動物農場Animal Farm 第4章(3)

As the human beings approached the farm buildings, Snowball launched his first attack.

當這伙人接近莊園的窩棚時，斯諾鮑發(fā)動第一次攻擊。

All the pigeons, to the number of thirty-five, flew to and fro over the men's heads and muted upon them from mid-air.

所有的鴿子，大概有三十五只左右，在這伙人頭上盤旋，從半空中向他們一齊拉屎。

And while the men were dealing with this, the geese, who had been hiding behind the hedge, rushed out and pecked viciously at the calves of their legs.

趁著他們應付鴿子的“空襲”，早已藏在樹籬后的一群鵝沖了出來，使勁地啄他們的腿肚子。

However, this was only a light skirmishing maneuver, intended to create a littledisorder, and the men easily drove the geese off with their sticks.

而這還只是些小打小鬧的計策，只不過制造點小混亂罷了。這幫人用棍棒毫不費力就把鵝趕跑了。

Snowball now launched his second line of attack.

斯諾鮑接著發(fā)動第二次攻擊。

Muriel, Benjamin, and all the sheep, with Snowball at the head of them, rushed forward andprodded and butted the men from every side,

穆麗爾、本杰明和所有的羊，隨著打頭的斯諾鮑沖向前去，從各個方向對這伙人又戳又頂，

while Benjamin turned around and lashed at them with his small hoofs.

而本杰明則回頭用他的小蹄子對他們尥起蹶子來。

But once again the men, with their sticks and their hobnailed boots, were too strong for them.

可是，對動物們來說，這幫拎著棍棒、靴子上又帶著釘子的人還是太厲害了。

And suddenly, at a squeal from Snowball, which was the signal for retreat, all the animals turned and fled through the gateway into the yard.

突然，從斯諾鮑那里發(fā)出一聲尖叫，這是退兵的信號，所有的動物轉身從門口退回院子內。

The men gave a shout of triumph.

那些人發(fā)出得意的呼叫。

They saw, as they imagined, their enemies in flight, and they rushed after them in disorder.

正象他們所想象的那樣，他們看到仇敵們潰不成軍，于是就毫無秩序的追擊著。

This was just what Snowball had intended.

這正是斯諾鮑所期望的。

As soon as they were well inside the yard, the three horses, the three cows, and the rest of the pigs,

等他們完全進入院子后，三匹馬，三頭牛以及其余埋伏在牛棚里的豬，

who had been lying in ambush in the cowshed, suddenly emerged in their rear, cutting them off.

突然出現在他們身后，切斷了他們的退路。

Snowball now gave the signal for the charge.

這時，斯諾鮑發(fā)出了進攻的信號。

He himself dashed straight for Jones.

他自己徑直向瓊斯沖出。

Jones saw him coming, raised his gun and fired.

瓊斯看見他沖過來，舉起槍就開了火。

The pellets scored bloody streaks along Snowball's back, and a sheep dropped dead.

彈粒擦過斯諾鮑背部，刻下了一道血痕，一只羊中彈傷亡。

Without halting for an instant, Snowball flung his fifteen stone against Jones's legs.

當時遲,那時快，斯諾鮑憑他那兩百多磅體重猛地撲向瓊斯的腿。

Jones was hurled into a pile of dung and his gun flew out of his hands.

瓊斯一下子被推到糞堆上，槍也從手中甩了出去。

But the most terrifying spectacle of all was Boxer, rearing up on his hind legs and striking out with his great iron-shod hoofs like a stallion.

而最為驚心動魄的情景還在鮑克瑟那兒，他就像一匹沒有閹割的種馬，竟靠后腿直立起來，用他那巨大的釘著鐵掌的蹄子猛打一氣。

His very first blow took a stable-lad from Foxwood on the skull and stretched him lifeless in the mud.

他第一下就擊中了一個?？怂刮榈虑f園的馬夫的腦殼，打得他倒在泥坑里斷了氣。