Two Friends

Besieged Paris was in the throes of famine. Even the sparrows on the roofs and the rats in the sewers were growing scarce. People were eating anything they could get.

Paris yang terkepung sedang dilanda kelaparan. Bahkan burung-burung pipit di atap dan tikus-tikus di selokan semakin langka. Orang-orang memakan apa pun yang bisa mereka dapatkan.

As Monsieur Morissot, watchmaker by profession and idler for the nonce, was strolling along the boulevard one bright January morning, his hands in his trousers pockets and stomach empty, he suddenly came face to face with an acquaintance—Monsieur Sauvage, a fishing chum.

Ketika Tuan Morissot, seorang pembuat jam menurut profesinya dan seorang penganggur untuk sementara waktu, sedang berjalan-jalan di sepanjang boulevard pada suatu pagi bulan Januari yang cerah, kedua tangannya di saku celana dan perutnya kosong, tiba-tiba ia berhadapan muka dengan seorang kenalan—Tuan Sauvage, teman memancingnya.

Before the war broke out Morissot had been in the habit, every Sunday morning, of setting forth with a bamboo rod in his hand and a tin box on his back. He took the Argenteuil train, got out at Colombes, and walked thence to the Ile Marante. The moment he arrived at this place of his dreams he began fishing, and fished till nightfall.

Sebelum perang meletus, Morissot terbiasa, setiap Minggu pagi, berangkat dengan sebatang joran bambu di tangannya dan sebuah kotak timah di punggungnya. Ia naik kereta ke Argenteuil, turun di Colombes, dan berjalan dari sana ke Ile Marante. Begitu ia tiba di tempat impiannya ini, ia mulai memancing, dan memancing sampai malam tiba.

Every Sunday he met in this very spot Monsieur Sauvage, a stout, jolly, little man, a draper in the Rue Notre Dame de Lorette, and also an ardent fisherman. They often spent half the day side by side, rod in hand and feet dangling over the water, and a warm friendship had sprung up between the two.

Setiap Minggu ia bertemu di tempat yang sama itu Tuan Sauvage, seorang pria kecil yang gemuk dan riang, seorang pedagang kain di Rue Notre Dame de Lorette, dan juga seorang pemancing yang bersemangat. Mereka sering menghabiskan setengah hari berdampingan, joran di tangan dan kaki menjuntai di atas air, dan sebuah persahabatan yang hangat pun tumbuh di antara mereka berdua.

Some days they did not speak; at other times they chatted; but they understood each other perfectly without the aid of words, having similar tastes and feelings.

Beberapa hari mereka tidak bicara; di lain waktu mereka mengobrol; tetapi mereka saling memahami satu sama lain dengan sempurna tanpa bantuan kata-kata, karena memiliki selera dan perasaan yang serupa.

In the spring, about ten o'clock in the morning, when the early sun caused a light mist to float on the water and gently warmed the backs of the two enthusiastic anglers, Morissot would occasionally remark to his neighbor:

Pada musim semi, sekitar pukul sepuluh pagi, ketika matahari pagi menyebabkan kabut tipis melayang di atas air dan dengan lembut menghangatkan punggung kedua pemancing yang bersemangat itu, Morissot terkadang berkomentar kepada temannya:

“My, but it's pleasant here.”

"Astaga, betapa menyenangkannya di sini."

To which the other would reply:

Yang dibalas oleh yang lain:

“I can't imagine anything better!”

"Aku tak bisa membayangkan yang lebih baik dari ini!"

And these few words sufficed to make them understand and appreciate each other.

Dan hanya dengan beberapa kata itu sudah cukup bagi mereka untuk saling memahami dan menghargai satu sama lain.

In the autumn, toward the close of day, when the setting sun shed a blood-red glow over the western sky, and the reflection of the crimson clouds tinged the whole river with red, brought a glow to the faces of the two friends, and gilded the trees, whose leaves were already turning at the first chill touch of winter, Monsieur Sauvage would sometimes smile at Morissot, and say:

Pada musim gugur, menjelang penghujung hari, ketika matahari terbenam menyebarkan cahaya merah darah di langit barat, dan pantulan awan-awan merah tua mewarnai seluruh sungai dengan merah, membawa kilau ke wajah kedua sahabat itu, serta menyepuh pohon-pohon yang daunnya sudah mulai berubah warna karena sentuhan dingin musim dingin pertama, Tuan Sauvage kadang tersenyum kepada Morissot, dan berkata:

“What a glorious spectacle!”

