"Tiberias was an armed man," grunted Conan (Тибериас был вооруженным человеком, — пробормотал Конан). "If Zogar Sag can bring demons to aid him, he can tell them which men to kill and which to let alone (если Зогар Саг может призывать демонов, /чтобы/ помочь ему = себе на помощь, он может сказать ему, каких людей убить, а каких оставить в покое; to let alone — оставить в покое). No, I didn't see it (нет, я не видел его). I only saw the bushes shake as it left the trail (я только видел, /как/ тряслись кусты, когда он покинул тропу). But if you want further proof, look here (но если ты хочешь = тебе нужно дополнительное доказательство, смотри сюда)!"
The slayer had stepped into the pool of blood in which the dead man sprawled (убийца ступил в лужу крови, в которой растянулся мертвый человек). Under the bushes at the edge of the path there was a footprint, made in blood on the hard loam (под кустами на краю тропы /там/ был отпечаток ступни, сделанный в крови = кровью на твердом суглинке).
want [w*nt], further [*f*: **], proof [pru: f]
"Tiberias was an armed man," grunted Conan. "If Zogar Sag can bring demons to aid him, he can tell them which men to kill and which to let alone. No, I didn't see it. I only saw the bushes shake as it left the trail. But if you want further proof, look here!"
The slayer had stepped into the pool of blood in which the dead man sprawled. Under the bushes at the edge of the path there was a footprint, made in blood on the hard loam.
"Did a man make that*" demanded Conan (человек сделал это* — спросил Конан).
Balthus felt his scalp prickle (Балтус почувствовал, /как/ его скальп поднялся = волосы встали у него дыбом). Neither man nor any beast that he had ever seen could have left that strange, monstrous, three-toed print (ни человек, ни одно животное, которое он когда-либо видел, /не/ мог оставить тот странный, чудовищный, трехпалый след), that was curiously combined of the bird and the reptile, yet a true type of neither (который был удивительно сочетаем = удивительным сочетанием птицы и рептилии, но не похожий ни на тех, ни на других: «подходящего типа ни одного»). He spread his fingers above the print, careful not to touch it, and grunted explosively (он растопырил /свои/ пальцы над отпечатком, осторожный = стараясь не задеть его и, не сдержавшись, промычал /что-то нечленораздельное/; to grunt — ворчать, бормотать). He could not span the mark (он не мог охватить /пядью/ отпечаток; span — пядь (= 9 дюймам — расстояние, примерно равное расстоянию от кончика большого пальца до кончика мизинца)).
print [pr*nt], reptile [rep*ta*l], span [sp*n]
"Did a man make that*" demanded Conan.
Balthus felt his scalp prickle. Neither man nor any beast that he had ever seen could have left that strange, monstrous, three-toed print, that was curiously combined of the bird and the reptile, yet a true type of neither. He spread his fingers above the print, careful not to touch it, and grunted explosively. He could not span the mark.
"What is it*" he whispered (что это* — прошептал он). "I never saw a beast that left a spoor like that (я никогда /не/ видел тварь, которая оставляла такой след; like that — такой; spoor — след, отпечаток (человека или животного, особ. дикого зверя))."
"Nor any other sane man," answered Conan grimly (/и/ ни один другой нормальный человек, — ответил Конан мрачно). "It's a swamp demon — they're thick as bats in the swamps beyond Black River (это болотный демон, они многочисленны = их полно как летучих мышей в болотах за Черной рекой). You can hear them howling like damned souls when the wind blows strong from the south on hot nights (ты можешь услышать, /как/ они воют, словно проклятые души, когда ветер дует сильно = когда дует сильный ветер с юга в жаркие ночи)."
spoor [spu*], answer [*: ns*], swamp [sw*mp]
"What is it*" he whispered. "I never saw a beast that left a spoor like that." "Nor any other sane man," answered Conan grimly. "It's a swamp demon — they're thick as bats in the swamps beyond Black River. You can hear them howling like damned souls when the wind blows strong from the south on hot nights."
"What shall we do*" asked the Aquilonian, peering uneasily into the deep blue shadows (что /же/ нам делать* — спросил аквилонец, вглядываясь тревожно в густые синие тени). The frozen fear on the dead countenance haunted him (застывший ужас на мертвом лице не давал ему покоя; to haunt — мучить, не давать покоя). He wondered what hideous head the wretch had seen thrust grinning from among the leaves to chill his blood with terror (он спрашивал себя, какую мерзкую голову, высунувшуюся оскалясь среди листьев, несчастный увидел, чтобы его кровь застыла от ужаса: «заморозить его кровь с ужасом»).
blue [blu: ], haunt [h*: nt], wretch [re*]
"What shall we do*" asked the Aquilonian, peering uneasily into the deep blue shadows. The frozen fear on the dead countenance haunted him. He wondered what hideous head the wretch had seen thrust grinning from among the leaves to chill his blood with terror.
"No use to try to follow a demon," grunted Conan, drawing a short woodman's ax from his girdle (нет смысла пытаться преследовать демона, — проворчал Конан, вытаскивая короткий топор лесовика из-за /его/ ремня). "I tried tracking him after he killed Soractus (я пытался выследить его после того, как он убил Сократуса). I lost his trail within a dozen steps (я потерял его след в пределах = через дюжину следов). He might have grown himself wings and flown away, or sunk down through the earth to Hell (он, возможно, отрастил себе крылья и улетел, или провалился сквозь землю в ад). I don't know (я не знаю). I'm not going after the mule, either (я не собираюсь /идти/ за мулом, тоже). It'll either wander back to the fort, or to some settler's cabin (он либо побредет назад в форт, либо к хижине какого-нибудь поселенца)."
use [ju: s], ax [*ks], mule [mju: l]
"No use to try to follow a demon," grunted Conan, drawing a short woodman's ax from his girdle. "I tried tracking him after he killed Soractus. I lost his trail within a dozen steps. He might have grown himself wings and flown away, or sunk down through the earth to Hell. I don't know. I'm not going after the mule, either. It'll either wander back to the fort, or to some settler's cabin."
As he spoke Conan was busy at the edge of the trail with his ax (пока он говорил, Конан был занят у края тропинки со своим топором). With a few strokes he cut a pair of saplings nine or ten feet long, and denuded them of their branches (несколькими ударами он срубил пару молодых деревцев девяти-десяти футов длиной и лишил их /их/ ветвей; to denude — обнажать, оголять). Then he cut a length from a serpent-like vine that crawled among the bushes near by (затем он срезал кусок от змеевидной лозы, которая вилась среди кустов поблизости), and making one end fast to one of the poles, a couple of feet from the end (и, прикрепив один конец к одному из шестов, /в/ паре футов от конца), whipped the vine over the other sapling and interlaced it back and forth (перехватил лозой другое молодое деревце и переплел его взад и вперед). In a few moments he had a crude but strong litter (через несколько секунд он имел = у него были грубые, но прочные носилки).
edge [e*], couple [k*pl], litter [*l*t*]
As he spoke Conan was busy at the edge of the trail with his ax. With a few strokes he cut a pair of saplings nine or ten feet long, and denuded them of their branches. Then he cut a length from a serpent-like vine that crawled among the bushes near by, and making one end fast to one of the poles, a couple of feet from the end, whipped the vine over the other sapling and interlaced it back and forth. In a few moments he had a crude but strong litter.
"The demon isn't going to get Tiberias' head if I can help it," he growled (демон не получит голову Тибериаса, если я смогу посодействовать этому /= я постараюсь, чтобы он не получил/, — прорычал он; am/is/are going to инфинитив — обозначает действие в будущем, решение о котором принято до момента речи). "We'll carry the body into the fort (мы понесем тело в форт). It isn't more than three miles (это не более, /чем/ три мили). I never liked the fat fool, but we can't have Pictish devils making so cursed free with white men's heads (я никогда не любил этого толстого дурака, но мы не можем терпеть = но мы не потерпим, /чтобы/ пиктские твари поступали так весьма вольно с головами белых людей; to have smb. V-ing — терпеть / позволять, чтобы кто-то делал что-то)."
The Picts were a white race, though swarthy, but the border men never spoke of them as such (пикты были белой расой, хотя /и/ смуглыми, но пограничники никогда /не/ говорили о них, как /о/ таковых).
get [*et], help [help], white [wa*t]
"The demon isn't going to get Tiberias' head if I can help it," he growled. "We'll carry the body into the fort. It isn't more than three miles. I never liked the fat fool, but we can't have Pictish devils making so cursed free with white men's heads." The Picts were a white race, though swarthy, but the border men never spoke of them as such.
Balthus took the rear end of the litter (Балтус взял задний конец носилок), onto which Conan unceremoniously dumped the unfortunate merchant (на которые Конан бесцеремонно свалил неудачливого купца), and they moved on down the trail as swiftly as possible (и они двинулись дальше по тропе, так быстро, как можно = как можно быстрее). Conan made no more noise laden with their grim burden than he had made when unencumbered (Конан производил не больше шума, нагруженный их мрачной ношей, чем он производил, когда /был/ необремененным; to encumber — загромождать; задерживать, затруднять). He had made a loop with the merchant's belt at the end of the poles (он сделал петлю с = из пояса купца на конце шестов), and was carrying his share of the load with one hand (и нес свою часть груза одной рукой), while the other gripped his naked broadsword (в то время как другая сжимала его обнаженный палаш), and his restless gaze roved the sinister walls about them (а его беспокойный взгляд блуждал /по/ мрачным стенам вокруг них; to rove — блуждать, скитаться). The shadows were thickening (тени темнели). A darkening blue mist blurred the outlines of the foliage (темнеющая синяя дымка размыла контуры листвы). The forest deepened in the twilight, became a blue haunt of mystery sheltering unguessed things (лес потемнел в сумерках, стал синим прибежищем тайны, дающей приют неведомым тварям; to shelter — давать приют / прибежище, приютить, укрывать).
share [***], load [l*ud], sinister [*s*n*st*]
Balthus took the rear end of the litter, onto which Conan unceremoniously dumped the unfortunate merchant, and they moved on down the trail as swiftly as possible. Conan made no more noise laden with their grim burden than he had made when unencumbered. He had made a loop with the merchant's belt at the end of the poles, and was carrying his share of the load with one hand, while the other gripped his naked broadsword, and his restless gaze roved the sinister walls about them. The shadows were thickening. A darkening blue mist blurred the outlines of the foliage. The forest deepened in the twilight, became a blue haunt of mystery sheltering unguessed things.
They had covered more than a mile, and the muscles in Balthus' sturdy arms were beginning to ache a little (они покрыли больше, чем милю = прошли более мили, и мускулы в = на крепких руках Балтуса начинали болеть немного = побаливать), when a cry rang shuddering from the woods whose blue shadows were deepening into purple (когда раздался, бросая в дрожь, крик из леса, чьи синие тени = синие тени которого темнели /переходя/ в фиолетовые).
Conan started convulsively (Конан конвульсивно вздрогнул), and Balthus almost let go the poles (а Балтус почти = чуть не выпустил: «позволил уйти» шесты).
sturdy [*st*: d*], ache [e*k], whose [hu: z]
They had covered more than a mile, and the muscles in Balthus' sturdy arms were beginning to ache a little, when a cry rang shuddering from the woods whose blue shadows were deepening into purple.
Conan started convulsively, and Balthus almost let go the poles.
"A woman!" cried the younger man (женщина! — крикнул более молодой мужчина). "Great Mitra, a woman cried out then (великий Митра, женщина крикнула тогда)!"
"A settler's wife straying in the woods," snarled Conan, setting down his end of the litter (жена поселенца блуждает = заблудилась в лесу, — прорычал Конан, ставя вниз = опуская свой конец носилок). "Looking for a cow, probably, and — stay here (ищущая = ищет корову, возможно, и — останься здесь; to look for — искать)!"
He dived like a hunting wolf into the leafy wall (он нырнул, как охотящийся волк, в лиственную стену). Balthus' hair bristled (волосы Балтуса встали дыбом).
"Stay here alone with this corpse and a devil hiding in the woods*" he yelped (остаться здесь одному с этим трупом и нечистью, скрывающейся в лесу* — завопил он). "I'm coming with you (я иду с тобой)!"
then [*en], cow [kau], yelp [jelp]
"A woman!" cried the younger man. "Great Mitra, a woman cried out then!"
"A settler's wife straying in the woods," snarled Conan, setting down his end of the litter. "Looking for a cow, probably, and — stay here!"
He dived like a hunting wolf into the leafy wall. Balthus' hair bristled.
"Stay here alone with this corpse and a devil hiding in the woods*" he yelped. "I'm coming with you!"
And suiting action to words, he plunged after the Cimmerian (и согласуя действия со словами, он нырнул за Конаном). Conan glanced back at him, but made no objection, though he did not moderate his pace to accommodate the shorter legs of his companion (Конан взглянул /назад/ на него, но не возразил, хотя он не умерил своего шага, /чтобы/ подстроиться к более коротким ногам своего спутника; to make an objection — возразить). Balthus wasted his wind in swearing (Балтус напрасно потратил свое дыхание на ругательства) as the Cimmerian drew away from him again, like a phantom between the trees (так как киммериец оторвался от него снова, как призрак между деревьев), and then Conan burst into a dim glade and halted crouching, lips snarling, sword lifted (и затем Конан ворвался на мрачную поляну и остановился пригнувшись, губы шевелятся, меч поднят = с шевелящимися губами, с поднятым мечом; to waste — напрасно тратить, to draw away — оторваться (от противника на дистанции), to burst in — ворваться).
action [**k*n], glade [*le*d], lip [lp]
And suiting action to words, he plunged after the Cimmerian. Conan glanced back at him, but made no objection, though he did not moderate his pace to accommodate the shorter legs of his companion. Balthus wasted his wind in swearing as the Cimmerian drew away from him again, like a phantom between the trees, and then Conan burst into a dim glade and halted crouching, lips snarling, sword lifted.
"What are we stopping for*" panted Balthus, dashing the sweat out of his eyes and gripping his short sword (/для/ чего мы стоим* — пропыхтел Балтус, смахивая пот из /своих/ глаз и хватая свой короткий меч).
"That scream came from this glade, or near by," answered Conan (тот крик раздался с этой поляны, или поблизости, — ответил Конан). "I don't mistake the location of sounds, even in the woods. But where — (я не ошибаюсь с местом звуков = с определением источника звуков, даже в лесу. Но где —)"
Abruptly the sound rang out again — behind them; in the direction of the trail they had just quitted (вдруг звук раздался снова — позади них, в направлении тропы, которую они только что покинули; to ring out — прозвучать, раздаться; to quit — покидать, бросать). It rose piercingly and pitifully, the cry of a woman in frantic terror (он взлетел пронзительно и жалобно, крик женщины в безумном ужасе; to rise — подниматься, повышаться) — and then, shockingly, it changed to a yell of mocking laughter that might have burst from the lips of a fiend of lower Hell (а потом, ужасающе = и это было ужасно, он изменился = превратился в вопль насмешливого хохота, /такой/ который мог сорваться с губ демона нижнего ада).
mistake [ms*te*k], direction [d**rek*n], laughter [l*: ft*]
"What are we stopping for*" panted Balthus, dashing the sweat out of his eyes and gripping his short sword.
"That scream came from this glade, or near by," answered Conan. "I don't mistake the location of sounds, even in the woods. But where —»
Abruptly the sound rang out again — behind them; in the direction of the trail they had just quitted. It rose piercingly and pitifully, the cry of a woman in frantic terror — and then, shockingly, it changed to a yell of mocking laughter that might have burst from the lips of a fiend of lower Hell.
"What in Mitra's name — " Balthus' face was a pale blur in the gloom (что во имя Митры — лицо Балтуса было бледным пятном во мраке).
With a scorching oath Conan wheeled and dashed back the way he had come (с убийственным ругательством Конан повернулся и бросился назад /по/ пути, которым он пришел; scorch — ожог; to scorch — опаляться, подпаливаться; ругать, разносить), and the Aquilonian stumbled bewilderedly after him (а аквилонец спотыкался = бежал, спотыкаясь, в замешательстве за ним). He blundered into the Cimmerian as the latter stopped dead (он налетел / наткнулся на киммерийца, когда последний резко остановился), and rebounded from his brawny shoulders as though from an iron statue (и отскочил от его сильных плеч, словно от железной статуи). Gasping from the impact, he heard Conan's breath hiss through his teeth (задыхаясь от толчка, он услышал, /как/ дыхание Конана со свистом выходит через его зубы; to hiss — шипеть, свистеть). The Cimmerian seemed frozen in his tracks (киммериец казался застывшим = казалось, застыл на месте).
stop [st*p], statue [*st**u: ], track [tr*k]
"What in Mitra's name — " Balthus' face was a pale blur in the gloom.
With a scorching oath Conan wheeled and dashed back the way he had come, and the Aquilonian stumbled bewilderedly after him. He blundered into the Cimmerian as the latter stopped dead, and rebounded from his brawny shoulders as though from an iron statue. Gasping from the impact, he heard Conan's breath hiss through his teeth. The Cimmerian seemed frozen in his tracks.
Looking over his shoulder, Balthus felt his hair stand up stiffly (заглянув через его плечо, Балтус почувствовал, /как/ его = у него волосы становятся дыбом). Something was moving through the deep bushes that fringed the trail (что-то двигалось сквозь густые кусты, которые окаймляли тропинку) — something that neither walked nor flew, but seemed to glide like a serpent (что-то, что ни шло, ни летело, но казалось, скользит как змея). But it was not a serpent (но это была не змея). Its outlines were indistinct, but it was taller than a man, and not very bulky (его контуры были нечеткими, но оно было выше, чем человек, и не очень громоздкое). It gave off a glimmer of weird light, like a faint blue flame (оно издавало = от него исходило мерцание причудливого света, как слабое голубое пламя). Indeed, the eery fire was the only tangible thing about it (в самом деле, жуткий огонь был единственным материальным свидетельством: «вещью» в отношении его; about — о, в отношении, касательно). It might have been an embodied flame moving with reason and purpose through the blackening woods (это, возможно, было: «могло быть» воплощенное пламя, движущееся разумно и целенаправленно: «с разумом и целью» через чернеющий лес; body — тело, плоть).
flew [flu: ], bulky [*b*lk*], reason [ri: zn]
Looking over his shoulder, Balthus felt his hair stand up stiffly. Something was moving through the deep bushes that fringed the trail — something that neither walked nor flew, but seemed to glide like a serpent. But it was not a serpent. Its outlines were indistinct, but it was taller than a man, and not very bulky. It gave off a glimmer of weird light, like a faint blue flame. Indeed, the eery fire was the only tangible thing about it. It might have been an embodied flame moving with reason and purpose through the blackening woods.
Conan snarled a savage curse and hurled his ax with ferocious will (Конан прорычал дикое проклятие и метнул свой топор с ужасной: «свирепой» энергией = силой). But the thing glided on without altering its course (но существо скользило дальше, не меняя /своего/ курса: «без изменения своего курса»). Indeed it was only a few instants' fleeting glimpse they had of it (действительно, это было лишь мимолетное видение /из/ нескольких мгновений, /которое/ они имели от него = уловили) — a tall, shadowy thing of misty flame floating through the thickets (высокое, тенеподобное существо: «вещь» туманного/расплывчатого огня, плывущее сквозь заросли). Then it was gone, and the forest crouched in breathless stillness (затем оно исчезло, и лес склонился = замер в бездыханной / неподвижной тишине).
alter [**: lt*], fleet [fli: t], crouched [krau*t]
Conan snarled a savage curse and hurled his ax with ferocious will. But the thing glided on without altering its course. Indeed it was only a few instants' fleeting glimpse they had of it — a tall, shadowy thing of misty flame floating through the thickets. Then it was gone, and the forest crouched in breathless stillness.
With a snarl Conan plunged through the intervening foliage and into the trail (с рычанием Конан нырнул сквозь переплетающуюся листву /и/ на тропу). His profanity, as Balthus floundered after him, was lurid and impassioned (его богохульство = ругательство, когда Балтус потащился за ним, было угрожающим и пылким). The Cimmerian was standing over the litter on which lay the body of Tiberias (киммериец стоял над носилками, на которых лежало тело Тибериаса). And that body no longer possessed a head (и это тело больше не имело головы).
"Tricked us with its damnable caterwauling!" raved Conan, swinging his great sword about his head in his wrath (надул нас своим проклятым кошачим визгом, — бушевал Конан, размахивая своим огромным мечом вокруг /своей/ головы в /своей/ ярости). "I might have known (я мог знать = уж я-то должен был знать; might — выражает упрек, сожаление)! I might have guessed a trick (я мог бы разгадать обман = я должен был разгадать обман)! Now there'll be five heads to decorate Zogar's altar (теперь будет пять голов для украшения алтаря Зогара = теперь пять голов будут украшать алтарь Зогара)."
foliage [*f*ul***], lurid [*lju*r*d], longer [*l***]
With a snarl Conan plunged through the intervening foliage and into the trail. His profanity, as Balthus floundered after him, was lurid and impassioned. The Cimmerian was standing over the litter on which lay the body of Tiberias. And that body no longer possessed a head.
"Tricked us with its damnable caterwauling!" raved Conan, swinging his great sword about his head in his wrath. "I might have known! I might have guessed a trick! Now there'll be five heads to decorate Zogar's altar."
"But what thing is it that can cry like a woman and laugh like a devil (но что за тварь это, что может кричать, как женщина, и смеяться, как демон), and shines like witch-fire (и /при этом/ светится, как колдовской огонь) as it glides through the trees (когда оно скользит сквозь деревья)*" gasped Balthus, mopping the sweat from his pale face (выдохнул Балтус, вытирая пот со своего бледного лица).
"A swamp devil," responded Conan morosely (болотный демон, — ответил Конан угрюмо). "Grab those poles (хватай эти палки). We'll take in the body, anyway (мы заберем тело, так или иначе). At least our load's a bit lighter (по крайней мере, наш груз немного легче)."
With which grim philosophy he gripped the leathery loop and stalked down the trail (с каковой = такой мрачной философией = мрачным умозаключением он схватил кожаную петлю и зашагал по тропе).
devil [devl], shine [*a*n], loop [lu: p]
"But what thing is it that can cry like a woman and laugh like a devil, and shines like witch-fire as it glides through the trees*" gasped Balthus, mopping the sweat from his pale face.
"A swamp devil," responded Conan morosely. "Grab those poles. We'll take in the body, anyway. At least our load's a bit lighter."
With which grim philosophy he gripped the leathery loop and stalked down the trail.
