Introduction：Having just gotten married in San Antonio，Jack Potter，town marshal of Yellow Sky，and the bride are aboard a train headed back to Yellow Sky，Jack’s home town。Despite their elegant surroundings，both bride and groom are nervous about returning to Yellow Sky。While the bride is not used to such classy surroundings and is anticipating her life ahead of her，Jack is anxious about thereception that his marriage will receive from his community，particularly as hehad not told them of his intentions when he left for San Antonio。
Ⅰ
1 The great Pullman was whirling onward with such dignity of motion that a glance from the window seemed simply to prove that the plains of Texas were pouring eastward。Vast flats of green grass，dull-hued spaces of mesquite and cactus，little groups of frame houses，woods of light and tender trees，all were sweeping into the east，sweeping over the horizon，a precipice。
评注：典型的美国西部风光。
2 A newly married pair had boarded this coach at San Antonio。The man’s face was reddened from many days in the wind and sun，and a direct result of his new black clothes was that his brick-colored hands were constantly performing in a most conscious fashion。From time to time he looked down respectfully at his attire。He sat with a hand on each knee，like a man waiting in a barber’s shop。The glances he devoted to other passengers were furtive and shy。
3 The bride was not pretty，nor was she very young。She wore a dressof blue cashmere，with small reservations of velvet here and there，and with steel buttonsabounding。She continually twisted her head to regard her puff sleeves，very stiff，straight，and high。They embarrassed her。It was quite apparent that she had cooked，and that she expected to cook，dutifully。The blushes caused by the careless scrutiny of some passengers as she had entered the car were strange to see upon this plain，underclass countenance，which was drawn in placid，almost emotionless lines。
评注：两段人物外貌细节描写非常生动——这对新婚夫妇显然在乘坐与他们社会地位不相符的高级交通工具。
Pullman：n。普式火车（19世纪美国发明家George M。Pullman设计的豪华型列车车厢，常用为特等客车。）
mesquite：n。（豆科）灌木
cactus：n。仙人掌
precipice：n。悬崖
attire：n。服装
furtive：adj。偷偷摸摸，鬼鬼祟祟
puff sleeves：n。蓬起的袖子
scrutiny：n。仔细打量
countenance：n。面容
placid：adj。平静的
4 They were evidently very happy。“Ever been in a parlor car before？”he asked，smiling with delight。
5 “No，”she answered。“I never was。It’s fine，ain’t it？”
6 “Great！And then after a while we’ll go forward to the diner，and get a big layout。Finest meal in the world。Charge a dollar。”
7 “Oh，do they？”cried the bride。“Charge a dollar？Why，that’s too much—for us—ain’t it，Jack？”
8 “Not this trip，anyhow，”he answered bravely。“We’re going to go the whole thing。”
9 Later，he explained to her about the trains。“You see，it’s a thousand miles from one end of Texas to the otherand this train runs right across it，and never stops but four times。”He had the pride of an owner。He pointed out to herthe dazzling fittings of the coachand in truth her eyes opened wider as she contemplated the sea-green figured velvet，the shining brass，silver，and glass，the wood that gleamed as darkly brilliant as the surface of a pool of oil。At one end a bronze figure sturdily held a support for a separated chamber，and at convenient places on the ceiling were frescoes in olive and silver。
10 To the minds of the pair，their surroundings reflected the glory of theirmarriage that morning in San Antonio。This was the environment of their new estate，and the man’s face in particular beamed with an elation that made him appear ridiculous to the negro porter。This individual at times surveyed them from afarwith an amused and superior grin。On other occasions he bulliedthem with skillin ways that did not make it exactly plain to them that they were being bullied。He subtly used all the manners of the most unconquerable kind of snobbery。He oppressed thembut of this oppression they had small knowledge，and they speedily forgot that infrequently a number of travelers covered them with stares of derisive enjoyment。Historically there was supposed to be something infinitely humorous in their situation。
