登陆注册
724800000021

第21章 英文版 (11)

I hate a cramp, he thought. It is a treachery of one’s own body. It is humiliating before others to have a diarrhoea from ptomaine poisoning or to vomit from it. But a cramp, he thought of it as a calambre, humiliates oneself especially when one is alone.

If the boy were here he could rub it for me and loosen it down from the forearm, he thought. But it will loosen up.

Then, with his right hand he felt the difference in the pull of the line before he saw the slant change in the water. Then, as he leaned against the line and slapped his left hand hard and fast against his thigh he saw the line slanting slowly upward.

“He’s coming up,” he said. “Come on hand. Please come on.”

The line rose slowly and steadily and then the surface of the ocean bulged ahead of the boat and the fish came out. He came out unendingly and water poured from his sides. He was bright in the sun and his head and back were dark purple and in the sun the stripes on his sides showed wide and a light lavender. His sword was as long as a baseball bat and tapered like a rapier and he rose his full length from the water and then re-entered it, smoothly, like a diver and the old man saw the great scythe-blade of his tail go under and the line commenced to race out.

“He is two feet longer than the skiff,” the old man said. The line was going out fast but steadily and the fish was not panicked. The old man was trying with both hands to keep the line just inside of breaking strength. He knew that if he could not slow the fish with a steady pressure the fish could take out all the line and break it.

He is a great fish and I must convince him, he thought. I must never let him learn his strength nor what he could do if he made his run. If I were him I would put in everything now and go until something broke. But, thank God, they are not as intelligent as we who kill them; Although they are more noble and more able.

The old man had seen many great fish. He had seen many that weighed more than a thousand pounds and he had caught two of that size in his life, but never alone. Now alone, and out of sight of land, he was fast to the biggest fish that he had ever seen and bigger than he had ever heard of,and his left hand was still as tight as the gripped claws of an eagle.

It will uncramp though, he thought. Surely it will uncramp to help my right hand. There are three things that are brothers: the fish and my two hands. It must uncramp. It is unworthy of it to be cramped. The fish had slowed again and was going at his usual pace.

I wonder why he jumped, the old man thought. He jumped almost as though to show me how big he was. I know now, anyway, he thought. I wish I could show him what sort of man I am. But then he would see the cramped hand. Let him think I am more man than I am and I will be so. I wish I was the fish, he thought, with everything he has against only my will and my intelligence.

He settled comfortably against the wood and took his suffering as it came and the fish swam steadily and the boat moved slowly through the dark water. There was a small sea rising with the wind coming up from the east and at noon the old man’s left hand was uncramped.

“Bad news for you, fish,” he said and shifted the line over the sacks that covered his shoulders.

He was comfortable but suffering, although he did not admit the suffering at all.

“I am not religious,” he said. “But I will say ten Our Fathers and ten Hail Marys that I should catch this fish, and I promise to make a pilgrimage to the Virgin of Cobre if I catch him. That is a promise.”

He commenced to say his prayers mechanically. Sometimes he would be so tired that he could not remember the prayer and then he would say them fast so that they would come automatically. Hail Marys are easier to say than Our Fathers, he thought.

“Hail Mary full of Grace the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.” Then he added, “Blessed Virgin, pray for the death of this fish. Wonderful though he is.”

With his prayers said, and feeling much better, but suffering exactly as much, and perhaps a little more, he leaned against the wood of the bow and began, mechanically, to work the fingers of his left hand.

The sun was hot now although the breeze was rising gently.

“I had better re-bait that little line out over the stern,” he said. “If the fish decides to stay another night I will need to eat again and the water is low in the bottle. I don’t think I can get anything but a dolphin here. But if I eat him fresh enough he won’t be bad. I wish a flying fish would come on board tonight. But I have no light to attract them. A flying fish is excellent to eat raw and I would not have to cut him up. I must save all my strength now. Christ, I did not know he was so big.”

“I’ll kill him though,” he said. “In all his greatness and his glory.”

Although it is unjust, he thought. But I will show him what a man can do and what a man endures.

“I told the boy I was a strange old man,” he said. “Now is when I must prove it.”

The thousand times that he had proved it meant nothing. Now he was proving it again. Each time was a new time and he never thought about the past when he was doing it.

I wish he’d sleep and I could sleep and dream about the lions, he thought. Why are the lions the main thing that is left? Don’t think, old man, he said to himself, Rest gently now against the wood and think of nothing. He is working. Work as little as you can.

It was getting into the afternoon and the boat still moved slowly and steadily. But there was an added drag now from the easterly breeze and the old man rode gently with the small sea and the hurt of the cord across his back came to him easily and smoothly.

