第二十三回：千載琵琶作胡語

Chapter 23

“Her pipa for eternity tuned to barbarian taste”

褲白才說完，忽然又大叫：「衣姐，看！那是什麼？」

Ku Bai had just finished speaking, when he suddenly shouted again. “Yi, look! What’s that?”

衣紅順著褲白所指望去，斜暉映照在地上，竟成斑爛五色，讓人觸目驚心。原來金大上岸時過於心急，一見有沙灘就直衝上來。這裡是一片兩畝大小的空地，衣紅仔細打量，見四周葉凋枝枯，紫青褐黑，顏色極為詭異。

As she looked in the direction where Ku Bai was pointing, Yi Hong saw the slanting evening light was transformed into 5 variegated colors where it touched the ground. It was a ghastly sight. Greatest Metal had been very anxious to get ashore, so when he saw a beach, he had headed right for it. The spot was empty with an area of about two mu (Note 1). Yi Hong looked closely and discovered that the trees all around them were denuded, their branches withered, and were purplish blue and brownish black. The colors were quite eerie.

而自河岸到眾人站立之處，竟是一片紅砂，間雜著玄黑石塊。霞映之下，有如斑斑血跡，好不嚇人。

Moreover, from the riverbank to the place where they stood, was actually a stretch of red sand, with a scattering of black colored stones. Under the reflecting evening light, they resembled traces of blood, a sight that was dismaying in the extreme.

希來突然向金大喊道：「不好！氣墊車還能下水嗎？快走！」

Xi Lai suddenly shouted to Greatest Metal, “Oh, no! Is the hovercraft still seaworthy? Let’s get out of here, quick!”

金大說：「不行！動力不足了。」

Greatest Metal said, “No! There’s not enough power.”

希來急道：「我們帽子上有太陽電池，將就用一下吧！」

Xi Lai said hurriedly, “We have solar batteries in our hats. Make the best of them for the time being!”

金大說：「開玩笑，那能有多少馬力？」

Greatest Metal said, “You must be joking. How much horse power can they generate?”

希來抓著金大，大叫：「再晚我們都死定了！」

Xi Lai grabbed Greatest Metal and shouted, “If we delay any longer we’ll all be dead!”

這時大家都看到遠處的紅砂，正緩緩地向這邊蠕動。一直前進到相距十餘公尺處，這才看出那裡有一道道凸起的砂痕，彷彿群蛇在砂下蜎蜎而行。褲白早把帽子取下，又將衣紅的也摘了下來，取出太陽電池，趕緊遞給金大。

At this time, everybody saw that the farthest edge of the red sand was slowly wriggling in their direction. When they had approached to within a dozen meters, they saw row after row of protruding tracks on the sand, resembling a multitude of snakes boring beneath the surface. Ku Bai had already taken off his hat and then Yi Hong’s in order to remove the solar batteries. He hastily passed them to Greatest Metal.

金大把太陽電池的插座接上，伸手向希來嘀咕道：「還有沒有多的？就這麼幾個，差太遠了！」

Greatest Metal inserted the solar batteries and stretched out his hand to Xi Lai, muttering, “Aren’t there any more? Only these? They’re far from enough!”

希來連忙把三個背包都打開，大家七手八腳把太陽電池都取出來。木大說：「夠是夠了，等太陽一下山，這電池能用多久？」

Xi Lai quickly opened the 3 backpacks. Everybody scrambled to take out their solar batteries. Greatest Wood said, “We indeed have enough. But when the sun is down, how long will these batteries last?”

希來說：「快裝！先離開再說！」

Xi Lai said, “Quick, install them! Let’s get out of here first!”

那邊衣紅褲白早把電殛棒備妥，這次褲白心裡有了準備，要打兩隻老虎讓衣姐看看！早知那樣容易，先前就不該害怕了！只見一條赭紅砂痕蠕行蠉動，已經游到面前，褲白不管三七二十一，舉棒就往地下一刺。

On the other side, Yi Hong and Ku Bai had the stun guns ready. Ku Bai was mentally prepared this time. He wanted Yi to see him strike down two tigers! If he had known it was so simple, he wouldn’t have been so frightened! He spotted a wriggling trace in the reddish-brown sand right in front of him. Without further ado, he raised the gun and plunged it into the ground.

才這一刺，便聞得吱吱連聲，砂土亂迸，成千上萬的甲蟲群躍而起，轟轟向眾人撲來。衣紅膽子不小，可是一見蟲蛇就威風不起來了。先前不知道是什麼，尚能強自鎮定，一見是小蟲，早已全身雞皮疙瘩，回頭就逃，一直逃到水裡。

As soon as the gun plunged into the ground, there was the sound of shrieking and sand flew in all directions. Thousands of beetles rose from the sand and rushed toward them with a rumbling sound. Yi Hong was normally very bold, but when confronted with insects or snakes her bravado deserted her. Before she had known what they were, she could still use her will power to keep calm. As soon as she saw they were insects, her entire body broke out in goose flesh. She turned and fled, not stopping until she was in the water.

褲白一見是蟲，反倒膽壯了，從小他就喜歡捉蟲、養蟲、玩蟲。要不是見希來緊張兮兮地，剛才又丟盡小臉，他早就動手捉幾隻來玩玩了。

When Ku Bai saw they were insects, his courage returned. He’d always loved to catch bugs, raise them, and play with them since he was a young boy. If Xi Lai wasn’t so nervous and he himself hadn’t lost his face just now, he would have already grabbed some to play with.