评注：从圣安东尼奥到普尔曼豪华车厢再到黄天镇，杰克和他的妻子要经过三种截然不同的社会环境。注意克莱恩笔下不同社会环境对人物形象的塑造作用。譬如在这个豪华车厢，富人绅士和列车服务生对这对穷夫妻的势利态度就颇值得寻味。
11 “We are due in Yellow Sky at 3：42，”he said，looking tenderly into her eyes。
12 “Oh，are we？”she said，as if she had not been aware of it。To evince surprise at her husband’s statement was part of her wifely amiability。She took from a pocket a little silver watchand as she held it before her，and stared at it with a frown of attention，the new husband’s face shone。
13 “I bought it in San Anton’from a friend of mine，”he told hergleefully。
14 “It’s seventeen minutes past twelve，”she said，looking up at him with a kind of shy and clumsy coquetry。A passenger，noting this play，grew excessivelysardonic，and winked at himself in one of the numerous mirrors。
parlor car：n。特等豪华铁路客车
fittings：n。（常用复数）家具，装潢
contemplate：v。注视，凝视
frescoes：n。壁画
elation：n。得意洋洋
ridiculous：adj。荒谬的，可笑的
grin：n。露齿笑
snobbery：n。势利
derisive：adj。嘲笑的
evince：v。表明
amiability：n。亲切，友善
gleefully：adv。愉快地
coquetry：n。媚态
excessively：adv。非常地
sardonic：adj。讽刺的，嘲笑的
15 At last they went to the dining-car。Two rows of negro waiters，in glowing white suits，surveyed their entrance with the interest，and also the equanimity，of men who had been forewarned。The pair fell to the lot of a waiter who happened to feel pleasure in steering them through their meal。He viewed them with the manner of a fatherly pilot，his countenance radiant with benevolence。The patronage，entwined with the ordinary deference，was not plain to them。And yet，as they returned to their coach，they showed in their faces a sense of escape。
16 To the left，miles down a long purple slope，was a little ribbon of mist where moved the keening Rio Grande。The train was approaching it atan angle，and the apex was Yellow Sky。Presently it was apparent that，as the distance from Yellow Sky grew shorter，the husband became commensurately restless。His brick-redhands were more insistent in their prominence。Occasionally he was even rather absent-minded and faraway when the bride leaned forward and addressed him。
17 As a matter of truth，Jack Potter was beginning to find the shadow of a deedweigh upon him like a leaden slab。He，the town marshal of Yellow Sky，a man known，liked，and feared in his corner，a prominent person，had gone to San Antonio to meet a girl he believed he loved，and there，after the usual prayers，had actually induced her to marry him，without consulting Yellow Sky for any part of the transaction。He was now bringing his bride before an innocent and unsuspecting community。
equanimity：n。镇静
forewarn：v。预先通知
radiant：adj。容光焕发的
benevolence：n。仁爱之心
patronage：n。施惠
entwine with：v。缠绕
deference：n。尊重
keening：adj。哀嚎的
Rio Grande：n。（美国和墨西哥之间的）格兰德河
apex：n。顶点
commensurately：adv。相应地，与之相配地
marshal：n。警长
induce：v。劝诱
transaction：n。事务
18 Of course people in Yellow Sky married as it pleased them，in accordance with a general custombut such was Potter’s thought of his duty to his friends，or of their idea of his duty，or of an unspoken form which does not control men in these matters，that he felt he was heinous。He had committed an extraordinary crime。Face to face with this girl in San Antonio，and spurred by his sharp impulse，he had gone headlong over all the social hedges。At San Antonio he was likea man hidden in the dark。A knife to sever any friendly duty，any form，was easy to his hand in that remote city。But the hour of Yellow Sky—the hour of daylight—was approaching。
19 He knew full well that his marriage was an important thing to histown。It could only be exceeded by the burning of the new hotel。His friends could not forgive him。Frequently he had reflected on the advisability of telling them by telegraph，but a new cowardice had been upon him。He feared to do it。And now the train was hurrying him toward a scene of amazement，glee，and reproach。He glanced out of the window at the line of haze swinging slowly in toward the train。
