15 一封邀请信(5)
Without trying to reconcile the contradictions between Captain Nemo's professed horror of continents or islands and his invitation to go hunting in a forest,I was content to reply:
尼摩船长本来是讨厌大一陆和岛屿的，现在反来邀我们去林中打猎，这矛盾我不想去求得解释，只是满意地说。
First let's look into this Crespo Island.
我们先看看克利斯波岛是个什么样的地方。
I consulted the world map; and in latitude 32 degrees 40' north and longitude 167 degrees 50' west, I found an islet that had been discovered in 1801 by Captain Crespo, which old Spanish charts called Rocca de la Plata, in other words, Silver Rock.
我于是查平面地图，在北纬32度40分，西经167度50分的地方，找到一个小岛，它是1801年由克利斯波船长发现的，古老的西班牙地图叫它洛加·德拉·蒲拉达，意译过来就是银石。
So we were about 1,800 miles from our starting point, and by a slight change of heading, the Nautilus was bringing us back toward the southeast.
所以我们现在距出发点约为一千八百海里，诺第留斯号行驶的方向有些改变了，它现在又向东南方驶去。
I showed my companions this small, stray rock in the middle of the north Pacific.
我把这个处在太平洋北部的小岛指给我的同伴看。
If Captain Nemo does sometimes go ashore, I told them, at least he only picks desert islands!
我对他们说：尼摩船长即使偶然想上陆地，他一定也要选择那些荒凉无人的地方。
Ned Land shook his head without replying; then he and Conseil left me. After supper was served me by the mute and emotionless steward, I fell asleep; but not without some anxieties.
尼德·兰摇摇头，不答话，一会，康塞尔和他都走开了。不动声一色一的管事人给我端来晚餐,我用过晚餐以后，心里盘算着明天的事，很久才入睡。
When I woke up the next day, November 17, I sensed that the Nautilus was completely motionless. I dressed hurriedly and entered the main lounge.
第二天，11月7日，我醒来，觉得诺第留斯号不动了。我赶忙穿上衣服，走进了客厅。
Captain Nemo was there waiting for me. He stood up, bowed, and asked if it suited me to come along.
尼摩船长已经在厅里等着我了，他看见我，使站起来向我招呼，问我们跟他一同去打猎有什么不方便没有。
Since he made no allusion to his absence the past eight days, I also refrained from mentioning it, and I simply answered that my companions and I were ready to go with him.
既然他一点不提他八天不露面的原因，我也不便打听，所以只是干脆地回答说，我的同伴和我都很乐意跟他去打猎。
Only, sir, I added, I'll take the liberty of addressing a question to you.
不过，我又补上一句，先生，请允许我向您提一个问题。