問題是這不計其數的甲蟲，一支棒子哪能打盡？稍一遲疑，甲蟲立刻爬上褲白的手腳，他不斷舞動棒子，幸而那些蟲只能跳不能飛，一碰到電殛棒就冒出一道火花。褲白用電殛棒掄起了輪輪光圈，紆青拖紫，煞是好看。

The problem was these numerous beetles. How could you kill them all with one stick? While he was hesitating, the beetles quickly climbed up Ku Bai’s limbs. He continued to wave his stun gun. Fortunately, those bugs could only jump about, but couldn’t fly. As soon as the stun gun touched, there would be a flash. Circles of light were created when Ku Bai waved the stun gun. Leaving trails of green and purple, they were beautiful to behold.

那邊五行人等正忙著裝電池，水大木大土大都怕蟲，一看情形不妙，連電池也不肯裝了，抬著氣墊車就要往水裡跑。

Over on the other side, the Five Element People were busily loading the batteries. Greatest Water, Greatest Wood, and Greatest Earth were all afraid of insects. When they saw they were in trouble, they were not longer willing to load batteries. They picked up the hovercraft and prepared to run for the water.

金大急得喊道：「你們急什麼？這樣叫我怎麼裝？」

Greatest Metal shouted urgently, “What’s the hurry? How am I supposed to load the batteries?”

這時有幾隻蟲已順著金大的腳背爬了上來，他不知道是什麼，用手去揮。哪知這些蟲早已饑不擇食，見肉便噬，兩隻前顎對著金大的大拇指便是一夾。

By this time, several bugs had crawled up Greatest Metal’s legs. He didn’t know what they were and tried to brush them off with his hand. He didn’t know these bugs were so hungry they weren’t choosey about what they ate. As soon as they saw flesh, they bit. They aimed their jaws at Greatest Metal’s thumb and began to gnaw.

「啊！」金大摔它不及，慘叫一聲。

“Ouch!” Greatest Metal couldn’t get rid off them in time and gave a cry of pain.

希來大叫：「快到水裡去！」

Xi Lai shouted, “Get into the water, quick!”

水大土大腳上也都被咬了，一個個使出了吃奶的力氣，死命把氣墊車抬到水裡。說也奇怪，那些甲蟲一碰到水就都鬆了口，隻隻逐水而去。

Greatest Water and Greatest Earth were also bitten in the feet. Mustering every bit of strength, they carried the hovercraft to the water. It was strange, though. As soon as the beetles came in contact with water, they loosened their bite and one by one were swept away by the current.

大家手忙腳亂地爬上氣墊車，正打算開動，衣紅見褲白還在岸上，向他招手大叫：「白弟，快來！」

Everyone scrambled up into the hovercraft. Just when they were getting ready to start the engine, Yi Hong saw that Ku Bai was still on shore. She waved at him and shouted, “Bai, quick!”

那褲白好不威風，他悟出一些方法，先把地上的砂踢開，站在空地中間，一見甲蟲擁來，電棒一揮，一道電弧閃過，頃刻間甲蟲就死掉一片。他正鬥得來勁，聽到衣紅的呼叫，回道：「怕什麼？只是些小蟲嘛！」

Ku Bai was putting on a wonderful display. He’d worked out a few techniques. First, he kicked away the sand and stood in the middle of the cleared area. As soon as he saw the beetles crowding over, he waved his stun gun. An arch of electricity flashed, and in no time a great mass of beetles were dead. Just as he was enjoying himself, he heard Yi Hong’s call. He answered, “What’s there to be afraid of? They’re only small insects!”

希來高叫道：「這蟲有毒，快回來！」

Xi Lai shouted loudly, “They’re poisonous. Come back, quick!”

褲白一聽有毒，立刻全身發癢，再顧不得充英雄，回頭就跑。誰知他自己踢出的砂堆太高，一抬腳就被絆倒，摔在砂上。甲蟲毫不留情，立刻滿頭猛咬，褲白嚇得魂不附體，連滾帶爬地掉到水裡，大家連忙把他拉起。

As soon as he heard the word “poisonous”, Ku Bai began to itch all over. He forgot about being a hero and turned around and ran. Who could have known that the mound of sand he’d kicked up was so high. As soon as he took a step, he tripped and fell on the sand. The beetles were absolutely merciless. They instantly bit him all over his head. Ku Bai was frightened out of his wits and, rolling and crawling, he dropped into the water. Everyone hurried to pull him out.

氣墊車勉強能夠開動，總算離開了是非之地，甲蟲雖然都落水了，但好幾個人都被咬傷。最嚴重的是褲白，臉上還有幾道血痕。

It took considerable doing, but the hovercraft started, and they finally left this place of so much trouble. Although all the beetles had fallen into the water, several people were hurt. The most serious one was Ku Bai. There were numerous traces of blood on his face.

希來說：「我們得趕到金鐘山去，那裡有位知名的生物學家，他可能有辦法。聽說這些蟲都有毒，而且毒性很強，一般的藥物恐怕無效。」

Xi Lai said, “We’ll have to hurry to Golden Bell Mountain. A famous biologist there may know how to deal with this. I’ve heard these bugs are poisonous, and their poison is deadly. I’m afraid the average medicines won’t be any help.”

衣紅替褲白抹去臉上的血跡，問道：「像他這樣，能熬多久呢？」

Yi Hong wiped the traces of blood off Ku Bai’s face and asked, “How long can someone last in this condition?”

希來說：「我也不知道，大概半天吧！」

Xi Lai said, “I don’t know, either. Perhaps half day!”

火大說：「金鐘山在哪裡？還有多久路程？」

Greatest Fire said, “Where’s Golden Bell Mountain? How far is it?”

希來說：「在這條河上游，離百色有兩百公里。」

Xi Lai said, “Up this river, about 200 kilometers distant from Baise.”

