第1章 到利力浦特(6)

　‘In the second coat pocket we found two very large pieces of wood，and inside them were great pieces of metal，very sharp．In another pocket there was a most wonderful engine，at the end of a long chain．The engine was inside a huge round con－tainer，which was made half of silver and half of another metal．This second metal was very strange as we could see through it to some mysterious writing and pictures．The en－gine made a continuous loud noise．’
　　The officers could not guess what these things were， but they were，of course，my two pocket knives and my watch．They also found my comb，a purse with several gold and silver coins，my gun and bullets．
　　The King wanted to know what the gun was used for．
　　‘Bring it out，’he ordered me，‘and show me how it works．’
　　I took the gun out and put a bullet into it．
　　‘Den't be afraid，’I warned the King． Then I fired the gun into the air．
　　It was the loudest noise the Lilliputians had ever heard．Hundreds of them thought they were dead，and fell down．The King himself was very frightened．As I gave my gun to the officials to keep，I warned them to be careful with it．They allowed me to keep all my other things，and I hoped that one day soon I would be free．

“在第二个衣袋里我们找到了两片很大的木块，两者之间是很大的金属，非常锋利。另一个衣袋里有个很奇妙的引擎，在长链末端。引擎装在一个大而圆的容器里，容器一半是由银，一半是由另一种金属做的。第二种金属很特别，透过它可以看到奇特的图文。引擎产生一种持续的响声。”
　　官员猜不出这是些什么东西。当然，那不过是我的两把小刀和表。他们也找到了我的梳子、有几枚金币银币的钱包、我的枪和子弹。
　　国王想知道枪是干什么用的。
　　“取出来”，他命令我，“展示给我看它是怎么工作的。”
　　我取出枪，装上一颗子弹。
　　“不要怕”，我预先打声招呼，然后朝天鸣枪。
　　这是利力浦特人历来听到的最响的声音。好几百人自觉魂飞魄散，纷纷倒地，国王自己也大感恐惧。当我把枪交给官员保存时，警告他们要小心些。他们让我持有其他的所有东西，而我希望不久的一天我将获得自由。