2. The Wizard of Gwawela
(Колдун из Гвавелы)
Fort Tuscelan stood on the eastern bank of Black River, the tides of which washed the foot of the stockade (форт Тусцелан стоял на восточном берегу Черной реки, потоки которой омывали подножие частокола). The latter was of logs, as were all the buildings within (последний был из бревен, так же были = так же как и все здания внутри него), including the donjon (to dignify it by that appellation) (включая донжон (чтобы облагородить его таким названием)), in which were the governor's quarters, overlooking the stockade and the sullen river (в котором были = было жилье губернатора, выходящее на частокол и зловещую реку; to overlook — выходить на, возвышаться над). Beyond that river lay a huge forest, which approached jungle-like density along the spongy shores (за этой рекой лежал огромный лес, который приближался к плотности, как у джунглей = был густой, как джунгли вдоль вязких берегов; sponge — губка). Men paced the runways along the log parapet day and night, watching that dense green wall (люди расхаживали /по/ помостам вдоль бревенчатого парапета днем и ночью, наблюдая /за/ этой плотной зеленой стеной). Seldom a menacing figure appeared (/весьма/ редко появлялась угрожающая фигура), but the sentries knew that they too were watched (но часовые знали, что они были наблюдаемы = за ними наблюдают тоже), fiercely, hungrily, with the mercilessness of ancient hate (люто, жадно, с беспощадностью древней ненависти). The forest beyond the river might seem desolate and vacant of life to the ignorant eye (лес за рекой, возможно, казался необитаемым и лишенным жизни несведущему глазу), but life teemed there, not alone of bird and beast and reptile, but also of men, the fiercest of all the hunting beasts (но жизнь кишела там, не только птиц и зверей и рептилий, но и людей, самых свирепых из всех охотящихся = хищных зверей).
quarter [*kw*: t*], dense [dens], hate [he*t]
Fort Tuscelan stood on the eastern bank of Black River, the tides of which washed the foot of the stockade. The latter was of logs, as were all the buildings within, including the donjon (to dignify it by that appellation), in which were the governor's quarters, overlooking the stockade and the sullen river. Beyond that river lay a huge forest, which approached jungle-like density along the spongy shores. Men paced the runways along the log parapet day and night, watching that dense green wall. Seldom a menacing figure appeared, but the sentries knew that they too were watched, fiercely, hungrily, with the mercilessness of ancient hate. The forest beyond the river might seem desolate and vacant of life to the ignorant eye, but life teemed there, not alone of bird and beast and reptile, but also of men, the fiercest of all the hunting beasts.
There, at the fort, civilization ended (там, у форта, кончалась цивилизация). Fort Tuscelan was the last outpost of a civilized world (форт Тусцелан был последним аванпостом цивилизованного мира); it represented the westernmost thrust of the dominant Hyborian races (он представлял самый западный оплот господствующих Хайборийских рас). Beyond the river the primitive still reigned in shadowy forests (за рекой первобытный /человек/ все еще правил в тенистых лесах), brush-thatched huts where hung the grinning skulls of men (/в/ крытых кустарником хижинах, где = в которых висели скалящиеся черепа людей), and mud-walled enclosures (и загородках с глиняными стенами) where fires flickered and drums rumbled (где сверкали костры и гремели барабаны), and spears were whetted in the hands of dark, silent men with tangled black hair and the eyes of serpents (а копья были точимы = точили в руках = руки смуглых молчаливых людей со спутанными черными волосами и глазами змей = змеиными глазами). Those eyes often glared through bushes at the fort across the river (эти глаза часто смотрели /злобно/ через кусты на форт за рекой; to glare — пристально смотреть (со злобой), уставиться). Once dark- skinned men had built their huts where that fort stood, yes (однажды = когда-то смуглокожие люди строили свои хижины, где стоял этот форт, да), and their huts had risen where now stood the fields and log cabins of fair-haired settlers (и их хижины поднимались /там/, где сейчас стояли = были поля и бревенчатые хибары светловолосых поселенцев), back beyond Velitrium, that raw, turbulent frontier town on the banks of Thunder River (сзади = дальше за Велитриумом, этим грубым, буйным пограничным городом на берегах Громовой реки), to the shores of that other river that bounds the Bossonian marches (до берегов той другой реки, которая граничит /с/ Боссонской маркой; to build — строить). Traders had come, and priests of Mitra who walked with bare feet and empty hands, and died horribly, most of them (пришли торговцы и жрецы Митры, которые ходили с босыми ногами и пустыми руками, и умерло ужасно большинство их); but soldiers had followed, men with axes in their hands and women and children in ox-drawn wains (но /за ними/ последовали солдаты, мужчины с топорами в /их/ руках и женщины и дети в провозках, запряженных волами). Back to Thunder River, and still back, beyond Black River, the aborigines had been pushed (назад = дальше за Громовую реку, и еще дальше за Черную реку аборигены были теснимы = теснили аборигенов; to push — теснить, пихать, толкать), with slaughter and massacre (резней и бойней). But the dark-skinned people did not forget that once Conajohara had been theirs (но смуглокожие люди не забыли, что когда-то Конджохара была их(ней) = принадлежала им).
reign [re*n], spear [sp**], skull [sk*l]
There, at the fort, civilization ended. Fort Tuscelan was the last outpost of a civilized world; it represented the westernmost thrust of the dominant Hyborian races. Beyond the river the primitive still reigned in shadowy forests, brush- thatched huts where hung the grinning skulls of men, and mud-walled enclosures where fires flickered and drums rumbled, and spears were whetted in the hands of dark, silent men with tangled black hair and the eyes of serpents. Those eyes often glared through bushes at the fort across the river. Once dark-skinned men had built their huts where that fort stood, yes, and their huts had risen where now stood the fields and log cabins of fair-haired settlers, back beyond Velitrium, that raw, turbulent frontier town on the banks of Thunder River, to the shores of that other river that bounds the Bossonian marches. Traders had come, and priests of Mitra who walked with bare feet and empty hands, and died horribly, most of them; but soldiers had followed, men with axes in their hands and women and children in ox- drawn wains. Back to Thunder River, and still back, beyond Black River, the aborigines had been pushed, with slaughter and massacre. But the dark-skinned people did not forget that once Conajohara had been theirs.
The guard inside the eastern gate bawled a challenge (охранник в восточных воротах проорал требование сказать пароль; challenge — вызов /на поединок, дуэль/; требование сказать пароль). Through a barred aperture torchlight flickered (через огражденное решеткой окошечко мигнул свет факела), glinting on a steel headpiece and suspicious eyes beneath it (отражаясь на стальном шлеме и подозрительных глазах под ним).
"Open the gate," snorted Conan (открой ворота, — фыркнул Конан). "You see it's I, don't you (ты видишь, это я, не так ли)*"
Military discipline put his teeth on edge (военная дисциплина действовала ему на нервы; to put / set the teeth on edge — раздражать, действовать на нервы:
«поставить зубы на край, кромку»).
The gate swung inward and Conan and his companion passed through (ворота качнулись вовнутрь, и Конан и его спутник прошли; to swing). Balthus noted that the gate was flanked by a tower on each side, the summits of which rose above the stockade (Балтус заметил, что ворота защищались башней с каждой стороны = по обеим сторонам, вершины каждой возвышались на частоколом; to flank — защищать, предохранять сбоку / с фланга). He saw loopholes for arrows (он увидел амбразуры для стрел = для стрельбы стрелами).
guard [**: d], snort [sn*: t], discipline [*d*s*pl*n]
The guard inside the eastern gate bawled a challenge. Through a barred aperture torchlight flickered, glinting on a steel headpiece and suspicious eyes beneath it. "Open the gate," snorted Conan. "You see it's I, don't you*"
Military discipline put his teeth on edge.
The gate swung inward and Conan and his companion passed through. Balthus noted that the gate was flanked by a tower on each side, the summits of which rose above the stockade. He saw loopholes for arrows.
The guardsmen grunted as they saw the burden borne between the men (караульные заворчали, когда /они/ увидели груз, несомый между мужчинами; to bear — нести, выносить). Their pikes jangled against each other as they thrust shut the gate (их пики забряцали друг о друга, когда они протиснулись закрыть ворота), chin on shoulder (отворачиваясь: «подбородок на плечо»), and Conan asked testily (и Конан спросил раздражительно): "Have you never seen a headless body before (вы никогда прежде /не/ видели безголового тела)*"
The guardsmen grunted as they saw the burden borne between the men. Their pikes jangled against each other as they thrust shut the gate, chin on shoulder, and Conan asked testily: "Have you never seen a headless body before*"
The faces of the soldiers were pallid in the torchlight (лица солдат были мертвенно-бледными в свете факелов).
"That's Tiberias," blurted one (это /есть/ Тибериас, — выпалил один). "I recognize that fur-trimmed tunic (я узнаю эту отделанную мехом тунику). Valerius here owes me five lunas (Валериус здесь должен мне пять лун). I told him Tiberias had heard the loon call when he rode through the gate on his mule, with his glassy stare (я сказал ему, что Тибериас услышал зов безумия, когда он проехал через ворота на своем муле со /своим/ стеклянным взглядом). I wagered he'd come back without his head (я поспорил, что он вернется без /своей/ головы; to wager — ставить, держать пари)."
owe [*u], me [mi: ], call [k*: l]
The faces of the soldiers were pallid in the torchlight.
"That's Tiberias," blurted one. "I recognize that fur-trimmed tunic. Valerius here owes me five lunas. I told him Tiberias had heard the loon call when he rode through the gate on his mule, with his glassy stare. I wagered he'd come back without his head."
Conan grunted enigmatically (Конан загадочно /что-то/ пробормотал), motioned Balthus to ease the litter to the ground (показал Балтусу жестом опустить носилки на землю), and then strode off toward the governor's quarters, with the Aquilonian at his heels (а затем пошагал к жилищу губернатора с аквилонцем, /следующим/ за ним по пятам; to be at one’s heels — следовать за кем-то по пятам). The tousle-headed youth stared about him eagerly and curiously (юноша со взъерошенной головой энергично и с любопытством озирался вокруг себя = по сторонам), noting the rows of barracks along the walls, the stables (замечая ряды бараков вдоль стен, конюшни), the tiny merchants' stalls (крошечные лавки купцов), the towering blockhouse, and the other buildings (возвышающийся блокгауз и остальные здания), with the open square in the middle where the soldiers drilled (с открытой площадью посредине, где тренировались солдаты), and where, now, fires danced and men off duty lounged (и где сейчас плясали костры, и развалились свободные от дежурства солдаты; in the middle — посредине, в середине, в центре; to drill — муштровать, тренировать(ся); off duty — не на дежурстве, свободный от дежурства; to lounge — развалиться, сидеть развалясь, слоняться, бездельничать; men — люди, парни, мужчины, солдаты). These were now hurrying to join the morbid crowd gathered about the litter at the gate (эти = последние теперь спешили присоединиться /к/ нездоровой толпе = толпе с нездоровым любопытством, собравшейся возле носилок у ворот). The rangy figures of Aquilonian pikemen and forest runners mingled with the shorter, stockier forms of Bossonian archers (поджарые фигуры аквилонских пикейщиков и лесных охотников смешались с более низкими коренастыми формами боссонских лучников; runner — бегун; /амер./ охотник за буйволами).
middle [m*dl], morbid [*m*: b*d], crowd [kraud]
Conan grunted enigmatically, motioned Balthus to ease the litter to the ground, and then strode off toward the governor's quarters, with the Aquilonian at his heels.
The tousle-headed youth stared about him eagerly and curiously, noting the rows of barracks along the walls, the stables, the tiny merchants' stalls, the towering blockhouse, and the other buildings, with the open square in the middle where the soldiers drilled, and where, now, fires danced and men off duty lounged. These were now hurrying to join the morbid crowd gathered about the litter at the gate. The rangy figures of Aquilonian pikemen and forest runners mingled with the shorter, stockier forms of Bossonian archers.
He was not greatly surprised that the governor received them himself (он не был очень удивлен, что губернатор принял их сам = лично). Autocratic society with
its rigid caste laws lay east of the marches (самодержавное общество с его жесткими кастовыми законами лежало = находилось восточнее марки). Valannus was still a young man, well knit (Валаннус был еще молодым мужчиной, хорошо сложенным; to knit — вязать; соединять), with a finely chiseled countenance already carved into sober cast by toil and responsibility (с тонко высеченным лицом = высеченными чертами лица, уже выгравированными в = уже носящими трезвое выражение тяжелым трудом и ответственностью = благодаря тяжелому труду и ответственности; to carve — высекать, выгравировать).
"You left the fort before daybreak, I was told," he said to Conan (ты покинул форт до рассвета, сказали мне: «я был сказан»; to leave — оставлять, покидать). "I had begun to fear that the Picts had caught you at last (я начал бояться, что пикты наконец = все же поймали тебя; to catch — поймать)."
receive [r**si: v], society [s**sa**t*], begun [b****n]
He was not greatly surprised that the governor received them himself. Autocratic society with its rigid caste laws lay east of the marches. Valannus was still a young man, well knit, with a finely chiseled countenance already carved into sober cast by toil and responsibility.
"You left the fort before daybreak, I was told," he said to Conan. "I had begun to fear that the Picts had caught you at last."
"When they smoke my head the whole river will know," grunted Conan (когда они закоптят мою голову, вся река узнает, — проворчал Конан). "They'll hear Pictish women wailing their dead as far as Velitrium — I was on a lone scout (/они/ услышат, как пиктские женщины оплакивают своих мертвецов даже: «так далеко, как» в Велитриуме — я был на = в одиночной разведке). I couldn't sleep (я не мог спать). I kept hearing drums talking across the river (я продолжал слышать = непрерывно слышал барабаны, переговаривающиеся за рекой)."
"They talk each night," reminded the governor (они переговариваются каждую ночь, — напомнил губернатор), his fine eyes shadowed, as he stared closely at Conan (его красивые глаза погрустнели, когда он посмотрел пристально на Конана). He had learned the unwisdom of discounting wild men's instincts (он научился неблагоразумию = что неблагоразумно пренебрегать инстинктами дикарей).
will [w*l], women [*w*m*n], scout [skaut]
"When they smoke my head the whole river will know," grunted Conan. "They'll hear Pictish women wailing their dead as far as Velitrium — I was on a lone scout. I couldn't sleep. I kept hearing drums talking across the river."
"They talk each night," reminded the governor, his fine eyes shadowed, as he stared closely at Conan. He had learned the unwisdom of discounting wild men's instincts.
"There was a difference last night," growled Conan (была разница = было по- другому прошлой ночью, — прорычал Конан). "There has been ever since Zogar Sag got back across the river (так /было/ всегда с тех пор, как Зогар Саг вернулся за реку; to get back — вернуться)."
"We should either have given him presents and sent him home, or else hanged him," sighed the governor (мы должны были либо надарить ему подарков и отправить его домой, или же повесить его, — вздохнул губернатор; should have + причастие прошедшего времени — следовало сделать что-то в прошлом — сожаление, совет). "You advised that, but — (ты советовал это, но)"
"There was a difference last night," growled Conan. "There has been ever since Zogar Sag got back across the river."
"We should either have given him presents and sent him home, or else hanged him," sighed the governor. "You advised that, but —»
"But it's hard for you Hyborians to learn the ways of the outlands," said Conan (но /это/ трудно для вас хайборийцев — научиться обычаям окраин, — сказал Конан). "Well, it can't be helped now, but there'll be no peace on the border so long as Zogar lives and remembers the cell he sweated in (ну, этому сейчас не поможешь: «это не может быть поможено сейчас», но не будет спокойствия на границе, пока Зогар живет = жив и помнит камеру, в /которой/ он парился; to sweat — потеть; беспокоиться). I was following a warrior who slipped over to put a few white notches on his bow (я преследовал воина, который проскользнул через /реку/, /чтобы/ нанести несколько белых зарубок на его луке). After I split his head I fell in with this lad whose name is Balthus and who's come from the Tauran to help hold the frontier (после того как я расколол его голову, я натолкнулся на этого парня, чье имя Балтус, и который пришел из Таурана помочь защищать границу; to hold — удерживать, защищать)."
said [sed], peace [pi: s], so [s*u]
"But it's hard for you Hyborians to learn the ways of the outlands," said Conan. "Well, it can't be helped now, but there'll be no peace on the border so long as Zogar lives and remembers the cell he sweated in. I was following a warrior who slipped over to put a few white notches on his bow. After I split his head I fell in with this lad whose name is Balthus and who's come from the Tauran to help hold the frontier."
Valannus approvingly eyed the young man's frank countenance and strongly-knit frame (Валаннус одобрительно посмотрел /на/ открытое лицо и крепко сложенное тело: «форму» молодого человека; to approve — одобрять).
"I am glad to welcome you, young sir (я рад приветствовать тебя, молодой сэр / рыцарь). I wish more of your people would come (я желаю, /чтобы/ больше из твоего народа приходило = хотелось бы, чтобы приходило больше людей из твоего народа). We need men used to forest life (мы нуждаемся /в/ людях, привыкших к лесной жизни = нам нужны люди, привыкшие к жизни в лесу). Many of our soldiers and some of our settlers are from the eastern provinces and know nothing of woodcraft, or even of agricultural life (многие из наших солдат и некоторые из наших поселенцев /родом/ из восточных провинций и /не/ знают ничего о лесе / жизни в лесу, ни даже о сельской жизни)."
approvingly [**pru: v**l*], frame [fre*m], province [*pr*v*ns]
Valannus approvingly eyed the young man's frank countenance and strongly-knit frame.
"I am glad to welcome you, young sir. I wish more of your people would come. We need men used to forest life. Many of our soldiers and some of our settlers are from the eastern provinces and know nothing of woodcraft, or even of agricultural life."
"Not many of that breed this side of Velitrium," grunted Conan (немногие из этой породы /по/ эту сторону Велитриума, — пробурчал Конан). "That town's full of them, though (тем не менее, этот город полон их). But listen, Valannus, we found Tiberias dead on the trail (но послушай, Валаннус, мы нашли Тиберия мертвым на тропе)." And in a few words he related the grisly affair (и в нескольких словах он поведал /о/ жутком деле).
Valannus paled (Валаннус побледнел; pale — бледный). "I did not know he had left the fort (я не знал, /что/ он покинул форт). He must have been mad (он, должно быть, сошел с ума; to go mad — сойти с ума; mad — безумный)!"
breed [bri: d], full [f*l], affair [**f**]
"Not many of that breed this side of Velitrium," grunted Conan. "That town's full of them, though. But listen, Valannus, we found Tiberias dead on the trail." And in a few words he related the grisly affair.
Valannus paled. "I did not know he had left the fort. He must have been mad!"
"He was," answered Conan (он был = сошел, — ответил Конан). "Like the other four; each one, when his time came, went mad and rushed into the woods to meet his death like a hare running down the throat of a python (как остальные четверо, каждый, когда приходило его время, сходил с ума и бросался в лес, /чтобы/ встретить смерть, как заяц, бегущий вниз по горлу питона = как кролик, который лезет в пасть удаву). Something called to them from the deeps of the forest (нечто призвало их из глубин леса), something the men call a loon, for lack of a better name, but only the doomed ones could hear it (нечто, /что/ люди называют безумием из-за отсутствия лучшего названия, но лишь обреченные могли слышать его = слышали его). Zogar Sag has made a magic that Aquilonian civilization can't overcome (Зогар Саг сотворил волшебство, которое аквилонская цивилизация не может преодолеть)."
python [*pa*O*n], loon [lu: n], magic [*m***k]
"He was," answered Conan. "Like the other four; each one, when his time came, went mad and rushed into the woods to meet his death like a hare running down the throat of a python. Something called to them from the deeps of the forest, something the men call a loon, for lack of a better name, but only the doomed ones could hear it. Zogar Sag has made a magic that Aquilonian civilization can't overcome."
To this thrust Valannus made no reply; he wiped his brow with a shaky hand (на этот выпад Валаннус не дал ответа, он вытер /свой/ лоб дрожащей рукой; to shake — встряхивать; дрожать).
"Do the soldiers know of this (солдаты знают об этом)*"
"We left the body by the eastern gate (мы оставили тело у восточных ворот)." "You should have concealed the fact, hidden the corpse somewhere in the woods (тебе следовало скрыть факт, спрятав труп где-нибудь в лесу). The soldiers are nervous enough already (солдаты уже /и так/ достаточно нервничают; to be nervous — нервничать)."
"They'd have found it out some way (/они/ узнали бы /об/ этом так или иначе; to find out — выяснить, узнать; would have + причастие прошедшего времени — условное наклонение — сделал бы). If I'd hidden the body, it would have been returned to the fort as the corpse of Soractus was — tied up outside the gate for the men to find in the morning (если бы я спрятал тело, оно бы вернулось в форт, как труп Сорактуса /было/ — привязанным за воротами, /чтобы/ люди = солдаты нашли его утром)."
conceal [k*n*si: l], already [*: l*red*], men [men]
To this thrust Valannus made no reply; he wiped his brow with a shaky hand. "Do the soldiers know of this*"
"We left the body by the eastern gate."
"You should have concealed the fact, hidden the corpse somewhere in the woods. The soldiers are nervous enough already."
"They'd have found it out some way. If I'd hidden the body, it would have been returned to the fort as the corpse of Soractus was — tied up outside the gate for the men to find in the morning."
Valannus shuddered (Валаннус содрогнулся). Turning, he walked to a casement and stared silently out over the river, black and shiny under the glint of the stars (повернувшись, он прошел к окну и посмотрел молча за реку, черную и блестящую под сверканием звезд). Beyond the river the jungle rose like an ebony wall (за рекой высились дебри, как черная стена). The distant screech of a panther broke the stillness (далекий хрип пантеры нарушил тишину). The night pressed in, blurring the sounds of the soldiers outside the blockhouse, dimming the fires (ночь втиснулась = повисла, размывая звуки солдат снаружи /перед/ блокгаузом, затемняя костры; to blur — размывать, делать мутным / неясным). A wind whispered through the black branches, rippling the dusky water (ветер шептал через черные ветви, покрывая рябью темную воду). On its wings came a low, rhythmic pulsing, sinister as the pad of a leopard's foot (на его крыльях донеслось низкое ритмичное биение, зловещее, как подушечка /на/ лапе леопарда).
glint [*l*nt], press [pres], pad [p*d]
Valannus shuddered. Turning, he walked to a casement and stared silently out over the river, black and shiny under the glint of the stars. Beyond the river the jungle rose like an ebony wall. The distant screech of a panther broke the stillness. The night pressed in, blurring the sounds of the soldiers outside the blockhouse, dimming the fires. A wind whispered through the black branches, rippling the dusky water. On its wings came a low, rhythmic pulsing, sinister as the pad of a leopard's foot.
"After all," said Valannus, as if speaking his thoughts aloud, "what do we know — what does anyone know — of the things that jungle may hide (в конце концов, — сказал Валаннус, как будто высказывая свои мысли вслух, — что мы знаем — что знает кто-нибудь — о вещах = о том, что может скрывать чаща)* We have dim rumors of great swamps and rivers (мы имеем = у нас есть смутные слухи о великих болотах и реках), and a forest that stretches on and on over everlasting plains and hills to end at last on the shores of the western ocean (и лесе, который простирается дальше и дальше через бесконечные равнины и холмы, /чтобы/ закончиться наконец на берегах западного океана). But what things lie between this river and that ocean we dare not even guess (но какие вещи = что лежит между этой рекой и тем океаном, мы не осмеливаемся даже гадать). No white man has ever plunged deep into that fastness and returned alive to tell us what be found (ни один белый человек никогда /не/ погружался глубоко в эту твердыню и /не/ возвращался, /чтобы/ рассказать нам, что нашел; fastness — крепость, оплот, твердыня, цитадель; fast — крепкий, твердый). We are wise in our civilized knowledge, but our knowledge extends just so far — to the western bank of that ancient river (мы мудры нашим цивилизованным знанием, но наше знание простирается пока лишь до западного берега древней реки)! Who knows what shapes earthly and unearthly may lurk beyond the dim circle of light our knowledge has cast (кто знает, какие формы земные и неземные могут таиться за неясным кругом света, /которое/ отбрасывает наше знание; to cast — бросать, отбрасывать)*
aloud [**laud], we [wi: ], shore [**:]
"After all," said Valannus, as if speaking his thoughts aloud, "what do we know — what does anyone know — of the things that jungle may hide* We have dim rumors of great swamps and rivers, and a forest that stretches on and on over everlasting plains and hills to end at last on the shores of the western ocean. But what things lie between this river and that ocean we dare not even guess. No white man has ever plunged deep into that fastness and returned alive to tell us what be found. We are wise in our civilized knowledge, but our knowledge extends just so far — to the western bank of that ancient river! Who knows what shapes earthly and unearthly may lurk beyond the dim circle of light our knowledge has cast*
"Who knows what gods are worshipped under the shadows of that heathen forest (кто знает, каким богам поклоняются под сенью того языческого леса), or what devils crawl out of the black ooze of the swamps (или какие демоны выползают из черной грязи болот)* Who can be sure that all the inhabitants of that black country are natural (кто может быть уверен, что все жители той черной страны естественные)* Zogar Sag — a sage of the eastern cities would sneer at his primitive magic-making as the mummery of a fakir (Зогар Саг — мудрец восточных городов глумился бы над его примитивным волшебством, как над представлением факира; mummery — рождественская пантомима; маскарад); yet he has driven mad and killed five men in a manner no man can explain (тем не менее он свел с ума и убил пять человек способом, /который/ ни один человек /не/ может объяснить; to drive mad — свести с ума). I wonder if he himself is wholly human (я желаю знать / интересно, он сам является /ли/ полностью человеком = совсем ли человек он сам)."
ooze [u: z], sage [se**], sneer [sn**]
"Who knows what gods are worshipped under the shadows of that heathen forest, or what devils crawl out of the black ooze of the swamps* Who can be sure that all the inhabitants of that black country are natural* Zogar Sag — a sage of the eastern cities would sneer at his primitive magic-making as the mummery of a fakir; yet he has driven mad and killed five men in a manner no man can explain. I wonder if he himself is wholly human."
