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At the ridge of the jetty, I whirled around, convinced I'd see an athletic swimmer plowing through the rough water toward the boy. To my dismay, no one was there. I turned back out to the sea to see the boy battered by vicious waves about 25 yards away from me. Sucking in a deep breath, I threw myself into the water. As soon as I jumped in, I felt like I was back in that pool, breathless, struggling, terrified. Salt stung my eyes. Focus, I shouted in my head. Where is he?
我在防波堤的边上迅速转过身来，深信会看见某个游泳健将正向着小男孩劈波斩浪。但是让我沮丧的是，一个人也没有。我回身面向大海，看见 25 码开外恶浪击打着小男孩。我深吸一口气，纵身跃入水中。一跳进水里，我感觉仿佛又回到了当年的那个游泳池，我喘不过气，拼命挣扎，惊恐万分。咸水刺痛了我的双眼。“集中注意力，”我在心里喊道。“他在哪里？”
Then, with clarity, I saw a thin arm waving weakly a few yards away. I swam with all my strength, reaching the boy just as he sank below the surface. I grabbed his arm and pulled. He popped back up, eyes wide with terror, pawing and twisting against me. "Repose (Calm down)!" I commanded the boy in French. His struggling would derail any rescue attempt, and we'd both perish. "Repose!" I commanded again. Thankfully, this time he listened, and was still.
然后我清楚地看到一只细小的手臂在离我几码处微弱地挥动着。我拼尽全力游过去，在他刚要没水之时赶到了。我抓住他的手臂拉他。他冒出水面，眼睛因恐惧瞪得很大，胡乱抓扯着我。我用法语命令他：“别慌！”他这样挣扎会阻碍救援，那我们俩就都死定了。我再次命令他：“别慌！”谢天谢地，这次他听话了，不动了。
When I turned back toward shore a wave pounded over us. The jetty was further away! The rip current It was forcibly dragging us out to the sea. I fought to get us back to land, but made little progress. I knew I'd never be able to escort him back like this.
当我转身朝岸边游去的时候，一个浪劈头盖脸打来。我们离防波堤更远了！是裂流！它强行把我们拽往大海深处。我挣扎着想带他游回岸上，但进展甚微。我知道这种游法根本没法护着他返回岸边。
Desperate to survive, I remembered what I'd learned in my life saving class: Never, ever swim against the rip current! Swim sideways to the pull of the current and slowly make your way back toward shore. It was an odd-looking but practicable solution. Swim sideways and float to rest Swim sideways and float to rest. We did that over and over. We slowly made our way to safety. "Jason, you can do it!" I heard Matt say as he stood on the jetty. I hadn't even noticed how close we were, only about seven feet left to go.
强烈求生欲望之下，我想起了在救生课上所学到的知识：永远不要与裂流相对而游！要顺其方向朝侧边游，慢慢地靠向岸边。这个办法尽管看上去很荒谬，但却管用。朝侧边游，浮起休息。朝侧边游，浮起休息。我们重复着这个方法，慢慢地游到了安全区。“贾森，你能行的！”我听到站在防波堤上的马特对我说。我甚至没有注意到我们离防波堤这么的近，只剩下大约 7 英尺的距离了。
And, as we made our way to safety I realized something incredible: I was no longer afraid. That absence of fear was a moment of triumph!
后来我们到达安全水域时，我觉得有些不可思议：我不再怕水了。恐惧没了，这一刻我胜利了！
Matt jumped into the water. I tossed the boy to him. Just as I let go, a big wave picked him up and carried him all the way to Matt.
马特跳进水里。我把男孩拋给他。我刚一松手，一个大浪托起他直接把他送到了马特身边。
On the brink of collapse, I stopped fighting, just letting myself go. My hand hit the jetty. It was like an electric shock that brought me back to my senses. Someone grabbed for me.
我全身都快虚脱了，我不再划水，就这样放松自己顺水而漂。我的手碰上了防波堤，仿佛触电一般，我重新恢复了神志。有人抓住了我。
I felt strong arms lift me. I ascended not only from the sea onto the secure rocks of the jetty - but also to my salvation, leaving behind the terrible fear that had gripped me for so long. I turned my head and saw the boy was hugged tightly by his mother. I looked out to the sea. Weary as I was, the water had never looked so beautiful.
我感觉到强壮有力的手臂将我托起。我不仅从海里爬上防波堤的磐石，而且完成了自我拯救，摆脱了困扰已久的恐惧。我扭过头看见小男孩被母亲紧紧拥入怀中。虽已疲惫不堪，但放眼大海，我感觉海水比任何时候看起来都更美。
