A THIEF IN THE NIGHT
夜色中的小偷
Now the days passed slowly and wearily. Many of the dwarves spent their time piling and ordering the treasure; and now Thorin spoke of the Arkenstone of Thrain, and bade them eagerly to look for it in every corner.
接下来的日子过得漫长而又疲惫。大部分的矮人都把时间花在堆放和整理宝藏上，索林跟大家提起了瑟莱因的阿肯宝钻，要求他们务必翻遍每一个角落替他寻找。
“For the Arkenstone of my father,” he said, “is worth more than a river of gold in itself, and to me it is beyond price. That stone of all the treasure I name unto myself, and I will be avenged on anyone who finds it and withholds it.”
“那是我父亲传下来的阿肯宝钻，它比一整条河的黄金还值钱。”他说，“对我来说它是无价之宝，所有宝藏中我只将其归入我的名下，谁如果找到宝石后自己收下了，我一定跟他势不两立。”
Bilbo heard these words and he grew afraid, wondering what would happen, if the stone was found—wrapped in an old bundle of tattered oddments that he used as a pillow. All the same he did not speak of it, for as the weariness of the days grew heavier, the beginnings of a plan had come into his little head.
比尔博听了这些话之后开始感到害怕了，一直在想如果宝石被发现了不知该如何是好——那宝石就被他包在当枕头的破布包袱里。不过，他还是没有把此事说出口，因为随着日子过得越来越消沉，一个新的计划钻进了他的小脑袋里。
Things had gone on like this for some time, when the ravens brought news that Dain and more than five hundred dwarves, hurrying from the Iron Hills, were now within about two days’ march of Dale, coming from the North-East.
这样的情形又维持了一段时间，直到渡鸦们带来了消息，戴因和五百多名矮人已经从铁丘陵兼程赶来，现在位于东北方，距离河谷邦只有不到两天的路程。
“But they cannot reach the Mountain unmarked,” said Roäc, “and I fear lest there be battle in the valley. I do not call this counsel good. Though they are a grim folk, they are not likely to overcome the host that besets you; and even if they did so, what will you gain? Winter and snow is hastening behind them. How shall you be fed without the friendship and goodwill of the lands about you? The treasure is likely to be your death, though the dragon is no more!”
“可是，他们不可能神不知鬼不觉就到达孤山，”罗阿克说，“我担心在山谷里要开战，这可不是什么聪明的做法。虽然他们骁勇善战，但也很难打败包围你们的军队。就算打败了，你又能得到什么呢?冬天和大雪紧跟着就要来了，如果周围地区都对你们抱着敌意，你们吃什么呢?虽说恶龙死了，可宝藏反倒可能要了你们的命!”
But Thorin was not moved. “Winter and snow will bite both men and elves,” he said, “and they may find their dwelling in the waste grievous to bear. With my friends behind them and winter upon them, they will perhaps be in softer mood to parley with.”
但索林依旧不为所动。“冬天和大雪也同样会伤害人类和精灵，”他说，“他们会发现野地中的营盘难以忍受。在我的朋友从后面夹攻，又有老天的帮忙，或许他们在谈判桌上的态度会软下来。”
That night Bilbo made up his mind. The sky was black and moonless. As soon as it was full dark, he went to a corner of an inner chamber just within the gate and drew from his bundle a rope, and also the Arkenstone wrapped in a rag. Then he climbed to the top of the wall. Only Bombur was there, for it was his turn to watch, and the dwarves kept only one watchman at a time.
当夜，比尔博下定了决心。天空中一片黑暗，没有月亮。等天一黑透，他立刻走到紧靠大门的一个房间的角落，从包袱中掏出一根绳索，以及包在一块破布里的阿肯宝钻。接着他爬到城墙顶端，那里只有邦伯在，因为正好轮到他守夜，矮人们人手有限，每次只能派一个人放哨。
“It is mighty cold!” said Bombur. “I wish we could have a fire up here as they have in the camp!”
“好冷啊!”邦伯说，“我们要是也能和他们的营地里一样生堆火就好了!”
“It is warm enough inside,” said Bilbo.
“里面还是挺暖和的。”比尔博说。
“I daresay; but I am bound here till midnight,” grumbled the fat dwarf. “A sorry business altogether. Not that I venture to disagree with Thorin, may his beard grow ever longer; yet he was ever a dwarf with a stiff neck.”
