名著精讀《飄》第一章 第21節
The troop of cavalry had been organized three months before, the very day that Georgia seceded from the Union, and since then the recruits had been whistling for war. The outfit was as yet unnamed, though not for want of suggestions. Everyone had his own idea on that subject and was loath to relinquish it, just as everyone had ideas about the color and cut of the uniforms. “Clayton Wild Cats,” “Fire Eaters,” “North Georgia Hussars,” “Zouaves,” “The Inland Rifles” (although the Troop was to be armed with pistols, sabers and bowie knives, and not with rifles), “The Clayton Grays,” “The Blood and Thunderers,” “The Rough and Readys,” all had their adherents. Until matters were settled, everyone referred to the organization as the Troop and, despite the high-sounding name finally adopted, they were known to the end of their usefulness simply as “The Troop.”
騎兵營是三個月前佐治亞州脫離聯邦那天成立起來的，從那以後那些入伍的新兵便一直在盼望打仗。至今這個組織還沒有命名，儘管已經有了種種方案。對於這個問題，正像對於軍服的顏色和式樣什麼的，每個人都有自己的主張，並且都不願意放棄。什麼"克萊頓野貓"啦，"暴躁人"啦，"北佐治亞輕騎兵"啦，"義勇軍"，"內地步槍兵"啦（儘管這個營將是用手槍、軍刀和單刃獵刀而不是用步槍來裝備"克萊頓灰衣人"啦，"血與怒吼者"啦，"莽漢和應聲出擊者"啦，所有這些名稱都不乏附和者。在問題沒有解決之前，大家都稱呼這個組織爲"營"，而且，不管最終採用的名稱多麼響亮，他們始終用的是簡簡單單的一個"營"字。
The officers were elected by the members, for no one in the County had had any military experience except a few veterans of the Mexican and Seminole wars and, besides, the Troop would have scorned a veteran as a leader if they had not personally liked him and trusted him. Everyone liked the four Tarleton boys and the three Fontaines, but regretfully refused to elect them, because the Tarletons got lickered up too quickly and liked to skylark, and the Fontaines had such quick, murderous tempers. Ashley Wilkes was elected captain, because he was the best rider in the County and because his cool head was counted on to keep some semblance of order. Raiford Calvert was made first lieutenant, because everybody liked Raif, and Abel Wynder, son of a swamp trapper, himself a small farmer, was elected second lieutenant.
軍官由大家選舉，因爲全縣除了參加過墨西哥戰爭和塞米諾爾戰爭的少數幾個老兵外，誰也沒有軍事經驗；而且，如果大家並不喜歡和不信任他，要讓一個老兵當頭領也只會引起全營的蔑視。大家全都喜歡塔爾頓家四個小夥子和方丹家三兄弟，不過令人遺憾的是都不願意選舉他們，因爲塔爾頓家的人太容易喝醉酒和喜歡玩樂，鉭方丹兄弟又非常性急和暴躁。結果艾希禮·威爾克斯被選做隊長了，因爲是他是縣裏最出色的騎手，而且頭腦冷靜，大夥相信他還能維持某種表面的秩序。雷弗德·卡爾弗特是人人都喜愛的，被任命爲上尉，而艾布爾·溫德，那個沼澤地捕獵手的兒子（他本人是小農），則被選做中尉了。
lry n. 騎兵
The cavalry is extremely majestic-looking.
這支騎兵部隊非常威風凜凜。
de [si'si:d] v. 正式脫離或退出(組織) vi. 退出, 脫離
We won't allow Tibet to secede from China and become an independent nation.
我們決不允許西藏脫離中國獨立。
it ['autfit] n. 用具,配備,機構 vt. 配備,供應 vi. 得到裝備
The company will provide the sports outfits for all the players.
這家公司將爲所有運動員提供全套運動服裝。
nquish vt. 放棄,放手
She relinquished possession of the house to her sister.
她把房子的所有權讓給了她妹妹。
r n. 軍刀 vt. 用馬刀砍=sabre（美）
I use a heavy saber in fencing.
我在擊劍時用的是把重劍。
rent n. 信徒, 追隨者, 擁護者 adj. 附着的, 粘連的
The movement is gaining more and more adherents.
支持這個運動的人越來越多了.
lance n. 類似，外觀
She put on a semblance of anger.
她裝出生氣的樣子。
tenant n. 中尉, 助理人員, 副官
He was promoted to lieutenant.
他被提升爲陸軍中尉/海軍上尉。