木大說：「百色早就過了，看來還有一百公里。」

Greatest Wood said, “We passed Baise a long time ago. Looks like we’ve still got another hundred kilometers to go.”

水大說：「目前我們時速最快只有十公里。」

Greatest Water said, “Right now, we’re only making 10 kilometers per hour, at the most.”

金大說：「馬上就天黑了，電池大概只能用一個小時。」

Greatest Metal said, “It’ll soon be dark. The batteries can probably only last for another hour.”

他們還在討論，衣紅卻說：「水這麼淺，還能行船嗎？」

As they were talking it over, Yi Hong unexpectedly said, “The water is so shallow. Will the boat be able to keep on going?”

眾人一看，水面比剛才驟然窄了許多，前面河道中有亂石激湍。再往前看，只見山勢頓起，河道上揚，分向左右兩方彎去。此刻面對正西，紅日已隱在山後，原本平緩的水面，現在是急流倒湧，餘霞紛紛，看來船已行不得了。

Everyone looked. The water surface had suddenly narrowed. Ahead of them, rugged rocks stirred up turbulent currents in the river. Looking beyond, the mountains rose precipitately and there was a fork in the river, one curving to the left and the other to the right. At this moment they were facing directly west and the crimson sun was already concealed behind the mountains. The surface of the river, which originally had been smooth, became turbulent with waves, reflecting the remaining sunset clouds. It looked like the boat could go no further.

金大放慢了速度，所幸氣墊車全賴空氣浮力，只要離地十五公分處沒有阻礙即可。看看大約尚有數公里勉強可行。

Greatest Metal lowered the speed. Fortunately, the hovercraft relied solely on air buoyancy. As long as it was 15 centimeters above the ground and there were no obstructions, it could move. It looked like they could still squeeze a few more kilometers out of it.

五行人相視無言，金大只得將氣墊車停住，看清形勢，靠到一處安全的岸邊，說：「怎麼辦，再往前，我們得抬著它走了。」

The Five Element People looked at one another but didn’t say a word. Greatest Metal had no option but to stop the hovercraft. He took a good look at the surroundings and pulled over to the bank. He said, “What now? If we keep on going, we’ll have to carry it.”

希來看了看四週，說：「先找個地方休息吧，這一帶看來還很正常。回去的路太危險，往前行又不可能，你們幾個都被咬了，必須及時治療才行。」

Xi Lai looked around and said, “Let’s first find a place to rest. This area looks quite normal. The way back is too dangerous and it’s impossible to move on. Several of you were bitten and you must receive treatment in time.”

褲白全身麻癢，衣紅所帶的藥物都無效，只得用冷水澆身。除了衣紅躲進水中，希來早有準備之外，五行人也都被咬中，尤其是金大，大拇指已經腫起來了。

Ku Bai was itching all over and the medicine Yi Hong had brought along was ineffective. All they could do was douse him with cold water. Aside from Yi Hong, who had hidden in the water, and Ku Bai, who had been well prepared, the Five Element People all suffered bites, especially Greatest Metal, whose thumb was swollen.

大家惶急無計，衣紅也沒了主意，但她覺得自己是頭，應該負責任，待在這裡死等不是辦法。再等一會天就黑了，天一黑，更只有苦等到天亮了。

Everyone was nervous and anxious but there wasn’t anything they could do. Yi Hong didn’t have any idea either, but she felt that as their leader, she should assume responsibility. Staying here and waiting wouldn’t solve their problem. The sky would be dark in a few more moments. Once darkness fell, all they’d be able to do was wait until sunrise.

衣紅決定上岸看看，她取了夜視鏡，帶了電殛棒。褲白見她要走，苦著臉說：「衣姐，妳會回來吧？」

Yi Hong decided to go ashore, taking the night vision goggles and a stun gun with her. When Ku Bai saw her about to leave, looking sorrowful he said, “Yi, you’ll be back, won’t you?”

衣紅說：「傻小子！你在這裡，我還能去哪裡？」

Yi Hong said, “You little fool! You’re here. Where else can I go?”

這一帶全是石頭，傾斜的由山腳向水邊急伸，間或有些雜草叢枝。天色暗得很快，衣紅才走到山腳，回頭一看，那氣墊車已經成為灰色飄帶上一團昏暗的影子。

The entire area was rocky. Slanting rocks stretched unbroken from the foothills to the water’s edge. Mingled among them were wild grass and bushes. The sky was rapidly darkening. When Yi Hong reached the foothills, she turned and looked back. The hovercraft had become a dark shadow against the floating ribbons of gray.

衣紅急著找一條可以行走的山路，否則馬上折回，另找出路。這一帶荒涼無比，連採樵的小徑都沒有。但是衣紅還不死心，以她的經驗，再荒涼的山也會有人跡，只要有人經過，就一定有路。據金大的說法，只要有條小路，氣墊車就可以改成直列，大家早點離開，傷者才能及時治療。

Yi Hong was anxious to find a walkable mountain trail. If not, she would turn around and look for another way out. This area was extremely desolate. There weren’t even any small paths for gathering firewood. But Yi Hong wasn’t going to give up yet. In her experience, signs of humans could be found in any desolate mountains. As long as someone had passed by, there must be a trail. According to Greatest Metal, just so there was a path, the hovercraft could be altered into a string of vehicles. If they left early, the injured would be treated in time.

她戴上夜視鏡，眼前頓時一片光明，她知道植物多半吸收能量，所以光度較低。而人造物或是有人跡的小逕，有的發光，有的散熱，看來會比較明亮。

She put on the night vision goggles and instantly it was bright and clear before her. She knew that most of the plants absorbed energy so their intensity of light was lower. But man-made objects, or trails with human tracks, would either emit light or dissipate heat, and this made them look brighter.

