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.

被围困的巴黎正深陷饥荒的煎熬之中。就连屋顶上的麻雀和下水道里的老鼠，也变得越来越稀少。人们逮着什么就吃什么。

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.

一月里一个晴朗的早晨，钟表匠莫里索先生正沿着大道闲逛——他本是钟表匠，此刻却成了个无所事事的闲人——两手插在裤兜里，肚子空空如也，忽然间，他和一位熟人打了个照面——那是他的钓鱼老搭档索瓦热先生。

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.

战争爆发之前，莫里索每逢星期天早晨，总习惯手持一根竹竿钓竿，背着一个铁皮盒子出门。他坐上开往阿让特伊的火车，在科隆布下车，然后步行到马朗特岛。他一到这个魂牵梦萦的地方，便开始垂钓，一直钓到天黑。

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.

每个星期天，他都会在这个地方碰见索瓦热先生，一个身材矮胖、性情快活的小个子男人，是圣母洛雷特街上的一个布商，同时也是个热忱的钓鱼迷。他们常常并肩坐上大半天，手持钓竿，双脚悬在水面上晃着，两人之间渐渐生出了一段温厚的友谊。

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.

有些日子他们一言不发；有些日子又聊上几句；可即便不靠言语，他们也彼此心照不宣，因为二人趣味相投，性情相近。

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:

到了春天，早晨十点钟光景，初升的太阳在水面上洒下一层薄薄的雾气，轻轻地暖着这两位热忱垂钓者的后背，莫里索有时会对他这位邻座说：

“My, but it's pleasant here.”

“唉，这儿可真是惬意啊。”

To which the other would reply:

对方便会答道：

“I can't imagine anything better!”

“我实在想不出还有什么能比这更好的了！”

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

单凭这寥寥几句话，便足以让二人彼此心领神会，惺惺相惜。

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:

到了秋天，日暮时分，落日在西边天际洒下一片血红的霞光，那绛红云霞的倒影把整条河都染成了红色，映得两位朋友脸上也泛起红光，也把那些树梢镀上一层金色——那些叶子早已在冬日最初的寒意里开始转黄——索瓦热先生有时会朝莫里索微微一笑，说：

“What a glorious spectacle!”

“多壮丽的景象啊！”

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

莫里索便会头也不抬地望着自己的浮标，答道：

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

“这可比大道上强多了，是不是？”

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

他们一认出彼此，便热诚地握了握手，想到如今世事已变，竟能这样重逢，二人都不禁感慨万千。

Monsieur Sauvage, with a sigh, murmured:

索瓦热先生叹了口气，喃喃道：

“These are sad times!”

“如今真是世道艰难啊！”

Morissot shook his head mournfully.

莫里索也哀伤地摇了摇头。

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

“这天气也是！这可是今年第一个晴天呢。”

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

天空确实是一片明净无云的蔚蓝。

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

他们并肩走着，心事重重，满怀忧伤。

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

“一想到从前钓鱼的日子！”莫里索说。“咱们那时候过得多快活啊！”

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

“咱们什么时候才能再去钓鱼呢？”索瓦热先生问道。

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

他们走进一家小咖啡馆，一起喝了杯苦艾酒，然后又沿着人行道继续走去。

Morissot stopped suddenly.

莫里索忽然停下脚步。

“Shall we have another absinthe?” he said.

“咱们再来一杯苦艾酒怎么样？”他说。

“If you like,” agreed Monsieur Sauvage.

“随你的便，”索瓦热先生答应道。

And they entered another wine shop.

于是他们又走进了另一家酒馆。

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.

出来的时候，两人都有些站立不稳，因为酒精灌进空空的肚子里，作用格外强烈。这是个晴朗温和的日子，一阵微风轻拂着他们的脸庞。

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

新鲜的空气更是加重了酒精在索瓦热先生身上的作用。他忽然停下脚步，说道：

“Suppose we go there?”

“咱们要不要去那儿看看？”

“Where?”

“哪儿？”

“Fishing.”

“钓鱼去。”

“But where?”

“可是去哪儿呢？”

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

“哎呀，就去老地方呗。法军的哨所就在科隆布附近。我认识杜穆兰上校，咱们不难弄到通行的许可。”

Morissot trembled with desire.

莫里索一听，兴奋得浑身发颤。

“Very well. I agree.”

“好啊。我同意。”

And they separated, to fetch their rods and lines.

于是两人便分头回去，各自取来钓竿和钓线。

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.

一个钟头后，他们已经并肩走在大路上了。不久，他们便到了上校居住的别墅。上校听了他们的请求，微微一笑，便答应了。他们便带着一句口令，继续赶路。

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.

不久，他们把哨所抛在了身后，穿过空无一人的科隆布镇，来到了塞纳河边那片小葡萄园的边缘。这时大约是上午十一点钟。

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.

眼前是阿让特伊村，看上去死气沉沉，杳无人烟。奥尔热蒙和萨努瓦的高地俯瞰着这片景色。那片一直延伸到楠泰尔的广袤平原，空空荡荡，一片荒芜——只有褐色的土地和光秃秃的樱桃树。

Monsieur Sauvage, pointing to the heights, murmured:

索瓦热先生指着那片高地，喃喃说道：

“The Prussians are up yonder!”