“我想也是，但我得在这儿守到半夜。”胖矮人嘟囔道，“真是没劲，不是我要背地里说索林闲话，愿他的胡子能长得再长一点，可他实在是个固执的‘僵脖子’。”
“Not as stiff as my legs,” said Bilbo. “I am tired of stairs and stone passages. I would give a good deal for the feel of grass at my toes.”
“没我的两条腿僵。”比尔博说，“我已经厌倦了阶梯和石板过道了，我愿意付很多钱来换脚趾头踩在草地上的感觉。”
“I would give a good deal for the feel of a strong drink in my throat, and for a soft bed after a good supper!”
“我愿意付很多钱来换烈酒流过喉咙的感觉，还想要饱餐一顿后躺列软软的床上睡觉!”
“I can’t give you those, while the siege is going on. But it is long since I watched, and I will take your turn for you, if you like. There is no sleep in me tonight.”
“只要我们还被围困着，我就没法给你这些东西。不过离我上次值夜已经很久了，如果你愿意的话，我来替你一会儿吧，今儿晚上我正好睡不着。”
“You are a good fellow, Mr. Baggins, and I will take your offer kindly. If there should be anything to note, rouse me first, mind you! I will lie in the inner chamber to the left, not far away.”
“你真是个好人，巴金斯先生，那我就恭敬不如从命喽!如果有什么事的话，请一定记着先把叫我起来!我就睡在左边的房间里，离这儿不远。”
“Off you go!” said Bilbo. “I will wake you at midnight, and you can wake the next watchman.”
“放心去吧!”比尔博说，“我半夜会把你叫醒的，让你去叫醒下一班哨。”
As soon as Bombur had gone, Bilbo put on his ring, fastened his rope, slipped down over the wall, and was gone. He had about five hours before him. Bombur would sleep (he could sleep at any time, and ever since the adventure in the forest he was always trying to recapture the beautiful dreams he had then); and all the others were busy with Thorin. It was unlikely that any, even Fili or Kili, would come out on the wall until it was their turn.
邦伯一走，比尔博戴上戒指，系好绳索，从墙上溜了下去，走了。他大概有五个小时的时间可以支配。邦伯肯定会睡着(他任何时候都能睡着，而且自从经历了森林中的奇遇之后，他一直想要重回当时的美好梦境)，其他人都在和索林一起忙。所有的人，即使是菲力和奇力，也不可能在轮到他们站哨之前跑到城墙上来。
It was very dark, and the road after a while, when he left the newly made path and climbed down towards the lower course of the stream, was strange to him. At last he came to the bend where he had to cross the water, if he was to make for the camp, as he wished. The bed of the stream was there shallow but already broad, and fording it in the dark was not easy for the little hobbit. He was nearly across when he missed his footing on a round stone and fell into the cold water with a splash. He had barely scrambled out on the far bank, shivering and spluttering, when up came elves in the gloom with bright lanterns and searched for the cause of the noise.
天色十分昏暗，脚下的路在稍微走了一会儿之后，也就是当他离开新修的道路，朝着较低的河道爬下去之后，变得陌生起来。最后，他来到了河水转弯的地方，如果他要如他所愿地前往对方的营地，那么他必须要涉水而过。河床虽然很浅，但河面已经很宽了，在黑暗中渡河对于矮小的霍比特人来说绝非易事。就在快要走到对岸的时候，他踩在了一块圆石上，脚下一个不稳，扑通一声掉进了冰冷的水中。等他好不容易爬上对岸，浑身发抖，牙齿打战时，只见黑暗中几个精灵打着明亮的灯笼出来寻究那声“扑通”的原因。
“That was no fish!” one said. “There is a spy about. Hide your lights! They will help him more than us, if it is that queer little creature that is said to be their servant.”
“肯定不是鱼!”一个人说，“附近一定有间谍!把灯光藏起来!如果这是传说中矮人们那个古怪的小仆人的话，这点光亮只会对他更有利。”
“Servant, indeed!” snorted Bilbo; and in the middle of his snort he sneezed loudly, and the elves immediately gathered towards the sound.
