On the top was the clear outline of a great wolf sitting still, ears pointed, alert, listening.
岩石上面有一个清晰的大狼的轮廓,他静静地坐着,耳朵竖起,像在警觉地在听着什么。
"Maheegun," whispered my grandfather.
“是美尔根。”爷爷低声说。
Slowly the wolf raised his muzzle. "Oooo-oo-wow-wowoo-oooo!"
那只狼慢慢抬起口鼻。“嗷……嗷……喔……喔……嗷!”
The whole white world thrilled to that wild cry. Then after a while, from the distance came a softer call in reply. Maheegun stirred, with the deep rumble of pleasure in his throat. He slipped down the rock and headed out across the ice.
那野性的叫声给整个白色的世界注入了活力。过了一会儿,从远处传来了轻柔一些的回应声。美尔根激动起来,用嗓子连续发出低沉的、愉悦的吼声。他快速跑下岩石,穿过冰面离开了。
"He's gone," I said.
“他走了。”我说。
"Yes, he's gone to that young she-wolf." My grandfather slowly filled his pipe. "He will take her for life, hunt for her, protect her. This is the way the Creator planned life. No man can change it."
“是的,他去找那只年轻的母狼了。”爷爷慢慢地装满烟斗。“他将陪她度过一生,为她猎食,保护她,这是上帝安排好了的生活方式,没人能改变它。”
I tried to tell myself it was all for the best, but it was hard to lose my brother.
我极力告诉自己这样是最好的结果,但失去兄弟仍让我很难过。
For the next two years I was as busy as a squirrel storing nuts for the winter. But once or twice when I heard wolf cries from distant hills, I would still wonder if Maheegun, in his battle for life, found time to remember me.
在接下来的两年里,我像为冬天储存坚果的松鼠一样忙。但有一两次当我听见从远处山里传来的狼叫时,我依然想知道美尔根,在他为生存而斗争之余,是否还记得我。
It was not long after that I found the answer.
不久我便找到了答案。