"Betapa megahnya pemandangan ini!"

And Morissot would answer, without taking his eyes from his float:

Dan Morissot akan menjawab, tanpa mengalihkan matanya dari pelampungnya:

“This is much better than the boulevard, isn't it?”

"Ini jauh lebih baik daripada boulevard, bukan begitu?"

As soon as they recognized each other they shook hands cordially, affected at the thought of meeting under such changed circumstances.

Begitu mereka saling mengenali, mereka berjabat tangan dengan hangat, tersentuh oleh pikiran bertemu dalam keadaan yang begitu berubah.

Monsieur Sauvage, with a sigh, murmured:

Tuan Sauvage, sambil menghela napas, bergumam:

“These are sad times!”

"Ini masa-masa yang menyedihkan!"

Morissot shook his head mournfully.

Morissot menggelengkan kepalanya dengan sedih.

“And such weather! This is the first fine day of the year.”

"Dan cuaca seperti ini! Ini hari pertama yang cerah tahun ini."

The sky was, in fact, of a bright, cloudless blue.

Langit memang, dalam kenyataannya, berwarna biru cerah tanpa awan.

They walked along, side by side, reflective and sad.

Mereka berjalan bersisian, penuh renungan dan kesedihan.

“And to think of the fishing!” said Morissot. “What good times we used to have!”

"Dan memikirkan soal memancing!" kata Morissot. "Betapa menyenangkan waktu-waktu yang dulu kita lalui!"

“When shall we be able to fish again?” asked Monsieur Sauvage.

"Kapan kita bisa memancing lagi?" tanya Tuan Sauvage.

They entered a small cafe and took an absinthe together, then resumed their walk along the pavement.

Mereka masuk ke sebuah kafe kecil dan minum absinth bersama, lalu melanjutkan jalan-jalan mereka di trotoar.

Morissot stopped suddenly.

Morissot berhenti tiba-tiba.

“Shall we have another absinthe?” he said.

"Mau minum absinth lagi?" katanya.

“If you like,” agreed Monsieur Sauvage.

"Kalau kau mau," setuju Tuan Sauvage.

And they entered another wine shop.

Dan mereka masuk ke sebuah toko anggur lain.

They were quite unsteady when they came out, owing to the effect of the alcohol on their empty stomachs. It was a fine, mild day, and a gentle breeze fanned their faces.

Mereka agak sempoyongan ketika keluar, akibat efek alkohol pada perut mereka yang kosong. Hari itu cerah dan sejuk, dan angin sepoi-sepoi menerpa wajah mereka.

The fresh air completed the effect of the alcohol on Monsieur Sauvage. He stopped suddenly, saying:

Udara segar itu menyempurnakan efek alkohol pada Tuan Sauvage. Ia berhenti tiba-tiba, sambil berkata:

“Suppose we go there?”

"Bagaimana kalau kita pergi ke sana?"

“Where?”

"Ke mana?"

“Fishing.”

"Memancing."

“But where?”

"Tapi di mana?"

“Why, to the old place. The French outposts are close to Colombes. I know Colonel Dumoulin, and we shall easily get leave to pass.”

"Yah, ke tempat lama itu. Pos-pos penjagaan Prancis dekat dengan Colombes. Aku kenal Kolonel Dumoulin, dan kita akan mudah mendapat izin untuk lewat."

Morissot trembled with desire.

Morissot gemetar karena keinginannya.

“Very well. I agree.”

"Baiklah. Aku setuju."

And they separated, to fetch their rods and lines.

Dan mereka pun berpisah, untuk mengambil joran dan tali pancing mereka.

An hour later they were walking side by side on the-highroad. Presently they reached the villa occupied by the colonel. He smiled at their request, and granted it. They resumed their walk, furnished with a password.

Satu jam kemudian mereka berjalan bersisian di jalan raya. Tak lama kemudian mereka tiba di sebuah vila yang ditempati sang kolonel. Ia tersenyum mendengar permintaan mereka, dan mengabulkannya. Mereka melanjutkan perjalanan, dibekali sebuah kata sandi.