“有没搞错啊，把我当做仆人!”比尔博鼻子里不禁哼了哼，而就在他哼到一半的时候，他打了个大喷嚏，精灵们立刻朝着声音的来源围拢过来。
“Let’s have a light!” he said. “I am here, if you want me!” and he slipped off his ring, and popped from behind a rock.
“把灯点亮!”他说，“如果你们想抓我，我就在这里!”说着他脱掉成指，从一块岩石后面跳了出来。
They seized him quickly, in spite of their surprise. “Who are you? Are you the dwarves’ hobbit? What are you doing? How did you get so far past our sentinels?” they asked one after another.
虽然精灵们很吃惊，但还是很快就把他抓了起来。“你是什么人?你就是矮人手下的霍比特人吗?你要干什么?你是怎么溜过我们的岗哨混进来的?”他们的问题像连珠炮般一个又一个。
“I am Mr. Bilbo Baggins,” he answered, “companion of Thorin, if you want to know. I know your king well by sight, though perhaps he doesn’t know me to look at. But Bard will remember me, and it is Bard I particularly want to see.”
“我是比尔博·巴金斯先生，”他回答道，“如果你们想知道的话，我就是索林的伙伴!我见过你们的国王很多次，不过他见到我也许不认识。但是巴德一定还记得我，所以我特别想见的人是巴德。”
“Indeed!” said they, “and what may be your business?”
“这样啊!”他们说，“那你有什么目的呢?”
“Whatever it is, it’s my own, my good elves. But if you wish ever to get back to your own woods from this cold cheerless place,” he answered shivering, “you will take me along quick to a fire, where I can dry—and then you will let me speak to your chiefs as quick as may be. I have only an hour or two to spare.”
“我亲爱的精灵们，不管是什么事情，那都是我的事。不过，如果你们希望赶快离开这个冰冷的地方回到你们自己的森林里去，”他发着抖回答道，“你们最好赶紧带我到营火边，让我可以烘干，然后再让我尽快和你们的首领说上话。我只有一两个小时的时间了。”
That is how it came about that some two hours after his escape from the Gate, Bilbo was sitting beside a warm fire in front of a large tent, and there sat too, gazing curiously at him, both the Elvenking and Bard. A hobbit in elvish armour, partly wrapped in an old blanket, was something new to them.
就这样，比尔博在离开正门两小时后，就已坐在了一座大营帐前的温暖营火前烘手，而精灵国王和巴德就坐在他身旁，好奇地打量着他。一名穿着精灵盔甲、半裹着旧毯子的霍比特人对他们来说可是件新鲜事物。
“Really you know,” Bilbo was saying in his best business manner, “things are impossible. Personally I am tired of the whole affair. I wish I was back in the West in my own home, where folk are more reasonable. But I have an interest in this matter—one fourteenth share, to be precise, according to a letter, which fortunately I believe I have kept.” He drew from a pocket in his old jacket (which he still wore over his mail), crumpled and much folded, Thorin’s letter that had been put under the clock on his mantelpiece in May!
“其实你们知道，”比尔博用最像谈正事的口吻说道，“这样僵下去是不会有结果的。就我个人而言，我对这一切已经厌倦了。我希望能回到西方我自己的家里去，那里的人们更讲道理。不过，我和这件事也有利益关系——准确说来，是有十四分之一的分成。这事是写在一封信上的，幸运的是我想我还留着那封信。”他从旧夹克(他还把这夹克套在盔甲外面)的口袋里掏出一封信，皱皱的、折了好几折，那就是索林今年五月放在他壁炉上时钟下的那封信!
“A share in the profits, mind you,” he went on. “I am aware of that. Personally I am only too ready to consider all your claims carefully, and deduct what is right from the total before putting in my own claim. However you don’t know Thorin Oakenshield as well as I do now. I assure you, he is quite ready to sit on a heap of gold and starve, as long as you sit here.”
“请注意，是净利的分成，”他继续道，“我注意到这点了。对我来说，我很愿意认真考虑你们提出的要求，在总数中扣除该扣的数目后，再来考虑我应得的收益。不过，你们不像我这样了解索林·橡木盾。我向你们保证，只要你们还留在这里，他真的愿意坐在金山上挨饿。”
“Well, let him!” said Bard. “Such a fool deserves to starve.”
