The monster, instead of sounding, darts impetuously forward.

这只长须鲸没有下潜，而是径直向前游去，

The boat holds fast by the line.

拖着船快速前行。

The water hisses, and dense clouds of spray fly over her bows.

海水发出嘶嘶的声音，浓密的水雾掠过船头。

The whale continues his onward course.

长须鲸继续向前游。

The crew, accustomed only to the less powerful true whale of Baffin Bay,

船员们只习惯于捕杀巴芬湾那些不很强壮的鲸鱼，

believe that he must soon be tired out.

他们认为长须鲸肯定很快就会筋疲力尽。

Now they see before them a long, unbroken ice-field.

现在，他们看见前面出现一片长长的完整的冰原。

Unwilling to lose their prize, no one gives the order to cut the line.

他们不想放弃猎物，没有人下令切断鱼线。

On, on they dash. Almost before they are aware of it, they are on the edge of the ice.

他们一直向前进。当他们意识到的时候，船已经来到冰的边缘。

With the speed of lightning the whale plunges beneath the wide-extending sheet of ice,

长须鲸像一阵光，迅速扎入了广阔的冰原。

and in another instant the boat's bow strikes it.

突然，船头撞到了它。

Before a hand can be raised to cut the rope,

没有人来得及割断绳子，

and almost before the crew can utter a despairing cry, downward the boat is drawn;

船员们甚至没来得及发出一声绝望的呼叫，船就倾覆了；

and those who are watching her at a distance, with horror see her and all on board disappear!

那些在远处观望的人都非常惊恐，看着长须鲸和那条船从眼前消失！

They row up to the spot, but not a trace of the boat nor of their companions is to be found.

他们赶过去时，船和船员早已不见踪影。