"If I can get within ax-throwing distance of him I'll settle that question," growled Conan (если я смогу добраться на расстояние броска топора от него, я улажу / решу этот вопрос, — прорычал Конан), helping himself to the governor's wine and pushing a glass toward Balthus (угощаясь: «помогая себе к» губернаторским вином и подталкивая стакан к Балтусу), who took it hesitatingly, and with an uncertain glance toward Valannus (который взял его, колеблясь и с неуверенным взглядом на Валаннуса).
The governor turned toward Conan and stared at him thoughtfully (губернатор повернулся к Конану и уставился на него задумчиво).
"If I can get within ax-throwing distance of him I'll settle that question," growled Conan, helping himself to the governor's wine and pushing a glass toward Balthus, who took it hesitatingly, and with an uncertain glance toward Valannus.
The governor turned toward Conan and stared at him thoughtfully.
"The soldiers, who do not believe in ghosts or devils," he said, "are almost in a panic of fear (солдаты, которые не верят в привидения и демонов, — сказал он, — почти в панике от страха). You, who believe in ghosts, ghouls, goblins (ты, который веришь в привидения, вампиров, гоблинов), and all manner of uncanny things (и всякого рода сверхъестественных существ; uncanny — сверхъестественный, необъяснимый, поразительный; жуткий), do not seem to fear any of the things in which you believe (не кажешься бояться = кажется, не боишься ничего из того: «какую-либо из вещей», во что ты веришь)."
who [hu: ], fear [f**], believe [b**li: v]
"The soldiers, who do not believe in ghosts or devils," he said, "are almost in a panic of fear. You, who believe in ghosts, ghouls, goblins, and all manner of uncanny things, do not seem to fear any of the things in which you believe."
"There's nothing in the universe cold steel won't cut," answered Conan (там есть ничего = нет ничего во вселенной, /что/ не разрубит холодная сталь). "I threw my ax at the demon, and he took no hurt (я бросил мой топор в демона, и он /не/ получил никакой раны; to throw), but I might have missed in the dusk, or a branch deflected its flight (но я, возможно, промахнулся в сумраке, или ветка отклонила его полет). I'm not going out of my way looking for devils (я не собираюсь бросить все силы на поиски демонов: «ища демонов»); but I wouldn't step out of my path to let one go by (но я не сойду со своей дороги, /чтобы/ пропустить /хоть/ одного; to go out of one’s way — стараться изо всех сил)."
Valannus lifted his head and met Conan's gaze squarely (Валаннус поднял /свою/ голову и встретил взгляд Конана прямо).
cold [k*uld], threw [Oru: ], step [step]
"There's nothing in the universe cold steel won't cut," answered Conan. "I threw my ax at the demon, and he took no hurt, but I might have missed in the dusk, or a branch deflected its flight. I'm not going out of my way looking for devils; but I wouldn't step out of my path to let one go by."
Valannus lifted his head and met Conan's gaze squarely.
"Conan, more depends on you than you realize (Конан, больше зависит от тебя = от тебя зависит больше, чем ты представляешь). You know the weakness of this province — a slender wedge thrust into the untamed wilderness (ты знаешь слабость этой = нашей провинции — тонкий клин, вонзенный в неукротимую дикую местность). You know that the lives of all the people west of the marches depend on this fort (ты знаешь, что жизни всех людей западнее марки зависят от этого = нашего форта). Were it to fall, red axes would be splintering the gates of Velitrium before a horseman could cross the marches (если он падет, кровавые топоры разобьют ворота Велитриума прежде, чем всадник сможет пересечь марку). His Majesty, or his Majesty's advisers, have ignored my plea that more troops be sent to hold the frontier (его Величество или советники его Величества проигнорировали мою просьбу /о том/, чтобы больше войск было направлено защищать границу = на защиту границы). They know nothing of border conditions, and are averse to expending any more money in this direction (они /не/ знают ничего об условиях на границе и нерасположены тратить больше денег в этом направлении). The fate of the frontier depends upon the men who now hold it (судьба границы зависит от людей / солдат, которые сейчас защищают ее).
depend [d**pend], weakness [*wi: kn*s], plea [pli:]
"Conan, more depends on you than you realize. You know the weakness of this province — a slender wedge thrust into the untamed wilderness. You know that the lives of all the people west of the marches depend on this fort. Were it to fall, red axes would be splintering the gates of Velitrium before a horseman could cross the marches. His Majesty, or his Majesty's advisers, have ignored my plea that more troops be sent to hold the frontier. They know nothing of border conditions, and are averse to expending any more money in this direction. The fate of the frontier depends upon the men who now hold it.
"You know that most of the army which conquered Conajohara has been withdrawn (ты знаешь, что большинство = большая часть армии, которая завоевала Конаджохару, была отозвана; to withdraw — отводить, отзывать). You know the force left is inadequate (ты знаешь, /что/ оставшиеся силы недостаточны), especially since that devil Zogar Sag managed to poison our water supply, and forty men died in one day (особенно с тех пор, как этот дьявол Зогар Саг умудрился отравить наш водопровод, и сорок человек умерли за один день). Many of the others are sick, or have been bitten by serpents (многие из остальных больны или укушены змеями) or mauled by wild beasts which seem to swarm in increasing numbers in the vicinity of the fort (или покалечены дикими тварями, которые, кажется, кишат в больших количествах: «в растущих количествах» в окрестностях форта). The soldiers believe Zogar's boast that he could summon the forest beasts to slay his enemies (солдаты верят похвальбе Зогара, что он мог бы призвать лесных тварей, /чтобы/ убить врагов).
army [**: m*], supply [s**pla*], boast [b*ust]
"You know that most of the army which conquered Conajohara has been withdrawn. You know the force left is inadequate, especially since that devil Zogar Sag managed to poison our water supply, and forty men died in one day. Many of the others are sick, or have been bitten by serpents or mauled by wild beasts which seem to swarm in increasing numbers in the vicinity of the fort. The soldiers believe Zogar's boast that he could summon the forest beasts to slay his enemies.
"I have three hundred pikemen, four hundred Bossonian archers (я имею = у меня триста пикинеров, четыреста боссонских лучников), and perhaps fifty men who, like yourself, are skilled in woodcraft (и, может быть, пятьдесят человек, которые, как ты сам, искусны в лесной жизни). They are worth ten times their number of soldiers, but there are so few of them (они стоят в десять раз больше их = такого же количества солдат, но их так мало: «есть так мало их»). Frankly, Conan, my situation is becoming precarious (честно /говоря/, Конан, мое положение становится ненадежным). The soldiers whisper of desertion; they are low-spirited, believing Zogar Sag has loosed devils on us (солдаты шепчутся о дезертирстве, они подавлены, веря, /что/ Зогар Саг выпустил демонов на нас; low-spirited — «с низким духом» = деморализованный). They fear the black plague with which he threatened us — the terrible black death of the swamplands (они боятся черной чумы, которой он угрожал нам — ужасной черной смерти из болот). When I see a sick soldier I sweat with fear of seeing him turn black and shrivel and die before my eyes (когда я вижу больного солдата, я потею = покрываюсь испариной с = от страха, /что/ увижу, /как/ он чернеет и ссыхается и умирает перед моими глазами = на моих глазах).
number [*n*mb*], plague [ple**], threaten [Oretn]
"I have three hundred pikemen, four hundred Bossonian archers, and perhaps fifty men who, like yourself, are skilled in woodcraft. They are worth ten times their number of soldiers, but there are so few of them. Frankly, Conan, my situation is becoming precarious. The soldiers whisper of desertion; they are low-spirited, believing Zogar Sag has loosed devils on us. They fear the black plague with which he threatened us — the terrible black death of the swamplands. When I see a sick soldier I sweat with fear of seeing him turn black and shrivel and die before my eyes.
"Conan, if the plague is loosed upon us, the soldiers will desert in a body (Конан, если чума будет спущена на нас, солдаты дезертируют в полном составе; in a body — в полном составе)! The border will be left unguarded (граница будет оставлена без охраны) and nothing will check the sweep of the dark-skinned hordes to the very gates of Velitrium — maybe beyond (и ничто /не/ остановит лавину темнокожих орд до самых ворот Велитриума — /а/ может /и/ дальше)! If we cannot hold the fort, how can they hold the town (если мы не сможем защитить форт, как смогут они защитить город)*
loosed [lu: st], be [bi: ], check [*ek]
"Conan, if the plague is loosed upon us, the soldiers will desert in a body! The border will be left unguarded and nothing will check the sweep of the dark-skinned hordes to the very gates of Velitrium — maybe beyond! If we cannot hold the fort, how can they hold the town*
"Conan, Zogar Sag must die, if we are to hold Conajohara (Конан, Зогар Саг должен умереть, если мы должны = хотим защитить / удержать Конаджохару; we are to hold — мы должны удержать, нам суждено удержать). You have penetrated the unknown deeper than any other man in the fort (ты проникал /в/ неведомое глубже, чем какой-либо другой человек в форте); you know where Gwawela stands, and something of the forest trails across the river (ты знаешь, где стоит Гвавела и кое-что о лесных тропках за рекой). Will you take a band of men tonight and endeavor to kill or capture him (/ты/ возьми отряд солдат сегодня вечером и попытайся убить или взять его в плен; will — означает здесь вежливую просьбу, сравните с русским: а не возьмешь ли, а не взять ли тебе)* Oh, I know it's mad (о, я знаю, это безумно). There isn't more than one chance in a thousand that any of you will come back alive (/есть/ не более, чем один шанс на тысячу, что кто-нибудь из вас вернется живым). But if we don't get him, it's death for us all (но если мы не возьмем его, это смерть для нас всех). You can take as many men as you wish (/ты/ можешь взять столько людей, сколько /ты/ пожелаешь)."
hold [h*uld], any [*en*], capture [*k*p**]
"Conan, Zogar Sag must die, if we are to hold Conajohara. You have penetrated the unknown deeper than any other man in the fort; you know where Gwawela stands, and something of the forest trails across the river. Will you take a band of men tonight and endeavor to kill or capture him* Oh, I know it's mad. There isn't more than one chance in a thousand that any of you will come back alive. But if we don't get him, it's death for us all. You can take as many men as you wish."
"A dozen men are better for a job like that than a regiment," answered Conan (дюжина людей лучше для такой работы, чем полк, — ответил Конан). "Five hundred men couldn't fight their way to Gwawela and back, but a dozen might slip in and out again (пять сотен солдат не могли бы пробиться к Гвавеле и обратно, но дюжина, возможно, проскользнут туда и выскользнут обратно; to fight one’s way — прокладывать себе дорогу). Let me pick my men (разреши мне самому выбрать моих людей; to pick — собирать, снимать (плоды), рвать, срывать (цветы, фрукты); выбирать, отбирать, подбирать). I don't want any soldiers (я не хочу /каких-либо/ солдат = мне не нужны солдаты)."
job [**b], regiment [*re**m*nt], pick [p*k]
"A dozen men are better for a job like that than a regiment," answered Conan. "Five hundred men couldn't fight their way to Gwawela and back, but a dozen might slip in and out again. Let me pick my men. I don't want any soldiers."
"Let me go!" eagerly exclaimed Balthus (позволь мне пойти! — страстно / с рвением воскликнул Балтус; eager — страстно желающий, жаждущий). "I've hunted deer all my life on the Tauran (я охотился /на/ оленей всю мою жизнь в Тауране)."
"All right. Valannus, we'll eat at the stall where the foresters gather, and I'll pick my men (хорошо. Валаннус, мы поедим у конюшни, где собираются охотники, и я отберу моих людей). We'll start within an hour (мы выступим в течение часа), drop down the river in a boat to a point below the village (спустимся вниз по реке в лодке ниже поселка) and then steal upon it through the woods (и потом прокрадемся к нему через лес). If we live, we should be back by daybreak (если мы живем = останемся живы, /то/ мы должны вернуться к рассвету)."
hour [au*], drop [dr*p], eagerly [*i: **l*]
"Let me go!" eagerly exclaimed Balthus. "I've hunted deer all my life on the Tauran."
"All right. Valannus, we'll eat at the stall where the foresters gather, and I'll pick my men. We'll start within an hour, drop down the river in a boat to a point below the village and then steal upon it through the woods. If we live, we should be back by daybreak."
3. The Crawlers in the Dark
(Ползущие во тьме)
The river was a vague trace between walls of ebony (река была нечеткой линией между стенами черного цвета). The paddles that propelled the long boat (весла, которые толкали длинную лодку) creeping along in the dense shadow of the eastern bank (крадущуюся в густой тени восточного берега) dipped softly into the water (опускались бесшумно в воду), making no more noise than the beak of a heron (создавая не больше шума, чем клюв цапли). The broad shoulders of the man in front of Balthus were a blue in the dense gloom (широкие плечи мужчины перед Балтусом были синевой в густом мраке). He knew that not even the keen eyes of the man who knelt in the prow would discern anything more than a few feet ahead of them (он знал, что даже острые глаза человека, который стоял на коленях на носу судна, не различили бы чего-либо = ничего более, чем в нескольких футах впереди них = на расстоянии нескольких футов перед ними; to kneel — стоять на коленях, становиться на колени).
Conan was feeling his way by instinct and an intensive familiarity with the river (Конан нащупывал /свой/ путь инстинктивно и /опираясь на/ глубокое знание реки).
boat [b*ut], creep [kri: p], gloom [*lu: m]
The river was a vague trace between walls of ebony. The paddles that propelled the long boat creeping along in the dense shadow of the eastern bank dipped softly into the water, making no more noise than the beak of a heron. The broad shoulders of the man in front of Balthus were a blue in the dense gloom. He knew that not even the keen eyes of the man who knelt in the prow would discern anything more than a few feet ahead of them. Conan was feeling his way by instinct and an intensive familiarity with the river.
No one spoke (никто /не/ говорил). Balthus had had a good look at his companions in the fort before they slipped out of the stockade and down the bank into the waiting canoe (Балтус хорошо рассмотрел своих спутников в форте до того, как они выскользнули из укрепления и вниз по берегу в ожидающее каноэ; to have a look at — посмотреть на, бросить взгляд на; before — до того как, прежде чем, перед тем как). They were of a new breed growing up in the world on the raw edge of the frontier — men whom grim necessity had taught woodcraft (они были из новой породы, растущей в мире на суровом краю границы — люди, которых суровая необходимость обучила знанию леса; craft — ремесло; ловкость, сноровка). Aquilonians of the western provinces to a man, they had many points in common (аквилонцы из западных провинций до одного /человека/, они имели много общих черт; in common — совместно, сообща, вместе, одновременно). They dressed alike — in buckskin boots (они одевались одинаково — в сапоги из оленьей кожи), leathern breeches and deerskin shirts (кожаные штаны и рубашки из оленьей кожи), with broad girdles that held axes and short swords (с широкими поясами, которые удерживали секиры и палаши); and they were all gaunt and scarred and hard-eyed (и они все были сухопарыми, и в шрамах, и с жестким взглядом); sinewy and taciturn (мускулистыми / жилистыми и молчаливыми).
canoe [k**nu: ], dress [dres], scar [sk*:]
No one spoke. Balthus had had a good look at his companions in the fort before they slipped out of the stockade and down the bank into the waiting canoe. They were of a new breed growing up in the world on the raw edge of the frontier — men whom grim necessity had taught woodcraft. Aquilonians of the western provinces to a man, they had many points in common. They dressed alike — in buckskin boots, leathern breeches and deerskin shirts, with broad girdles that held axes and short swords; and they were all gaunt and scarred and hard-eyed; sinewy and taciturn.
They were wild men, of a sort, yet there was still a wide gulf between them and the Cimmerian (они были дикари, в некотором роде, тем не менее была еще широкая пропасть между ними и киммерийцем). They were sons of civilization, reverted to a semi-barbarism (они были сынами цивилизации, вернувшимися к полуварварству). He was a barbarian of a thousand generations of barbarians (он был варваром из тысяч поколений варваров). They had acquired stealth and craft, but he had been born to these things (они приобрели хитрость и ловкость, но = а он родился к этим вещам = с ними). He excelled them even in lithe economy of motion (он превосходил их даже в гибкой экономности движения). They were wolves, but he was a tiger (они были волки, а он был тигр).
gulf [**lf], stealth [stelO], wolves [w*lvz]
They were wild men, of a sort, yet there was still a wide gulf between them and the barbarian of a thousand generations of barbarians. They had acquired stealth and craft, but he had been born to these things. He excelled them even in lithe economy of motion. They were wolves, but he was a tiger.
Balthus admired them and their leader and felt a pulse of pride that he was admitted into their company (Балтус восхищался ими и их вожаком, и испытывал чувство гордости, что он был принят в их компанию). He was proud that his paddle made no more noise than did theirs (он гордился, что его весло производило не больше шума, чем /делали/ их /весла/). In that respect at least he was their equal (в этом отношении по крайней мере он был им ровней), though woodcraft learned in hunts on the Tauran could never equal that ground into the souls of men on the savage border (хотя знание леса, изученное = полученное на охоте в Тауране /не/ могло бы никогда сравняться с тем = знанием, вдолбленным в души людей на дикой / жестокой границе).
admire [*d*ma**], ground [*raund], equal [*i: kw*l]
Balthus admired them and their leader and felt a pulse of pride that he was admitted into their company. He was proud that his paddle made no more noise than did theirs. In that respect at least he was their equal, though woodcraft learned in hunts on the Tauran could never equal that ground into the souls of men on the savage border.
Below the fort the river made a wide bend (ниже форта река образовывала широкую излучину). The lights of the outpost were quickly lost (огни аванпоста быстро пропали), but the canoe held on its way for nearly a mile (но каноэ продолжало /свой/ путь почти милю), avoiding snags and floating logs with almost uncanny precision (избегая коряг и плавающих бревен с почти сверхъестественной точностью; to hold on — продолжать).
bend [bend], snag [sn**], precision [pr**s**n]
Below the fort the river made a wide bend. The lights of the outpost were quickly lost, but the canoe held on its way for nearly a mile, avoiding snags and floating logs with almost uncanny precision.
Then a low grunt from their leader (затем низкое ворчание от вожака), and they swung its head about and glided toward the opposite shore (и они повернули /его/ носовую часть и заскользили к противоположному берегу; to swing — повернуть, качнуть, колебать). Emerging from the black shadows of the bush that fringed the bank (появление из черных теней кустарника, который окаймлял берег) and coming into the open of the midstream created a peculiar illusion of rash exposure (и выход в = на открытое место на середине реки создавали странную иллюзию стремительного обнажения). But the stars gave little light (но звезды давали мало света), and Balthus knew that unless one were watching for it, it would be all but impossible for the keenest eye to make out the shadowy shape of the canoe crossing the river (и Балтус знал, что если кто-то не высматривал их, /это/ было бы почти невозможно для самого острого глаза выделить призрачную форму каноэ, пересекающего реку).
opposite [**p*z*t], create [kr**e*t], illusion [**lu: *n]
Then a low grunt from their leader, and they swung its head about and glided toward the opposite shore. Emerging from the black shadows of the brush that fringed the bank and coming into the open of the midstream created a peculiar illusion of rash exposure. But the stars gave little light, and Balthus knew that unless one were watching for it, it would be all but impossible for the keenest eye to make out the shadowy shape of the canoe crossing the river.
They swung in under the overhanging bushes of the western shore (они качнулись под нависающие кусты западного берега) and Balthus groped for and found a projecting root which he grasped (и Балтус нащупал и нашел = ощупью нашел выступающий корень, /за который/ он схватился). No word was spoken (ни слова /не/ было сказано). All instructions had been given before the scouting- party left the fort (все указания были даны до того, как разведывательная группа покинула форт). As silently as a great panther, Conan slid over the side and vanished in the bushes (бесшумно, как огромная пантера, Конан скользнул за борт и исчез в кустах). Equally noiseless, nine men followed him (так же бесшумно девять человек последовали за ним). To Balthus, grasping the root with his paddle across his knee, it seemed incredible that ten men should thus fade into the tangled forest without a sound (Балтусу, державшемуся за корень с веслом на коленях, казалось невероятным, чтобы десять человек так растворились в запутанном = непроходимом лесу без звука).
root [ru: t], grasp [*r*: sp], vanish [*v*n**]
They swung in under the overhanging bushes of the western shore and Balthus groped for and found a projecting root which he grasped. No word was spoken. All instructions had been given before the scouting-party left the fort. As silently as a great panther, Conan slid over the side and vanished in the bushes. Equally noiseless, nine men followed him. To Balthus, grasping the root with his paddle across his knee, it seemed incredible that ten men should thus fade into the tangled forest without a sound.