Once in the afternoon the line started to rise again. But the fish only continued to swim at a slightly higher level. The sun was on the old man’s left arm and shoulder and on his back. So he knew the fish had turned east of north.

同类推荐
  • 福尔摩斯探案全集:巴斯克维尔的猎犬

    福尔摩斯探案全集:巴斯克维尔的猎犬

    《福尔摩斯探案全集之巴斯克维尔的猎犬》是福尔摩斯探案全集系列中最为光彩四射、引人入胜的巅峰之作。小说围绕英格兰乡下一个偏僻荒凉的庄园中流传的一个古老家族与一只充满灵异的猎犬之间的宿命传说铺叙情节,刻画了人对财富的贪欲和费尽心机图谋占有的阴险毒辣手段,并有亲情善恶爱恨的交织表现。
  • 朦胧悲喜

    朦胧悲喜

    安明法的《朦胧悲喜》正是揭示了这样一个主题,在宣扬酒文化的同时,劝诫大家饮酒适量,避免贪杯后朦朦胧胧地误事、坏事、出丑。在他选择出版的小说中,虽然因酗酒出丑、坏事的篇幅不多,但是仍然让我们不难看出其劝诫人们适量饮酒、不能酒驾的良苦用心。至于书中收入的酒后奇遇的侥幸人物,我们也只能从吕蒙正所说的时、命、运方面理解,进而从作者的这种构思中看到其朴实善良、爱憎分明的内心世界,看到其善有善报、恶有恶报的良好意愿。
  • 桥(中小学生必读丛书)

    桥(中小学生必读丛书)

    《桥》是萧红短篇小说中的代表作,她对此篇十分偏爱,在发表之前就以此名结集成小说、散文集《桥》。作品在意象选择、人物刻画和语言运用等艺术方面,做了很多新的尝试,使她的作品创作始由稚嫩走向成熟,为日后创作更具深度的长篇小说奠定了基础,而它所体现的悲剧性则代表了萧红的创作基调。
  • 聊斋(当下版)

    聊斋(当下版)

    不是只有古代才有聂小倩和宁采臣的。书生与靓鬼的故事没完没了,不过现代的聂小倩招数更多了,而宁采臣也不是那么懦弱了……
  • 飞

    一切从美丽的草原开始,一切又在美丽的草原上结束了!飞走了!带着自己的理想和抱负,带者自己渴求自由幸福的梦想!去了太阳神殿,在那太阳升起的地方……一个灵魂被放逐是一种堕落,一个生命被放逐是一种追求,一个理想被放逐是一种升华,一种自由被放逐,换来的是一种精神,一种恒久不变,一种源远流长,一种不管用何种方式表达的精神。飞是为自己而飞,更是为理想而飞
热门推荐
  • 惹火不良妻

    惹火不良妻

    李禹生,一个温柔与狂野完美结合的男人。一个足以让任何女人,欲罢不能的男人。她,楼欢欢‘处心积虑’的成为了他的第一任妻子。作为丈夫的他,完美到无可挑剔,温柔的关怀,无边的疼宠。让她几乎错以为自己就是那个被他用心宠上天的幸福女人。然而,只有她最清楚,这些不过都是假象。而他对自己的包容和疼宠,只是负责和怜悯。*如果不是亲眼看到他抱着浑身是血的婉柔从自己身边走过,温柔的双眸里再也没有她的一席之地。她不会那么清晰的确定,自己做对了。执着的爱,暧昧的情,终究无法双全。带着他留给她的唯一宝贝,她毅然走出他的生命。Butterfly,那将是毛毛虫到蝴蝶的精彩蜕变。李禹生:拥有四分之一中国血统的英国贵族。娶她,是因为责任和同情。怜她,是因她贤惠和乖巧。从没想过会爱上她,因为他们的日子太过平淡温情。然而,有些事就像吃饭喝水,当真有一天感觉不到,才会发现早已成为你人生中必不可少的一部分。认识爱,了解爱,学会爱,他用了五年。再见,她却已成他人妻,身边有两个苍白俊秀的男娃相伴左右。现实、残酷无情;命运、一言难尽。冶轩然:从平民里走出的冷酷总裁。苦难教会他必定要站在顶峰,才不会被人伤害。所以他摒弃一切情绪,只为终有一日能向那高高在上俊逸高贵的男子复仇。楼欢欢,一个牵动着李禹生情绪的女子。所以他用孩子将她绑在身边。五年,他放慢了复仇的脚步,却不愿追究其中原因。然而却在看到她的动摇的那一霎那,他毁了那个男人的一切。这是一对情侣从彼此怀疑,走到彼此坚定的爱情旅程。情节发展需要,可能与简介稍有出入,出入不大,但必定更加精彩,敬请期待!◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇【相关说明】◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇文的内容会比片段精彩,人物再更新当中。亲们若想知道文的后续发展,请进入正文部分。PS:1.本文为豪门言情文,YY成分居多,为了情节需要,不严谨之处切勿追根寻源。2.喜欢本文的亲们,顺手点个收藏吧!表当书霸王,偶尔冒个泡让南风见见亲们,别让咱的留言区和荒岭一样寂静。*104909432不良有群了,喜欢玩闹的童鞋可以来热闹一下!《牛郎的诱惑》热烈推荐好友美文!《血色精灵王》超好的一个姐姐的新坑!!!希望喜欢的亲们去捧个场!!好友推荐:总裁的羔羊小郡主别跑首席未婚妻异世御神好友端木勤勤的亲亲徒弟的文~~
  • 嫡女棣王妃

