It was an exterior fortification of no great height or strength, intended to protect the postern gate, through which Cedric had been recently dismissed by Front-de-Bœuf. The castle moat divided this species of barbican from the rest of the fortress; so that, in case of its being taken, it was easy to cut off the communication with the main building by withdrawing the temporary bridge. In the outwork was a sally-port, corresponding to the postern of the castle; and the whole was surrounded by a strong palisade. Rebecca could observe, from the number of men placed for the defence of this post, that the besieged entertained apprehensions for its safety; and from the mustering of the assailants in a direction nearly opposite to the outwork, it seemed no less plain that it had been selected as a vulnerable point of attack.
这座外部的碉堡并不是很高，也并不大，它只是用来保护城堡的边门，也就是之前牛面将军送走塞德里克的那扇门。有一道壕沟将碉堡于主堡隔开，就算她被敌方攻占，也随时可以拉起临时的吊桥，切断它与主堡的通道。碉堡有一个攻击口，与城堡的边门处在一条直线上，它的周围还筑造了一道坚固的栅栏。从驻守这个据点的士兵人数上，丽贝卡可以知道守城部队还是比较担心这里的。进攻部队几乎就聚集在对面，很显然，这里已经被他们选为进攻的突破口。
These appearances she hastily communicated to Ivanhoe, and added, "The skirts of the wood seem lined with archers, although only a few are advanced from its dark shadow."
她马上把这些情况告诉了艾凡赫，还告诉他:“树林里应该还埋伏着弓箭手，尽管在树荫外只能看到几个人影。”
"Under what banner?" asked Ivanhoe.
“他们打的什么旗帜？”艾凡赫问道。
"Under no ensign of war which I can observe," answered Rebecca.
“我还没看到什么旗帜”，丽贝卡回答。
"A singular novelty," muttered the knight, "to advance to storm such a castle without pennon or banner displayed!—Seest thou who they be who act as leaders?"
“这就有点怪了”，骑士喃喃自语道，“要进攻这样的一座城堡，却没有打旗帜！你能看到指挥的人吗？“
"A knight clad in sable armour is the most conspicuous," said the Jewess. "He alone is armed from head to heel, and seems to assume the direction of all around him."
“是一个穿一身黑色盔甲的骑士，非常醒目。“犹太姑娘说，”只有他一个人是从头到脚全副武装，整个行动应该是由他指挥的。”
"What device does he bear on his shield?" replied Ivanhoe.
“他的盾牌有什么图案？”艾凡赫问。
"Something resembling a bar of iron and a padlock, painted blue on the black shield."
“他的盾牌是黑色的，上面好像纹有蓝色的铁条和挂锁。”
"A fetterlock and shacklebolt azure," said Ivanhoe. "I know not who may bear the device, but well I ween it might now be mine own. Canst thou not see the motto?"
“那是手铐和脚镣的标志。”艾凡赫说，“我不知道什么人会用这种图案，不过这和我现在的情况倒是挺像。你能看到上面的字吗？”
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