(单词翻译:单击)
The boys eagerly agreed to Old Pluck's plan, and in about half an hour they quietly arose and stole toward the stairs.
孩子们急切地同意了老崔克的计划，大约半小时后，他们悄悄地站起来，向楼梯走去。
The full moon was shining in through the windows, so that they could see perfectly well where they were going.
满月透过窗户照进来，这样他们就能清楚地看到他们要去的地方。
They had gone a short distance down the great staircase, when Old Pluck, who led the way, heard a slight noise behind him.
他们沿着大楼梯走了很短的一段路，这时带路的老崔克听到身后有轻微的响声。
Turning to inquire what this was, he was told it was the cracking of Tomtit's knees. Pass the word to Tomtit, he whispered,
他转过身去问是什么声音，被告知是托米特的膝盖骨折了。把话传给托米特，他低声说，
that if he can't keep his knees from cracking, he must stay where he is. Poor little Tomtit, who brought up the rear,
如果他不能保证膝盖不骨折，他必须呆在原地。可怜的小托米特，他在后面，
was dreadfully troubled when he heard this; but he bravely passed the word back that his knees should not crack any more.
他听到这话，心里非常不安，但他勇敢地回话，说他的膝盖不会骨折了。
It was difficult now for Tomtit to take a step, for if he bent his knees they were sure to crack. He tried going downstairs stiff-legged,
托米特现在很难迈出一步，因为如果他屈膝，膝盖肯定会骨折。他试着硬着腿下楼，
like a pair of scissors; but this he found almost impossible. So he made up his mind that the only thing he could do was to slide down the broad banister.
就像一把剪刀；但他发现这几乎是不可能的。所以他下定决心，他唯一能做的就是从宽栏杆上滑下来。
He was used to this feat, and he performed it with much skill. The banister, however, was very smooth and steep,
他已经习惯了这项壮举，而且他表演得很有技巧。然而，栏杆非常光滑陡峭，
and he went down much faster than he intended, shooting off at the bottom, and landing on the broad of his back.
他下得比他预想的快得多，从底部向下落，然后宽阔后背着地。
STRIKING A BARGAIN
达成交易
The boys were now in the great hall, and, seeing a light in the adjoining room, they looked into it. There, upon couches made of the skins of wild beasts,
孩子们现在在大厅里，看见隔壁房间里有一盏灯，他们就往里面看。在那里，在野兽皮做的沙发上，
they saw the six robbers, fast asleep. A happy thought now came into the mind of Old Pluck. Stepping back, he looked around him,
他们看见六个强盗，正熟睡着。一个快乐的想法现在浮现在老崔克的脑海里。退后一步，他环顾四周，
and soon saw in one corner of the hall a quantity of rich stuffs, and other booty, bound up into bundles with heavy cords.
不久，在大厅的一个角落里，看见许多贵重物品和其他战利品，用粗绳捆成一捆。
Taking out his knife he quickly cut off a number of these cords and gave them to his companions.
他掏出刀，迅速切断了几根绳子，交给同伴。
Boys, he then whispered, I have thought of a splendid plan. Let us bind these robbers hand and foot, and then,
兄弟们，他低声说，我想到了一个绝妙的计划。让我们把这些强盗手脚绑起来，
instead of doing what they want us to do, we can make them do what we want. That will be ever so much better fun than running away.
与其做他们想让我们做的事，我们可以让他们做我们想做的。那会比逃跑有趣得多。
Good! said the boys. But suppose they wake up while we are tying them?
很好！男孩们说。但假设他们在我们绑他们的时候醒来？