“普鲁士人就在那上面！”

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

眼前这片荒凉的乡野景象，令两位朋友心中生出一种莫名的忧惧。

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.

普鲁士人！他们至今还未曾亲眼见过，可几个月来，他们早已在巴黎周围感受到了这股势力的存在——蹂躏着法兰西，四处劫掠、屠杀，让他们忍饥挨饿。对这个陌生而战无不胜的民族，他们心中原本便怀着一股憎恨，此刻又添了几分近乎迷信般的恐惧，两者交织在一起。

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

“万一咱们真碰上他们几个呢？”莫里索说。

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

“那就请他们吃点鱼呗，”索瓦热先生答道，带着那种任何事都磨灭不掉的巴黎人特有的乐天劲儿。

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

尽管如此，四周弥漫着的一片死寂，仍令他们心生畏惧，迟迟不敢在开阔的乡野间露面。

At last Monsieur Sauvage said boldly:

终于，索瓦热先生大着胆子说道：

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

“来吧，咱们出发；只是得小心才是！”

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.

于是他们弯下腰，猫着身子，钻进一片葡萄园，借着葡萄藤的掩护，一路小心翼翼地爬行前进，眼观六路，耳听八方。

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.

要到达河岸，还得穿过一片光秃秃的空地。他们一路奔跑着穿了过去，一到水边，便躲进了干枯的芦苇丛中。

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.

莫里索把耳朵贴在地上，想探听一下有没有脚步声朝他们这边传来。他什么也没听见。他们似乎完全是孤零零的两个人。

Their confidence was restored, and they began to fish.

他们的胆气这才重新振作起来，便开始垂钓。

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.

眼前那座荒无人烟的马朗特岛，正好把他们和对岸隔开。那家小饭馆已经关了门，看起来仿佛已经荒废了好些年头。

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.

索瓦热先生钓到了第一条白杨鱼，莫里索钓到了第二条，几乎每隔片刻，两人中总有一个提起钓线，线头挂着一条闪闪发亮的银色小鱼扭动不停；他们的收获相当不错。

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.

他们轻轻把钓到的鱼放进脚边一个网眼细密的袋子里；心中充满了喜悦——那是重新享受一项久违消遣所带来的喜悦。

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.

阳光洒在他们背上；他们再也听不见什么，也不再想什么了。他们把整个世界都抛在了脑后，一心只顾着钓鱼。

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.

可忽然间，一阵仿佛从大地深处传来的隆隆声，震动了他们脚下的土地：大炮又开始轰鸣起来了。

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.

莫里索转过头去，望见左边、河岸对面，瓦莱里安山那座森然可怖的轮廓，山顶上升起一缕白色的烟雾。

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

紧接着，第二缕烟雾又跟着升了起来，没过多久，一声新的爆炸声又震得大地颤抖。

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.

接连不断的炮声一声接一声传来，那座山每一分钟都喷吐出致命的气息，还有一缕白烟，缓缓升上宁静的天空，飘浮在悬崖顶上。

Monsieur Sauvage shrugged his shoulders.

索瓦热先生耸了耸肩。

“They are at it again!” he said.

“他们又打起来了！”他说。

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:

莫里索正焦急地盯着自己那上下浮动的浮标，忽然被一股怒气攫住，那是一个爱好和平的人对这些开枪放炮的疯子所生出的愤懑不平，他愤然说道：

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

“这些人真是蠢透了，居然这样自相残杀！”

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

“他们比畜生还不如，”索瓦热先生答道。

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

莫里索方才刚钓到一条鲦鱼，此刻他宣称道：

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

“只要还有政府存在，这种事就会一直这样下去，想想都让人心寒！”

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

“共和国是不会宣战的，”索瓦热先生插了一句。

Morissot interrupted him:

莫里索打断了他的话：

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

“君主制下咱们打外战；共和制下咱们打内战。”

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.

于是两人便心平气和地讨论起政治问题来，带着一副安分守己、脚踏实地的公民所特有的常识——两人在一点上倒是意见一致：他们永远也不会获得真正的自由。瓦莱里安山依旧炮声隆隆，不断轰塌着法国百姓的房屋，把无数人的生命碾成齑粉，摧毁了无数的梦想、无数珍视的希望、无数本该到来的幸福；无情地在异国他乡的妻子、女儿、母亲们心中，造成无穷无尽的悲痛和苦难。

“Such is life!” declared Monsieur Sauvage.

“这就是人生啊！”索瓦热先生说道。

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

“不如说，这就是死亡吧！”莫里索笑着答道。

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.