Soon they left the outposts behind them, made their way through deserted Colombes, and found themselves on the outskirts of the small vineyards which border the Seine. It was about eleven o'clock.

Segera mereka meninggalkan pos-pos penjagaan di belakang, melewati Colombes yang sepi, dan mendapati diri mereka di pinggiran kebun-kebun anggur kecil yang membatasi sungai Seine. Waktu itu sekitar pukul sebelas.

Before them lay the village of Argenteuil, apparently lifeless. The heights of Orgement and Sannois dominated the landscape. The great plain, extending as far as Nanterre, was empty, quite empty-a waste of dun-colored soil and bare cherry trees.

Di hadapan mereka terbentang desa Argenteuil, tampak seperti tak berpenghuni. Bukit-bukit Orgement dan Sannois mendominasi lanskap itu. Dataran besar itu, membentang sampai sejauh Nanterre, kosong, benar-benar kosong—hamparan tanah kecoklatan dan pohon-pohon ceri yang gundul.

Monsieur Sauvage, pointing to the heights, murmured:

Tuan Sauvage, sambil menunjuk ke bukit-bukit itu, bergumam:

“The Prussians are up yonder!”

"Orang-orang Prusia ada di sana!"

And the sight of the deserted country filled the two friends with vague misgivings.

Dan pemandangan pedesaan yang sepi itu memenuhi kedua sahabat itu dengan kekhawatiran yang samar.

The Prussians! They had never seen them as yet, but they had felt their presence in the neighborhood of Paris for months past—ruining France, pillaging, massacring, starving them. And a kind of superstitious terror mingled with the hatred they already felt toward this unknown, victorious nation.

Orang-orang Prusia itu! Mereka belum pernah melihat mereka sampai saat itu, tetapi mereka telah merasakan kehadiran mereka di sekitar Paris selama berbulan-bulan terakhir—menghancurkan Prancis, menjarah, membantai, membuat mereka kelaparan. Dan semacam teror takhayul bercampur dengan kebencian yang sudah mereka rasakan terhadap bangsa yang tak dikenal dan penuh kemenangan ini.

“Suppose we were to meet any of them?” said Morissot.

"Bagaimana kalau kita bertemu salah satu dari mereka?" kata Morissot.

“We'd offer them some fish,” replied Monsieur Sauvage, with that Parisian light-heartedness which nothing can wholly quench.

"Kita akan menawarkan mereka ikan," jawab Tuan Sauvage, dengan semangat riang khas Paris yang tak pernah bisa benar-benar dipadamkan oleh apa pun.

Still, they hesitated to show themselves in the open country, overawed by the utter silence which reigned around them.

Meski begitu, mereka ragu untuk menampakkan diri di pedesaan terbuka, terintimidasi oleh keheningan total yang menyelimuti mereka.

At last Monsieur Sauvage said boldly:

Akhirnya Tuan Sauvage berkata dengan berani:

“Come, we'll make a start; only let us be careful!”

"Ayo, kita mulai; hanya saja mari kita berhati-hati!"

And they made their way through one of the vineyards, bent double, creeping along beneath the cover afforded by the vines, with eye and ear alert.

Dan mereka pun melewati salah satu kebun anggur itu, membungkuk rendah, merayap di bawah lindungan yang diberikan tanaman anggur, dengan mata dan telinga waspada.

A strip of bare ground remained to be crossed before they could gain the river bank. They ran across this, and, as soon as they were at the water's edge, concealed themselves among the dry reeds.

Sejalur tanah kosong masih harus diseberangi sebelum mereka bisa mencapai tepi sungai. Mereka berlari melintasi ini, dan, begitu mereka tiba di tepi air, bersembunyi di antara alang-alang kering.

Morissot placed his ear to the ground, to ascertain, if possible, whether footsteps were coming their way. He heard nothing. They seemed to be utterly alone.

Morissot menempelkan telinganya ke tanah, untuk memastikan, bila mungkin, apakah ada langkah kaki yang datang ke arah mereka. Ia tak mendengar apa-apa. Mereka tampaknya benar-benar sendirian.