He settled himself to wait (он устроился ждать). No word passed between him and the other man who had been left with him (ни одним словом /не/ обменялись он и другой человек, который был оставлен с ним). Somewhere, a mile or so to the northwest, Zogar Sag's village stood girdled with thick woods (где-то /в/ миле или около того на северо-запад стояла деревня Зогара Сага, окруженная густым лесом). Balthus understood his orders; he and his companion were to wait for the return of the raiding-party (Балтус понял свои приказы, он и его спутник /должны/ были ждать возвращения диверсионной команды; to raid — совершать налет, набег, облаву). If Conan and his men had not returned by the first tinge of dawn (если бы Конан и его люди не вернулись к первому оттенку рассвета), they were to race back up the river to the fort and report that the forest had again taken its immemorial toll of the invading race (они /должны/ были двигаться назад вверх по реке к форту и доложить, что лес опять собрал свою извечную дань со вторгшейся расы). The silence was oppressive (тишина была гнетущей). No sound came from the black woods, invisible beyond the ebony masses that were the overhanging bushes (ни один звук /не/ доносился из черного леса, невидимого за черными массами, которые были нависающими кустами). Balthus no longer heard the drums (Балтус больше не слышал барабанов; to hear — слышать). They had been silent for hours (они молчали: «быил безмолвными» уже /несколько/ часов). He kept blinking, unconsciously trying to see through the deep gloom (он продолжал моргать, бессознательно пытаясь видеть сквозь глубокий мрак; to keep + V-ing — обозначает продолжение действия, выраженного «инговой» формой). The dank night- smells of the river and the damp forest oppressed him (сырые ночные запахи реки и сырого леса угнетали его). Somewhere, near by, there was a sound as if a big fish had flopped and splashed the water (где-то, поблизости был = раздался звук, как будто большая рыба шлепнула и плеснула водой). Balthus thought it must have leaped so close to the canoe that it had struck the side, for a slight quiver vibrated the craft (Балтус подумал, что она, наверное, прыгнула так близко к каноэ, что /она/ ударилась о борт, так как легкая дрожь колыхнула суденышко). The boat's stern began to swing, slightly away from the shore (корма лодки начала качаться, /уходя/ от берега; to begin — начинать, начинаться). The man behind him must have let go of the projection he was gripping (человек позади него, должно быть, выпустил выступающую часть /коряги/, /за которую/ он держался; to let smth. go — выпустить что-л.). Balthus twisted his head to hiss a warning (Балтус повернул /свою/ голову, /чтобы/ прошипеть предупреждение), and could just make out the figure of his companion, a slightly blacker bulk in the blackness (и мог лишь разобрать фигуру своего спутника, чуть более черное тело в черноте).
leap [li: p], report [r**p*: t], dawn [d*: n]
He settled himself to wait. No word passed between him and the other man who had been left with him. Somewhere, a mile or so to the northwest, Zogar Sag's village stood girdled with thick woods. Balthus understood his orders; he and his companion were to wait for the return of the raiding-party. If Conan and his men had not returned by the first tinge of dawn, they were to race back up the river to the fort and report that the forest had again taken its immemorial toll of the invading race. The silence was oppressive. No sound came from the black woods, invisible beyond the ebony masses that were the overhanging bushes. Balthus no longer heard the drums. They had been silent for hours. He kept blinking, unconsciously trying to see through the deep gloom. The dank night-smells of the river and the damp forest oppressed him. Somewhere, near by, there was a sound as if a big fish had flopped and splashed the water. Balthus thought it must have leaped so close to the canoe that it had struck the side, for a slight quiver vibrated the craft. The boat's stern began to swing, slightly away from the shore. The man behind him must have let go of the projection he was gripping. Balthus twisted his head to hiss a warning, and could just make out the figure of his companion, a slightly blacker bulk in the blackness.
The man did not reply (мужчина не ответил). Wondering if he had fallen asleep, Balthus reached out and grasped his shoulder (спрашивая себя, /не/ уснул ли он, Балтус потянулся и схватил его плечо; to fall asleep — заснуть). To his amazement, the man crumpled under his touch and slumped down in the canoe (к его изумлению, мужчина рухнул под его прикосновением и осел внизу в каноэ = на дно каноэ). Twisting his body half about, Balthus groped for him, his heart shooting into his throat (повернув его тело на пол-оборота, Балтус ощупал его, у него душа ушла в пятки: «его сердце дернулось в его горло»; to have one's heart in one's mouth/throat — быть очень напуганным; душа в пятки ушла). His fumbling fingers slid over the man's throat (его нащупывающие пальцы скользнули по горлу мужчины) — only the youth's convulsive clenching of his jaws choked back the cry that rose to his lips (только конвульсивное стискивание юноши = юношей /его/ челюстей сдержало крик = только конвульсивно стиснутые челюсти сдержали крик, который поднялся к его губам = готовый сорваться с его губ). His finger encountered a gaping, oozing wound — his companion's throat had been cut from ear to ear (его палец натолкнулся на зияющую, сочащуюся рану — горло его спутника было перерезано от уха до уха; to cut — резать, рубить).
asleep [**sli: p], youth [ju: O], wound [w*nd]
The man did not reply. Wondering if he had fallen asleep, Balthus reached out and grasped his shoulder. To his amazement, the man crumpled under his touch and slumped down in the canoe. Twisting his body half about, Balthus groped for him, his heart shooting into his throat. His fumbling fingers slid over the man's throat — only the youth's convulsive clenching of his jaws choked back the cry that rose to his lips. His finger encountered a gaping, oozing wound — his companion's throat had been cut from ear to ear.
In that instant of horror and panic Balthus started up — and then a muscular arm out of the darkness locked fiercely about his throat, strangling his yell (в этот миг ужаса и паники Балтус вскочил — а затем мускулистая рука из темноты сомкнулась яростно на его горле, подавляя его вопль). The canoe rocked wildly (каноэ дико затряслось). Balthus' knife was in his hand, though he did not remember jerking it out of his boot, and he stabbed fiercely and blindly (нож Балтуса был в его руке, хотя он не помнил, /как/ выхватил его из сапога, и он яростно и вслепую вонзил /его/). He felt the blade sink deep, and a fiendish yell rang in his ear, a yell that was horribly answered (он почувствовал, /как/ лезвие погрузилось глубоко, и злодейский вопль = вопль злодея раздался в его ухе, вопль, который был ужасно отвечен = на который пришел ужасный ответ). The darkness seemed to come to life about him (темнота, казалось, ожила вокруг него; to come to life — оживать). A bestial clamor rose on all sides, and other arms grappled him (звериный крик поднялся со всех сторон, и другие руки обхватили его). Borne under a mass of hurtling bodies the canoe rolled sidewise shone (/несомое/ под массой столкнувшихся тел каноэ качнулось вбок), but before he went under with it но прежде чем он перевернулся с ним), something cracked against Balthus' head (что-то ударилось о голову Балтуса) and the night was briefly illuminated by a blinding burst of fire before it gave way to a blackness where not even stars (и ночь на короткое время осветилась ослепляющей вспышкой огня, прежде чем она уступила /место/ черноте, где не светили даже звезды; to give way — уступать, отступать, поддаваться, сдаваться; to shine — светить).
darkness [*d*: kn*s], yell [jel], shone [**n]
In that instant of horror and panic Balthus started up — and then a muscular arm out of the darkness locked fiercely about his throat, strangling his yell. The canoe rocked wildly. Balthus' knife was in his hand, though he did not remember jerking it out of his boot, and he stabbed fiercely and blindly. He felt the blade sink deep, and a fiendish yell rang in his ear, a yell that was horribly answered. The darkness seemed to come to life about him. A bestial clamor rose on all sides, and other arms grappled him. Borne under a mass of hurtling bodies the canoe rolled sidewise, but before he went under with it, something cracked against Balthus' head and the night was briefly illuminated by a blinding burst of fire before it gave way to a blackness where not even stars shone.
4. The Beasts of Zogar Sag
(Звери Зогар Сага)
Fires dazzled Balthus again as he slowly recovered his senses (огни ослепили Балтуса опять, когда он медленно пришел в сознание / в чувство; to recover one’s senses — приходить в сознание: «вновь обретать свои чувства»). He blinked, shook his head (он заморгал, потряс головой; to shake). Their glare hurt his eyes (их яркий свет причинял боль его глазам; to hurt — ушибить, причинять боль). A confused medley of sound rose about him, growing more distinct as his senses cleared (беспорядочная мешанина звуков поднялась вокруг него, становясь более разборчивой, по мере того, как его чувства прояснялись). He lifted his head and stared stupidly about him (он поднял /свою/ голову и посмотрел глупо = тупо вокруг себя = по сторонам). Black figures hemmed him in, etched against crimson tongues of flame (черные фигуры окружали его, четко очерченные против = на фоне кровавых языков пламени; to etch — гравировать, запечатлевать; hem — ободок, кайма; край, кромка; to hem — ограничивать (что-л. определенными границами); окружать).
sense [sens], rose [r*uz], hem [hem]
Fires dazzled Balthus again as he slowly recovered his senses. He blinked, shook his head. Their glare hurt his eyes. A confused medley of sound rose about him, growing more distinct as his senses cleared. He lifted his head and stared stupidly about him. Black figures hemmed him in, etched against crimson tongues of flame.
Memory and understanding came in a rush (память и понимание пришли в спешке = быстро). He was bound upright to a post in an open space, ringed by fierce and terrible figures (он был привязан вертикально к столбу на открытом пространстве, окруженный свирепыми и ужасными фигурами; to bind — вязать, привязывать, связывать). Beyond that ring fires burned, tended by naked, dark-skinned women (за этим кругом горели костры, /за которыми/ присматривали обнаженные темнокожие женщины; to tend — присматривать, ухаживать). Beyond the fires he saw huts of mud and wattle, thatched with brush (за кострами он увидел хижины из глины и прутьев, крытые кустарником). Beyond the huts there was a stockade with a broad gate (за хижинами был частокол с широкими воротами). But he saw these things only incidentally (но он видел эти вещи лишь мельком). Even the cryptic dark women with their curious coiffures were noted by him only absently (даже таинственные темные женщины с их любопытными прическами были замечены им лишь рассеянно). His full attention was fixed in awful fascination on the men who stood glaring at him (его полное = все внимание было сосредоточено, в ужасной притягательности, на мужчинах, которые стояли уставясь на него).
post [p*ust], space [spe*s], cryptic [*kr*pt*k]
Memory and understanding came in a rush. He was bound upright to a post in an open space, ringed by fierce and terrible figures. Beyond that ring fires burned, tended by naked, dark-skinned women. Beyond the fires he saw huts of mud and wattle, thatched with brush. Beyond the huts there was a stockade with a broad gate. But he saw these things only incidentally. Even the cryptic dark women with their curious coiffures were noted by him only absently. His full attention was fixed in awful fascination on the men who stood glaring at him.
Short men, broad-shouldered, deep-chested, lean-hipped низкорослые мужчины, широкоплечие, с широкой грудью, с узкими бедрами), they were naked except for scanty loin-clouts (они были обнажены за исключением скудной набедренной повязки; except for — за исключением). The firelight brought out the play of their swelling muscles in bold relief (свет костра подчеркивало / выделяло игру их вздымающихся мускулов очень рельефно; to bring out — выявлять, обнаруживать; in relief — рельефно). Their dark faces were immobile (их темные лица были неподвижны), but their narrow eyes glittered with the fire that burns in the eyes of a stalking tiger (но их узкие глаза сверкали огнем, которые горит в глазах подкрадывающегося тигра). Their tangled manes were bound back with bands of copper (их спутанные гривы были перетянуты сзади лентами / полосками меди). Swords and axes were in their hands (мечи и топоры были в их руках). Crude bandages banded the limbs of some (грубые повязки перехватывали конечности некоторых), and smears of blood were dried on their dark skins (и пятна крови высохли на их темных шкурах). There had been fighting, recent and deadly (они сражались, недавно и смертельно).
naked [ne*k*d], immobile [**m*uba*l], recent [ri: snt]
Short men, broad-shouldered, deep-chested, lean-hipped, they were naked except for scanty loin-clouts. The firelight brought out the play of their swelling muscles in bold relief. Their dark faces were immobile, but their narrow eyes glittered with the fire that burns in the eyes of a stalking tiger. Their tangled manes were bound back with bands of copper. Swords and axes were in their hands. Crude bandages banded the limbs of some, and smears of blood were dried on their dark skins. There had been fighting, recent and deadly.
His eyes wavered away from the steady glare of his captors, and he repressed a cry of horror (его глаза отвернулись от твердого взгляда его пленителей, и он подавил крик ужаса). A few feet away there rose a low, hideous pyramid: it was built of gory human heads (/в/ нескольких футах прочь = от него возвышалась низкая отвратительная пирамида, она была построена из окровавленных человеческих голов; to build — строить). Dead eyes glared glassily up the black sky (мертвые глаза смотрели стеклянно = остекленевшим взглядом вверх в черное небо). Numbly he recognized the countenances which were turned toward him (оцепенев, он узнал лица, которые были повернуты к нему; numb — онемелый, оцепенелый, неподвижный). They were the heads of the men who had followed Conan into the forest (они = это были головы людей, которые последовали за Конаном в лес). He could not tell if the Cimmerian's head were among them (он не мог сказать, была ли голова Конана среди них). Only a few faces were visible to him (лишь несколько лиц были видимы ему). It looked to him as if there must be ten or eleven heads at least (/это/ ему показалось, что как будто там должно быть, по крайней мере, десять-одиннадцать голов). A deadly sickness assailed him (ужасная тошнота охватила его). He fought a desire to retch (он боролся с желанием вырвать; to retch — рыгать; тужиться (при рвоте)). Beyond the heads lay the bodies of half a dozen Picts (за головами лежали тела полудюжины пиктов), and he was aware of a fierce exultation at the sight (и он осознавал = испытывал яростное торжество при виде /этого/; to be aware of — осознавать, знать, отдавать себе отчет). The forest runners had taken toll, at least (по крайней мере, лесные разведчики собрали дань; to take toll — собрать пошлину).
steady [*sted*], captor [*k*pt*], hideous [*h*d**s]
His eyes wavered away from the steady glare of his captors, and he repressed a cry of horror. A few feet away there rose a low, hideous pyramid: it was built of gory human heads. Dead eyes glared glassily up the black sky. Numbly he recognized the countenances which were turned toward him. They were the heads of the men who had followed Conan into the forest. He could not tell if the Cimmerian's head were among them. Only a few faces were visible to him. It looked to him as if there must be ten or eleven heads at least. A deadly sickness assailed him. He fought a desire to retch. Beyond the heads lay the bodies of half a dozen Picts, and he was aware of a fierce exultation at the sight. The forest runners had taken toll, at least.
Twisting his head away from the ghastly spectacle (отвернув /свою/ голову от мерзкого зрелища), he became aware that another post stood near him он понял / заметил, что еще один столб стоял возле него) — a stake painted black as was the one to which he was bound (столб, окрашенный в черный цвет, как и тот, к которому был привязан он). A man sagged in his bonds there, naked except for his leathern breeks (мужчина, обвисший в своих путах там, обнаженный за исключением его кожаных штанов), whom Balthus recognized as one of Conan's woodsmen которого = в котором Балтус узнал, /как/ одного из лесовиков Конана). Blood trickled from his mouth, oozed sluggishly from a gash in his side (кровь сочилась из его рта, вытекала медленно из глубокой раны в боку; sluggish — вялый; медленный, неторопливый). Lifting his head as he licked his livid lips (подняв /свою/ голову, когда он облизывал /свои/ мертвенно-бледные губы), he muttered, making himself heard with difficulty above the fiendish clamor of the Picts: "So they got you, too (он пробормотал, делая себя услышанным = стараясь быть услышанным, с трудом /перекрывая/ злодейский гул пиктов: значит, они взяли тебя тоже; to get — взять, поймать, достать, заполучить)!"
aware [**w**], livid [*l*v*d], too [tu:]
Twisting his head away from the ghastly spectacle, he became aware that another post stood near him — a stake painted black as was the one to which he was bound. A man sagged in his bonds there, naked except for his leathern breeks, whom Balthus recognized as one of Conan's woodsmen. Blood trickled from his mouth, oozed sluggishly from a gash in his side. Lifting his head as he licked his livid lips, he muttered, making himself heard with difficulty above the fiendish clamor of the Picts: "So they got you, too!"
"Sneaked up in the water and cut the other fellow's throat," groaned Balthus (незаметно подкрались в воде и перерезали горло другому парню, — простонал Балтус). "We never heard them till they were on us (мы никогда = вовсе не слышали, пока они /не/ были на нас = напали на нас). Mitra, how can anything move so silently (Митра, как может что-нибудь двигаться так бесшумно)*"
"Sneaked up in the water and cut the other fellow's throat," groaned Balthus. "We never heard them till they were on us. Mitra, how can anything move so silently*"
"They're devils," mumbled the frontiersman (они дьяволы, — пробормотал житель приграничья). "They must have been watching us from the time we left midstream (они, наверное, следили за нами с того времени, когда мы покинули середину реки; to leave — покидать, оставлять). We walked into a trap (мы угодили в западню). Arrows from all sides were ripping into us before we knew it (стрелы со всех сторон вонзались в нас, пока мы поняли это = мы опомнились). Most of us dropped at the first fire (большинство из нас погибло при первом залпе). Three or four broke through the bushes and came to hand- grips (трое-четверо пробились через кусты и вступили врукопашную; to come to handgrips — вступать врукопашную; to grip — схватить; сжать). But there were too many (но /их/ было слишком много). Conan might have gotten away (Конан, возможно, ушел). I haven't seen his head (я не видел его головы).
Been better for you and me if they'd killed us outright (было бы лучше для тебя и для меня, если бы они убили нас сразу). I can't blame Conan (я не могу винить Конана). Ordinarily we'd have gotten to the village without being discovered (в обычном случае мы бы добрались до деревни, не будучи обнаруженными = незаметно). They don't keep spies on the river bank as far down as we landed (они не держат соглядатаев на берегу реки так далеко вниз /по реке/, где мы высадились). We must have stumbled into a big party coming up the river from the south (мы, наверное, натолкнулись на большой отряд, поднимающийся вверх по реке с юга). Some devilment is up (затевается какая-то дьявольщина; to be up — происходить, затевать, замышлять). Too many Picts here (здесь слишком много пиктов). These aren't all Gwaweli; men from the western tribes here and from up and down the river (эти = они не все гвавельцы, здесь люди из западных племен и с верховьев и низовьев реки)."
blame [ble*m], can't — Br.[k*: nt] Am. [k*nt], south [sauO]
"They're devils," mumbled the frontiersman. "They must have been watching us from the time we left midstream. We walked into a trap. Arrows from all sides were ripping into us before we knew it. Most of us dropped at the first fire. Three or four broke through the bushes and came to hand-grips. But there were too many. Conan might have gotten away. I haven't seen his head. Been better for you and me if they'd killed us outright. I can't blame Conan. Ordinarily we'd have gotten to the village without being discovered. They don't keep spies on the river bank as far down as we landed. We must have stumbled into a big party coming up the river from the south. Some devilment is up. Too many Picts here. These aren't all Gwaweli; men from the western tribes here and from up and down the river."
Balthus stared at the ferocious shapes (Балтус уставился на дикие фигуры). Little as he knew of Pictish ways, he was aware that the number of men clustered about them was out of proportion to the size of the village (хотя он знал мало о пиктских обычаях, он понимал, что количество мужчин, собравшихся вокруг них было несоизмеримо с размером поселка; out of proportion to — несоизмеримо с, несоразмерно с). There were not enough huts to have accommodated them all (было недостаточно хижин, /чтобы/ разместить их всех). Then he noticed that there was a difference in the barbaric tribal designs painted on their faces and breasts (затем он заметил, что была разница в варварских племенных узорах, нанесенных краской на их лица и грудь; to paint — красить, наносить краской, рисовать).
cluster [*kl*st*], notice [*n**t*s], difference [*d*fr*ns]
Balthus stared at the ferocious shapes. Little as he knew of Pictish ways, he was aware that the number of men clustered about them was out of proportion to the size of the village. There were not enough huts to have accommodated them all.
Then he noticed that there was a difference in the barbaric tribal designs painted on their faces and breasts.
"Some kind of devilment," muttered the forest runner (какая-то дьявольщина, — пробормотал лесной разведчик). "They might have gathered here to watch Zogar's magic-making (возможно, они собрались здесь смотреть на колдовство Зогара). He'll make some rare magic with our carcasses (он сотворит какое- нибудь редкое колдовство с нашими тушками). Well, a border-man doesn't expect to die in bed (ну, пограничник не надеется умереть в постели). But I wish we'd gone out along with the rest (но жаль, что мы не ушли с остальными: «я желаю, чтобы мы ушли /тогда/ с остальными»)."
kind [ka*nd], runner [*r*n*], our [*au*]
"Some kind of devilment," muttered the forest runner. "They might have gathered here to watch Zogar's magic-making. He'll make some rare magic with our carcasses. Well, a border-man doesn't expect to die in bed. But I wish we'd gone out along with the rest."
The wolfish howling of the Picts rose in volume and exultation (волчий вой пиктов возрос по громкости и ликованию), and from a movement in their ranks, an eager surging and crowding (и по движению в их рядах, энергичной пульсации и уплотнению; crowd — толпа; to crowd — толпиться), Balthus deduced that someone of importance was coming (Балтус сделал вывод, что шел кто-то важный). Twisting his head about, he saw that the stakes were set before a long building, larger than the other huts (повернув голову, он увидел, что столбы были установлены перед длинным строением, бо*льшим, чем остальные хижины), decorated by human skulls dangling from the eaves (украшенным человеческими черепами, свисающими с карниза; to set — установить, поставить). Through the door of that structure now danced a fantastic figure (через = в двери этого сооружения теперь танцевала фантастическая фигура).
volume [*v*lju: m], deduce [d**dju: s], eave [i: v]
The wolfish howling of the Picts rose in volume and exultation, and from a movement in their ranks, an eager surging and crowding, Balthus deduced that someone of importance was coming. Twisting his head about, he saw that the stakes were set before a long building, larger than the other huts, decorated by human skulls dangling from the eaves. Through the door of that structure now danced a fantastic figure.
"Zogar!" muttered the woodsman, his bloody countenance set in wolfish lines as he unconsciously strained at his cords (Зогар! — пробормотал лесовик, его окровавленное лицо приобрело волчьи черты, когда он бессознательно натянул свои путы). Balthus saw a lean figure of middle height (Балтус увидел тощую фигру среднего роста), almost hidden in ostrich plumes set on a harness of leather and copper (почти скрытую страусиными перьями, насаженных на доспехи из кожи и меди). From amidst the plumes peered a hideous and malevolent face (/из/ среди перьев выглядывало омерзительное и злобное лицо). The plumes puzzled Balthus (перья озадачили Балтуса). He knew their source lay half the width of a world to the south (он знал, /что/ их источник лежал /за/ половину ширины мира = полмира к югу). They fluttered and rustled evilly as the shaman leaped and cavorted (они зловеще развевались и шуршали, когда шаман прыгал и скакал).
set [set], harness [*h*: n*s], leather [*le**]
"Zogar!" muttered the woodsman, his bloody countenance set in wolfish lines as he unconsciously strained at his cords. Balthus saw a lean figure of middle height, almost hidden in ostrich plumes set on a harness of leather and copper. From amidst the plumes peered a hideous and malevolent face. The plumes puzzled Balthus. He knew their source lay half the width of a world to the south. They fluttered and rustled evilly as the shaman leaped and cavorted.
With fantastic bounds and prancings he entered the ring and whirled before his bound and silent captives (фантастическими прыжками и скачками он вошел в кольцо и закружился перед /его/ связанными и молчащими пленниками). With another man it would have seemed ridiculous — a foolish savage prancing meaninglessly in a whirl of feathers (для другого /человека/ это показалось бы смешным — придурковатый дикарь, скачущий бессмысленно в кружении перьев). But that ferocious face glaring out from the billowing mass gave the scene a grim significance (но это свирепое лицо, пристально глядящее из волнующейся массы, придавало сцене мрачный смысл). No man with a face like that could seem ridiculous or like anything except the devil he was (ни один человек с таким лицом /не/ мог казаться смехотворным или наподобие того, за исключением того демона, которым он был).
fantastic [f*n*t*st*k], another [**n***], ferocious [f**r*u**s]
With fantastic bounds and prancings he entered the ring and whirled before his bound and silent captives. With another man it would have seemed ridiculous — a foolish savage prancing meaninglessly in a whirl of feathers. But that ferocious face glaring out from the billowing mass gave the scene a grim significance. No man with a face like that could seem ridiculous or like anything except the devil he was.
