From an attic window we could get a sweeping view of the river where their land joined ours,
从顶楼窗口看去，我们农场与他们农场接壤处的那段河流一览无余。
and at the most critical juncture we took turns in watching that point.
在最紧急的时刻，我们轮流监视那段河流的险情。
The first sign of disaster was a dead sheep floating down.
灾难的第一迹象是一只死羊顺流而下，
Next came a horse, swimming bravely,
接着一匹活马勇敢地与水搏击。
but we were afraid that the strength of the current would prevent its landing anywhere before it became exhausted.
但我们担心，洪水力量将使它上岸之前就筋疲力尽了。
Suddenly a raft appeared, looking rather like Noah's ark, carrying the whole family, a few hens, the dogs, a cat, and a bird in a cage.
突然，出现了一只筏子，看起来很像诺亚方舟，上面载着他们全家老小，还有几只母鸡、几只狗、一只猫与一只鸟笼，那里头有一只小鸟。
We realized that they must have become unduly frightened by the rising flood,
我们意识到他们一定是被不断上涨的洪水吓坏了。
for their house, which had sound foundations, would have stood stoutly even if it had been almost submerged.
因为他们的房子地基牢固，即使洪水几乎灭顶也不会倒塌。
The men of our family waded down through our flooded meadows with boathooks, in the hope of being able to grapple a corner of the raft and pull it out of the current towards our bank.
我家的男人们手拿船篙蹚过被水淹没的草场，希望能够钩住筏子一角，将它拽出激流，拖回岸边。
We still think it a miracle that they were able to do so.
他们终于成功了。至今我们仍认为这是个奇迹。
mp3下载：http://f1.hxen.com/m2/tingli/nce2/3/56.mp3