Their confidence was restored, and they began to fish.

Kepercayaan diri mereka pun pulih, dan mereka mulai memancing.

Before them the deserted Ile Marante hid them from the farther shore. The little restaurant was closed, and looked as if it had been deserted for years.

Di hadapan mereka, pulau Ile Marante yang terbengkalai menyembunyikan mereka dari pandangan pantai seberang. Restoran kecil itu tertutup, dan tampak seakan sudah ditinggalkan selama bertahun-tahun.

Monsieur Sauvage caught the first gudgeon, Monsieur Morissot the second, and almost every moment one or other raised his line with a little, glittering, silvery fish wriggling at the end; they were having excellent sport.

Tuan Sauvage menangkap ikan gudgeon pertama, Tuan Morissot yang kedua, dan hampir setiap saat salah satu dari mereka mengangkat talinya dengan seekor ikan perak kecil yang berkilau meronta-ronta di ujungnya; mereka mendapatkan hasil pancingan yang luar biasa.

They slipped their catch gently into a close-meshed bag lying at their feet; they were filled with joy—the joy of once more indulging in a pastime of which they had long been deprived.

Mereka menyelipkan hasil tangkapan mereka dengan lembut ke dalam sebuah kantong berjaring rapat yang tergeletak di kaki mereka; mereka dipenuhi kegembiraan—kegembiraan menikmati kembali sebuah kesenangan yang sudah lama tak bisa mereka nikmati.

The sun poured its rays on their backs; they no longer heard anything or thought of anything. They ignored the rest of the world; they were fishing.

Matahari menuangkan sinarnya ke punggung mereka; mereka tak lagi mendengar apa pun atau memikirkan apa pun. Mereka mengabaikan seluruh dunia lainnya; mereka sedang memancing.

But suddenly a rumbling sound, which seemed to come from the bowels of the earth, shook the ground beneath them: the cannon were resuming their thunder.

Tetapi tiba-tiba sebuah suara gemuruh, yang seolah datang dari perut bumi, mengguncang tanah di bawah mereka: meriam-meriam kembali menggelegar.

Morissot turned his head and could see toward the left, beyond the banks of the river, the formidable outline of Mont-Valerien, from whose summit arose a white puff of smoke.

Morissot menoleh dan bisa melihat ke arah kiri, di seberang tepian sungai, siluet Mont-Valerien yang menjulang tegas, yang dari puncaknya muncul segumpal asap putih.

The next instant a second puff followed the first, and in a few moments a fresh detonation made the earth tremble.

Sesaat kemudian gumpalan kedua menyusul yang pertama, dan dalam beberapa saat sebuah dentuman baru membuat bumi bergetar.

Others followed, and minute by minute the mountain gave forth its deadly breath and a white puff of smoke, which rose slowly into the peaceful heaven and floated above the summit of the cliff.

Yang lainnya menyusul, dan menit demi menit gunung itu mengembuskan napas mematikannya serta segumpal asap putih, yang naik perlahan ke langit yang tenang dan melayang di atas puncak tebing itu.

Monsieur Sauvage shrugged his shoulders.

Tuan Sauvage mengangkat bahunya.

“They are at it again!” he said.

"Mereka mulai lagi!" katanya.

Morissot, who was anxiously watching his float bobbing up and down, was suddenly seized with the angry impatience of a peaceful man toward the madmen who were firing thus, and remarked indignantly:

Morissot, yang sedang cemas mengawasi pelampungnya yang naik turun, tiba-tiba dikuasai kejengkelan marah seorang manusia yang cinta damai terhadap orang-orang gila yang menembak-nembak seperti itu, dan berkata dengan penuh kejengkelan:

“What fools they are to kill one another like that!”

"Betapa bodohnya mereka saling membunuh seperti itu!"

“They're worse than animals,” replied Monsieur Sauvage.

"Mereka lebih buruk daripada binatang," jawab Tuan Sauvage.

And Morissot, who had just caught a bleak, declared:

Dan Morissot, yang baru saja menangkap seekor ikan bleak, menyatakan:

“And to think that it will be just the same so long as there are governments!”

"Dan bayangkan itu akan selalu begitu selama masih ada pemerintahan!"