Suddenly he froze to statuesque stillness (вдруг он оцепенел в застывшей = полной неподвижности); the plumes rippled once and sank about him (перья колыхнулись один раз и опустились /вокруг него/; to sink — погружаться, тонуть, опускаться). The howling warriors fell silent (воющие воины замолчали; to fall silent — замолчать). Zogar Sag stood erect and motionless (Зогар Саг стоял прямой и неподвижный), and he seemed to increase in height — to grow and expand (и он, казалось, увеличивался в росте — рос и расширялся). Balthus experienced the illusion that the Pict was towering above him (Балтус испытывал иллюзию того, что пикт возвышался над ним), staring contemptuously down from a great height (глядя презрительно сверху вниз с огромной высоты), though he knew the shaman was not as tall as himself (хотя он знал, /что/ шаман был не такой высокий, как он сам). He shook off the illusion with difficulty (он избавился от иллюзии с трудом).
statuesque [st****esk], erect [**rekt], increase [*n*kri: s]
Suddenly he froze to statuesque stillness; the plumes rippled once and sank about him. The howling warriors fell silent. Zogar Sag stood erect and motionless, and he seemed to increase in height — to grow and expand. Balthus experienced the illusion that the Pict was towering above him, staring contemptuously down from a great height, though he knew the shaman was not as tall as himself. He shook off the illusion with difficulty.
The shaman was talking now, a harsh, guttural intonation that yet carried the hiss of a cobra (шаман теперь говорил /с/ раздражающей гортанной интонацией, которая тем не менее несла /в себе/ шипение кобры). He thrust his head on his long neck toward the wounded man on the stake (он вытянул свою голову на /его/ длинной шее в сторону раненого мужчины у столба); his eyes shone red as blood in the firelight (его глаза засветились красным, как кровь в свете костра). The frontiersman spat full in his face (житель приграничья плюнул прямо в его лицо = ему в лицо; to spit — плевать).
The shaman was talking now, a harsh, guttural intonation that yet carried the hiss of a cobra. He thrust his head on his long neck toward the wounded man on the stake; his eyes shone red as blood in the firelight. The frontiersman spat full in his face.
With a fiendish howl Zogar bounded convulsively into the air (с ужасным воем Зогар подпрыгнул судорожно в воздух), and the warriors gave tongue to a yell that shuddered up to the stars (и воины подали голос в виде вопля, который содрогнулся = взметнулся до звезд). They rushed toward the man on the stake, but the shaman beat them back (они бросились к мужчине на столбе, но шаман отразил их; to beat back — отбить, отразить). A snarled command sent men running to the gate (ворчливая команда отправила людей бегом к воротам; to send — отправлять, посылать). They hurled it open, turned and raced back to the circle (они распахнули их, повернулись и побежали назад к кругу). The ring of men split, divided with desperate haste to right and left (кольцо людей распалось, разделилось с отчаянной поспешностью направо и налево). Balthus saw the women and naked children scurrying to the huts (Балтус увидел женщин и голых детей, бегущих стремглав к хижинам). They peeked out of doors and windows (они выглядывали из дверей и окон). A broad lane was left to the open gate (широкий проход был оставлен к открытым воротам), beyond which loomed the black forest (за которыми маячил черный лес), crowding sullenly in upon the clearing, unlighted by the fires (скапливаясь зловеще на росчисти, неосвещенной кострами; clearing — участок, расчищенный под пашню, росчисть).
fiendish [*fi: nd**], convulsively [k*n*v*ls*vl*], haste [he*st]
With a fiendish howl Zogar bounded convulsively into the air, and the warriors gave tongue to a yell that shuddered up to the stars. They rushed toward the man on the stake, but the shaman beat them back. A snarled command sent men running to the gate. They hurled it open, turned and raced back to the circle. The ring of men split, divided with desperate haste to right and left. Balthus saw the women and naked children scurrying to the huts. They peeked out of doors and windows. A broad lane was left to the open gate, beyond which loomed the black forest, crowding sullenly in upon the clearing, unlighted by the fires.
A tense silence reigned as Zogar Sag turned toward the forest, raised on his tiptoes and sent a weird inhuman call shuddering out into the night (царила напряженная тишина, когда Зогар Саг повернулся к лесу, поднялся на /его/ цыпочки и исторг причудливый нечеловеческий зов, вибрирующий в ночи). Somewhere, far out in the black forest, a deeper cry answered him (где-то, далеко в черном лесу, более низкий крик ответил ему). Balthus shuddered (Балтус содрогнулся). From the timbre of that cry he knew it never came from a human throat (от = по тембру этого крика он знал, /что/ он никогда = вовсе не исходил из человеческого горла). He remembered what Valannus had said — that Zogar boasted that he could summon wild beasts to do his bidding (он вспомнил, что говорил Валаннус — что Зогар хвалился, что он может призвать диких тварей исполнять его приказы; to do one’s bidding — исполнять чьи-то приказы, распоряжения). The woodsman was livid beneath his mask of blood (лесовик был мертвенно-бледный под его маской из крови). He licked his lips spasmodically (он конвульсивно облизал /свои/ губы).
weird [w**d], do [du: ], beneath [b**ni: O]
A tense silence reigned as Zogar Sag turned toward the forest, raised on his tiptoes and sent a weird inhuman call shuddering out into the night. Somewhere, far out in the black forest, a deeper cry answered him. Balthus shuddered. From the timbre of that cry he knew it never came from a human throat. He remembered what Valannus had said — that Zogar boasted that he could summon wild beasts to do his bidding. The woodsman was livid beneath his mask of blood. He licked his lips spasmodically.
The village held its breath (поселок задержал /свое/ дыхание; to hold — держать, задержать). Zogar Sag stood still as a statue, his plumes trembling faintly about him (Зогар Саг стоял как статуя, его перья слабо подрагивали вокруг него; to tremble — дрожать). But suddenly the gate was no longer empty (но вдруг ворота были больше не пустые).
The village held its breath. Zogar Sag stood still as a statue, his plumes trembling faintly about him. But suddenly the gate was no longer empty.
A shuddering gasp swept over the village and men crowded hastily back, jamming one another between the huts (бросающий в дрожь вздох прокатился по селу, и люди потеснились поспешно назад, сдавливая друг друга между хижинами). Balthus felt the short hair stir on his scalp (Балтус почувствовал, /как/ короткие волосы шевелятся на его макушке). The creature that stood in the gate was like the embodiment of nightmare legend (существо, которое стояло в воротах, было похожим на воплощение кошмарной легенды). Its color was of a curious pale quality which made it seem ghostly and unreal in the dim light (его цвет был необычного бледного оттенка, который делал его /казаться/ призрачным и нереальным в тусклом свете). But there was nothing unreal about the low-hung savage head (однако /не/ было ничего нереального в низко посаженной свирепой голове), and the great curved fangs that glistened in the firelight (и огромных загнутых клыках, которые блестели в свете костров). On noiseless padded feet it approached like a phantom out of the past (на бесшумных лапах с подушечками оно приближалось, как фантом из прошлого; noise — шум). It was a survival of an older, grimmer age, the ogre of many an ancient legend — a saber-tooth tiger (это был пережиток древней зловещей эпохи, ужас многих древних легенд — саблезубый тигр; ogre — великан-людоед). No Hyborian hunter had looked upon one of those primordial brutes for centuries (ни один хайборийский охотник /не/ смотрел на одного из тех изначальных зверей уже /многие/ века). Immemorial myths lent the creatures a supernatural quality, induced by their ghostly color and their fiendish ferocity (давние мифы придавали существам сверхъестественное качество, вызываемое их призрачным цветом и их дьявольской свирепостью); to lend — давать в долг, придавать, приспосабливаться).
nightmare [*na*tm**], glisten [*l*sn], primordial [pra**m*: dj*l]
A shuddering gasp swept over the village and men crowded hastily back, jamming one another between the huts. Balthus felt the short hair stir on his scalp. The creature that stood in the gate was like the embodiment of nightmare legend. Its color was of a curious pale quality which made it seem ghostly and unreal in the dim light. But there was nothing unreal about the low-hung savage head, and the great curved fangs that glistened in the firelight. On noiseless padded feet it approached like a phantom out of the past. It was a survival of an older, grimmer age, the ogre of many an ancient legend — a saber-tooth tiger. No Hyborian hunter had looked upon one of those primordial brutes for centuries. Immemorial myths lent the creatures a supernatural quality, induced by their ghostly color and their fiendish ferocity.
The beast that glided toward the men on the stakes was longer and heavier than a common, striped tiger, almost as bulky as a bear (тварь, которая скользила к мужчинам на столбах, была длиннее и тяжелее, чем обычный полосатый тигр, почти такой же крупной, как медведь). Its shoulders and forelegs were so massive and mightily muscled as to give it a curiously top-heavy look (ее плечи и передние лапы были такие массивные и с такой могучей мускулатурой: «могуче мускулистые», что придавали ей странно неустойчивый вид), though its hindquarters were more powerful than that of a lion (хотя ее задняя часть была более мощной, чем у льва). Its jaws were massive, but its head was brutishly shaped (ее челюсти были массивные, но ее голова была грубой формы). Its brain capacity was small (ее объем мозга был невелик). It had room for no instincts except those of destruction (он не имел места для инстинктов, кроме таковых разрушения = в нем было место лишь для инстинктов разрушения). It was a freak of carnivorous development, evolution run amuck in a horror of fangs and talons (это была аномалия /в/ развитии плотоядных, эволюционное безумие в ужасе из клыков и когтей; to run amuck — обезуметь; быть вне себя, неистовствовать; в ярости набрасываться на всякого встречного).
bear [b**], hindquarters [*ha*ndkw*: t*z], capacity [k**p*s*t*]
The beast that glided toward the men on the stakes was longer and heavier than a common, striped tiger, almost as bulky as a bear. Its shoulders and forelegs were so massive and mightily muscled as to give it a curiously top-heavy look, though its hindquarters were more powerful than that of a lion. Its jaws were massive, but its head was brutishly shaped. Its brain capacity was small. It had room for no instincts except those of destruction. It was a freak of carnivorous development, evolution run amuck in a horror of fangs and talons.
This was the monstrosity Zogar Sag had summoned out of the forest (это было чудовище, /которое/ Зогар Саг вызвал из леса). Balthus no longer doubted the actuality of the shaman's magic (Балтус больше не сомневался в яви магии шамана = что она настоящая, действенная). Only the black arts could establish a domination over that tiny-brained, mighty-thewed monster (только черная магия могла установить власть над этим монстром с крошечным мозгом и могучей мускулатурой; thews — мускулы). Like a whisper at the back of his consciousness rose the vague memory of the name of an ancient god of darkness and primordial fear (подобно шепоту позади = на задворках его сознания, поднялись смутные воспоминания об имени древнего бога тьмы и первобытного ужаса), to whom once both men and beasts bowed (которому некогда поклонялись как люди, так и звери) and whose children — men whispered — still lurked in dark corners of the world (и чьи дети = дети которого — шептали люди — все еще таились в темных уголках мира). New horror tinged the glare he fixed on Zogar Sag (новый ужас изменил взгляд, /который/ он сосредоточил на Зогаре Саге; to tinge — слегка окрашивать(ся), придавать оттенок; получать оттенок).
actuality [*k****l*t*], bowed [baud], whom [hu: m]
This was the monstrosity Zogar Sag had summoned out of the forest. Balthus no longer doubted the actuality of the shaman's magic. Only the black arts could establish a domination over that tiny-brained, mighty-thewed monster. Like a whisper at the back of his consciousness rose the vague memory of the name of an ancient god of darkness and primordial fear, to whom once both men and beasts bowed and whose children — men whispered — still lurked in dark corners of the world. New horror tinged the glare he fixed on Zogar Sag.
The monster moved past the heap of bodies and the pile of gory heads without appearing to notice them (чудовище двинулось мимо груды тел и кучи голов, казалось не замечая их: «без казательства замечать их»). He was no scavenger (он был не падальщик). He hunted only the living, in a life dedicated solely to slaughter (он охотился только на живых, в жизни, посвященной исключительно убийству). An awful hunger burned greenly in the wide, unwinking eyes (страшный голод горел зеленым в широко раскрытых, немигающих глазах); the hunger not alone of belly-emptiness, but the lust of death-dealing (голод не только пустоты желудка, но /и/ жажды убийства). His gaping jaws slavered (его разверстые челюсти испускали слюну = из его разверстых челюстей стекала слюна; to slaver — пускать слюни). The shaman stepped back, his hand waved toward the woodsman (шаман шагнул назад, его рука махнула в сторону лесовика).
gory [***: r*], scavenger [*sk*v*n**], slaughter [*sl*: t*]
The monster moved past the heap of bodies and the pile of gory heads without appearing to notice them. He was no scavenger. He hunted only the living, in a life dedicated solely to slaughter. An awful hunger burned greenly in the wide, unwinking eyes; the hunger not alone of belly-emptiness, but the lust of death-dealing. His gaping jaws slavered. The shaman stepped back, his hand waved toward the woodsman.
The great cat sank into a crouch (огромная кошка припала к земле; to crouch — припадать к земле; согнуться, сжаться; crouch — припадание к земле, нагибание, сгибание), and Balthus numbly remembered tales of its appalling ferocity (и Балтус, оцепенев, вспомнил рассказы о ее ужасной свирепости): of how it would spring upon an elephant and drive its sword-like fangs so deeply into the titan's skull (о /том/, как она набрасывалась на слона и вонзала свои саблевидные клыки так глубоко в череп титана) that they could never be withdrawn (/так,/ что их нельзя было вытащить: «они могли никогда быть вытащены»; to withdraw — извлекать, вытаскивать), but would keep it nailed to its victim, to die by starvation (но они держали ее прикованной к ее жертве, так что она умирала от голода: «умереть голодом»; would + V — обозначает привычное / обычное действие в прошлом). The shaman cried out shrilly, and with an ear-shattering roar the monster sprang (шаман пронзительно завопил, и с оглушительным рычанием монстр прыгнул; to shatter — разбить вдребезги; раздробить).
appalling [**p*: l**], elephant [*el*f*nt], starvation [st*:*ve**n]
The great cat sank into a crouch, and Balthus numbly remembered tales of its appalling ferocity: of how it would spring upon an elephant and drive its sword- like fangs so deeply into the titan's skull that they could never be withdrawn, but would keep it nailed to its victim, to die by starvation. The shaman cried out shrilly, and with an ear-shattering roar the monster sprang.
Balthus had never dreamed of such a spring (Балтус никогда /не/ видел /даже во сне/ такого прыжка; to dream of — мечтать, грезить, видеть во сне), such a hurtling of incarnated destruction embodied in that giant bulk of iron thews and ripping talons (такого броска олицетворенного разрушения, воплощенного в этом гигантском теле из железных мускулов и разрывающих когтей). Full on the woodsman's breast it struck (он ударил прямо на = в грудь лесного жителя), and the stake splintered and snapped at the base (и столб треснул и отломился у основания), crashing to the earth under the impact (рухнув на землю под ударом; to strike — ударить, атаковать, заколоть). Then the saber-tooth was gliding toward the gate (затем саблезубый заскользил к воротам), half dragging, half carrying a hideous crimson hulk that only faintly resembled a man (наполовину волоча, наполовину неся отвратительные кровавые останки /того/, что лишь едва напоминало человека). Balthus glared almost paralyzed, his brain refusing to credit what his eyes had seen (Балтус смотрел почти парализованный, его мозг отказывался верить /тому/, что видели его глаза).
tooth [tu: O], saber [*se*b*], credit [*kred*t]
Balthus had never dreamed of such a spring, such a hurtling of incarnated destruction embodied in that giant bulk of iron thews and ripping talons. Full on the woodsman's breast it struck, and the stake splintered and snapped at the base, crashing to the earth under the impact. Then the saber-tooth was gliding toward the gate, half dragging, half carrying a hideous crimson hulk that only faintly resembled a man. Balthus glared almost paralyzed, his brain refusing to credit what his eyes had seen.
In that leap the great beast had not only broken off the stake (в том прыжке огромный зверь не только сломал столб), it had ripped the mangled body of its victim from the post to which it was bound (он оторвал искалеченное тело его жертвы от столба, к которому оно было привязано; to break off — сломать, отломать). The huge talons in that instant of contact had disemboweled and partially dismembered the man (огромные когти в то мгновение контакта выпотрошили и частично расчленили человека; bowel — кишка; bowels — внутренности; member — член), and the giant fangs had torn away the whole top of his head (а гигантские клыки оторвали всю макушку его головы), shearing through the skull as easily as through flesh (пройдя через череп /так же/ легко, как через мясо; to shear — резать, рассекать). Stout rawhide thongs had given way like paper (крепкие сыромятные ремни подались, как бумага); where the thongs had held, flesh and bones had not (/там/ где выдержали ремни, не /выдержала/ плоть и кости). Balthus retched suddenly (Балтус неожиданно вырвал = его вырвало). He had hunted bears and panthers (он охотился на медведей и пантер), but he had never dreamed the beast lived which could make such a red ruin of a human frame in the flicker of an instant (но он никогда /не/ мечтал = не подозревал, /что/ живет зверь, который мог = может сделать такие кровавые ошметки из человеческого тела в мгновение ока).
partially [*p*: **l*], disembowel [d*s*m*bau*l], ruin [*ru: *n]
In that leap the great beast had not only broken off the stake, it had ripped the mangled body of its victim from the post to which it was bound. The huge talons in that instant of contact had disemboweled and partially dismembered the man, and the giant fangs had torn away the whole top of his head, shearing through the skull as easily as through flesh. Stout rawhide thongs had given way like paper; where the thongs had held, flesh and bones had not. Balthus retched suddenly. He had hunted bears and panthers, but he had never dreamed the beast lived which could make such a red ruin of a human frame in the flicker of an instant.
The saber-tooth vanished through the gate (саблезубый исчез через ворота), and a few moments later a deep roar sounded through the forest, receding in the distance (и несколько секунд спустя низкое рычание пронеслось через лес, затихая вдали; to recede — отступать, пятиться, удаляться). But the Picts still shrank back against the huts (но пикты отпрянули к хижинам), and the shaman still stood facing the gate that was like a black opening to let in the night (а шаман все еще стоял лицом к воротам, которые были как черное отверстие, впускающее ночь: «чтобы впускать ночь»).
The saber-tooth vanished through the gate, and a few moments later a deep roar sounded through the forest, receding in the distance. But the Picts still shrank back against the huts, and the shaman still stood facing the gate that was like a black opening to let in the night.
Cold sweat burst suddenly out on Balthus' skin (холодный пот выступил вдруг на коже Балтуса). What new horror would come through that gate to make carrion-meat of his body (какой новый ужас придет через эти ворота, /чтобы/ сделать падаль из его тела; carrion — тело, труп; падаль; meat — мясо)* Sick panic assailed him and he strained futilely at his thongs (тошнотворная паника охватила его, и он тщетно натянул ремни). The night pressed in very black and horrible outside the firelight (ночь сжалась, очень черная и ужасная за пределами света костров). The fires themselves glowed lurid as the fires of Hell (костры сами пылали мертвенно-бледным /светом/, как костры ада). He felt the eyes of the Picts upon him он ощутил глаза пиктов на себе) — hundreds of hungry, cruel eyes that reflected the lust of souls utterly without humanity as he knew it (сотни голодных, жестоких глаз, которые отражали жажду душ совершенно без человечности / человеческих качеств, как он знал это). They no longer seemed men (они больше не казались людьми); they were devils of this black jungle (они были демонами этих черных джунглей), as inhuman as the creatures to which the fiend in the nodding plumes screamed through the darkness (такие же бесчеловечные, как создания, к которым взывал сквозь тьму демон в качающихся перьях).
humanity [hju:*m*n*t*], creature [*kri: **], fiend [fi: nd]
Cold sweat burst suddenly out on Balthus' skin. What new horror would come through that gate to make carrion-meat of his body* Sick panic assailed him and he strained futilely at his thongs. The night pressed in very black and horrible outside the firelight. The fires themselves glowed lurid as the fires of Hell. He felt the eyes of the Picts upon him — hundreds of hungry, cruel eyes that reflected the lust of souls utterly without humanity as he knew it. They no longer seemed men; they were devils of this black jungle, as inhuman as the creatures to which the fiend in the nodding plumes screamed through the darkness.
Zogar sent another call shuddering through the night, and it was utterly unlike the first cry (Зогар отправил еще один зов, вибрирующий в ночи, и этот был совсем непохож на первый крик). There was a hideous sibilance in it — Balthus turned cold at the implication (/там/ было мерзкое шипение в нем — Балтус застыл при осознании /того, что его ожидает/; implication — то, что подразумевается; подтекст; смысл). If a serpent could hiss that loud, it would make just such a sound (если бы змея могла шипеть так громко, она бы делала = издавала как раз такой звук).
implication [*mpl**ke**n], such [s**], asound [**saund]
Zogar sent another call shuddering through the night, and it was utterly unlike the first cry. There was a hideous sibilance in it — Balthus turned cold at the implication. If a serpent could hiss that loud, it would make just such asound.
This time there was no answer — only a period of breathless silence in which the pound of Balthus' heart strangled him (в этот раз не было ответа — лишь период бездыханной тишины, в которой стук сердца Балтуса подавлял его = оглушал его); and then there sounded a swishing outside the gate (а затем там раздался свист / шелест за воротами), a dry rustling that sent chills down Balthus' spine (сухое шелестение, которое вызвало: «послало» мурашки по позвоночнику Балтуса). Again the firelit gate held a hideous occupant (снова освещенные кострами ворота держали отвратительного обитателя = снова в освещенных кострами воротах был отвратительный гость).
period [p**ri: *d], breathless [*breOl*s], occupant [**kjup*nt]
This time there was no answer — only a period of breathless silence in which the pound of Balthus' heart strangled him; and then there sounded a swishing outside the gate, a dry rustling that sent chills down Balthus' spine. Again the firelit gate held a hideous occupant.
Again Balthus recognized the monster from ancient legends (снова Балтус узнал монстра из древних легенд). He saw and knew the ancient and evil serpent it (он видел и знал древнюю и зловещую змею) which swayed there (которая раскачивалась там), its wedge-shaped head, huge as that of a horse (ее клиновидную голову, огромную, как таковая = голова лошади), as high as a tall man's head (столь же высокую, как голова высокого мужчины), and its palely gleaming barrel rippling out behind (и ее бледно мерцающую тушу, струящуюся за ней). A forked tongue darted in and out, and the firelight glittered on bared fangs (раздвоенный язык /резко/ высовывался и исчезал внутри: «бросался внутрь и наружу», а свет костров сверкал на обнаженных клыках).
recognize [*rek**na*z], evil [*i: vl], huge [hju: *]
Again Balthus recognized the monster from ancient legends. He saw and knew the ancient and evil serpent which swayed there, its wedge-shaped head, huge as that of a horse, as high as a tall man's head, and its palely gleaming barrel rippling out behind it. A forked tongue darted in and out, and the firelight glittered on bared fangs.
Balthus became incapable of emotion (Балтус стал неспособным на эмоции; to become — становиться). The horror of his fate paralyzed him (ужас от = перед его участью парализовал его). That was the reptile that the ancients called Ghost Snake (это была рептилия, которую древние называли Призрачным Змеем), the pale, abominable terror that of old glided into huts by night to devour whole families (бледный, гадкий ужас, который в прежние времена проскальзывал в хижины по ночам, /чтобы/ сожрать целые семьи). Like the python it crushed its victim (подобно питону, он сдавливал свою жертву), but unlike other constrictors its fangs bore venom that carried madness and death (но, в отличие от других констрикторов, его клыки имели яд, который приносил безумие и смерть; to bear — нести, иметь при себе). It too had long been considered extinct (он тоже давно считался вымершим). But Valannus had spoken truly (но Валаннус говорил правду). No white man knew what shapes haunted the great forests beyond Black River (ни один белый человек /не/ знал, какие формы обитали в огромных лесах за Черной рекой).
incapable [*n*ke*p*bl], abominable [**b*m*n*bl], devour [d**vau*]
Balthus became incapable of emotion. The horror of his fate paralyzed him. That was the reptile that the ancients called Ghost Snake, the pale, abominable terror that of old glided into huts by night to devour whole families. Like the python it crushed its victim, but unlike other constrictors its fangs bore venom that carried madness and death. It too had long been considered extinct. But Valannus had spoken truly. No white man knew what shapes haunted the great forests beyond Black River.