衣紅爬得越高，看得越遠。大約一個小時的腳程，她已經爬到山頂，視野頓時遼闊起來。這裡的山勢是由西向東，山南之處似有人家，遠遠看去有些亮光。她估計距此最多不過十幾公里。既然有人，人會到處活動，一定有人到這個山頭活動。只要能找到一條小徑，就有希望了。

As Yi Hong climbed higher and higher, she could see farther into the distance. After walking for about an hour, she reached the hilltop and her field of vision was immediately widened. The mountains here ran from west to east. There seemed to be some habitation on the south side and some lights in the far distance. She estimated them to be only a dozen kilometers away at the most. Since there were people, and people move about, there must have been some sort of human activity on this hill. If she could find a path, there was hope.

想到這裡，衣紅大為興奮，為了寬慰大家，她對著百尺下的溪谷大叫：「我找到了，南邊有人家！」

At the thought of this Yi Hong became very excited. In order to comfort the others, she shouted down into the valley a hundred feet below, “I found something. There are houses on the south side!”

她這一呼叫，四山響應，真像許多仙子與她唱和一般，一時間嗡嗡之聲不絕。衣紅覺得有趣，正要提高音量大嚷幾聲，卻聽到下面隱隱有聲音傳來。

With this shout, the mountains in every direction echoed her voice. It was as if many fairies were harmonizing with her. For a moment, there was only an unbroken hum. Yi Hong found it amusing. Just as she was going to raise her voice and shout a few more times, she unexpectedly heard faint noises coming from below.

停了一會，衣紅高聲慢慢說：「聽……不……見！」

After pausing for a moment, Yi Hong raised her voice and said slowly, “I…can’t…hear…you!”

她仔細傾聽，分明有人聲，只是聽不清楚。其實她並未打算隔空喊話，只要知道他們還在就心安了。她決定順著上山的方式下山，那就是伏莽穿棘，可走就走。

She listened carefully. There were indeed human voices but she couldn’t hear them clearly. Actually, she didn’t plan to shout across the distance. As long as she knew they were still there, her mind was at ease. She decided to descend the same way she had climbed up, and that was to push through the underbrush and thorns; just so she could get through.

走了好一會，衣紅覺得自己迷失方向了，四周都是黑忽忽的山嶺，東西難辨。她從沒用心學過天文地理，不知道如何利用天上的星座或地上的樹木辨別方向。怎麼辦呢？她唯一會用的工具，就是扯開喉嚨：「你們在哪裡？」

After walking for a while, Yi Hong sensed that she had lost her direction. Black mountain ranges surrounded her and it was difficult to tell east from west. She had never paid attention to astronomy or geography. She didn’t know how to make use of the constellations in the sky or the trees on land to tell direction. What should she do? The only tool she had was to shout at the top of her voice, “Where are you?”

這時回聲更雜，完全弄不清方向，她又喊了幾聲，山谷回音不絕。只要聽得到聲音，她就放心不少。

By now the echoes had become more confusing. She was completely disoriented. She shouted a few more times and the valleys echoed endlessly. As long as she could hear sound, she was considerably relieved.

突然，砰！砰！連續幾聲重物落地，衣紅一驚，忙連滾帶爬，手腳並用地從山頂往下滑去。在夜晚，就算戴了夜視鏡，感覺上還是不大熟悉。剛才上山沒有注意地形地物，下山時又惶急慌亂，好不容易腳踏平地，方向卻完全迷失了。

Suddenly, “bang, bang!” There was a series heavy thuds. Yi Hong was startled. Hurriedly rolling and crawling, and using her arms and legs, she slid down from the hilltop. At night, even though she was wearing night vision goggles, she still wasn’t used to them. She hadn’t paid attention to the topography or features of the terrain on her way up and coming down she was anxious and flustered. When at last she stood on level ground she had no idea where she was.

現在不論她怎樣喊，除了山谷回音，稀落的蟲鳴，樹梢的風吹外，四週靜靜的，好像什麼事都沒有發生。衣紅緊張了，在山巔他們可能聽不清楚，在這裡不可能聽不見，除非是發生意外！不能再嚷了，如果出事了，自己是大家唯一的指望，絕對不能洩漏行蹤！

At this moment, aside from the echoes in the valley, the sound of insects here and there, and the wind blowing through the treetops, no matter how loud she shouted, all was quiet around her. It seemed as if nothing had happened. Yi Hong became nervous. Perhaps they hadn’t heard her clearly from the hilltop. Here it was impossible for them to not hear her, unless there had been an accident! Better stop shouting. If anything had happened, she was their only hope. She mustn’t reveal her whereabouts!

她再一想，既然有溪流，就應該聽見水流聲。等一切安靜下來，她仔細聆聽，沒有水聲！難道她走錯地方了？偏離太遠？她回頭仰望山頂，的確有可能！這座山高聳突兀，底部範圍很廣，而且峰巒起伏相連，在上頭只要稍稍偏離，到山腳就可能差了好幾公里！

She thought again. Since there was a river, she should be able to hear the sound of water. When everything had quieted down, she listened carefully. No sound of water! Could it be that she had come to the wrong place? Perhaps too far off the mark? She turned around and looked at the top of the hill. It was very possible! The mountain was towering and distinguished, and the foothills extended over a large area. Besides, the rising and falling mountain peaks were linked. To be even the slightest bit off-course on top, could mean a difference of several kilometers at the bottom!

