第1章 到利力浦特(3)

When they saw I was no longer struggling，they quickly built a platform next to my head，and an official climbed up there to speak to me．Although I could not understand his lan－guage，I understood that they would be friendly towards me-if I did not try to harm them．By now I was extremely hungry，so I used sign language to beg the official for food．He seemed to understand me，because immediately ladders were put against my sides and little men climbed up with baskets of food and drink．They were surprised at how much I could eat and drink．In just one mouthful I ate three of their meat dishes and three of their loaves of bread．I drank two of their barrels of wine，and was still thirsty，because that was only half a litre．While they were bringing me food，I wondered whether to pick up a handful of the little men and throw them to their death．But I was afraid they would shoot at me again，and anyway I was grateful for their kindness in giving me food and drink，so I did not move．
　　After some time，another official climbed up to the platform and spoke to me．From his signs I understood that they were going to move me．The King of this country（which was called Lilliput）had ordered his people to carry me to the capital city，about a kilometre away．I made signs to ask whether I could be untied，but the official politely refused．

他们看我不再挣扎了，就迅速在我的头旁建了一个平台，一个官员爬上那儿跟我说话。尽管我不懂他的语言，我明白他会对我友善——只要我不试图去伤害他们。那时我已经饿极了，就用手势语向这个官员要食物。他似乎明白了我的意思，因为立即有梯子搭在我身侧，小人们带着食物和饮料爬上来了。他们非常惊讶我那么能吃能喝。只是一口我就吃下了他们的三个肉菜、三块面包。我喝了他们两桶酒还是很渴，因为那只有半升。他们给我拿食物来时，我在想是否要抓住几个小人把他们摔死在地上。可是我害怕他们又向我放箭，而且我无论怎么说还是感激他们好心给我送食物来，所以我就没有动。
　　过了一段时间，另一个官员爬上平台来对我说话。从他的手势我明白他们要把我搬走。这个国家（叫做利力浦特）的国王命令他的臣民把我搬到首都去，离这大约有一公里远。我作手势问是否可以解开我，这个官员有礼貌地拒绝了。