“The Republic would not have declared war,” interposed Monsieur Sauvage.

"Republik tak akan mendeklarasikan perang," sela Tuan Sauvage.

Morissot interrupted him:

Morissot menyelanya:

“Under a king we have foreign wars; under a republic we have civil war.”

"Di bawah seorang raja kita punya perang luar negeri; di bawah sebuah republik kita punya perang saudara."

And the two began placidly discussing political problems with the sound common sense of peaceful, matter-of-fact citizens—agreeing on one point: that they would never be free. And Mont-Valerien thundered ceaselessly, demolishing the houses of the French with its cannon balls, grinding lives of men to powder, destroying many a dream, many a cherished hope, many a prospective happiness; ruthlessly causing endless woe and suffering in the hearts of wives, of daughters, of mothers, in other lands.

Dan keduanya pun mulai berdiskusi dengan tenang tentang masalah-masalah politik dengan akal sehat khas warga negara yang cinta damai dan realistis—sepakat pada satu hal: bahwa mereka tak akan pernah bebas. Dan Mont-Valerien terus menggelegar tanpa henti, menghancurkan rumah-rumah orang Prancis dengan peluru meriamnya, menggiling nyawa manusia menjadi debu, menghancurkan banyak mimpi, banyak harapan yang dijunjung tinggi, banyak kebahagiaan yang direncanakan; tanpa ampun menyebabkan kesengsaraan dan penderitaan tanpa akhir di hati para istri, para putri, para ibu, di negeri-negeri lain.

“Such is life!” declared Monsieur Sauvage.

"Begitulah kehidupan!" kata Tuan Sauvage.

“Say, rather, such is death!” replied Morissot, laughing.

"Katakan saja, begitulah kematian!" jawab Morissot, sambil tertawa.

But they suddenly trembled with alarm at the sound of footsteps behind them, and, turning round, they perceived close at hand four tall, bearded men, dressed after the manner of livery servants and wearing flat caps on their heads. They were covering the two anglers with their rifles.

Tetapi tiba-tiba mereka gemetar ketakutan mendengar suara langkah kaki di belakang mereka, dan, berbalik, mereka melihat di dekat sana empat pria tinggi berjanggut, berpakaian seperti pelayan berseragam dan mengenakan topi datar di kepala mereka. Mereka mengarahkan senapan ke kedua pemancing itu.

The rods slipped from their owners' grasp and floated away down the river.

Joran-joran itu terlepas dari genggaman pemiliknya dan hanyut mengapung menyusuri sungai.

In the space of a few seconds they were seized, bound, thrown into a boat, and taken across to the Ile Marante.

Dalam hitungan beberapa detik mereka ditangkap, diikat, dilemparkan ke sebuah perahu, dan dibawa menyeberang ke Ile Marante.

And behind the house they had thought deserted were about a score of German soldiers.

Dan di belakang rumah yang mereka kira tak berpenghuni itu ada sekitar dua puluh tentara Jerman.

A shaggy-looking giant, who was bestriding a chair and smoking a long clay pipe, addressed them in excellent French with the words:

Seorang raksasa berambut lebat, yang duduk mengangkang di sebuah kursi dan menghisap sebatang pipa tanah liat yang panjang, menyapa mereka dalam bahasa Prancis yang sempurna dengan kata-kata:

“Well, gentlemen, have you had good luck with your fishing?”

"Baiklah, tuan-tuan, apakah kalian mendapat keberuntungan dengan pancingan kalian?"

Then a soldier deposited at the officer's feet the bag full of fish, which he had taken care to bring away. The Prussian smiled.

Kemudian seorang prajurit meletakkan di kaki sang perwira kantong penuh ikan itu, yang telah ia bawa dengan hati-hati. Orang Prusia itu tersenyum.

“Not bad, I see. But we have something else to talk about. Listen to me, and don't be alarmed:

"Tidak buruk, kulihat. Tapi kita punya hal lain untuk dibicarakan. Dengarkan aku, dan jangan panik:

“You must know that, in my eyes, you are two spies sent to reconnoitre me and my movements. Naturally, I capture you and I shoot you. You pretended to be fishing, the better to disguise your real errand. You have fallen into my hands, and must take the consequences. Such is war.