评注：杰克的心事说明，他所生活工作的黄天镇是一个虽然偏僻但却充满浓厚乡情的地方。不征求乡亲的同意就结婚在杰克看来竟然是一种不可饶恕的罪过，这种略带夸张的写法烘托了西部小镇人与人之间的紧密联系。这种人际关系在当时的美国东部读者看来，是不可思议的。
20 Yellow Sky had a kind of brass band，which played painfully，to the delight of the populace。He laughed without heart as he thought of it。If the citizens could dream of his prospective arrival with his bride，they wouldparade the bandat the station and escort them，amid cheers and laughing congratulations，to his adobe home。
21 He resolved that he would use all the devices of speed and plains-craft in making the journey from the station to his house。Once within that safe citadel，he could issue some of a vocal bulletin，and then not go among the citizens until they had time to wear off a little of their enthusiasm。
in accordance with：符合，与……一致
heinous：adj。可憎的
spur：v。驱使，驱策
headlong：adv。轻率地
sever：v。切断
exceed：v。超过
advisability：n。适当，得当
cowardice：n。懦弱
reproach：n。责备
prospective：adj。预期的
escort：v。护送
adobe：n。土坯
citadel：n。根据地
22 The bride looked anxiously at him。“What’s worrying you，Jack？”
23 He laughed again。“I’m not worrying，girl。I’m only thinking of Yellow Sky。”
24 She flushed in comprehension。
25 A sense of mutual guilt invaded their minds and developed a finertenderness。They looked at each other with eyes softly aglow。But Potter often laughed thesame nervous laugh。The flush upon the bride’s face seemed quite permanent。
26 The traitor to the feelings of Yellow Sky narrowly watched the speeding landscape。“We’re nearly there，”he said。
27 Presently the porter came and announced the proximity of Potter’s home。He held a brush in his hand and，with all his airy superiority gone，he brushed Potter’s new clothes as the latter slowly turned this way and that way。Potter fumbled out a coin and gave it to the porter，as he had seen others do。Itwas a heavy and muscle-bound business，as that of a man shoeing his first horse。
28 The porter took their bag，and as the train began to slow they moved forwardto the hooded platform of the car。Presently the two engines and their long string of coaches rushed into the station of Yellow Sky。
29 “They have to take water here，”said Potter，from a constrictedthroat andin mournful cadence，as one announcing death。Before the train stopped，his eyeshad swept the length of the platform，and he was glad and astonished to see there was none upon it but the station-agent，who，with a slightly hurried and anxious air，was walking toward the water-Pottertanks。When the train had halted，the porter alighted first，and placed in position a little temporary step。
评注：下车后却没有看到又害怕又期待的迎接队伍，站台上甚至看不到什么人。这个意外在后面的故事情节发展中会有一个合理的交代。
30 “Come on，girl，”said Potter hoarsely。As he helped herdown they eachlaughed on a false note。He took the bag from the negro，and bade his wife cling to his arm。As they slunk rapidly away，his hangdog glance perceived that they were unloading the two trunks，and also that the station-agent，far ahead near thebaggage car，had turned and was running toward him，making gestures。He laughed，and groaned as he laughed，when he noted the first effect of his marital blissupon Yellow Sky。He gripped his wife’s arm firmly to his side，and they fled。Behind them the porter stood chuckling fatuously。
comprehension：n。理解
proximity：n。接近
fumble out：v。摸出
hoarsely：adv。嘶哑地
slink：v。潜逃
hangdog：adj。鬼鬼祟祟的
chuckle：v。笑
fatuously：adv。傻傻地
Ⅱ
31 The California Express on the Southern Railway was due at Yellow Sky in twenty-one minutes。There were six men at the bar of the“Weary Gentleman”saloon。Onewas a drummer who talked a great deal and rapidlythree were Texans who did not care to talk at that timeand two were Mexican sheepherders，who did not talkas a general practice in the“Weary Gentleman”saloon。The barkeeper’s dog lay on the boardwalk that crossed in front of the door。His head was on his paws，andhe glanced drowsily here and there with the constant vigilance of a dog that iskicked on occasion。Across the sandy street were some vivid green grassplots，so wonderful in appearance amid the sands that burned near them in a blazing sun，that they caused a doubt in the mind。They exactly resembled the grass mats used to represent lawns on the stage。At the cooler end of the railway station aman without a coat sat in a tilted chair and smoked his pipe。The fresh-cut bank of the Rio Grande circled near the town，and there could be seen beyond it a great，plum-colored plain of mesquite。