It came on silently, rippling over the ground (он приближался безмолвно, струясь по земле), its hideous head on the same level (его отвратительная голова на одном и том же уровне), its neck curving back slightly for the stroke (его шея изогнута слегка назад для удара). Balthus gazed with a glazed, hypnotized stare into that loathsome gullet down which he would soon be engulfed (Балтус уставился безжизненным, загипнотизированным взглядом в эту мерзкую глотку, вниз = в которую он скоро будет заглочен = его скоро заглотнут), and he was aware of no sensation except a vague nausea (и он /не/ испытывал никаких ощущений, кроме смутной тошноты).
slightly [*sla*tl*], loathsome [*l*u*s*m], nausea [*n*: sj*]
It came on silently, rippling over the ground, its hideous head on the same level, its neck curving back slightly for the stroke. Balthus gazed with a glazed, hypnotized stare into that loathsome gullet down which he would soon be engulfed, and he was aware of no sensation except a vague nausea.
And then something that glinted in the firelight streaked from the shadows of the huts (и тогда что-то блеснуло в огне костров, метнувшееся из теней хижин), and the great reptile whipped about and went into instant convulsions (и огромная рептилия хлестнула /хвостом/ и забилась в мгновенных конвульсиях = мгновенно забилась в конвульсиях; to go into convulsions — забиться в конвульсиях). As in a dream Balthus saw a short throwing-spear transfixing the mighty neck (как во сне Балтус увидел короткое метательное копье, пронзившее могучую шею), just below the gaping jaws (чуть ниже разверстой пасти); the shaft protruded from one side, the steel head from the other (древко торчало с одной стороны, стальное острие с другой; to protrude — выдаваться, торчать).
streak [stri: k], jaws [**: z], protrude [pr**tru: d]
And then something that glinted in the firelight streaked from the shadows of the huts, and the great reptile whipped about and went into instant convulsions. As in a dream Balthus saw a short throwing-spear transfixing the mighty neck, just below the gaping jaws; the shaft protruded from one side, the steel head from the other.
Knotting and looping hideously, the maddened reptile rolled into the circle of men who stove back from him (извиваясь омерзительными узлами и петлями, обезумевшая рептилия закатилась в круг людей, которые отпрянули от нее; to stave — отпрянуть, отскочить). The spear had not severed its spine, but merely transfixed its great neck muscles (копье не перебило ее позвоночник, но лишь пронзило его огромные шейные мускулы). Its furiously lashing tail mowed down a dozen men (ее яростно хлещущий хвост скосил дюжину человек) and its jaws snapped convulsively, splashing others with venom that burned like liquid fire (а ее челюсти конвульсивно лязгали, забрызгивая других ядом, который жег, как жидкий огонь). Howling, cursing, screaming (воющие, проклинающие, вопящие), frantic, they scattered before it, knocking each other down in their flight (обезумевшие они разбегались перед ней, сбивая друг друга наземь в /своем/ бегстве), trampling the fallen, bursting through the huts (топча павших, прорываясь через хижины). The giant snake rolled into a fire, scattering sparks and brands (гигантский змей закатился в костер, разбрасывая искры и головни), and the pain lashed it to more frenzied efforts (а боль подхлестнула его к более бешеным усилиям; frenzy — безумие, бешенство; неистовство). A hut wall buckled under the ram-like impact of its flailing tail, disgorging howling people (стена хижины отступила под таранным ударом его молотящего хвоста, извергнув воющих людей; ram — баран; таран, стенобитное орудие).
knot [n*t], venom [*ven*m], scatter [*sk*t*]
Knotting and looping hideously, the maddened reptile rolled into the circle of men who stove back from him. The spear had not severed its spine, but merely transfixed its great neck muscles. Its furiously lashing tail mowed down a dozen men and its jaws snapped convulsively, splashing others with venom that burned like liquid fire. Howling, cursing, screaming, frantic, they scattered before it, knocking each other down in their flight, trampling the fallen, bursting through the huts. The giant snake rolled into a fire, scattering sparks and brands, and the pain lashed it to more frenzied efforts. A hut wall buckled under the ram-like impact of its flailing tail, disgorging howling people.
Men stampeded through the fires, knocking the logs right and left (люди бросились бежать через костры, ударяя = раскидывая бревна направо и налево). The flames sprang up, then sank (языки пламени взметались, потом опадали; to spring up — взметнуться, вскочить; to sink — опускаться, падать). A reddish dim glow was all that lighted that nightmare scene (красноватый тусклый жар /это/ было все, что освещало эту кошмарную сцену) where the giant reptile whipped and rolled (где гигантская рептилия билась и каталась), and men clawed and shrieked in frantic flight (а люди царапались и визжали в безумном бегстве).
Balthus felt something jerk at his wrists (Балтус почувствовал, /как/ что-то дернулось о его запястья), and then, miraculously, he was free, and a strong hand dragged him behind the post (и потом чудом он оказался свободным, а сильная рука затащила его за столб). Dazedly he saw Conan, felt the forest man's iron grip on his arm (оцепенев, он увидел Конана, ощутил железную хватку лесного человека на своей руке).
shriek [*ri: k], where [w**], claw [kl*:]
Men stampeded through the fires, knocking the logs right and left. The flames sprang up, then sank. A reddish dim glow was all that lighted that nightmare scene where the giant reptile whipped and rolled, and men clawed and shrieked in frantic flight.
Balthus felt something jerk at his wrists, and then, miraculously, he was free, and a strong hand dragged him behind the post. Dazedly he saw Conan, felt the forest man's iron grip on his arm.
There was blood on the Cimmerian's mail, dried blood on the sword in his right hand (на кольчуге киммерийца была кровь, высохшая кровь на мече в его правой руке); he loomed dim and gigantic in the shadowy light (он вырисовывался неясно и казался гигантским: «вырисовывался неясным и гигантским» в призрачном свете; to loom — вырисовываться, казаться, маячить).
"Come on (давай = вперед)! Before they get over their panic (пока они не оправились от паники; to get over — оправиться, преодолеть)!"
blood [bl*d], right [ra*t], gigantic [*a****nt*k]
There was blood on the Cimmerian's mail, dried blood on the sword in his right hand; he loomed dim and gigantic in the shadowy light.
"Come on! Before they get over their panic!"
Balthus felt the haft of an ax shoved into his hand (Балтус ощутил рукоятку топора, сунутую в его руку). Zogar Sag had disappeared (Зогар Саг исчез). Conan dragged Balthus after him until the youth's numb brain awoke, and his legs began to move of their own accord (Конан волок Балтуса за собой, пока /не/ пробудился оцепеневший мозг юноши, а его ноги /не/ начали двигаться по /их/ собственному согласию = добровольно). Then Conan released him and ran into the building where the skulls hung (затем Конан отпустил его и вбежал в здание, где висели черепа). Balthus followed him (Балтус последовал за ним). He got a glimpse of a grim stone altar, faintly lighted by the glow outside (он взглянул на мрачный каменный алтарь, слабо освещенный заревом снаружи); five human heads grinned on that altar (пять человеческих голов скалились на том алтаре), and there was a grisly familiarity about the features of the freshest; it was the head of the merchant Tiberias (и было неприятное ощущение знакомства с чертами самой свежей, это была голова купца Тибериаса). Behind the altar was an idol, dim, indistinct, bestial, yet vaguely man-like in outline (за алтарем был идол, смутный, расплывчатый, звериный, тем не менее неясно человекоподобный по контуру = с нечеткими человекоподобными контурами). Then fresh horror choked Balthus as the shape heaved up suddenly with a rattle of chains, lifting long misshapen arms in the gloom (потом свежий ужас сдавил горло Балтусу, когда форма вдруг поднялась с дребезжанием цепей, поднимая длинные уродливые руки во мраке = протягивая во мрак руки).
shove [**v], accord [**k*: d], idol [*a*dl]
Balthus felt the haft of an ax shoved into his hand. Zogar Sag had disappeared. Conan dragged Balthus after him until the youth's numb brain awoke, and his legs began to move of their own accord. Then Conan released him and ran into the building where the skulls hung. Balthus followed him. He got a glimpse of a grim stone altar, faintly lighted by the glow outside; five human heads grinned on that altar, and there was a grisly familiarity about the features of the freshest; it was the head of the merchant Tiberias. Behind the altar was an idol, dim, indistinct, bestial, yet vaguely man-like in outline. Then fresh horror choked Balthus as the shape heaved up suddenly with a rattle of chains, lifting long misshapen arms in the gloom.
Conan's sword flailed down, crunching through flesh and bone (меч Конана обрушился вниз, перегрызая плоть и кость), and then the Cimmerian was dragging Balthus around the altar (а потом киммериец тащил Балтуса вокруг алтаря = за алтарь), past a huddled shaggy bulk on the floor, to a door at the back of the long hut (мимо сваленной лохматой туши на полу, к двери в задней части длинной хижины). Through this they burst, out into the enclosure again (через это они пронеслись наружу снова вовнутрь ограды). But a few yards beyond them loomed the stockade (но в нескольких ярдах за ними маячил частокол).
enclosure [*n*kl*u**], yard [j*:d], stockade [st**ke*d]
Conan's sword flailed down, crunching through flesh and bone, and then the the floor, to a door at the back of the long hut. Through this they burst, out into the enclosure again. But a few yards beyond them loomed the stockade.
It was dark behind the altar-hut (было темно за хижиной с алтарем). The mad stampede of the Picts had not carried them in that direction (бешеное паническое бегство пиктов не занесло их в этом направлении). At the wall Conan halted, gripped Balthus, and heaved him at arm's length into the air as he might have lifted a child (у стены Конан остановился, схватил Балтуса и поднял его на расстоянии вытянутой руки в воздух, как бы он, возможно, поднял ребенка). Balthus grasped the points of the upright logs set in the sun-dried mud (Балтус схватился за острия вертикальных бревен, поставленных в высушенную солнцем глину) and scrambled up on them, ignoring the havoc done his skin (и поднялся по ним, игнорируя потери, причиненные его коже; to do — делать, причинять). He lowered a hand to the Cimmerian (он опустил руку /по направлению к/ Конану = протянул Конану вниз руку), when around a corner of the altar-hut sprang a fleeing Pict (когда за углом хижины с алтарем появился убегающий пикт). He halted short, glimpsing the man on the wall in the faint glow of the fires (он резко остановился, заметив человека на стене в слабом свете костров). Conan hurled his ax with deadly aim, but the warrior's mouth was already open for a yell of warning (Конан швырнул свой топор с точным прицелом, но рот воина уже был открыт для крика предупреждения = предупреждающего крика), and it rang loud above the din, cut short as he dropped with a shattered skull (и он раздался громко над шумом, прервался, когда он рухнул с раздробленным черепом; din — шум, грохот, гудение, гул, нестихающий звон).
stampede [st*m*pi: d], heave [hi: v], havoc [*h*v*k]
It was dark behind the altar-hut. The mad stampede of the Picts had not carried them in that direction. At the wall Conan halted, gripped Balthus, and heaved him at arm's length into the air as he might have lifted a child. Balthus grasped the points of the upright logs set in the sun-dried mud and scrambled up on them, ignoring the havoc done his skin. He lowered a hand to the Cimmerian, when around a corner of the altar-hut sprang a fleeing Pict. He halted short, glimpsing the man on the wall in the faint glow of the fires. Conan hurled his ax with deadly aim, but the warrior's mouth was already open for a yell of warning, and it rang loud above the din, cut short as he dropped with a shattered skull.
Blinding terror had not submerged all ingrained instincts (слепой ужас не затопил = подавил все закоренелые инстинкты). As that wild yell rose above the clamor, there was an instant's lull (когда этот дикий вопль взметнулся над шумом, был = возникло секундное затишье), and then a hundred throats bayed ferocious answer (а потом сотня глоток пролаяла свирепый ответ) and warriors came leaping: to repel the attack presaged by the warning (и воины бросились: «пришли бросаясь» отразить атаку, предвещенную предупреждением).
blinding [*bla*nd**], lull [l*l], repel [r**pel]
Blinding terror had not submerged all ingrained instincts. As that wild yell rose above the clamor, there was an instant's lull, and then a hundred throats bayed ferocious answer and warriors came leaping to repel the attack presaged by the warning.
Conan leaped high, caught, not Balthus' hand but his arm near the shoulder, and swung himself up (Конан высоко подпрыгнул, ухватился не /за/ кисть Балтуса, а /за/ его руку возле плеча и бросил себя вверх; to swing oneself up — подбросить себя вверх). Balthus set his teeth against the strain (Балтус сжал свои зубы от напряжения), and then the Cimmerian was on the wall beside him, and the fugitives dropped down on the other side (а затем киммериец был = оказался на стене за ним, и беглецы спрыгнули на = с другой стороны).
caught [k*: t], wall [w*: l], fugitive [*fju: **t*v]
Conan leaped high, caught, not Balthus' hand but his arm near the shoulder, and swung himself up. Balthus set his teeth against the strain, and then the Cimmerian was on the wall beside him, and the fugitives dropped down on the other side.
5. The Children of Jhebbal Sag
(Дети Джеббал Сага)
"Which way is the river*" Balthus was confused (в какой стороне: «какой путь» река* — Балтус был сбит с толку/растерялся).
"We don't dare try for the river now," grunted Conan (мы не рискнем искать реку сейчас, — проворчал Конан). "The woods between the village and the river are swarming with warriors (лес между поселком и рекой кишит воинами). Come on (давай)! We'll head in the last direction they'll expect us to go — west (мы направимся в последнем направлении, в котором они ожидают, что мы пойдем — /на/ запад)!"
confused [k*n*fju: zd], dare [d**], swarm [sw*: m]
"Which way is the river*" Balthus was confused.
"We don't dare try for the river now," grunted Conan. "The woods between the village and the river are swarming with warriors. Come on! We'll head in the last direction they'll expect us to go — west!"
Looking back as they entered the thick growth, Balthus beheld the wall dotted with black heads as the savages peered over (оглядываясь, когда они вошли в густые заросли, Балтус заметил стену, усеянную черными головами, когда дикари глядели через /нее/; to behold — видеть, замечать, узреть). The Picts were bewildered (пикты были сбиты с толку). They had not gained the wall in time to see the fugitives take cover (они не добрались до стены вовремя, чтобы увидеть, /как/ беглецы укрылись). They had rushed to the wall expecting to repel an attack in force (они бросились к стене, надеясь дать отпор осуществляемой атаке; to put in force — осуществлять, вводить в действие; in force — в силе). They had seen the body of the dead warrior (они увидели тело мертвого воина). But no enemy was in sight (но никакого врага не было видно).
growth [*r*uO], bewilder [b**w*ld*], cover [*k*v*]
Looking back as they entered the thick growth, Balthus beheld the wall dotted with black heads as the savages peered over. The Picts were bewildered. They had not gained the wall in time to see the fugitives take cover. They had rushed to the wall expecting to repel an attack in force. They had seen the body of the dead warrior. But no enemy was in sight.
Balthus realized that they did not yet know their prisoner had escaped (Балтус понял, что они еще не знают, что их пленник сбежал). From other sounds he believed that the warriors, directed by the shrill voice of Zogar Sag, were destroying the wounded serpent with arrows (по другим звукам он полагал, что воины, руководимые пронзительным голосом Зогар Сага, уничтожают раненую змею стрелами). The monster was out of the shaman's control (чудище вышло: «было вне» из-под контроля шамана). A moment later the quality of the yells was altered (секундой позже характер криков изменился). Screeches of rage rose in the night (крики ярости поднялись = раздались в ночи).
prisoner [*pr*zn*], control [k*n*tr*ul], screech [skri: *]
Balthus realized that they did not yet know their prisoner had escaped. From other sounds he believed that the warriors, directed by the shrill voice of Zogar Sag, were destroying the wounded serpent with arrows. The monster was out of the shaman's control. A moment later the quality of the yells was altered. Screeches of rage rose in the night.
Conan laughed grimly (Конан зловеще засмеялся). He was leading Balthus along a narrow trail that ran west under the black branches (он вел Балтуса по узкой тропке, которая бежала под черными ветвями), stepping as swiftly and surely as if he trod a well-lighted thoroughfare (ступая так проворно и уверенно, как будто он шел по хорошо освещенной оживленной улице). Balthus stumbled after him, guiding himself by feeling the dense wall on either hand (Балтус спотыкался за ним, руководствуясь ощущением плотной стены по обеим сторонам: «на каждой руке»).
laugh [l*:f], branch [br*:n*], surely [**u*l*]
Conan laughed grimly. He was leading Balthus along a narrow trail that ran west under the black branches, stepping as swiftly and surely as if he trod a well-lighted thoroughfare. Balthus stumbled after him, guiding himself by feeling the dense wall on either hand.
"They'll be after us now (они сейчас будут гнаться за нами: «быть за нами»). Zogar's discovered you're gone, and he knows my head wasn't in the pile before the altar-hut (Зогар обнаружил, /что/ ты пропал, и он знает, /что/ моя голова не была в куче перед хижиной с алтарем). The dog (собака)! If I'd had another spear I'd have thrown it through him before I struck the snake (если бы я имел = у меня было еще одно копье, я бы бросил его сквозь него = проткнул бы его до того, как поразил змею). Keep to the trail (держись тропинки = не сходи с тропинки). They can't track us by torchlight, and there are a score of paths leading from the village (они не могут проследить нас по огню факела, и /там/ есть множество троп, ведущих от поселка). They'll follow those leading to the river first — throw a cordon of warriors for miles along the bank, expecting us to try to break through (они пойдут сначала /по/ тем, /которые/ ведут к реке — бросят кордон воинов на мили вдоль берега, ожидая нас = ожидая, что мы попытаемся прорваться). We won't take to the woods until we have to (мы не пойдем в лес, пока /мы/ /не/ будем вынуждены; to take — идти, двигаться, направляться; to have to V — приходиться, быть вынужденным делать что- л.). We can make better time on this trail (мы можем пройти большее расстояние по этой тропинке; to make good time — проходить большое расстояние за короткое время; good — better — the best — хороший — лучше — лучший). Now buckle down to it and run as you never ran before (теперь соберись с силами и беги так, как ты никогда раньше не бегал; to buckle down — собраться с силами, взяться энергично за что-л.; to buckle — застегивать пряжку; buckle — пряжка)."
score [sk*: ], path [p*:O], break [bre*k]
"They'll be after us now. Zogar's discovered you're gone, and he knows my head wasn't in the pile before the altar-hut. The dog! If I'd had another spear I'd have thrown it through him before I struck the snake. Keep to the trail. They can't track us by torchlight, and there are a score of paths leading from the village. They'll follow those leading to the river first — throw a cordon of warriors for miles along the bank, expecting us to try to break through. We won't take to the woods until we have to. We can make better time on this trail. Now buckle down to it and run as you never ran before."
"They got over their panic cursed quick!" panted Balthus, complying with a fresh burst of speed (они оправились от /своей/ паники чертовски быстро! — пропыхтел Балтус, действуя в соответствии со свежим рывком скорости = делая новый скоростной рывок).
"They're not afraid of anything, very long," grunted Conan (они не боятся ничего очень долго, — проворчал Конан; to be afraid of — бояться чего-л.).
quick [kw*k], comply [k*m*pla*], afraid [**fre*d]
"They got over their panic cursed quick!" panted Balthus, complying with a fresh burst of speed.
"They're not afraid of anything, very long," grunted Conan.
For a space nothing was said between them (какое-то время ничего /не/ было сказано между ними). The fugitives devoted all their attention to covering distance (беглецы посвятили все свое внимание прохождению дистанции). They were plunging deeper and deeper into the wilderness (они погружались глубже и глубже в дикие места / в чащобу) and getting farther away from civilization at every step (и удалялись /все/ дальше от цивилизации с каждым шагом), but Balthus did not question Conan’s wisdom (но Балтус не сомневался /в/ мудрости Конана). The Cimmerian presently took time to grunt (киммериец некоторое время спустя урвал время, /чтобы/ пробурчать): "When we're far enough away from the village we'll swing back to the river in a big circle (когда мы будем достаточно далеко от поселка, мы повернем назад к реке по большому кругу). No other village within miles of Gwawela (ни одного другого поселка в пределах = на несколько миль от Гвавелы). All the Picts are gathered in that vicinity (все пикты собрались в этой округе). We'll circle wide around them (мы широким кругом обойдем их; to circle — обходить кругом). They can't track us until daylight (они не могут выследить нас до рассвета). They'll pick up our path then, but before dawn we'll leave the trail and take to the woods (тогда они нападут на наш след, но до рассвета мы сойдем с тропинки и направимся в лес; to pick up the path / the trail — напасть на след, взять след; to pick up — подобрать (с земли))."
devote [d**v*ut], every [evr*], wisdom [*w*zd*m]
For a space nothing was said between them. The fugitives devoted all their attention to covering distance. They were plunging deeper and deeper into the wilderness and getting farther away from civilization at every step, but Balthus did not question Conan’s wisdom. The Cimmerian presently took time to grunt: "When we're far enough away from the village we'll swing back to the river in a big circle. No other village within miles of Gwawela. All the Picts are gathered in that vicinity. We'll circle wide around them. They can't track us until daylight. They'll pick up our path then, but before dawn we'll leave the trail and take to the woods."
They plunged on (они продолжали углубляться). The yells died out behind them (крики замерли позади них). Balthus' breath was whistling through his teeth (дыхание Балтуса свистело = вырывалось со свистом сквозь зубы). He felt a pain in his side, and running became torture (он почувствовал боль в своем боку, и бег стал пыткой). He blundered against the bushes on each side of the trail (он наталкивался на кусты по обе стороны тропинки). Conan pulled up suddenly, turned and stared back down the dim path (вдруг Конан остановился, повернулся и пристально вгляделся назад в неясную тропку).
Somewhere the moon was rising, a dim white glow amidst a tangle of branches (где-то поднималась луна, неясный белый отсвет среди сплетения ветвей).
whistling [*w*sl**], torture [t*: **], moon [mu: n]
They plunged on. The yells died out behind them. Balthus' breath was whistling through his teeth. He felt a pain in his side, and running became torture. He blundered against the bushes on each side of the trail. Conan pulled up suddenly, turned and stared back down the dim path.
Somewhere the moon was rising, a dim white glow amidst a tangle of branches.
"Shall we take to the woods*" panted Balthus (мы направимся в лес* — пропыхтел Балтус; to pant — часто и тяжело дышать, задыхаться).
"Give me your ax," murmured Conan softly (дай мне твой топор, — прошептал Конан тихо). "Something is close behind us (что-то близко позади нас)." "Then we'd better leave the trail!" exclaimed Balthus (тогда нам лучше сойти с тропы! — воскликнул Балтус; had better V — лучше сделать что-л. (рекомендация, совет)). Conan shook his head and drew his companion into a dense thicket (Конан покачал головой и затянул своего спутника в густой кустарник; to draw — тащить, тянуть). The moon rose higher, making a dim light in the path (луна поднялась выше, слабо осветив тропу: «делая слабый свет на тропе»).