“哼，让他饿去!”巴德说，“这种笨蛋活该挨饿!”
“Quite so,” said Bilbo. “I see your point of view. At the same time winter is coming on fast. Before long you will be having snow and what not, and supplies will be difficult—even for elves I imagine. Also there will be other difficulties. You have not heard of Dain and the dwarves of the Iron Hills?”
“说得没错，”比尔博说，“我同意你的看法。不过，冬天来得很快，你们马上就会遇到雪啊什么的了，补给会变得很困难，我相信连精灵也不例外。你们有没有听说过戴因和铁丘陵的矮人?”
“We have, a long time ago; but what has he got to do with us?” asked the king.
“听说过，很久以前了，可他和我们有什么关系?”
“I thought as much. I see I have some information you have not got. Dain, I may tell you, is now less than two days’ march off, and has at least five hundred grim dwarves with him—a good many of them have had experience in the dreadful dwarf and goblin wars, of which you have no doubt heard. When they arrive there may be serious trouble.”
精灵国王问道。“和我想的一样。看来，我也有一些是你们不知道的情报啊。让我告诉你们吧，戴因现在距离这儿已经只有不到两天的路程了，他手下至少有五百名骁勇善战的矮人，其中许多人经历过矮人和半兽人那场可怕的大战，这你们想必听说过。等他们一到，事情可能就很麻烦了。”
“Why do you tell us this? Are you betraying your friends, or are you threatening us?” asked Bard grimly.
“你为什么要告诉我们这个?你这是在出卖朋友呢，还是在威胁我们?”巴德表情严肃地问道。
“My dear Bard!” squeaked Bilbo. “Don’t be so hasty! I never met such suspicious folk! I am merely trying to avoid trouble for all concerned. Now I will make you an offer! !”
“亲爱的巴德!”比尔博的声音高了起来，“不要这么性急嘛!我还从来没遇见过像你这样多疑的家伙!我只是想要替所有相关的人都省下麻烦。现在我提出我的建议。”
“Let us hear it!” they said.
“让我们听听吧!”他们催促道。
“You may see it!” said he. “It is this!” and he drew forth the Arkenstone, and threw away the wrapping.
“你们还能看到呢!”他说，“就是这个!”说着他掏出了阿肯宝钻，扔掉了包在外面的破布。
The Elvenking himself, whose eyes were used to things of wonder and beauty, stood up in amazement. Even Bard gazed marvelling at it in silence. It was as if a globe had been filled with moonlight and hung before them in a net woven of the glint of frosty stars.
精灵国王也算见识过各种神奇美丽的宝物，但一看之下却还是站在那里呆住了，即便是巴德也一声不吭、又惊又羡地死盯着——这仿佛是一颗注满了月光的圆球，被装在寒星的光芒织成的网中，悬挂在他们面前。
“This is the Arkenstone of Thrain,” said Bilbo, “the Heart of the Mountain; and it is also the heart of Thorin. He values it above a river of gold. I give it to you. It will aid you in your bargaining.” Then Bilbo, not without a shudder, not without a glance of longing, handed the marvellous stone to Bard, and he held it in his hand, as though dazed.
“这就是瑟莱因的阿肯宝钻。”比尔博说，“山之心，这也是索林的心肝宝贝，他把它看得比满满一河的金子还贵重。我把它给你们，这会在谈判中助你们一臂之力的。”说着，比尔博将这颗美妙的宝石递给了巴德，他的身体忍不住微微颤抖着，眼睛也不由自主地投去向往的一瞥。巴德呆呆地用手接过宝石，一副失魂落魄的样子。
“But how is it yours to give?” he asked at last with an effort.
“可怎么会轮到你来给我们的呢?”他最后好不容易挤出这么一个问题。
“O well!” said the hobbit uncomfortably. “It isn’t exactly; but, well, I am willing to let it stand against all my claim, don’t you know. I may be a burglar—or so they say: personally I never really felt like one—but I am an honest one, I hope, more or less. Anyway I am going back now, and the dwarves can do what they like to me. I hope you will find it useful.”