评注：值得注意的有两点。第一，克莱恩在这里变换了叙事角度。事实上，他在这个短篇小说中巧妙地同时运用了杰克、异乡鼓手和威尔逊三者的视角来完成故事的讲述。第二，小说的线性时间被打破，因为第二节的时间起点位于第一节时间终点之前的二十多分钟。
32 Save for the busy drummer and his companions in the saloon，Yellow Sky was dozing。The newcomer leaned gracefully upon the bar，and recited many tales with the confidence of a bard who has come upon a new field。
33 “—and at the moment that the old man fell downstairs with the bureau in his arms，the old woman was coming up with two scuttles of coal，and，of course—”
34 The drummer’s tale was interrupted by a young man who suddenly appeared in the open door。He cried：“Scratchy Wilson’s drunk，and has turned loose with both hands。”The two Mexicans at once set down their glasses and faded out of the rear entrance of the saloon。
35 The drummer，innocent and jocular，answered：“All right，old man。S’pose he has Come in and have a drink，anyhow。”
36 But the information had made such an obvious cleft in every skullin the room that the drummer was obliged to see its importance。All had become instantly solemn。“Say，”said he，mystified，“what is this？”His three companions made the introductory gesture of eloquent speech，but the young man at the door forestalled them。
37 “It means，my friend，”he answered，as he came into the saloon，“that for the next two hours this town won’t be a health resort。”
vigilance：n。警戒
save for：除……之外
turn loose with both hands：手拿双枪，随便乱射
jocular：adj。诙谐的
a cleft in every skull：每个人都魂飞魄散
forestall：v。阻止
health resort：休养场所
38 The barkeeper went to the door and locked and barred it。Reachingout of thewindow，he pulled in heavy wooden shutters and barred them。Immediately a solemn chapel-like gloom was upon the place。The drummer was looking from one to another。
39 “But say，”he cried，“what is this，anyhow？You don’t mean there is going to be a gunfight？”
40 “Don’t know whether there’ll be a fight or not，”answered one man，grimly。“But there’ll be some shootin’—some good shootin’。”
41 The young man who had warned them waved his hand。“Oh，there’llbe a fightfast enough，if any one wants it。Anybody can get a fight out there in the street。There’s a fight just waiting。”
42 The drummer seemed to be swayed between the interest of a foreigner and a perception of personal danger。
43 “What did you say his name was？”he asked。
44 “Scratchy Wilson，”they answered in chorus。
45 “And will he kill anybody？What are you going to do？Does this happen often？Does he rampage around like this once a week or so？Can he break in that door？”
46 “No，he can’t break down that door，”replied the barkeeper。“He’s triedit three times。But when he comes you’d better lay down on the floor，stranger。He’s dead sure to shoot at it，and a bullet may come through。”
47 Thereafter the drummer kept a strict eye upon the door。The time had not yetbeen called for him to hug the floor，but，as a minor precaution，he sidled near to the wall。“Will he kill anybody？”he said again。
48 The men laughed low and scornfully at the question。
49 “He’s out to shoot，and he’s out for trouble。Don’t see any good in experimentin’with him。”
50 “But what do you do in a case like this？What do you do？”
51 A man responded：“Why，he and Jack Potter—”
52 “But，”in chorus the other men interrupted，“Jack Potter’s inSan Anton’。”
53 “Well，who is he？What’s he got to do with it？”
54 “Oh，he’s the town marshal。He goes out and fights Scratchy when he gets on one of these tears。”
55 “Wow！”said the drummer，mopping his brow。“Nice job he’s got。”
