July 7th, 17—

17某某年7月7日——

To Mrs. Saville, England

收信人：英格兰的萨维尔夫人

My dear Sister, I write a few lines in haste to say that I am safe—and well advanced on my voyage.

亲爱的姐姐，我匆匆写上几句向你报平安——我的航行很顺利。

This letter will reach England by a merchantman now on its homeward voyage from Archangel; more fortunate than I, who may not see my native land, perhaps, for many years. I am, however, in good spirits: my men are bold and apparently firm of purpose, nor do the floating sheets of ice that continually pass us, indicating the dangers of the region towards which we are advancing, appear to dismay them. We have already reached a very high latitude; but it is the height of summer, and although not so warm as in England, the southern gales, which blow us speedily towards those shores which I so ardently desire to attain, breathe a degree of renovating warmth which I had not expected.

这封信将由一艘从阿尔汉格尔斯克返航的商船带回英格兰。它可比我幸运得多了，我也许好多年都看不到故土了。不过我精神抖擞，我的船员们勇敢、执着，哪怕是大片的浮冰不断地从我们的船边漂过（这预示着我们正在前往的地方危险重重），也显然不能使他们感到恐慌。我们已经到了纬度很高的地区了，但这里正值盛夏，虽不像英格兰那么温暖，但强劲的南风带给我始料未及的一丝复苏的暖意，迅速将我们吹向了我特别想去的那片海岸。

No incidents have hitherto befallen us that would make a figure in a letter. One or two stiff gales and the springing of a leak are accidents which experienced navigators scarcely remember to record, and I shall be well content if nothing worse happen to us during our voyage.

迄今为止，还没发生什么值得在信中提及的小事故。有一两次强风和一次船漏水事故，这对于那些有经验的水手们来说，简直不值一提。如果我们的航行中没有更糟糕的事情出现的话，我将心满意足。

Adieu, my dear Margaret. Be assured that for my own sake, as well as yours, I will not rashly encounter danger. I will be cool, persevering, and prudent.

再见了，我亲爱的玛格丽特。放心吧，为了你，也为了我自己，在面对危险时我绝不会鲁莽行事的。我会头脑清楚、坚持不懈、小心谨慎的。

But success SHALL crown my endeavours. Wherefore not? Thus far I have gone, tracing a secure way over the pathless seas, the very stars themselves being witnesses and testimonies of my triumph. Why not still proceed over the untamed yet obedient element? What can stop the determined heart and resolved will of man?

但是我的努力一定会赢得成功的桂冠。为什么不呢？我已经航行得很远了，我在人迹未到的大海上寻求一条安全之路，满天繁星就是我巨大胜利的目击者和见证人。为何不继续前行去驾驭那尚未被掌控却可以被掌控的因素？什么能阻止人类的决心和意志呢？

My swelling heart involuntarily pours itself out thus. But I must finish. Heaven bless my beloved sister!

此时千言万语不由自主地涌上我的心头。但是我必须搁笔了。愿老天保佑我深爱的姐姐。

R.W.

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