第3部分(第1/7 页)

the　dirt；　allowing　mother　and　son　to　jerk　it　free　of　the　sheep。　The　big　animal；　its　body　convulsing　with　pain；　turned　to　look　at　its　wounded　tail；　which　gave　Bar　an　opening　to　go　for　its　throat。　Letting　the　wolf　claw　at　will；　Bar　pressed　down　with　his　front　legs　on　the　animal’s　head　and　chest；　and　as　he　bit　down；　two　streams　of　blood　spurted　from　the　wolf　’s　carotid　arteries。　It　struggled　madly　for　a　minute　or　two　before　going　limp；　its　long；　bloody　tongue　slipping　out　through　its　teeth。　Gasmai　wiped　the　wolf　’s　blood　from　her　face　and　panted。　To　Chen　Zhen；　her　face；　red　from　the　bitter　cold；　looked　as　if　rouge　made　of　wolf　’s　blood　had　been　smeared　over　it。　She　struck　him　as　the　picture　of　prehistoric　woman—brave；　strong；　and　beautiful。

狼图腾（英文版）　1（8）

The　rank　smell　of　blood　rose　into　the　air　from　the　dead　wolf；　and　the　growls　from　dogs　off　to　the　east　ceased　abruptly　as　the　other　wolves　fled；　vanishing　in　the　dark　of　night。　Moments　later；　from　the　marsh—land　in　the　northwest　came　the　mournful　bays　of　wolves　venting　their　grief　over　the　loss　of　one　of　their　own。

“I’m　worse　than　useless；”　Chen　said　with　a　sigh；　deeply　ashamed。　“Gutless　as　the　sheep。　A　dog　is　worth　more　than　me；　not　to　mention　a　woman。　Even　a　nine…year…old　boy　showed　me　up。”

With　a　smile；　Gasmai　shook　her　head。　“No；”　she　said。　“If　you　hadn’t　e　out　to　help；　the　wolves　would　have　gotten　our　sheep。”

Bilgee　smiled　too。　“This　is　the　first　time　I’ve　seen　a　Chinese　student　help　get　sheep　moving　and　light　the　area　up　with　his　flashlight。”

Chen　Zhen　bent　over　and　felt　the　still…warm　body　of　the　dead　wolf。　He　hated　himself　for　not　having　the　courage　to　help　Gasmai　pull　on　the　animal’s　tail　while　it　was　alive；　and　for　passing　up　a once…in…　a…lifetime　opportunity　for　a　C