The enemy had been deploying them to construct a battery aimed directly at his fort — and no doubt would put them straight back to work if recaptured, with time off only for a sound beating.

敌人们一直安排这些逃犯来建造直接针对其要塞的攻击设施，所以一旦抓回去，在一阵暴打之后就会马上要他们开始工作。

youdao

The enemy had been deploying them to construct a battery aimed directly at his fort — and no doubt would put them straight back to work if recaptured, with time off only for a sound beating.

敌人们一直安排这些逃犯来建造直接针对其要塞的攻击设施，所以一旦抓回去，在一阵暴打之后就会马上要他们开始工作。

youdao