怎麼辦呢？急不得，怕沒用，自己只有一個人，假如對方是剛才那些怪物，一定會有打鬥聲。可是在山頂只聽到兩次回聲，以及重物拍打聲。是什麼重物呢？東西掉落地上？人跌倒了？為什麼後來再也沒有回音了？

What to do? Take it easy. Don’t panic. She was all alone. If it were those strange creatures of just now, there would have been the sound of fighting. But on the mountain top she’d twice heard echoes, as well as the thud of something heavy. What was it? Did something fall? Did someone slip and fall? Why hadn’t there been any more echoes?

衣紅再仔細回想，她認為只有一種可能，一定是希來他們被壞人擊昏倒地。再不然便是自己聽錯了，沒有其他的可能！

Yi Hong thought back carefully. She concluded that there was only one possibility. Xi Lai and the others must have been knocked unconscious by hooligans. Either that or she’d heard mistakenly. There were no other possibilities!

她越想越是心悸，他們有一台寶貴的氣墊車，加上所帶的貨物，對山區游民正是極大的誘惑。果真如此，自己更要小心，一定要靠機智不可！

The more she thought about it, the more her heart trembled with fear. They had a precious hovercraft in their possession. That plus the cargo they were carrying, would be a great temptation for any vagrants living in the mountains. If this was the case, it was even more important that she be careful. She must depend on her cunning!

當前第一個目標是辨明方向，對了，剛才在山上晚霞初逝，曾見山勢是東西向。這裡是山谷，若是橫斷的山腳，兩端必然正對南北。若是平行兩山的交界，則谷的兩端多半是東西。只要先辨明方向，再找水源，就差不遠了。

Right now the first goal was to identify the directions. Right. Just now, on the mountaintop, the evening clouds had only disappeared a minute before. She had seen that the mountain ran from east to west. Here, she was in a valley. If it ran crosswise the two ends must lie precisely on a north-south axis. If the valley ran parallel between the two mountains, the two ends of the valley would probably be facing east and west. As long as she could determine the direction and find the water source, she wouldn’t be far off.

根據這個條件，她察覺目前所處的山谷只是兩山之間的一個低點而已。已知是南北向了，可是如何證明的確是南北呢？其實這也不難，與其站在這裡空想，不如走走就知道了。再說南北也不是重點，河在哪邊才是首先要查清楚的。

With this in mind, she noticed the valley she was presently in was actually a depression between two mountains. She already knew it ran north-south. But how could she verify it was indeed north-south? Actually, it wasn’t difficult. It’d be better to start walking and find out for herself rather than standing here and vainly wondering. Besides, the north-south direction wasn’t the point. The first thing she had to do was clarify where the river was.

這裡聽不到水聲，那麼先往前走幾里，如果還聽不到，就回頭再試。這樣找下去，遲早能找到河邊，到河邊再想第二個問題。

She couldn’t hear the sound of water where she was. In that case, she’d first walk ahead a few li. If by then she still couldn’t hear the water, she’d turn around and try again. Searching in this manner, sooner or later she would find the riverbank. Once she got there she could worry about the second problem.

一點不錯，向假定的北方走了幾里，果然聽到了潺潺水聲。衣紅怕被人發現，輕聲悄足地潛近水邊，正是方才上岸的附近，只是岸邊空空，一無所有。

She was absolutely correct. As she walked a few li onward in what she presumed was to the north, as expected, she indeed heard the sound of flowing water. Yi Hong was afraid of being discovered, so she tiptoed over to the water’s edge. It was almost exactly where they had landed earlier. But the riverbank was empty. There was nothing there.

衣紅判定眾人被擄走了，連氣墊車都沒有放過！在夜視鏡下，地上有明顯的痕跡。其中最清楚的是腳印，尤其沿著山腳，有一條連續的足跡。衣紅先看清前面確實無人，這才循著腳印，一直往山裡走去。

Yi Hong decided that the others had been taken captive. Even the hovercraft was gone! The night vision goggles revealed clear traces on the ground. Of these, the clearest ones were footprints. Especially along the bottom of the hill, where there was a trail of foot imprints. Yi Hong first made sure there were no people ahead of her before following the footprints. She headed straight for the mountains.

這樣走了約一公里，地上還有人跌倒的痕跡，她猜一定是褲白，心裡一陣酸痛。她忘不了褲白對她的依戀：「衣姐，妳會回來吧？」衣紅咬牙切齒，就算是龍潭虎穴，哪怕要犧牲性命，我衣紅也一定要把你救出來！

Thus, she walked for about one kilometer. There were traces where people had fallen down. She guessed it must have been Ku Bai and her heat ached. She couldn’t forget how much Ku Bai depended on her. “Yi, you’ll be back, won’t you?” Yi Hong clenched her teeth in anguish. Even if it was a place of great danger; a dragon’s pond or tiger’s cave; should it cost me my life, I, Yi Hong am going to get you out of there!

不遠處有燈光閃閃，衣紅更加小心了，她心跳如鼓，不斷對自己說：「不能急，不能來硬的，一定要智取！一切要見機行事！」

Not far ahead lights were flashing. Yi Hong became even more cautious. Her heart was pounding, and she kept telling herself: “Don’t be too hasty. Don’t go charging right in there. You must use your head! Take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way!”

她悄悄爬上圍牆外的大榕樹上，向牆內探望，這裡顯然是一個莊園，共有四棟磚房，其中兩棟是二層樓房。正中空地上有幾台農機具，顯然莊上還自力稼穡，可是看那燈光，卻又是最新型的離子燈。在最左一棟磚房旁，赫然就是那台氣墊車，衣紅又喜又驚，知道找對了地方。

She quietly climbed the large banyan tree outside the surrounding wall and looked in. This was obviously a private estate. There were four brick houses, two of which were two-story buildings. There were several agricultural machines in the center of the empty space. It was clear that people on this estate were still farming. But judging from the lamplight, it was coming from the most advanced type of ion lamp. There, next to the farthest brick house on the left, was none other than the hovercraft. Yi Hong was both happy and surprised. She knew she had come to the right place.

