It was rather like waiting to go out on a raid into enemy territory; they had their iron rations, their ropesoled shoes, pocket compasses, their faces were blacked and they had been given full instructions.

• 就像要向敌占区发动进攻似的，他们带上了干粮，绑牢了鞋底，备好了罗盘，涂黑了脸，并且已得到了详尽的指示。