56 He wanted to ask further questions，which were born of an increasing anxietyand bewilderment but when he attempted them，the men merely looked at him in irritation and motioned him to remain silent。A tense waiting hush was upon them。In the deep shadows of the room their eyes shone as they listened for sounds from the street。One man made three gestures at the barkeeperand the latter，moving like a ghost，handed him a glass and a bottle。The man poured a full glass of whiskey，and set down the bottle noiselessly。He gulped the whiskey in a swallow，and turned again toward the door in immovable silence。The drummer saw that the barkeeper，without a sound，had taken a Winchester from beneath the bar。Later he saw this individual beckoning to him，so he tiptoed acrossthe room。
57 “You better come with me back of the bar。”
58 “No，thanks，”said the drummer，perspiring。“I’d rather be where I can make a break for the back door。”
59 Whereupon the man of bottles made a kindly but peremptory gesture。The drummer obeyed it，and，finding himself seated on a box with his head below the levelof the bar，balm was laid upon his soul at sight of various zinc and copper fittings that bore a resemblance to armor-plate。The barkeeper tooka seat comfortably upon an adjacent box。
60 “You see，”he whispered，“this here Scratchy Wilson is a wonder with agun—a perfect wonder—and when he goes on the war trail，we hunt our holes—naturally。He’s about the last one of the old gang that used to hang out along the river here。He’s a terror when he’s drunk。When he’s sober he’s all right—kind of simple—wouldn’t hurt a fly—nicest fellow in town。But when he’s drunk—whoo！”
评注：当克莱恩的叙事视角位于黄天镇的酒肆时，人物语言立刻就具有了鲜明的乡土特色。作者安排一个异乡客来勾勒出威尔逊的恶霸形象，可谓让读者未见其人，先闻其声，产生很好的悬念铺陈效果。
61 There were periods of stillness。“I wish Jack Potter was back from San Anton’，”said the barkeeper。“He shot Wilson up once—in the leg—and he would sail in and pull out the kinks in this thing。”
in chorus：异口同声
rampage：v。暴跳如雷
precaution：n。预防，防范
bewilderment：n。困惑
irritation：n。愤怒
hush：n。安静
Winchester：[美]连发枪
beckon：v。召唤，招手
perspire：v。流汗
peremptory：adj。专断的
balm：n。安慰药
armor-plate：n。装甲板
adjacent：adj。邻近的
sail in：[口]毅然出面
kink：n。纠结
62 Presently they heard from a distance the sound of a shot，followed by three wild yowls。It instantly removed a bond from the men in the darkened saloon。There was a shuffling of feet。They looked at each other。“Here he comes，”they said。
Ⅲ
63 A man in a maroon-colored flannel shirt，which had been purchased for purposes of decoration，and made，principally，by some Jewish women on the East Side of New York，rounded a corner and walked into the middle of the main street of Yellow Sky。In either hand the man held a long，heavy，blue-black revolver。Often heyelled，and these cries rang through a semblance of a deserted village，shrillyflying over the roofs in a volume that seemed to have no relation to the ordinary vocal strength of a man。It was as if the surrounding stillness formed the arch of a tomb over him。These cries of ferocious challenge rang against walls of silence。And his boots had red tops with gilded imprints，of the kind beloved inwinter by little sledding boys on the hillsides of New England。
64 The man’s face flamed in a rage begot of whiskey。His eyes，rolling and yet keen for ambush，hunted the still doorways and windows。He walked with the creeping movement of the midnight cat。As it occurred to him，he roared menacing information。The long revolvers in his hands were as easy as strawsthey were moved with an electric swiftness。The little fingers of each hand played sometimes in a musician’s way。Plain from the low collar of the shirt，the cords of his neck straightened and sank，straightened and sank，as passion moved him。The onlysounds were his terrible invitations。The calm adobes preserved their demeanor at the passing of this small thing in the middle of the street。
65 There was no offer of fightno offer of fight。The man called tothe sky。There were no attractions。He bellowed and fumed and swayed his revolvers here and everywhere。