"Kalian harus tahu bahwa, di mataku, kalian berdua adalah mata-mata yang dikirim untuk memata-matai aku dan pergerakanku. Wajar saja, aku menangkap kalian dan aku menembak kalian. Kalian berpura-pura sedang memancing, agar bisa lebih baik menyamarkan tujuan sesungguhnya kalian. Kalian telah jatuh ke tanganku, dan harus menanggung akibatnya. Begitulah perang.

“But as you came here through the outposts you must have a password for your return. Tell me that password and I will let you go.”

"Tapi karena kalian datang ke sini melewati pos-pos penjagaan, kalian pasti punya sebuah kata sandi untuk kembali. Katakan kata sandi itu padaku dan aku akan membiarkan kalian pergi."

The two friends, pale as death, stood silently side by side, a slight fluttering of the hands alone betraying their emotion.

Kedua sahabat itu, pucat pasi, berdiri diam berdampingan, hanya sedikit getaran tangan yang mengkhianati emosi mereka.

“No one will ever know,” continued the officer. “You will return peacefully to your homes, and the secret will disappear with you. If you refuse, it means death-instant death. Choose!”

"Tak seorang pun akan pernah tahu," lanjut sang perwira. "Kalian akan kembali dengan damai ke rumah kalian, dan rahasia ini akan lenyap bersama kalian. Kalau kalian menolak, itu berarti kematian—kematian seketika. Pilihlah!"

They stood motionless, and did not open their lips.

Mereka berdiri tak bergerak, dan tidak membuka bibir mereka.

The Prussian, perfectly calm, went on, with hand outstretched toward the river:

Orang Prusia itu, dengan tenang sepenuhnya, melanjutkan, sambil mengulurkan tangan ke arah sungai:

“Just think that in five minutes you will be at the bottom of that water. In five minutes! You have relations, I presume?”

"Cobalah pikirkan bahwa dalam lima menit kalian akan berada di dasar air itu. Lima menit! Kurasa kalian punya sanak keluarga?"

Mont-Valerien still thundered.

Mont-Valerien masih terus menggelegar.

The two fishermen remained silent. The German turned and gave an order in his own language. Then he moved his chair a little way off, that he might not be so near the prisoners, and a dozen men stepped forward, rifle in hand, and took up a position, twenty paces off.

Kedua pemancing itu tetap diam. Orang Jerman itu berbalik dan memberi perintah dalam bahasanya sendiri. Kemudian ia menggeser kursinya sedikit menjauh, agar tidak terlalu dekat dengan para tahanan, dan selusin orang melangkah maju, senapan di tangan, dan mengambil posisi, dua puluh langkah jauhnya.

“I give you one minute,” said the officer; “not a second longer.”

"Kuberi kalian waktu satu menit," kata sang perwira; "tidak lebih satu detik pun."

Then he rose quickly, went over to the two Frenchmen, took Morissot by the arm, led him a short distance off, and said in a low voice:

Kemudian ia bangkit cepat, menghampiri kedua orang Prancis itu, memegang lengan Morissot, membawanya sedikit menjauh, dan berkata dengan suara pelan:

“Quick! the password! Your friend will know nothing. I will pretend to relent.”

"Cepat! Kata sandinya! Temanmu tak akan tahu apa-apa. Aku akan berpura-pura melunak."

Morissot answered not a word.

Morissot tidak menjawab sepatah kata pun.

Then the Prussian took Monsieur Sauvage aside in like manner, and made him the same proposal.

Kemudian orang Prusia itu membawa Tuan Sauvage menjauh dengan cara yang sama, dan mengajukan proposal yang sama kepadanya.

Monsieur Sauvage made no reply.

Tuan Sauvage tidak memberi jawaban.

Again they stood side by side.

Sekali lagi mereka berdiri berdampingan.

The officer issued his orders; the soldiers raised their rifles.

Sang perwira mengeluarkan perintahnya; para prajurit mengangkat senapan mereka.

Then by chance Morissot's eyes fell on the bag full of gudgeon lying in the grass a few feet from him.

Kemudian secara kebetulan mata Morissot jatuh pada kantong penuh ikan gudgeon yang tergeletak di rerumputan beberapa langkah darinya.

