我什么也沒說,注意地觀察著周圍的情況。
Peleg now threw open a chest, and drawing forth theship's articles, placed pen and ink before him, andseated himself at a little table.
法勒從一個箱子里拿出船上用的契約來,又找出墨水和筆,都擺在了一張小桌上。
I began to think it was high time to settle withmyself at what terms I would be willing to engagefor the voyage.
我腦子里飛快地盤算著這契約的條款問題,當然關鍵是我有多少“拆賬”。所謂“拆賬”,就是紅利。
I was already aware that in the whaling business they paid no wages; but all hands, includingthe captain, received certain shares of the profits called lays, and that these lays wereproportioned to the degree of importance pertaining to the respective duties of the ship'scompany.
因為浦鯨船上是不發(fā)工資的,報酬是捕鯨回來以后的利潤,這利潤是按百分比分到每個人身上的。
I was also aware that being a green hand at whaling, my own lay would not be very large;
就我本身而言,是捕鯨業(yè)的新手,“拆賬”不會多;
but considering that I was used to the sea, could steer a ship, splice a rope, and all that,
但我又有多次航海經驗,我會掌舵、會搓繩子、適應航行生活,
I made no doubt that from all I had heard I should be offered at least the 275th lay,
我的“拆賬”不能太低,應在二百七十五分之一左右。
that is, the 275th part of the clear net proceeds of the voyage, whatever that might eventuallyamount to.
盡管這顯然是無所謂的“大拆賬”,但對我來說已經可以接受了。