"We can't fight the whole tribe!" whispered Balthus (мы не можем сражаться /с/ целым племенем! — прошептал Балтус).
"No human being could have found our trail so quickly, or followed us so swiftly," muttered Conan (ни один человек /не/ мог бы найти наш след так скоро или последовать за нами так быстро, — пробормотал Конан; human being — человеческое существо, человек). "Keep silent (молчи: «храни / соблюдай безмолвно»)."
drew [dru: ], being [bi: **], silent [*sa*l*nt]
"Shall we take to the woods*" panted Balthus.
"Give me your ax," murmured Conan softly. "Something is close behind us." "Then we'd better leave the trail!" exclaimed Balthus. Conan shook his head and drew his companion into a dense thicket. The moon rose higher, making a dim light in the path.
"We can't fight the whole tribe!" whispered Balthus.
"No human being could have found our trail so quickly, or followed us so swiftly," muttered Conan. "Keep silent."
There followed a tense silence in which Balthus felt that his heart could be heard pounding for miles away (/там/ последовала напряженная тишина, в которой Балтус чувствовал, что стук его сердца мог быть услышан = можно услышать за мили /прочь/). Then abruptly, without a sound to announce its coming, a savage head appeared in the dim path (затем резко без звука, возвещающего его появление, свирепая голова появилась на неясной тропинке). Balthus' heart jumped into his throat; at first glance he feared to look upon the awful head of the saber-tooth (сердце Балтуса подпрыгнуло к /его/ горлу, при первом взгляде он испугался, /что/ смотрит на = видит ужасную голову саблезубого). But this head was smaller, more narrow; it was a leopard which stood there, snarling silently and glaring down the trail (но эта голова была меньше, более узкая, это был леопард, который стоял там = там стоял леопард, безмолвно рыча и разглядывая тропу). What wind there was was blowing toward the hiding men, concealing their scent (тот ветер, что /там/ был, дул в сторону прячущихся людей, скрывая их запах). The beast lowered his head and snuffed the trail, then moved forward uncertainly (зверь наклонил /свою/ голову и обнюхал тропинку, затем двинулся вперед неуверенно). A chill played down Balthus' spine (озноб пробежал по позвоночнику = спине Балтуса). The brute was undoubtedly trailing them (животное, несомненно, выслеживало их).
heart [h*:t], heard [h*: d], scent [sent]
There followed a tense silence in which Balthus felt that his heart could be heard pounding for miles away. Then abruptly, without a sound to announce its coming, a savage head appeared in the dim path. Balthus' heart jumped into his throat; at first glance he feared to look upon the awful head of the saber-tooth. But this head was smaller, more narrow; it was a leopard which stood there, snarling silently and glaring down the trail. What wind there was was blowing toward the hiding men, concealing their scent. The beast lowered his head and snuffed the trail, then moved forward uncertainly. A chill played down Balthus' spine. The brute was undoubtedly trailing them.
And it was suspicious (и оно было подозрительным = подозревало что-то). It lifted its head, its eyes glowing like balls of fire (оно подняло /свою/ голову с /его/ глазами, пылающими, как огненные шары), and growled low in its throat (и зарычало низким горловым рычанием: «зарычало низко в его горле»). And at that instant Conan hurled the ax (и в этот момент Конан метнул топор).
All the weight of arm and shoulder was behind the throw, and the ax was a streak of silver in the dim moon (вся сила руки и плеча была за этим броском = слилась в этом броске, и топор был вспышкой серебра = серебряной вспышкой в неясной луне = в неясном свете луны). Almost before he realized what had happened, Balthus saw the leopard rolling on the ground in its death- throes, the handle of the ax standing up from its head (/почти/ прежде чем он осознал, что произошло, Балтус увидел леопарда, катающемся по земле в /его/ смертельных муках, рукоятка топора вставала = торчала из его головы). The head of the weapon had split its narrow skull (острие оружия раскололо его узкий череп; head — ударная или режущая часть инструмента, в отличие от ручки, рукоятки).
suspicious [s*s*p***s], weight [we*t], leopard [*lep*d]
And it was suspicious. It lifted its head, its eyes glowing like balls of fire, and growled low in its throat. And at that instant Conan hurled the ax.
All the weight of arm and shoulder was behind the throw, and the ax was a streak of silver in the dim moon. Almost before he realized what had happened, Balthus saw the leopard rolling on the ground in its death-throes, the handle of the ax standing up from its head. The head of the weapon had split its narrow skull.
Conan bounded from the bushes, wrenched his ax free (Конан выскочил из кустов, освободил рывком свой топор: «выдернул свой топор свободным») and dragged the limp body in among the trees, concealing it from the casual glance (и оттащил безвольное тело в /среди/ кусты, пряча его от случайного взгляда).
"Now let's go, and go fast!" he grunted, leading the way southward, away from the trail (теперь идем, и идем быстро! — проворчал он, возглавляя путь на юг, прочь от тропы). "There'll be warriors coming after that cat (за котом придут воины: «там будут воины, приходящие за тем котом»). As soon as he got his wits back Zogar sent him after us (как только он = Зогар снова пришел в себя, Зогар = он послал его за нами; to get one’s wits back — снова придти в себя, опомниться: «получить свой ум / сознание обратно»). The Picts would follow him, but he'd leave them far behind (пикты пошли бы за ним, но он оставил бы их далеко позади). He'd circle the village until he hit our trail and then come after us like a streak (он кружил бы вокруг поселка, пока /он/ /не/ напал на наш след и затем бы шел за нами, как полоска = хвост). They couldn't keep up with him (они не могли бы поспеть за ним), but they'll have an idea as to our general direction (но они будут иметь = у них будет представление о нашем общем направлении). They'd follow, listening for his cry (они бы следовали, прислушиваясь к его крику). Well, they won't hear that (ну, они не услышат этого), but they'll find the blood on the trail, and look around and find the body in the bush (но они найдут кровь на тропинке и осмотрятся, и найдут тело в кустах). They'll pick up our spoor there, if they can (они обнаружат наш след там). Walk with care (иди с осторожностью = осторожно)."
wrench [ren*], fast [f*:st], care [k**]
Conan bounded from the bushes, wrenched his ax free and dragged the limp body in among the trees, concealing it from the casual glance.
"Now let's go, and go fast!" he grunted, leading the way southward, away from the trail. "There'll be warriors coming after that cat. As soon as he got his wits back Zogar sent him after us. The Picts would follow him, but he'd leave them far behind. He'd circle the village until he hit our trail and then come after us like a streak. They couldn't keep up with him, but they'll have an idea as to our general direction. They'd follow, listening for his cry. Well, they won't hear that, but they'll find the blood on the trail, and look around and find the body in the brush. They'll pick up our spoor there, if they can. Walk with care."
He avoided clinging briars and low-hanging branches effortlessly (он избегал цепляющегося шиповника и низко свисающих ветвей без усилий; effort — усилие), gliding between trees without touching the stems (скользя между деревьями без касания = не касаясь стволов) and always planting his feet in the places calculated to show least evidence of his passing (и всегда ставя /свои/ ступни в места с расчетом показать = оставить как можно меньше свидетельств его прохода); but with Balthus it was slower, more laborious work (но с Балтусом = для Балтуса это был более медленный, более утомительный труд; least — меньше всего, минимум).
briar [*bra**], least [li: st], evidence [*ev*d*ns]
He avoided clinging briars and low-hanging branches effortlessly, gliding between trees without touching the stems and always planting his feet in the places calculated to show least evidence of his passing; but with Balthus it was slower, more laborious work.
No sound came from behind them (ни одного звука /не/ доносилось сзади). They had covered more than a mile when Balthus said: "Does Zogar Sag catch leopard-cubs and train them for bloodhounds (они прошли более /чем/ мили, когда Балтус сказал: Зогар Саг ловит детенышей леопардов и обучает их для = как ищеек)*"
Conan shook his head (Конан покачал /своей/ головй). "That was a leopard he called out of the woods (это был леопард, /которого/ он вызвал из леса)." "But," Balthus persisted, "if he can order the beasts to do his bidding, why doesn't he rouse them all and have them after us (но, — Балтус настаивал, — если он может приказывать зверям выполнять его распоряжения, почему он не поднимет их всех и /не/ пошлет их за нами)* The forest is full of leopards; why send only one after us (лес полон леопардов, почему посылать лишь одного за нами)*"
does [d*z], persist [p**s*st], rouse [rauz]
No sound came from behind them. They had covered more than a mile when Balthus said: "Does Zogar Sag catch leopard-cubs and train them for bloodhounds*"
Conan shook his head. "That was a leopard he called out of the woods."
"But," Balthus persisted, "if he can order the beasts to do his bidding, why doesn't he rouse them all and have them after us* The forest is full of leopards; why send only one after us*"
Conan did not reply for a space (Конан не отвечал некоторое время), and when he did it was with a curious reticence (а когда он сделал = ответил, это было /сделано/ с необычной немногословностью; space — пространство, промежуток, срок, интервал).
"He can't command all the animals (он не может командовать всеми животными). Only such as remember Jhebbal Sag (только такими = теми, которые помнят Джеббала Сага)."
"Jhebbal Sag*" Balthus repeated the ancient name hesitantly (Джеббала Сага* — повторил Балтус древнее имя, заикаясь). He had never heard it spoken more than three or four times in his whole life (он никогда /не/ слышал, /чтобы/ его произносили более трех-четырех раз = он слышал его не более трех-четырех раз за всю свою жизнь).
reticence [*ret*s*ns], command [k**m*:nd], animal [**n*m*l]
Conan did not reply for a space, and when he did it was with a curious reticence. "He can't command all the animals. Only such as remember Jhebbal Sag."
"Jhebbal Sag*" Balthus repeated the ancient name hesitantly. He had never heard it spoken more than three or four times in his whole life.
"Once all living things worshipped him (некогда все живые существа поклонялись ему). That was long ago, when beasts and men spoke one language (это было давно, когда звери и люди говорили /на/ одном языке). Men have forgotten him; even the beasts forget (люди забыли его, даже звери забывают). Only a few remember (лишь немногие помнят). The men who remember Jhebbal Sag and the beasts who remember are brothers and speak the same tongue (люди, которые помнят Джеббала Сага, и звери, которые помнят /его/, — братья и говорят на одном и том же языке; same — один и тот же, тот же самый)."
once [w*ns], worship [*w*: **p], language [*l***w**]
"Once all living things worshipped him. That was long ago, when beasts and men spoke one language. Men have forgotten him; even the beasts forget. Only a few remember. The men who remember Jhebbal Sag and the beasts who remember are brothers and speak the same tongue."
Balthus did not reply; he had strained at a Pictish stake (Балтус не ответил, он напрягался = пытался вырваться, вырывался у пиктского столба; to strain — натягивать; растягивать; напрягать) and seen the nighted jungle give up its fanged horrors at a shaman's call и видел, /как/ ночные джунгли отдавали своих клыкастых чудищ по зову шамана).
"Civilized men laugh," said Conan (цивилизованные люди смеются, — сказал Конан). "But not one can tell me how Zogar Sag can call pythons and tigers and leopards out of the wilderness and make them do his bidding (но никто /не/ может сказать мне, как Зогар Саг может призывать питонов и тигров и леопардов из диких мест и заставлять их исполнять его приказы). They would say it is a lie, if they dared (они бы сказали, /что/ это ложь, если бы осмелились). That's the way with civilized men (это /есть/ способ = вот так обстоит дело с цивилизованными людьми). When they can't explain something by their half-baked science, they refuse to believe it (когда они не могут объяснить что-то их недоношенной: «полу-испеченной» наукой, они отказываются верить этому)."
call [k*: l], science [*sa**ns], refuse [r**fju: z]
Balthus did not reply; he had strained at a Pictish stake and seen the nighted jungle give up its fanged horrors at a shaman's call.
"Civilized men laugh," said Conan. "But not one can tell me how Zogar Sag can call pythons and tigers and leopards out of the wilderness and make them do his bidding. They would say it is a lie, if they dared. That's the way with civilized men. When they can't explain something by their half-baked science, they refuse to believe it."
The people on the Tauran were closer to the primitive than most Aquilonians (люди в Тауране были ближе к первобытным /людям/, чем большинство аквилонцев); superstitions persisted, whose sources were lost in antiquity (сохранились суеверия, чьи источники = источники которых затерялись в древности). And Balthus had seen that which still prickled his flesh (а Балтус видел то, которое все еще будоражило его плоть). He could not refute the monstrous thing which Conan's words implied (он не мог опровергнуть чудовищную вещь = истину, которую заключали в себе слова Конана). "I've heard that there's an ancient grove sacred to Jhebbal Sag somewhere in this forest," said Conan (я слышал, что есть древняя роща, священная для Джеббала Сага, где-то в этом лесу, — сказал Конан). "I don't know (/я/ не знаю). I've never seen it (я никогда /не/ видел ее). But more beasts remember in this country than any I've ever seen (но больше тварей помнят в этих краях, чем я видел где-либо = но в этих краях помнят /Джеббал Сага/ больше тварей, чем я видел где-либо)."
people [pi: pl], source [s*: s], antiquity [*n*t*kw*t*]
The people on the Tauran were closer to the primitive than most Aquilonians; superstitions persisted, whose sources were lost in antiquity. And Balthus had seen that which still prickled his flesh. He could not refute the monstrous thing which Conan's words implied.
"I've heard that there's an ancient grove sacred to Jhebbal Sag somewhere in this forest," said Conan. "I don't know. I've never seen it. But more beasts remember in this country than any I've ever seen."
"Then others will be on our trail (значит /и/ другие будут = пойдут по нашему следу)*"
"They are now," was Conan's disquieting answer (они уже /идут/, — был тревожный = вселяющий тревогу ответ Конана). "Zogar would never leave our tracking to one beast alone (Зогар никогда бы /не/ оставил наше преследование лишь одному зверю)."
"What are we to do, then*" asked Balthus uneasily, grasping his ax as he stared at the gloomy arches above him (что же нам тогда делать* — спросил Балтус обеспокоенно, сжимая свой топор, когда он уставился на мрачные арки над ним). His flesh crawled with the momentary expectation of ripping talons and fangs leaping from the shadows (у него по телу побежали мурашки от моментального ожидания рвущих когтей и клыков, выпрыгивающих из теней = от моментального опасения, что из теней выпрыгнут рвущие когти и клыки; to crawl — ползти (о мурашках)).
disquiet [d*s*kwa**t], alone [**l*un], ask [*:sk]
"Then others will be on our trail*"
"They are now," was Conan's disquieting answer. "Zogar would never leave our tracking to one beast alone."
"What are we to do, then*" asked Balthus uneasily, grasping his ax as he stared at the gloomy arches above him. His flesh crawled with the momentary expectation of ripping talons and fangs leaping from the shadows.
"Wait (подожди)!"
Conan turned, squatted and with his knife began scratching a curious symbol in the mold (Конан повернулся, сел на корточки и своим ножом начал выцарапывать необычный символ в рыхлой земле). Stooping to look at it over his shoulder, Balthus felt a crawling of the flesh along his spine, he knew not why (наклонившись, /чтобы/ посмотреть на него = знак через его плечо, Балтус почувствовал, как побежали мурашки вдоль позвоночника: «бегание мурашек плоти вдоль позвоночника», он не знал почему). He felt no wind against his face (он не ощущал ветра в лицо), but there was a rustling of leaves above them (но было шуршание листьев над ними) and a weird moaning swept ghostily through the branches (и причудливый стон пронесся призрачно через ветви; to sweep — мести; проноситься). Conan glanced up inscrutably, then rose and stood staring somberly down at the symbol he had drawn (Конан взглянул вверх непроницаемо, потом поднялся и стоял, угрюмо уставясь /вниз/ на символ, /который/ он нарисовал; to draw — рисовать).
symbol [*s*mb*l], mold [m*uld], inscrutably [*n*skru: t*bl*]
"Wait!"
Conan turned, squatted and with his knife began scratching a curious symbol in the mold. Stooping to look at it over his shoulder, Balthus felt a crawling of the flesh along his spine, he knew not why. He felt no wind against his face, but there was a rustling of leaves above them and a weird moaning swept ghostily through the branches. Conan glanced up inscrutably, then rose and stood staring somberly down at the symbol he had drawn.
"What is it*" whispered Balthus (что это* — прошептал Балтус). It looked archaic and meaningless to him (он = знак казался архаичным и бессмысленным для него). He supposed that it was his ignorance of artistry which prevented his identifying it as one of the conventional designs of some prevailing culture (он предположил, что это было его незнание искусства, которое = что его невежество мешало ему отождествить его как = с одним из условных знаков какой-то господствующей культуры; to prevail — торжествовать (over), одержать победу; достигать цели; преобладать, господствовать, превалировать). But had he been the most erudite artist in the world, he would have been no nearer the solution (но если бы он был = но будь он /даже/ самым эрудированным художником в мире, он не подошел бы ближе к решению).
archaic [*:*ke**k], suppose [s**p*uz], ignorance [***n*r*ns]
"What is it*" whispered Balthus. It looked archaic and meaningless to him. He supposed that it was his ignorance of artistry which prevented his identifying it as one of the conventional designs of some prevailing culture. But had he been the most erudite artist in the world, he would have been no nearer the solution.
"I saw it carved in the rock of a cave no human had visited for a million years," muttered Conan (я видел его высеченным в скале пещеры, /которую/ ни один человек не посещал в течение миллиона лет, — пробормотал Конан), "in the uninhabited mountains beyond the Sea of Vilayet, half a world away from this spot (в необитаемых горах за морем Вилайет, на расстоянии в полмира: «полмира прочь» от этого места). Later I saw a black witch-finder of Kush scratch it in the sand of a nameless river (позже я видел, /как/ черный = чернокожий искатель ведьм из Куша нацарапал его на песке безымянной реки). He told me part of its meaning — it's sacred to Jhebbal Sag and the creatures which worship him (он рассказал мне часть его значения — это священный /знак/ Джеббала Сага и созданий, которые поклоняются ему). Watch (смотри)!"
year [j*: ], sacred [*sekr*d], watch [w**]
"I saw it carved in the rock of a cave no human had visited for a million years," muttered Conan, "in the uninhabited mountains beyond the Sea of Vilayet, half a world away from this spot. Later I saw a black witch-finder of Kush scratch it in the sand of a nameless river. He told me part of its meaning — it's sacred to Jhebbal Sag and the creatures which worship him. Watch!"
They drew back among the dense foliage some yards away and waited in tense silence (они отступили среди = в густую листву на несколько ярдов /прочь/ и ждали = стали ждать в напряженной тишине). To the east drums muttered and somewhere to north and west other drums answered (на востоке глухо грохотали барабаны, а где-то на севере и западе отвечали другие барабаны). Balthus shivered, though he knew long miles of black forest separated him from the grim beaters of those drums (Балтус вздрогнул, хотя он знал, /что/ долгие мили черного леса отделяли его от мрачных барабанщиков тех барабанов) whose dull pulsing was a sinister overture that set the dark stage for bloody drama (чей унылый ритмичный бой был зловещей увертюрой, которая готовила темную сцену для кровавой драмы; to set the stage — готовить сцену, монтировать декорации).
north [n*: O], overture [**uv*tju*], drama [dr*:m*]
They drew back among the dense foliage some yards away and waited in tense silence. To the east drums muttered and somewhere to north and west other drums answered. Balthus shivered, though he knew long miles of black forest separated him from the grim beaters of those drums whose dull pulsing was a sinister overture that set the dark stage for bloody drama.
Balthus found himself holding his breath (Балтус обнаружил себя задерживающим дыхание = обнаружил, что затаил дыхание). Then with a slight shaking of the leaves, the bushes parted (потом, с легким дрожанием листьев, кусты разошлись) and a magnificent panther came into view (и появилась внушительная пантера; to come into view — появиться). The moonlight dappling through the leaves (лунный свет, образуя пятнистый рисунок сквозь листья) shone on its glossy coat rippling with the play of the great muscles beneath it (блестел на ее лоснящейся шкуре, перекатываясь от игры огромных мускулов под ней; to ripple — производить волнообразные движения, волновать(ся), колыхать(ся)).
magnificent [m***n*f*snt], view [vju: ], panther [*p*nO*]
Balthus found himself holding his breath. Then with a slight shaking of the leaves, the bushes parted and a magnificent panther came into view. The moonlight dappling through the leaves shone on its glossy coat rippling with the play of the great muscles beneath it.
With its head low it glided toward them (с ее головой низко = опустив голову, она скользнула к ним). It was smelling out their trail (она вынюхивала их след). Then it halted as if frozen, its muzzle almost touching the symbol cut in the mold (затем она остановилась, словно застывшая, ее морда почти касалась символа, вырезанного в рыхлой земле). For a long space it crouched motionless; it flattened its long body and laid its head on the ground before the mark (долгое время она сидела неподвижно, она расправила свое длинное тело и положила свою голову на землю перед меткой). And Balthus felt the short hairs stir on his scalp (и Балтус почувствовал, /что/ его короткие волосы на голове зашевелились). For the attitude of the great carnivore was one of awe and adoration (ибо поза огромного хищника была одной = позой страха и обожания = преклонения, благоговения).
attitude [**t*tju: d], carnivore [*k*:n*v*: ], awe [*:]
With its head low it glided toward them. It was smelling out their trail. Then it halted as if frozen, its muzzle almost touching the symbol cut in the mold. For a long space it crouched motionless; it flattened its long body and laid its head on the ground before the mark. And Balthus felt the short hairs stir on his scalp. For the attitude of the great carnivore was one of awe and adoration.
Then the panther rose and backed away carefully, belly almost to the ground (затем пантера поднялась и осторожно попятилась, почти /касаясь/ брюхом земли). With his hind-quarters among the bushes he wheeled as if in sudden panic and was gone like a flash of dappled light (своей задней частью среди кустов она описала круг, словно в неожиданной панике, и пропала, как вспышка пятнистого света; to wheel — описывать круг, поворачивать; wheel — колесо).
Balthus mopped his brow with a trembling hand and glanced at Conan (Балтус вытер /свой/ лоб дрожащей рукой и посмотрел на Конана).
Then the panther rose and backed away carefully, belly almost to the ground. With his hind-quarters among the bushes he wheeled as if in sudden panic and was gone like a flash of dappled light.
Balthus mopped his brow with a trembling hand and glanced at Conan.
The barbarian's eyes were smoldering with fires that never lit the eyes of men bred to the ideas of civilization (глаза варвара тлели огнями, которые никогда не освещали глаза людей, воспитанный в идеях цивилизации; to light — освещать). In that instant he was all wild, and had forgotten the man at his side (в тот миг он был совершенно дикий и забыл о человеке рядом с собой: «у его бока / стороны»). In his burning gaze Balthus glimpsed and vaguely recognized pristine images and half-embodied memories (в его горящем взоре Балтус углядел и смутно распознал незамутненные образы и полувоплощенные воспоминания), shadows from Life's dawn (тени с = времен рассвета Жизни), forgotten and repudiated by sophisticated races (забытые и отвергнутые искушенными расами) — ancient, primeval fantasms unnamed and nameless (древние, первобытные фантомы, безымянные и неизвестные).
Then the deeper fires were masked and Conan was silently leading the way deeper into the forest (потом более глубокие огни были скрыты = скрылись, и Конан молча возглавлял путь / вел путем глубже в лес).
smolder [*sm*uld*], barbarian [b*:*b**r**n], idea [a**d**]
The barbarian's eyes were smoldering with fires that never lit the eyes of men bred to the ideas of civilization. In that instant he was all wild, and had forgotten the man at his side. In his burning gaze Balthus glimpsed and vaguely recognized pristine images and half-embodied memories, shadows from Life's dawn, forgotten and repudiated by sophisticated races — ancient, primeval fantasms unnamed and nameless.
