海底兩萬(wàn)里 第137期 第10章 水中人(8)

After a fairly long silence, the commander went on with our conversation.

經(jīng)過(guò)長(zhǎng)久的沉默以后，船長(zhǎng)又開(kāi)口了，他說(shuō)：

So I had difficulty deciding, he said.

因此，我遲疑不決，

But I concluded that my personal interests could be reconciled with that naturalcompassion to which every human being has a right.

但是我認(rèn)為，我的利益是能夠與人類天生的那種同情心相一致的。

Since fate has brought you here, you'll stay aboard my vessel.

既然命運(yùn)把你們送到這里來(lái)，你們就留在我的船上吧。

You'll be free here, and in exchange for that freedom, moreover totally related to it, I'll lay on you just one condition.

你們?cè)诖鲜亲杂傻?，但為了換得這種自由—畢竟是相對(duì)的自由，我要你們答應(yīng)我一個(gè)條件，

Your word that you'll submit to it will be sufficient.

你們只要口頭上答應(yīng)就可以了。

Go on, sir, I replied. I assume this condition is one an honest man can accept?

先生，您說(shuō)吧，我答，我想這條件一定是一個(gè)正直的人可以接受的條件。

Yes, sir. Just this. It's possible that certain unforeseen events may force me to confine you to your cabins for some hours, or even for some days as the case may be.

是的，先生，條件是這樣?？赡芤?yàn)槟撤N意外的事件，我不得不把你們關(guān)在你們住的艙房里，關(guān)上幾小時(shí)，或是關(guān)上幾天。

Since I prefer never to use violence, I expect from you in such a case, even more than in any other, your unquestioning obedience.

我決不愿使用暴力，我希望你們?cè)谶@種情況下，在任何其它情況下也一樣，要絕對(duì)服從。

By acting in this way, I shield you from complicity, I absolve you of all responsibility, since I myself make it impossible for you to see what you aren't meant to see.

這樣做，一切都由我負(fù)責(zé)，與你們絲毫無(wú)關(guān)，因?yàn)槲也灰銈兛匆?jiàn)你們所不應(yīng)度看的。

Do you accept this condition?

你們能接受這條件嗎?