The airplane was obviously in trouble. One engine was on fire, another was sputtering¹, and the machine was slowly, ineluctably losing height.

飞机显然出了问题，一个引擎着火，另一个嘎嘎作响，不可避免地，飞机缓慢地失去高度。

Finally the grim-looking captain entered the cabin.

最后，面色凝重的机长走进客舱。

"Ladies and gentlemen," he announced, "we've lost most of our power. The only way to keep the plane aloft is to lighten our load. We've already dumped the baggage, but it's not enough. I-m asking for volunteers to make the supreme² sacrifice so that others may live, "

“各位女士，各位先生，”他宣布道，“我们已失去了大部分的动力，要保持飞机高度的唯一方法就是减轻我们的载重。虽然我们已经把行李丢掉，但还是不够，我要求几位自告奋勇牺牲生命以保全其他人的性命。”

After a few minutes of stunned³ silence, a Frenchman stood to quivering attention, shouted "Vive la France!" and threw himself out the door.

一阵目瞪口呆的沉寂之后，一位法国人颤抖着站起来喊道：“法国万岁！”然后跳出机门。

Shortly thereafter, an Englishman rose to his full height,coolly declared, "God Save the Queen!" and followed thegallant Frenchman.

之后一会儿，一位英国人站了出来，他冷静地说：“上帝保佑女王！”接着和那位勇敢的法国人一样跳出门外。

Finally, a Texan rose from his seat, cried, "Remember the Alamo! " and threw out the Mexican sitting next to him.

最后，一位德州佬从座位站起来，叫道：“毋忘阿拉摩！”说着便把隔邻的墨西哥乘客扔出窗外。