可就在这时，他们忽然听见身后传来一阵脚步声，惊恐地打了个哆嗦，转过身去，只见近处站着四个身材高大、蓄着胡须的男人，穿着仆役式的号衣，头戴平顶帽。他们正端着步枪，对准这两位垂钓者。

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

钓竿从主人手中滑落，顺着河水漂走了。

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

不消几秒钟，他们便被抓住、捆绑起来，扔进一条小船，押送到了马朗特岛。

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

而在他们原以为空无一人的那栋房子后面，竟藏着二十来个德国士兵。

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

一个毛发蓬乱、身材魁梧的巨汉，正跨坐在一把椅子上，抽着一支长长的陶土烟斗，用一口地道流利的法语对他们说道：

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

“怎么样，先生们，今天钓鱼运气不错吧？”

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.

接着，一名士兵把那只装满鱼的口袋放到了这位军官脚边——他一直细心地把它带了回来。那普鲁士军官微微一笑。

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

“看来还不赖嘛。不过咱们还有别的事要谈。听我说，别害怕：

“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.

“你们要知道，在我眼里，你们二位不过是被派来侦察我和我部队动向的两个奸细罢了。理所当然，我要把你们抓起来，枪毙掉。你们装作在钓鱼，不过是为了更好地掩饰你们真正的差事。你们既然落到我手里，就得承担后果。这就是战争。

“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.”

“不过，既然你们是穿过哨所到这儿来的，回去时想必也得有句口令才是。把口令告诉我，我便放你们走。”

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

两位朋友面色苍白如死灰，默默地并肩站着，只有微微颤动的双手，泄露了他们内心的情绪。

“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!”

“不会有人知道的，”军官接着说道。“你们会平平安安地回家去，这秘密也就随你们一同消失了。你们要是不肯，那就意味着死——立刻就死。选吧！”

They stood motionless, and did not open their lips.

他们一动不动地站着，一言不发。

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

那个普鲁士人镇定自若，一边说着，一边朝河水那边伸出手去：

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

“想想看，再过五分钟，你们就会沉到那河底去了。就五分钟！我猜你们总有些亲人吧？”

Mont-Valerien still thundered.

瓦莱里安山的炮声依旧隆隆不绝。

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.

两位钓鱼人依然沉默不语。那德国人转过身去，用他们本国的语言下了一道命令。接着他把椅子挪开了一小段距离，好让自己离囚犯远一些，十几个士兵便端着步枪走上前来，在二十步开外站定。

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

“我给你们一分钟，”军官说，“一秒也不会多给。”

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:

说罢他便迅速起身，走到那两个法国人跟前，一把拉住莫里索的胳膊，把他领到稍远的地方，压低声音说道：

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

“快说！口令是什么！你朋友不会知道的。我会装作心软放你一马。”

Morissot answered not a word.

莫里索一言不答。

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

接着那普鲁士人又用同样的方式，把索瓦热先生拉到一边，向他提出了同样的条件。

Monsieur Sauvage made no reply.

索瓦热先生也没有回答。

Again they stood side by side.

两人又并肩站到了一起。

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

军官下达了命令；士兵们举起了步枪。

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

就在这时，莫里索的目光偶然落到了几步之外草地上那个装满白杨鱼的口袋上。

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.

一缕阳光照在那些还在微微颤动的鱼身上，闪着银光。莫里索的心一沉。尽管他极力克制自己，眼中还是不禁涌出了泪水。

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

“再见了，索瓦热先生，”他哽咽着说道。

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

“再见了，莫里索先生，”索瓦热答道。

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

他们握了握手，从头到脚都因一种无法克制的恐惧而颤抖不已。

The officer cried:

军官喊道：

“Fire!”

“开枪！”

The twelve shots were as one.

十二声枪响，几乎如同一声。

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.

索瓦热先生应声向前扑倒。莫里索因为个子较高，微微晃了一下，倒在了朋友身上，脸朝天仰着，血正从他上衣胸口的破口处渗了出来。

The German issued fresh orders.

那德国人又下达了新的命令。

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.

他的士兵散开了，不一会儿又带着绳索和几块大石头回来，把石头绑在两位朋友的脚上；然后把他们抬到了河岸边。

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

瓦莱里安山此刻山顶已被硝烟笼罩，炮声依旧不断地轰鸣着。

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.

两名士兵抬起莫里索的头和脚，另外两名也这样抬着索瓦热。这两具尸体，被几双有力的手用力一荡，抛向远处，划出一道弧线，双脚朝下落进了河水之中。

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

水花高高溅起，泛起泡沫，打着旋涡，随后渐渐平静下来；细小的波浪轻轻拍打着河岸。

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

几缕血迹在河面上泛开。

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

那军官自始至终镇定自若，带着一丝阴森的幽默说道：

“It's the fishes' turn now!”

“这下轮到鱼儿享用了！”

Then he retraced his way to the house.

说罢他便转身朝那栋房子走去。

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

忽然，他瞥见那网满了白杨鱼的袋子，还被遗忘在草地上。他捡起来看了看，微微一笑，唤道：

“Wilhelm!”

“威廉！”

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

一个系着白围裙的士兵应声而来，那普鲁士人便把这两个被枪杀之人的渔获扔给他，说道：

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

“把这些鱼趁着还活着，马上给我拿去炸了；一定是道美味佳肴。”

Then he resumed his pipe.

说罢，他便又叼起了他的烟斗。