再看這道厚厚的磚牆，顯然是防野獸的，這還難不倒衣紅。但是牆角有幾隻四條腿的動物，正相互追逐嬉戲。莊裡有狗！衣紅在野地漫遊最怕遇到狗，她只會講理，而狗是無理可喻的！

She took another look at the thick brick walls. Obviously they were designed to keep wild beasts out. This was no obstacle for Yi Hong. However, several 4-legged animals frisked about at the bottom of the walls. The estate kept dogs! Yi Hong was afraid of meeting any dogs when she was roaming about in open country. She was good at appealing to reason, but there was no reasoning with dogs!

這一來衣紅可為難了，一千個機智比不上一條狗叫！再進一步她都感到為難，要救人可不等於自己送死！冷靜一點！她再四下一看，左近數里外，還有一處燈光！總不成家家都是強盜吧！就算是，未必今夜都參加行動了。賊窩既已找到，不妨先打探一下，所謂知己知彼，百戰百勝！

This put Yi Hong in a difficult situation. A thousand clever minds are no match for a barking dog! To move even a single step would be difficult. The act of rescuing them would mean getting herself killed! Be cool! Looking about she saw another light several li to her left. It was unlikely that bandits occupied every household here! Even if they were, that didn’t mean they’d taken part in tonight’s operation. Since she’d found the thieves’ lair, it wouldn’t hurt to snoop around first. This was the so-called: If you know yourself and know your enemy, you’ll win every battle’!

衣紅下了樹，悄悄朝左邊燈光處走去，原來是一間簡陋的茅屋。衣紅躡手躡腳潛近一看，只有一門一窗，窗子也只是樹枝搭就的，由窗縫往內偷窺，竟是一目瞭然。

Yi Hong came down from the tree and walked quietly to the left in the direction of the light. It was nothing more than a humble hut. Stepping carefully, Yi Hong sneaked closer to the window. There was only one door and one window. The makeshift window had been made from tree branches. Peeping in through the cracks, she could see everything.

房內有兩個人，似是一對夫妻，丈夫躺在床上，頭上裹著一塊白布。室內堆滿藥草，在一個角落上，幾塊石頭架成一個石爐，中間燒著木柴，上頭有一個瓦罐。那妻子蹲在爐邊，一邊添柴一邊吹氣，一時間青煙迷漫，兩個人咳個不停。

There were two people inside. They seemed to be man and wife. The husband was lying in bed, with his head wrapped in a white cloth. A large quantity of herbs were piled in the room. In one corner, several stones had been stacked up to serve as a stove. Firewood burned in the stove and on the stove was a clay pot. The wife squatted next to the stove, blowing on the fire as she added more wood. The room was shortly filled with blue smoke and the two of them coughed non-stop. .

衣紅從來沒見過這麼可憐的景象，這也叫生存？為什麼不搬到城裡？如果背包在身上就好了，好歹送他們幾套設備。雖然東西都丟了，總能想辦法奪回來，一定要賙濟這種可憐人才是！

Yi Hong had never seen any sight as pathetic as this one. Is this what is known as existing? Why didn’t they move to town? If only she had her backpack, she could at least give them a couple sets of equipment. Although she’d lost everything, she could always think of a way to get it back. People in wretched conditions like this should be given charitable assistance!

衣紅走到門口，輕輕敲了一下那個七零八落的柴門。

Yi Hong approached the doorway and lightly knocked on the roughly hewn wooden door.

「什麼人？」一聲粗暴的吼叫，把衣紅嚇了一跳。

“Who is it?” A rough roar startled Yi Hong.

「我是過路人，走得很累了，能不能發發善心，讓我進來一下？」衣紅說。

“I’m a traveler. I’m really tired from walking. Could you be so kind as to let me in for a moment?” Yi Hong said.

裡面突然一陣忙亂，過了一會兒，才聽那婦人說：「我先生病了，不方便，小姐還是到前面陶大善人那裡求助吧！」

A commotion suddenly took place inside. After a moment, the woman said, “My husband is sick. It’s not convenient. Miss, you’d better ask for help over at good man Tao’s household up ahead.”

衣紅從門隙一窺，夫妻二人擁在一處。她又提聲求情說：「二位行行好罷，我實在走不動了！」

Yi Hong peeped in from the door crack and saw the couple clinging together in one place. She spoke again and pleaded, “Please, be kind to me. I really can’t walk any further!”

「我先生脾氣不好，小姐，妳還是多走兩步。陶家什麼都有，我們是一窮二白，怎麼招待妳？」妻子一隻手掩住先生的嘴巴，說。

“My husband has a bad temper. Miss, you’d better keep going a few more steps. . The Tao family has everything. We have absolutely nothing. How can I possibly extend hospitality to you?” The wife covered her husband’s mouth with one hand as she spoke.

「拜託嘛，我實在走不動了！」衣紅苦苦哀求。

“Please. I really can’t walk anymore!” Yi Hong pleaded earnestly.

「ＸＸＸ，我老婆好心勸妳，妳囉唆什麼！」那男子扳開婦人的手，罵道。

The man pushed his wife’s hand aside and snarled, “XXX, my wife spoke kindly to you and urged you to move on. Why are you making all this big fuss?”

「我只坐一下，問你們一件事就走！」

“I only need a minute. I’ll go away after asking just one question!”

那人吼聲如雷：「快滾！ＸＸＸ，別以為我好欺負！」

The man’s roar was like a thunder, “Get out of here! XXX. Don’t start thinking I’m easy to push around!”

「妳們有幾個人？」婦人問道。

“How many people are with you?” The woman asked.