A ray of sunlight made the still quivering fish glisten like silver. And Morissot's heart sank. Despite his efforts at self-control his eyes filled with tears.

Seberkas sinar matahari membuat ikan yang masih menggeliat itu berkilau seperti perak. Dan hati Morissot pun tenggelam. Meski berusaha menahan diri, matanya dipenuhi air mata.

“Good-by, Monsieur Sauvage,” he faltered.

"Selamat tinggal, Tuan Sauvage," ucapnya terbata-bata.

“Good-by, Monsieur Morissot,” replied Sauvage.

"Selamat tinggal, Tuan Morissot," jawab Sauvage.

They shook hands, trembling from head to foot with a dread beyond their mastery.

Mereka berjabat tangan, gemetar dari kepala hingga kaki dengan sebuah ketakutan yang tak bisa mereka kendalikan.

The officer cried:

Sang perwira berseru:

“Fire!”

"Tembak!"

The twelve shots were as one.

Kedua belas tembakan itu terdengar sebagai satu suara.

Monsieur Sauvage fell forward instantaneously. Morissot, being the taller, swayed slightly and fell across his friend with face turned skyward and blood oozing from a rent in the breast of his coat.

Tuan Sauvage jatuh ke depan seketika. Morissot, karena lebih tinggi, terhuyung sedikit dan jatuh menimpa temannya dengan wajah menghadap langit dan darah merembes dari sebuah lubang di dada jasnya.

The German issued fresh orders.

Orang Jerman itu mengeluarkan perintah-perintah baru.

His men dispersed, and presently returned with ropes and large stones, which they attached to the feet of the two friends; then they carried them to the river bank.

Anak buahnya menyebar, dan segera kembali dengan tali dan batu-batu besar, yang mereka ikatkan ke kaki kedua sahabat itu; lalu mereka membawa mereka ke tepi sungai.

Mont-Valerien, its summit now enshrouded in smoke, still continued to thunder.

Mont-Valerien, puncaknya kini diselimuti asap, masih terus menggelegar.

Two soldiers took Morissot by the head and the feet; two others did the same with Sauvage. The bodies, swung lustily by strong hands, were cast to a distance, and, describing a curve, fell feet foremost into the stream.

Dua prajurit memegang Morissot pada kepala dan kakinya; dua lainnya melakukan hal yang sama dengan Sauvage. Tubuh-tubuh itu, diayunkan dengan penuh tenaga oleh tangan-tangan kuat, dilempar sejauh mungkin, dan, membentuk sebuah lengkungan, jatuh dengan kaki lebih dulu ke dalam sungai.

The water splashed high, foamed, eddied, then grew calm; tiny waves lapped the shore.

Air memercik tinggi, berbuih, berputar, lalu menjadi tenang kembali; ombak-ombak kecil menjilati tepian.

A few streaks of blood flecked the surface of the river.

Beberapa jejak darah menodai permukaan sungai itu.

The officer, calm throughout, remarked, with grim humor:

Sang perwira, tenang sepanjang waktu, berkomentar, dengan humor yang kelam:

“It's the fishes' turn now!”

"Sekarang giliran ikan-ikan itu!"

Then he retraced his way to the house.

Kemudian ia berjalan kembali menuju rumah itu.

Suddenly he caught sight of the net full of gudgeons, lying forgotten in the grass. He picked it up, examined it, smiled, and called:

Tiba-tiba ia melihat jaring penuh ikan gudgeon, tergeletak terlupakan di rerumputan. Ia mengambilnya, memeriksanya, tersenyum, dan berseru:

“Wilhelm!”

"Wilhelm!"

A white-aproned soldier responded to the summons, and the Prussian, tossing him the catch of the two murdered men, said:

Seorang prajurit berapron putih menanggapi panggilan itu, dan orang Prusia itu, sambil melemparkan hasil tangkapan kedua orang yang baru saja dibunuh itu kepadanya, berkata:

“Have these fish fried for me at once, while they are still alive; they'll make a tasty dish.”

"Gorengkan ikan-ikan ini untukku sekarang juga, selagi masih hidup; mereka akan jadi hidangan yang lezat."

Then he resumed his pipe.

Kemudian ia kembali menghisap pipanya.