66 The dog of the barkeeper of the“Weary Gentleman”saloon had not appreciated the advance of events。He yet lay dozing in front of his master’s door。At sightof the dog，the man paused and raised his revolver humorously。At sight of the man，the dog sprang up and walked diagonally away，with a sullen head，and growling。The man yelled，and the dog broke into a gallop。As it was about to enter an alley，there was a loud noise，a whistling，and something spat the ground directly before it。The dog screamed，and，wheeling in terror，galloped headlong in a new direction。Again there was a noise，a whistling，and sand was kicked viciously before it。Fear-stricken，the dog turned and flurried like an animal in a pen。The man stood laughing，his weapons at his hips。
评注：威尔逊拿狗来取乐的细节反映了此人的怪癖性格。
67 Ultimately the man was attracted by the closed door of the Weary Gentleman saloon。He went to it and，hammering with a revolver，demanded drink。
68 The door remaining imperturbable，he picked a bit of paperfrom the walk，and nailed it to the framework with a knife。He then turned his back contemptuously upon this popular resort and，walking to the opposite side of the street and spinning there on his heel quickly and lithely，fired at the bit of paper。He missed it by a halfinch。He swore at himself，and went away。Later，he comfortablyfusilladed the windows of his most intimate friend。The man wasplaying with this town。It was a toy for him。
semblance：n。伪装
ferocious：adj。凶恶的
beget：v。引起
ambush：n。埋伏
menacing：adj。威胁的
demeanor：n。风度
bellow：v。吼叫
fume：v。火冒三丈
gallop：n。飞奔
viciously：adv。邪恶地
flurry：v。慌张
imperturbable：adj。沉静的
contemptuously：adv。轻蔑地
fusillade：v。猛射
69 But still there was no offer of fight。The name of Jack Potter，his ancient antagonist，entered his mind，and he concluded that it would be a glad thing if he should go to Potter’s house，and by bombardment induce him to come out and fight。He moved in the direction of his desire，chanting Apache scalp-music。
70 When he arrived at it，Potter’s house presented the same still front as hadthe other adobes。Taking up a strategic position，the man howled a challenge。But this house regarded him as might a great stone god。It gave no sign。After a decent wait，the man howled further challenges，mingling with them wonderful epithets。
71 Presently there came the spectacle of a man churning himself intodeepest rage over the immobility of a house。He fumed at it as the winter wind attacks a prairie cabin in the North。To the distance there should have gone the sound of atumult like the fighting of two hundred Mexicans。As necessity bade him，he paused for breath or to reload his revolvers。
antagonist：n。敌手
bombardment：n。轰击
epithet：n。诨名（带侮辱性的单词或短语）
tumult：n。骚乱
Ⅳ
72 Potter and his bride walked sheepishly and with speed。Sometimes they laughed together shamefacedly and low。
73 “Next corner，dear，”he said finally。
74 They put forth the efforts of a pair walking bowed against a strong wind。Potter was about to raise a finger to point the first appearance of the new home when，as they circled the corner，they came face to face with a man in a maroon-colored shirt who was feverishly pushing cartridges into a largerevolver。Upon the instant the man dropped his revolver to the ground，and，like lightning，whipped another from its holster。The second weaponwas aimed at the bridegroom’s chest。
评注：视角再度切换到杰克夫妇那里，而这时正好冤家路窄，威尔逊正好守候在他家门口。西部文学作品中很多这样的场面，即两个有着血海深仇的男人举枪对决。克莱恩可以说是故意运用了这种老套的情节模式，但最后却给它一个反高潮的结尾。
75 There was a silence。Potter’s mouth seemed to be merely a grave for his tongue。He exhibited an instinct to at once loosen his arm from the woman’s grip，and he dropped the bag to the sand。As for the bride，her face had gone as yellow as old cloth。She was a slave to hideous rites gazing at the apparitional snake。
76 The two men faced each other at a distance of three paces。He of the revolver smiled with a new and quiet ferocity。
77 “Tried to sneak up on me，”he said。“Tried to sneak up on me！”His eyes grew more baleful。As Potter made a slight movement，the man thrust his revolvervenomously forward。“No，don’t you do it，Jack Potter。Don’t you move a finger toward a gun just yet。Don’t you move an eyelash。The time has come for me to settle with you，and I’m goin’to do it my own way，and loaf along with no interferin’。So if you don’t want a gun bent on you，just mind what I tell you。”