「只有我一個人！」衣紅說：「老實對你們說，我和幾個同伴一起來的，他們都被您剛才說的那位陶莊主抓去了。兩位如果能行行好，幫我找到下山的路，我回城裡找人來，一定給你們蓋新房子，添新設備！」衣紅見夫妻倆緊張又注意地細聽，到後來，二人竟面帶喜色，她也慶幸自己說了實話。

“Just me!” Yi Hong said, “To tell you the truth. I came with several companions but they’ve been kidnapped by the master Tao, you just spoke of. If you could be so kind as to help me find the downhill trail, I can go back to town to bring some people back. We’ll build you a new house and give you new equipment!” Yi Hong saw that though the couple was nervous, they were listening attentively. Near the end their faces expressed happiness. She congratulated herself for telling them the truth.

果然門呀然而開，男子坐在床邊，兩眼盯著衣紅。

As expected, the door creaked open. The man was sitting at the edge of the bed, glaring at Yi Hong.

衣紅行了禮，說：「你們以為陶大善人是好人，其實不是。我親眼看到他們把我的朋友和一些寶貴的貨物，給搶到莊裡去了。」

Yi Hong saluted and said, “You think that good man Tao is a good person. Actually, he is not. With my own eyes I saw them use force to take my friends and some precious goods to his estate.”

「小鬼！妳說鬼話，妳親眼看到的？」男人臉色大不好看。

“You little twerp! You’re talking nonsense. You saw it with your own eyes?” The man’s expression was menacing.

「其實……」衣紅怕到頭來無法自圓其說，決定繼續說實話：「當時我不在場，沒有看到，但是東西在陶家院子裡，一點都沒錯！」

“Actually…” Yi Hong was afraid that she wouldn’t be able to make her story plausible so she decided to continue telling the truth. “I wasn’t there at the time so I didn’t see it. But our stuff is there in Tao’s courtyard, and that’s for sure!”

「那妳為什麼騙我？ＸＸＸ！」

“Then why did you lie to me? XXX!”

「我不是騙你，是怕你不相信我。」

“I didn’t lie to you. I was afraid you wouldn’t believe me.”

「小鬼！那妳打算怎麼辦？」

“Little girl! What are you going to do?”

「回去找人！」
“Go back to get more people!”

「ＸＸＸ，胡扯！找誰？誰願意找這種麻煩？」

“XXX, nonsense! Who? Who would want to get involved in this kind of trouble?”

「我有很多朋友。」衣紅心虛了，她的朋友一個都不管用。

“I have a lot of friends.” Yi Hong felt guilty. None of her friends was useful.

「狗屁！妳說有很多寶貴的貨物？什麼貨？」

“Bull shit! You said there are a lot of precious goods? Like what?”

衣紅說：「全新的太陽電池和維生器！有好幾百套！」

Yi Hong said, “Brand new solar batteries and life support devices! Several hundreds sets of them!”

「說謊，哪裡弄來的？」

“Liar. Where did you get them?”

衣紅說：「我們給千鶴莊採購的！」

Yi Hong said, “We were purchasing for the Thousand Cranes Manor!”

那人說：「好吧！妳先出去一下，我們商量商量！」

That man said, “All right! Step outside for a minute. We’ll discuss it!”

衣紅說：「你們談嘛，我不聽就是。」

Yi Hong said, “Go ahead. I’ll just shut my ears.”

那人暴跳如雷，大吼道：「滾出去！ＸＸＸ！」

In a thundering rage the man shouted, “Get out! XXX!”

婦人向丈夫使了一個眼色，對衣紅說：「請在外面等一下就好！」

The woman gave her husband a meaningful glance and said to Yi Hong, “Please just wait outside for a minute!”

衣紅還沒退到屋外，兩人已經悄聲爭執起來了。

Before Yi Hong retreated outside the door, the two of them had began to argue in low voices.

過了好一會，那人才大聲說：「喂！妳給我進來！」

After some time he shouted, “Hey, get in here!”

那人努力壓抑怒氣，說：「妳打算怎麼辦？回去找人是不可能的，說不定明天他們就把東西送走了。」

The man was trying to restrain his anger and said, “What’re you going to do? It’s impossible to go back to bring people here. Maybe tomorrow they’ll send those things away.”

衣紅囁嚅地說：「如果能找到人，把東西拿回來，我可以分你一半。」

Yi Hong hemmed and hawed. “If we can find people and get my things back, I can give you half.”

那人哈哈大笑，病也沒了：「一半？ＸＸＸ，憑什麼？」

That man laughed aloud and he was no longer ill. “Half? XXX, based on what?”

衣紅說：「我知道東西在哪裡！」

Yi Hong said, “I know where things are!”

「老實跟妳說，我們夫妻原先就在陶家做事，只因我脾氣不好，被陶老大趕了出來，在這裡不死不活的。他家裡的情形我最清楚，我早就要對付他，沒有妳來，我也會去，分一半？免談！」

“To tell you the truth. My wife and I originally worked at the Tao household. Because of my bad temper, old man Tao threw me out. So I’m staying here, neither living nor dying. I know everything in his house. I’ve been planning to deal with him myself. Even if you hadn’t come along I would have gone. Half? No way!”

「那你要怎樣？」

“So what do you want?”

「我們商量過了，我幫妳把妳的朋友救出來，然後妳們就離開，其他的不必管。不同意，妳自己找人！」

“We’ve already talked about it. I’ll help you save your friends and then you leave. Don’t bother with anything else. If you disagree, go find someone else to help you!”