“哦，这个吗，”霍比特人不安地说道，“它不能算是我的，不过，我愿意用它来抵销我应得的报酬。我或许算是个飞贼——至少他们是这么说的，但我自己一直觉得我不像飞贼——可我是个诚实的飞贼，我希望如此，多少算是吧。反正，我现在要回去了，随便矮人们怎么处置我，我希望你们能好好利用它。”
The Elvenking looked at Bilbo with a new wonder. “Bilbo Baggins!” he said. “You are more worthy to wear the armour of elf-princes than many that have looked more comely in it. But I wonder if Thorin Oakenshield will see it so. I have more knowledge of dwarves in general than you have perhaps. I advise you to remain with us, and here you shall be honoured and thrice welcome.”
精灵国王现在对比尔博刮目相看了。“比尔博·巴金斯!”他说，“有许多人穿上精灵王子的盔甲比你更好看，但你比他们都更有资格穿。不过我不知道索林是否同意我的看法。我对矮人的了解比你或许有的要多一点，我建议你还是留下吧，在这里你会得到尊敬与欢迎。”
“Thank you very much I am sure,” said Bilbo with a bow. “But I don’t think I ought to leave my friends like this, after all we have gone through together. And I promised to wake old Bombur at midnight, too! Really I must be going, and quickly.”
“非常感谢您的好意，”比尔博深深一鞠躬道，“但我想，我不应该像这样离开我的朋友，毕竟我们曾经生死与共。而且，我还答应要在半夜把老邦伯叫醒呢!我真的得走了，马上。”
Nothing they could say would stop him; so an escort was provided for him, and as he went both the king and Bard saluted him with honour. As they passed through the camp an old man, wrapped in a dark cloak, rose from a tent door where he was sitting and came towards them.
无论他们说什么都无法阻止他，因此他们只能派个卫兵护送他。他走的时候，精灵国王和巴德都向他敬礼。在他们穿越营区的时候，一名裹着暗色斗篷的老人从他坐着的一个营帐门口站起身，向着他们走来。
“Well done! Mr. Baggins!” he said, clapping Bilbo on the back. “There is always more about you than anyone expects!” It was Gandalf.
“干得好!巴金斯先生!”他拍着比尔博的背说道，“你果然是不可貌相啊!”来人竟然是甘道夫。
For the first time for many a day Bilbo was really delighted. But there was no time for all the questions that he immediately wished to ask.
很多天以来，比尔博第一次真心感到了高兴，但他没有时间把所有心中急切想问的问题都提出来。
“All in good time!” said Gandalf. “Things are drawing towards the end now, unless I am mistaken. There is an unpleasant time just in front of you; but keep your heart up! You may come through all right. There is news brewing that even the ravens have not heard. Good night!”
“到时候就全明白了!”甘道夫说，“除非我弄错了，否则，一切都已经快结束了。你面前还有一段艰苦的日子要熬，但一定要保持信心!你会顺利渡过难关的。有些消息是连渡鸦都还没有听到的。再见吧!”
Puzzled but cheered, Bilbo hurried on. He was guided to a safe ford and set across dry, and then he said farewell to the elves and climbed carefully back towards the Gate. Great weariness began to come over him; but it was well before midnight when he clambered up the rope again—it was still where he had left it. He untied it and hid it, and then he sat down on the wall and wondered anxiously what would happen next.
比尔博虽然还有些困惑，但心里却十分高兴，脚步也变得分外轻盈。他被领到一个安全的渡口，没沾到水就走了过去。然后，他向精灵们道别，小心翼翼地朝着大门爬回去。这时，他才感到巨大的疲惫向他袭来。不过，当他沿着绳索(那绳子还原封不动地留在那里)往上爬的时候，离半夜还有好一段时间。他解开绳索，将它藏起，然后他在城墙上坐了下来，紧张地想着接下来会发生什么。
At midnight he woke up Bombur; and then in turn rolled himself up in his corner, without listening to the old dwarf’s thanks (which he felt he had hardly earned). He was soon fast asleep forgetting all his worries till the morning. As a matter of fact he was dreaming of eggs and bacon.
到了半夜，他叫醒了邦伯，然后就往邦伯睡觉的角落里一缩，连老邦伯的连声道谢也不听就开始睡了(因为他觉得这感谢他受之有愧)。他很快就睡熟了，把所有的担忧暂且抛到了明天早上。事实上，他在梦里梦到了香喷喷的火腿蛋。
