesday, December 25, 1776. The Patriots were losing the war. Ragged and weary, many were ready to give up. Then something began to happen that would turn the war around. About 2 ,400 American Patriots gathered on the west bank of the Delaware River in Pennsylvania. They prepared to cross the river to go on a secret mission.

“上尉和他的手下肯定就在这附近。”杰克一边四下张望一边说。像巨型 独木舟似的船泊在河边，士兵们牵着马，正把大炮往船上搬 呢。 “他们都在干嘛呀？”安妮问。 杰克掏出他们那本独立战争的书，小声念了起来。 1776年12月25日，星期三。 “12月25日？那是圣诞节啊！”安妮叫了起来，“今天就是圣诞节呀！” “太酷啦！”杰克说完又接着念。 1776年12月25日，星期三。 爱国者们正处在战败的边缘，大家衣衫褴褛、疲惫不堪，很多人都打算放弃了。就在这时 一件足以扭转战局的事发生了：大约2400名美国爱国者聚集在 宾夕法尼亚州特拉华河的西岸，他们准备渡过河去执行 一项秘密任务。

A secret mission? Man, said Jack. He started to pull out his notebook. Attention troops, the commander in chief, a soldier shouted. Jack and Annie saw a man in a dark cape and a three cornered hat right up on a white horse. The commander in chief loomed above the crowd of soldiers. His cape flapped in the wind. He sat calmly and with dignity on the back of his horse.

秘密任务？ 哇哦，杰克惊叹道。 他正要掏出自己的笔记本。 “全体注意！最高统帅到！”一名士兵高声喊道。 杰克和安妮看见一个身穿深色斗篷、 头戴三角帽的男子骑在一匹白马上。 最高统帅的身影在士兵人群中格外醒目。 他的斗篷在风中猎猎作响。 他神态从容、气度威严地端坐在马背上。

Even at a distance, Jack thought the Commander -in -Chief looked familiar, very familiar, but he couldn't figure out why. A dangerous mission lies before you all, the man shouted above the wind. But I want you to have courage. You must remember the words of Thomas Paine. The Commander -in -Chief held up a piece of paper. He read to his men.

哪怕隔着一段距离，杰克都觉得这位最高统帅看起来很眼熟，特别眼熟，但他就是 想不起来在哪见过。 “你们即将要执行的任务十分危险，”男子的声音盖过了风声， 但我希望你们都鼓起勇气。 你们要牢记托马斯·潘恩说过的话。 最高统帅举起一张纸。 对着他的士兵们念了起来。

These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country. But he that stands it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." Wow, that's great, whispered Annie. Listening to the powerful words, Jack felt his spirits rise, too. The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph, the commander -in -chief read on. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly. It is dearness only that gives everything its value. There was a silence, as if everyone were thinking about the words the man had read. Then the soldiers started cheering and clapping. They didn't seem tired at all anymore.

“这是考验人们灵魂的时刻。 那些只在太平盛世当兵、只在风和日丽时爱国的人，在这场危机中会逃避为国 效力的责任。 但此刻挺身而出的人，值得所有同胞的爱戴与感激。” “哇，说得真好。”安妮小声说。 听着这些振奋人心的话语，杰克也觉得士气高涨。 “斗争越艰难，胜利就越光荣。”最高统帅接着念道。 “太容易得到的东西，我们往往不会珍惜。 唯有来之不易，才会显得弥足珍贵。” 四下一片寂静，仿佛所有人都在细细品味男子念的这些话。 紧接着士兵们开始欢呼鼓掌。 他们看起来一点都不觉得累了。