    嫡女棣王妃

    “姨娘,夫人似乎断气了~”“哼!这么一碗药都下去了,难道她还能活着不成?”“那这······”一个年纪稍长的人朝着这位称作姨娘的人示意了一下自己手中的婴儿,似乎有些犹豫,“这好歹是个男孩,现在夫人已经死了,如果姨娘把他占为己有,然后得了这府中的中馈······”“嬷嬷?!”女子也不等她的话说完,就打断了她,“你记住了,我恨死了这个女人,她的儿子,只能随着她去,我就是以后自己生不出儿子,抱养别人的,也不会要她的。把他给我扔马桶里面溺了,对外就说一出生就死了!”猩红的嘴唇,吐出来的话却是格外的渗人。嬷嬷还想说什么,动了动嘴,却是一句话也没有说,转身朝着后面放着马桶的地方走去。却是没有发现旁边地上一个穿着有些破旧的衣服的小女孩此刻正瞪大了眼睛看着她们两。这是什么情况?自己不是被炸死了吗?怎么会······于此同时,脑中不断有记忆闪现出来,她们是自己的母亲和刚出生的弟弟啊?!不行,先救人。转头看见旁边谁绣花留下的针线跟剪刀,想到自己前世的身手,拿起一根绣花针就朝着那个嬷嬷飞了过去,却在半路上掉落下来,暗骂一声,这人是什么破身体。却引得那两个人听见动静看了过来。女人阴狠的盯着她,“你居然没有死?”微微眯起眼睛,自己的前身也是被她们弄死的了,看样子她们谁也不会放过,抓起旁边的剪刀就冲了过去。随着几声惨叫声,从此以后,府中府外都传遍了她的“美名”——凤家大小姐心肠歹毒,刺伤了府中无数的人,宛如一个疯子。
  • 吸引力法则大全集(超值金版)

    吸引力法则大全集(超值金版)

    主动参与吸引力法则的运作过程,你会汲取更多的快乐并获得成功的力量,你想做什么?你想成为什么?你想拥有什么?你想达到什么目标?通过运用本书介绍的技巧、观念和工具,创造出你梦想中的人生
  • 世界最具推理性的侦破故事(3)

    世界最具推理性的侦破故事(3)

    我的课外第一本书——震撼心灵阅读之旅经典文库,《阅读文库》编委会编。通过各种形式的故事和语言,讲述我们在成长中需要的知识。
  • 无敌大小姐

    无敌大小姐

    当现代阴狠毒辣,手段极多的火家大小姐火无情,穿越到一个好色如命,花痴草包大小姐身上,会发生怎样的化学反应?火无情一醒过来就发现,自己竟然在众目睽睽之下上演脱衣秀。周围还有一群围观者。这一发现,让她极为不爽。刚刚穿好衣服,便看到一个声称是自家老头的老不死气势汹汹的跑来问罪。刚上来,就要打她。这还得了?她火无情从生自死,都是王者。敢动她的人,都在和阎王喝茶。于是,她一怒之下,打了老爹。众人皆道:火家小姐阴狠毒辣,竟然连老爹都不放在眼里。就这样,她的罪名又多了一条。蛇蝎美人。穿越后,火无情的麻烦不断。第一天,打了爹。第二天,毁了姐姐的容。第三天,骂了二娘。第四天,当众轻薄了天下第一公子。第五天,火家贴出招亲启事:但凡愿意娶火家大小姐者,皆可去火府报名。来者不限。不怕死,不想活的,欢迎前来。警示:但凡来此,生死皆与火家无关。若有残病者火家一律不负法律责任。本以为无人敢到,岂料是桃花朵朵。美男个个很妖娆一号美人:火无炎。火家大少爷。为人不清楚,手段不清楚。容貌不清楚。唯一清楚的是,他有钱。有多多的钱。火无情语录:钱是好东西。娶了。(此美男,由美瞳掩饰不了你眼神的空洞领养。)火老爷一气之下,昏了过去。家门不幸,家门不幸啊。二号美人:竹清月。江湖人称天上神仙,地上无月。大国师一枚。美得惊天动地。火无情语录:美人好,尤其是自带嫁妆又会预测未来的美人,娶了。(此美男,由东de琳琳领养)三号美人:轩辕子玉。当朝七皇子,游历四国。一张可爱无敌的脸。单纯至极。火无情语录:可爱的孩子好,可爱又乖巧的孩子更好。可爱乖巧又不用给钱的孩子,娶了。(此美男,由刘千绮领养)皇帝听闻,两眼一抹黑。他的儿啊。怎么就这么不争气呢。四号美人:天下第一美男。性格不详,籍贯不详。火无情语录:谜一样的美人,她喜欢。每天都有新鲜感。娶了。(此美男,由告别的爱情li领养。)五号美人:天下第一名伶。火无情语录:解风情的美男,如果没钱花把他卖了都不用调教。娶了。(此美男由伊眸领养。)六号美男:解忧楼楼主。相貌不详,身世不详。爱好杀人。火无情语录:凶恶的美人,她喜欢。娶了。(此美男由陈铭铭领养)七号美男:琴圣。貌如谪仙,琴音杀人。冷清眸子中,百转千回,说尽风流。(此美男由伊眸领养)夜杀:天下第一杀手。(此美男由静寂之夜领养)
  • 别惹草包傻妃