衣紅想想，能把人救出來已經求之不得，還貪圖什麼？再說那些東西也是垃圾場撿來的，再去一次就又有了，便說：「好，東西全歸你，可是你們只有兩個人，怎麼夠？」

Yi Hong thought this over. Saving people was just what she wanted. Why ask for anything more? Besides, those things had been picked up at the garbage dump. They could get more by going there again. So she said, “O.k. You can keep everything. But there are two of you. Will that be enough?”

「不夠？笑話！等一下我們夫妻先進去，那幾隻狗跟我們很熟，不會叫的，我帶狗來認識妳。你的朋友一定是在左邊的樓房裡，我先去放火，趁他們救火，妳就混進去。把這個藥給他們喝下去，等他們醒了，馬上就逃……」

“Not enough? What a joke! In a moment my wife and I will go in first. Those dogs know us very well and they won’t bark. I’ll bring the dogs out so they can get to know you. Your friends must be in the building on the left. I’ll first set a fire. When they’re busy putting out the fire, you slip in. Get them to drink this potion. When they come to, get out of there right away…”

「為什麼要喝藥？」衣紅不懂。

“Why the potion?” Yi Hong didn’t get it.

「啊！妳大概不知道，他們捉了人以後，一定會先迷昏的，這是解藥。」那人把牆壁上的一塊石頭搬開，伸手從裡面取出一瓶藥水。

“Ah! You probably didn’t know. After they catch someone, they must first drug them. This is the antidote.” The man removed a rock from the wall, reached in and took out a bottle of liquid remedy.

「假如沒有被迷昏呢？」

“What if they weren’t drugged?”

「ＸＸＸ！妳囉唆什麼！」那人又發火了，衣紅只好閉口不言。深碧色的藥水看來非常黏稠，怒漢就著牆邊的燈光，用滴管仔細滴了數滴到一個空瓶裡，交給衣紅說：「就這麼多！沖水給他們喝！」

“XXX! Why do you ask so many questions?” That man was angry again. There was nothing for Yi Hong to do but shut up. The dark greenish blue potion looked very viscous. By the light of a wall lamp, the angry man, using a dropper, carefully squeezed several drops into an empty vial. He handed it over to Yi Hong and said, “That’s it! Dilute it and make them drink!”

「這樣夠嗎？」

“Will this be enough?”

「ＸＸＸ，當然夠！好心幫妳的忙！還要聽妳嘮叨！」

“XXX. Of course! I’m helping you out from the kindness of my heart and I still have to put up with your nagging!”

「請問您尊姓大名？」

“Could you tell me your name?”

「ＸＸＸ！」那人暴跳起來：「妳管我是誰？ＸＸＸ，不去拉倒！妳滾吧！」

“XXX!” That man was in a thunderous rage. “What the hell is it to you who I am? XXX. If you don’t want to go, forget it! Get out of here!”

衣紅急了，說：「我不知道該怎麼稱呼呀，總不能喂呀喂的吧！」

Worried, Yi Hong said, “I don’t know how to address you. I can’t just say, ‘hey’, all the time.”

「叫我大爺！ＸＸＸ！」那人還要發火，他老婆連忙過來，扶著那人坐下，對衣紅說：「我先生就是這個毛病，所以到處得罪人。」

“Call me sir! XXX!” The man was becoming angry again. His wife hurried over and helped him sit down. She said to Yi Hong, “This is my husband’s weakness. Everywhere he goes he offends people.”

衣紅說：「我只是想表示感激。」

Yi Hong said, “I just want to show my gratitude.”

那人怒道：「誰要妳感激！ＸＸＸ，老實說，我只是貪圖那些寶貝！」

That man said angrily, “Who needs your gratitude! XXX. To tell the truth, it’s those treasures I’m after!”

他老婆說：「好啦！現在就走吧！他們大概正在用餐。」

His wife said, “O.k! Let’s go now! They’re probably eating right at this moment.”

怒漢收拾了火種等引火工具，三個人便向陶莊走去。在離莊門不遠處，怒漢要兩個女人等一等，他自個兒走到大門口，立刻有五六隻狗圍了過來，見到他，隻隻都興奮歡躍不已。那人打開門，把狗兒帶出來，狗兒乍見衣紅，還來不及吠叫，就被那人止住。衣紅早已嚇得全身發抖，狗兒在衣紅身上聞了半天，這才簇擁著怒漢，一起進入莊內。

The angry man packed some tinder and flint for lighting a fire and the three of them set off for the Tao Estate. When they were still far from the estate’s gate, the angry man wanted the two women to wait. He walked up to the gate by himself and immediately, 5 or 6 dogs came over, each one jumping with joy when they saw him. The man opened the gate and brought the dogs out. When the dogs saw Yi Hong, the man stopped them before they could start barking. But Yi Hong was already trembling from head to foot with fear. The dogs sniffed Yi Hong for some time and then escorting the angry man they entered the estate together.

那人領著衣紅，躡手躡腳地走到左側一棟樓房邊，先叫衣紅躲好，悄聲說：「我去放火了，這裡面大概有三四個看守的，等他們都出來了，妳就進去。這些藥足夠他們用，加點水灌下去，頂多兩三分鐘就醒了。一醒就逃，千萬不要再走大門口！記住！一定要穿過院子，大概跑上一百多公尺，從對面那道矮牆出去！」

The man led Yi Hong and carefully tiptoed to a building on the left. He told Yi Hong to hide and whispered, “I’ll go start a fire. There are about 3 or 4 guards inside. Wait until they’ve all come out, then you go in. This potion is enough for all of them. Add some water and force it down to their throats. They’ll regain consciousness in 2 or 3 minutes, at the most. As soon as they’re awake, get out of there. Whatever you do, don’t go out by the main gate again! Remember! You’ve got to cross the courtyard, probably for a hundred meters or more. Get out over that low wall across from you!”