shamefacedly：adv。羞怯地
cartridge：n。弹药筒
whip：v。突然拿取
holster：n。枪套
hideous：adj。可怕的
rite：n。仪式
apparitional：adj。幽灵般出现的
snake：n。[美俚]阿飞
ferocity：n。残忍
sneak up on sb。：v。突袭
baleful：adj。有恶意的
78 Potter looked at his enemy。“I ain’t got a gun on me，Scratchy，”he said。“Honest，I ain’t。”He was stiffening and steadying，but yet somewhere at theback of his mind a vision of the Pullman floated：the sea-green figured velvet，the shining brass，silver，and glass，the wood that gleamed as darkly brilliantas the surface of a pool of oil—all the glory of the marriage，the environmentof the new estate。“You know I fight when it comes to fighting，Scratchy Wilsonbut I ain’t got a gun on me。You’ll have to do all the shootin’yourself。”
79 His enemy’s face went livid。He stepped forward，and lashed his weapon to and fro before Potter’s chest。“Don’t you tell me you ain’t got no gun on you，you whelp。Don’t tell me no lie like that。There ain’t a man in Texas ever seen you without no gun。Don’t take me for no kid。”His eyes blazed with light，and his throat worked like a pump。
80 “I ain’t takin’you for no kid，”answered Potter。His heels had not moved an inch backward。“I’m takin’you for a damn fool。I tell you I ain’t got a gun，and I ain’t。If you’re goin’to shoot me up，you better begin now。You’ll never get a chance like this again。”
81 So much enforced reasoning had told on Wilson’s rage。He was calmer。“If you ain’t got a gun，why ain’t you got a gun？”he sneered。“Been to Sunday-school？”
82 “I ain’t got a gun because I’ve just come from San Anton’with my wife。I’m married，”said Potter。“And if I’d thought there was going to be any galoots like you prowling around when I brought my wife home，I’d had a gun，and don’t you forget it。”
83 “Married！”said Scratchy，not at all comprehending。
84 “Yes，married。I’m married，”said Potter，distinctly。
评注：杰克·波特原本希望装成文质彬彬的绅士把老实本分的城市姑娘娶回家，但还没进家门却被老仇人截住，逼迫他显露出西部牛仔的铁血本色。克莱恩的这种反讽式的情节模式极具喜剧效果和戏剧张力。
85 “Married？”said Scratchy。Seemingly for the first time，he saw the drooping，drowning woman at the other man’s side。“No！”he said。He was like a creature allowed a glimpse of another world。He moved a pace backward，and his arm，with the revolver，dropped to his side。“Is this the lady？”he asked。
86 “Yes，this is the lady，”answered Potter。
87 There was another period of silence。
88 “Well，”said Wilson at last，slowly，“Is’pose it’s all off now。”
89 “It’s all off if you say so，Scratchy。You know I didn’t make the trouble。”Potter lifted his valise。
90 “Well，I’low it’s off，Jack，”said Wilson。He was looking at the ground。“Married！”He was not a student of chivalryit was merely that in the presence of this foreign condition he was a simple child of the earlier plains。He picked up his starboard revolver，and，placing both weapons in their holsters，hewent away。His feet made funnel-shaped tracks in the heavy sand。
评注：意想不到的结尾留给读者一个永恒的困惑，究竟为什么威尔逊会在城里来的新娘面前如同泄气的皮球一样呢？是西部男人的骑士精神还是对自己撒酒疯行为的幡然醒悟？这就留给读者自己去品味了。
livid：adj。青紫色
lash：v。摆动，晃动
sneer：v。讥笑
galoot：n。[俚]呆子，傻瓜
prowl：v。晃荡，徘徊
drooping：adj。下垂的
valise：n。小提箱
chivalry：n。骑士精神
Comprehension Exercises：
1.Do you think that it was the shock of Jack’s marriage or the womanthat hehad married that stopped Scratchy Wilson from taking his challenge any further？
2.Throughout the story，the information that we are given about the bride is subtle and at times ambiguous。Interpreting this information，discuss her as a character。
3.Discuss how Crane suggests a shift in society throughout the story。
斯蒂芬·克莱恩（1871—1900）：美国自然主义作家，出生于新泽西州纽瓦克的牧师家庭，曾在两所大学中途肄业，1891年辍学去纽约任记者。1893年写了一部中篇小说《街头女郎梅季》，取材于纽约贫民窟的生活。1894年开始分期发表另一部小说《红色英勇勋章》，1895年成书。这部小说获得欧美各国重视后，《街头女郎梅季》遂得以重新出版。1896年，去古巴采访，途中轮船遇到风暴。他根据这次经历写成短篇小说《海上扁舟》（1898），细致地描写了4个人怎样在茫茫大海中挣扎与战斗，是美国短篇小说中的一个名篇。1898年再次去古巴采访美西战争。1900年因肺病死于欧洲。克莱恩也是一位诗人，曾发表过《黑骑者》（1895）和《战争是仁慈的》（1899）两部诗集。他的诗写法自由，不顾传统的音节和韵律，风格朴质简洁，常常通过寓言式的意象揭示生活的某个真理。评论界认为他与女诗人艾米莉·狄金生同为美国现代诗歌的先驱。