    别惹草包傻妃

    她赫赫有名的佣兵首领,竟然穿越到一个13岁的傻子皇妃身上,克死皇帝夫君之后,竟被赏赐给亡夫的白痴皇儿做正宫!没想到小夫君色胆包天,洞房花烛夜前夕,就要她侍寝!“小楚楚,我可是你名义上的娘亲!”她眸光一冷,杀意腾腾。“很快,你就会是我名副其实的妻子!”小夫君司马楚邪魅一笑,近得她身前,在她脖子上烙下属于他的印记……
  • 吃垃圾也疯狂

    吃垃圾也疯狂

    这些是发生在冬天里的故事。主人公马飞飞和他的铁杆哥们在学校里、在公园里发生了一系列有趣的故事。本书囊括了知识情感、童趣搞笑和快乐烦恼交织的成长历程。相信你在不同的角度,能够找到自己成长的影子和发生在你身边的感动。
  • 重生农家小媳妇

    重生农家小媳妇

    小媳妇儿孟朵重生到十三岁那年。依旧是人人惦记的能掐出水的童养媳,却不再是任人宰割的小绵羊。帮助大伯发家致富,督促小叔进学高中,教养小姑温柔识礼!坑害拐骗的,拍飞!算计房田的,抽死!她的愿望是一家人开开心心地过平淡而富足的生活,奈何桃花朵朵开,一众人物粉墨登场。一不要命,二不要脸,狗皮膏药似的黏在身上,活神仙都没辙。最缠人的爷们霸气十足,对外放话:谁惹自个媳妇儿,一个字,抽!【男主语录】媳妇儿,我给你笑一个,别生气了,行吗?媳妇儿,大伯甩脸子给我瞧,咋办?媳妇儿,小叔竟然敢打我的脸,毁容了怎么办?媳妇儿,小姑子的婚事你可满意?
  • 抓住你的鱼:二十几岁女人必读的恋爱智慧

    抓住你的鱼:二十几岁女人必读的恋爱智慧

    男人像鱼,在爱情的海洋中游来荡去,惹得一群垂钓女垂涎欲滴。难怪女人会这样,谁不想找个好男人来疼她、爱她、照顾她,开心的时候陪她笑,不开心的时候任她打。不过麻烦的是,好鱼已缀成为了海洋里的稀缺资源。天哪,一条帅气、多金又体贴的绝世好鱼正淘你游了过来,但是顷刻间四周就围满了虎视眈豌的垂钓女,眼睛发亮地觊觎着他,摩拳擦掌地准备抢走他。在这群千娇百媚、仪态各异的垂钓女中,你可能毫不起眼,根本引不起好鱼的注意,以致缘分白白溜走。更糟糕的是,好鱼又少了一条。要想抓到一条绝世好鱼,可是非要花一番心思下一点工夫才行的!
  • 佛悟人生

    佛悟人生

    一个心如明镜的人。能将万物看得清清楚楚:而一旦用心去思量如何实现愿望,如何攀缘,那这面明镜就会蒙上尘土,就会看不见万物的形象。因此,禅的目的就是擦掉我们心灵上的灰尘。扭转我们这些现代人生活意志委靡的趋势,改善我们的生活。正如一位禅师所说:“禅是对生命完整意蕴的领悟”。