Then the deeper fires were masked and Conan was silently leading the way deeper into the forest.
"We've no more to fear from the beasts," he said after a while, "but we've left a sign for men to read (нам не нужно больше бояться животных, — он сказал через некоторое время, — но мы оставили знак для людей /чтобы прочитать/). They won't follow our trail very easily (они не пойдут по нашему следу очень легко), and until they find that symbol they won't know for sure we've turned south (и пока они /не/ найдут этот символ, они не будут знать наверняка, /что/ мы повернули на юг). Even then it won't be easy to smell us out without the beasts to aid them (даже тогда /это/ будет нелегко вынюхать нас без зверей чтобы помочь им = без помощи зверей). But the woods south of the trail will be full of warriors looking for us (но леса южнее тропинки будут полны воинов, ищущих нас). If we keep moving after daylight, we'll be sure to run into some of them (если мы /будем/ продолжать движение после рассвета, мы наверняка наткнемся на кого-то из них; to run into — наткнуться, налететь на). As soon as we find a good place we'll hide and wait until another night to swing back and make the river (как только мы найдем хорошее место, мы спрячемся и подождем, пока /не/ наступит еще одна ночь и направимся к реке; to make (for) — направляться, двигаться). We've got to warn Valannus, but it won't help him any if we get ourselves killed (мы должны предупредить Валаннуса, но /это/ никоим образом не поможет ему, если мы сами погибнем; to get killed — стать убитым, погибнуть)."
while [wa*l], sign [sa*n], find [fa*nd]
"We've no more to fear from the beasts," he said after a while, "but we've left a sign for men to read. They won't follow our trail very easily, and until they find that symbol they won't know for sure we've turned south. Even then it won't be easy to smell us out without the beasts to aid them. But the woods south of the trail will be full of warriors looking for us. If we keep moving after daylight, we'll be sure to run into some of them. As soon as we find a good place we'll hide and wait until another night to swing back and make the river. We've got to warn Valannus, but it won't help him any if we get ourselves killed."
"Warn Valannus (предупредить Валаннуса)*"
"Hell, the woods along the river are swarming with Picts (ад = проклятие, лес вдоль реки кишит пиктами)! That's why they got us (поэтому /они/ нас достали = обнаружили). Zogar's brewing war-magic; no mere raid this time (Зогар готовит военную магию, не просто рейд /на/ этот раз; to brew — варить (пиво); замышлять (мятеж, заговор и т. п.)). He's done something no Pict has done in my memory — united as many as fifteen or sixteen clans (он сделал что- то, /чего/ /не/ делал ни один пикт на моей памяти — объединил целых: «так много как» пятнадцать или шестнадцать кланов). His magic did it; they'll follow a wizard farther than they will a war-chief (его магия сделала это, они пойдут за чародеем дальше, чем /они пойдут/ за военным вождем). You saw the mob in the village (ты видел сборище в поселке); and there were hundreds hiding along the river bank that you didn't see (и были сотни, прячущихся вдоль берега реки, которых ты не видел). More coming, from the farther villages (еще больше придет из дальних селений). He'll have at least three thousand fighting- men (он будет иметь = у него будет, по крайней мере, три тысячи бойцов). I lay in the bushes and heard their talk as they went past (я лежал в кустах и слышал их разговор, когда они проходили мимо). They mean to attack the fort; when, I don't know, but Zogar doesn't dare delay long (они хотят атаковать форт, когда, я не знаю, но Зогар не осмеливается откладывать надолго). He's gathered them and whipped them into a frenzy (он собрал их и привел их в неистовство). If he doesn't lead them into battle quickly, they'll fall to quarreling with one another (если он не поведет их в битву быстро, они распадутся в ссорах = рассорятся друг с другом). They're like blood-mad tigers (они словно кровожадные тигры).
brew [bru: ], wizard [*w*z*d], chief [*i: f]
"Warn Valannus*"
"Hell, the woods along the river are swarming with Picts! That's why they got us. Zogar's brewing war-magic; no mere raid this time. He's done something no Pict has done in my memory — united as many as fifteen or sixteen clans. His magic did it; they'll follow a wizard farther than they will a war-chief. You saw the mob in the village; and there were hundreds hiding along the river bank that you didn't see. More coming, from the farther villages. He'll have at least three thousand fighting-men. I lay in the bushes and heard their talk as they went past. They mean to attack the fort; when, I don't know, but Zogar doesn't dare delay long. He's gathered them and whipped them into a frenzy. If he doesn't lead them into battle quickly, they'll fall to quarreling with one another. They're like blood-mad tigers.
"I don't know whether they can take the fort or not (я не знаю, возьмут ли они форт или нет). Anyway, we've got to get back across the river and give the warning (как бы там ни было, мы должны вернуться через реку и дать = сделать предупреждение). The settlers on the Velitrium road must either get into the fort or back to Velitrium (поселенцы на дороге в Велитириум должны либо попасть в форт, либо вернуться в Велитриум; either … or … — либо …, либо …). While the Picts are besieging the fort, war parties will range the road far to the east (пока пикты будут осаждать форт, военные отряды будут рыскать по дороге далеко на востоке) — might even cross Thunder River and raid the thickly settled country behind Velitrium (возможно даже пересекут Громовую реку и совершат налеты на густо населенную местность за Велитриумом)."
whether [*we**], warning [*w*: n**], country [*k*ntr*]
"I don't know whether they can take the fort or not. Anyway, we've got to get back across the river and give the warning. The settlers on the Velitrium road must either get into the fort or back to Velitrium. While the Picts are besieging the fort, war parties will range the road far to the east — might even cross Thunder River and raid the thickly settled country behind Velitrium."
As he talked he was leading the way deeper and deeper into the ancient wilderness (пока он говорил, он вел глубже и глубже в древние дикие дебри). Presently he grunted with satisfaction (некоторое время спустя он промычал с удовлетворением). They had reached a spot where the underbrush was more scattered (они достигли места, где подлесок был более редкий), and an outcropping of stone was visible, wandering off southward (и был виден выход камня /обнажение каменной породы/, отклонявшийся на юг). Balthus felt more secure as they followed it (Балтус почувствовал /себя/ более уверенным, когда они последовали за ним = выходом). Not even a Pict could trail them over naked rock (даже пикт не мог выследить их по голой скале).
"How did you get away*" he asked presently (как ты выбрался* — спросил он через некоторое время). Conan tapped his mail-shirt and helmet (Конан постучал /по/ своей кольчуге и шлему).
talk [t*: k], visible [*v*z*bl], secure [s**kju*]
As he talked he was leading the way deeper and deeper into the ancient wilderness. Presently he grunted with satisfaction. They had reached a spot where the underbrush was more scattered, and an outcropping of stone was visible, wandering off southward. Balthus felt more secure as they followed it. Not even a Pict could trail them over naked rock.
"How did you get away*" he asked presently. Conan tapped his mail-shirt and helmet.
"If more borderers would wear harness there'd be fewer skulls hanging on the altar- huts (если бы больше пограничников носили доспехи, было бы меньше черепов, висящих на хижинах с алтарями). But most men make noise if they wear armor (но большинство людей создают шум, если они носят = на них латы). They were waiting on each side of the path, without moving (/они/ ждали с обеих сторон тропы, не двигаясь: «без движения»). And when a Pict stands motionless, the very beasts of the forest pass him without seeing him (а когда пикт стоит неподвижно, даже твари леса проходят мимо него, не замечая его). They'd seen us crossing the river and got in their places (они видели нас, пересекающих = как мы пересекали реку и стали по местам). If they'd gone into ambush after we left the bank, I'd have had some hint of it (если бы они сели в засаду, после того как мы покинули берег, я бы имел = почувствовал какой- то намек /этого/). But they were waiting, and not even a leaf trembled (но они ждали, и даже листик не дрогнул). The devil himself couldn't have suspected anything (сам дьявол не мог бы заподозрить = не заподозрил бы ничего). The first suspicion I had was when I heard a shaft rasp against a bow as it was pulled back (первое подозрение я имел = у меня возникло, когда я услышал скрежет стрелы о лук, когда она была оттянута = ее оттягивали; to pull back — оттягивать). I dropped and yelled for the men behind me to drop, but they were too slow, taken by surprise like that (я упал и закричал людям за мной падать, но они были слишком медленные, застигнутые вот так врасплох; to take by surprise — застигнуть врасплох).
wear [w**], armor [**:m*], leaf [li: f]
"If more borderers would wear harness there'd be fewer skulls hanging on the altar- huts. But most men make noise if they wear armor. They were waiting on each side of the path, without moving. And when a Pict stands motionless, the very beasts of the forest pass him without seeing him. They'd seen us crossing the river and got in their places. If they'd gone into ambush after we left the bank, I'd have had some hint of it. But they were waiting, and not even a leaf trembled. The devil himself couldn't have suspected anything. The first suspicion I had was when I heard a shaft rasp against a bow as it was pulled back. I dropped and yelled for the men behind me to drop, but they were too slow, taken by surprise like that.
"Most of them fell at the first volley that raked us from both sides (большинство их пали при первом залпе, который обстрелял = накрыл нас с обеих сторон). Some of the arrows crossed the trail and struck Picts on the other side (некоторые из стрел перелетели тропу и поразили пиктов на другой стороне). I heard them howl (я слышал их выть = их вой)." He grinned with vicious satisfaction (он оскалился со злым удовлетворением). "Such of us as were left plunged into the woods and closed with them (те из нас, что остались, бросились в лес и вступили в борьбу с ними; to close with — вступить в борьбу с). When I saw the others were all down or taken, I broke through and outfooted the painted devils through the darkness (когда я увидел, /что/ остальные все погибли или взяты в плен, я прорвался и отбился от раскрашенных демонов во тьме). They were all around me (они были повсюду вокруг меня). I ran and crawled and sneaked (я бежал и полз, и крался), and sometimes I lay on my belly under the bushes while they passed me on all sides (а иногда я лежал на животе под кустами, пока они проходили мимо меня со всех сторон).
vicious [*v***s], belly [*bel*], all [*: l]
"Most of them fell at the first volley that raked us from both sides. Some of the arrows crossed the trail and struck Picts on the other side. I heard them howl." He grinned with vicious satisfaction. "Such of us as were left plunged into the woods and closed with them. When I saw the others were all down or taken, I broke through and outfooted the painted devils through the darkness. They were all around me. I ran and crawled and sneaked, and sometimes I lay on my belly under the bushes while they passed me on all sides.
"I tried for the shore and found it lined with them, waiting for just such a move (я устремился к берегу и обнаружил, /что/ он заполнен ими, ждущими как раз такого хода). But I’d have cut my way through and taken a chance on swimming (но я пробился бы и испробовал бы шанс переплыть /реку/), only I heard the drums pounding in the village and knew they'd taken somebody alive (только я услышал барабаны, грохочущие в поселке, и знал, что они взяли кого-то живьем).
move [mu: v], pound [paund], alive [**la*v]
"I tried for the shore and found it lined with them, waiting for just such a move. But I’d have cut my way through and taken a chance on swimming, only I heard the drums pounding in the village and knew they'd taken somebody alive.
"They were all so engrossed in Zogar's magic that I was able to climb the wall behind the altar-hut (они были все так увлечены магией Зогара, что я смог взобраться на стену за хижиной с алтарем). There was a warrior supposed to be watching at that point (там был воин, /который/ должен был наблюдать в том месте), but he was squatting behind the hut and peering around the corner at the ceremony (но он сидел на корточках за хижиной и подсматривал из-за угла за церемонией). I came up behind him and broke his neck with my hands before he knew what was happening (я подошел к нему сзади и сломал ему шею /моими/ руками прежде, чем он понял, что происходит). It was his spear I threw into the snake, and that's his ax you're carrying (это /было/ его копье я бросил в змея, и это его топор ты несешь)."
able [e*bl], squat [skw*t], ceremony [*ser*m*n*]
"They were all so engrossed in Zogar's magic that I was able to climb the wall behind the altar-hut. There was a warrior supposed to be watching at that point, but he was squatting behind the hut and peering around the corner at the ceremony. I came up behind him and broke his neck with my hands before he knew what was happening. It was his spear I threw into the snake, and that's his ax you're carrying."
"But what was that — that thing you killed in the altar-hut*" asked Balthus, with a shiver at the memory of the dim-seen horror (но что это было — та тварь, /которую/ ты убил в хижине с алтарем* — спросил Балтус с содроганием при воспоминании о неясно видимом чудище).
"One of Zogar's gods (один из богов Зогара). One of Jhebbal's children that didn't remember and had to be kept chained to the altar (один из детей Джеббала, которые не помнили и должны были быть прикованными к алтарю). A bull ape (самец обезьяны). The Picts think they're sacred to the Hairy One who lives on the moon — the gorilla-god of Gullah (пикты думают, /что/ они посвящены Волосатому, который живет на луне — горилла-бог Гула).
"It's getting light (/оно/ светает). Here's a good place to hide until we see how close they're on our trail (вот хорошее место, /чтобы/ спрятаться, пока мы /не/ увидим = узнаем, как близко они подобрались к нам / идут по нашему следу). Probably have to wait until night to break back to the river (возможно, придется подождать до ночи, чтобы повернуть назад к реке)."
bull [b*l], gorilla [***r*l*], probably [*pr*b*bl*]
"But what was that — that thing you killed in the altar-hut*" asked Balthus, with a shiver at the memory of the dim-seen horror.
"One of Zogar's gods. One of Jhebbal's children that didn't remember and had to be kept chained to the altar. A bull ape. The Picts think they're sacred to the Hairy
One who lives on the moon — the gorilla-god of Gullah.
"It's getting light. Here's a good place to hide until we see how close they're on our trail. Probably have to wait until night to break back to the river."
A low hill pitched upward, girdled and covered with thick trees and bushes (невысокий холм тянулся вверх, окруженный и покрытый густыми деревьями и кустами). Near the crest Conan slid into a tangle of jutting rocks, crowned by dense bushes (возле вершины Конан скользнул в путаницу выступающих камней, увенчанных густыми кустами). Lying among them they could see the jungle below without being seen (лежа между ними, они могли видеть джунгли внизу, не будучи видимыми). It was a good place to hide or defend (это было хорошее место, /чтобы/ прятаться или обороняться). Balthus did not believe that even a Pict could have trailed them over the rocky ground for the past four or five miles (Балтус не верил, что даже пикт мог выследить их по скалистой почве на протяжении прошлых четырех или пяти миль), but he was afraid of the beasts that obeyed Zogar Sag (но он боялся тварей, которые повиновались Зогар Сагу). His faith in the curious symbol wavered a little now (его вера в необычный символ немного поколебалась теперь). But Conan had dismissed the possibility of beasts tracking them (но Конан отбросил возможность преследования их зверями = что звери их преследуют).
upward [**pw*d], without [w***aut], faith [fe*O]
A low hill pitched upward, girdled and covered with thick trees and bushes. Near the crest Conan slid into a tangle of jutting rocks, crowned by dense bushes. Lying among them they could see the jungle below without being seen. It was a good place to hide or defend. Balthus did not believe that even a Pict could have trailed them over the rocky ground for the past four or five miles, but he was afraid of the beasts that obeyed Zogar Sag. His faith in the curious symbol wavered a little now. But Conan had dismissed the possibility of beasts tracking them.
A ghostly whiteness spread through the dense branches (призрачная белизна распростерлась сквозь густые ветви); the patches of sky visible altered in hue, grew from pink to blue (лоскутки видимого неба меняли оттенки, переходили от розового к синему). Balthus felt the gnawing of hunger, though he had slaked his thirst at a stream they had skirted (Балтус почувствовал терзание голода, хотя он утолил свою жажду у ручья, /который/ они обошли; skirt — юбка; полоса, кайма; to skirt — обходить кругом, идти вдоль края). There was complete silence, except for an occasional chirp of a bird (была = стояла абсолютная тишина, за исключением щебетанья птицы время от времени). The drums were no longer to be heard (барабанов больше не было слышно). Balthus' thoughts reverted to the grim scene before the altar-hut (мысли Балтуса вернулись к мрачной сцене перед хижиной с алтарем).
hue [hju: ], gnaw [n*: ], thirst [O*: st]
A ghostly whiteness spread through the dense branches; the patches of sky visible altered in hue, grew from pink to blue. Balthus felt the gnawing of hunger, though he had slaked his thirst at a stream they had skirted. There was complete silence, except for an occasional chirp of a bird. The drums were no longer to be heard. Balthus' thoughts reverted to the grim scene before the altar-hut.
"Those were ostrich plumes Zogar Sag wore," he said (это были страусиные перья, /которые/ носил = на Зогар Саге, — сказал он; to wear — носить (одежду)). "I've seen them on the helmets of knights who rode from the East to visit the barons of the marches (я видел их на шлемах рыцарей, которые скакали с востока, /чтобы/ навестить баронов марки; to ride — скакать, ехать верхом). There are no ostriches in this forest, are there (в этом лесу нет страусов, есть там = не так ли)*"
wore [w*: ], knight [na*t], visit [*v*z*t]
"Those were ostrich plumes Zogar Sag wore," he said. "I've seen them on the helmets of knights who rode from the East to visit the barons of the marches. There are no ostriches in this forest, are there*"
"They came from Kush," answered Conan (они пришли = попали сюда из Куша, — ответил Конан). "West of here, many marches, lies the seashore (на западе отсюда, /во/ многих переходах лежит берег моря). Ships from Zingara occasionally come and trade weapons and ornaments and wine to the coastal tribes for skins and copper ore and gold dust (корабли из Зингары время от времени приходят и обменивают оружие, украшения и вино у прибрежных племен на шкуры, медную руду и золотой песок). Sometimes they trade ostrich plumes they got from the Stygians (иногда они меняют страусиные перья, которые они получили у стигийцев), who in turn got them from the black tribes of Kush, which lies south of Stygia (которые в свою очередь получили их от черных племен Куша, который лежит = находится южнее Стигии). The Pictish shamans place great store by them (пиктские шаманы платят много за них; to place — вкладывать, вкладывать деньги / капитал делать, размещать заказ; great store — большое количество, большие средства). But there's much risk in such trade (но есть большой риск в такой торговле). The Picts are too likely to try to seize the ship (пикты вполне могут попытаться захватить корабль; to be likely to V — вероятно сделать что-л.). And the coast is dangerous to ships (а побережье опасно для кораблей). I've sailed along it when I was with the pirates of the Barachan Isles, which lie southwest of Zingara (я ходил вдоль него, когда я был с пиратами Барахских островов, которые лежат на юго-востоке от Зингары)."
weapon [*wep*n], Isles [*a*lz], lie [la*]
"They came from Kush," answered Conan. "West of here, many marches, lies the seashore. Ships from Zingara occasionally come and trade weapons and ornaments and wine to the coastal tribes for skins and copper ore and gold dust. Sometimes they trade ostrich plumes they got from the Stygians, who in turn got them from the black tribes of Kush, which lies south of Stygia. The Pictish shamans place great store by them. But there's much risk in such trade. The Picts are too likely to try to seize the ship. And the coast is dangerous to ships. I've sailed along it when I was with the pirates of the Barachan Isles, which lie southwest of Zingara."
Balthus looked at his companion with admiration (Балтус посмотрел на своего спутника с восхищением).
"I knew you hadn't spent your life on this frontier (я знал, /что/ ты не провел свою жизнь на этой границе). You've mentioned several far places (ты упомянул несколько далеких мест). You've traveled widely (ты путешествовал широко = много)*"
frontier [*fr*nt**], mention [*men*n], widely [*wa*dl*]
Balthus looked at his companion with admiration.
"I knew you hadn't spent your life on this frontier. You've mentioned several far places. You've traveled widely*"
"I've roamed far; farther than any other man of my race ever wandered (я странствовал далеко, дальше, чем когда-либо скитался любой другой человек моей расы; to roam, to wander — странствовать, скитаться, бродить). I've seen all the great cities of the Hyborians, the Shemites, the Stygians, and the Hyrkanians (я видел все великие города хайборийцев, шемитов, стигийцев и гирканцев). I've roamed in the unknown countries south of the black kingdoms of Kush, and east of the Sea of Vilayet (я странствовал в = по неизвестным странам южнее черных королевств Куша и на востоке от моря Вилайет). I've been a mercenary captain, a corsair, a kozak, a penniless vagabond, a general — hell (я был капитаном наемников, корсаром, козаком, нищим бродягой, генералом — ад = проклятие), I've been everything except a king of a civilized country, and I may be that, before I die (я был всем, кроме короля цивилизованной страны, и я, может, буду им: «тем», прежде чем /я/ умру)." The fancy pleased him, and he grinned hardly (выдумка доставила ему удовольствие, и он ухмыльнулся через силу). Then he shrugged his shoulders and stretched his mighty figure on the rocks (затем он пожал /своими/ плечами и распростер свою могучую фигуру на камнях). "This is as good a life as any (это почти такая же жизнь, как и всякая /другая/; as good as — все равно что, почти, фактически). I don't know how long I'll stay on the frontier; a week, a month, a year (я не знаю, как долго я останусь = пробуду на границе — неделю, месяц, год). I have a roving foot (я непоседа: «я имею бродячую ногу»). But it's as well on the border as anywhere (но /это/ так же хорошо на границе, как где бы то ни было)."
roam [r*um], wander [*w*nd*], please [pli: z]
"I've roamed far; farther than any other man of my race ever wandered. I've seen all the great cities of the Hyborians, the Shemites, the Stygians, and the Hyrkanians. I've roamed in the unknown countries south of the black kingdoms of Kush, and east of the Sea of Vilayet. I've been a mercenary captain, a corsair, a kozak, a penniless vagabond, a general — hell, I've been everything except a king of a civilized country, and I may be that, before I die." The fancy pleased him, and he grinned hardly. Then he shrugged his shoulders and stretched his mighty figure on the rocks. "This is as good a life as any. I don't know how long I'll stay on the frontier; a week, a month, a year. I have a roving foot. But it's as well on the border as anywhere."
Balthus set himself to watch the forest below them (Балтус принялся наблюдать за лесом ниже них). Momentarily he expected to see fierce painted faces thrust through the leaves (в любой момент он ожидал увидеть, /как/ свирепые раскрашенные лица просовываются сквозь листья). But as the hours passed no stealthy footfall disturbed the brooding quiet (но по мере того, как проходили часы, никакой осторожный звук шагов /не/ потревожил нависшую тишину). Balthus believed the Picts had missed their trail and given up the chase (Балтус полагал, /что/ пикты потеряли их след и бросили = прекратили погоню). Conan grew restless (Конан стал беспокойным).
"We should have sighted parties scouring the woods for us (мы должны были увидеть отряды, прочесывающие леса в поисках нас). If they've quit the chase, it's because they're after bigger game (если они прекратили погоню, это потому что они /идут/ за более крупной дичью). They may be gathering to cross the river and storm the fort (они, возможно, собираются пересечь реку и штурмовать форт)."
brood [bru: d], chase [*e*s], cross [kr*s]
Balthus set himself to watch the forest below them. Momentarily he expected to see fierce painted faces thrust through the leaves. But as the hours passed no stealthy footfall disturbed the brooding quiet. Balthus believed the Picts had missed their trail and given up the chase. Conan grew restless.
"We should have sighted parties scouring the woods for us. If they've quit the chase, it's because they're after bigger game. They may be gathering to cross the river and storm the fort."
"Would they come this far south if they lost the trail (они зашли бы так далеко /на/ юг, если бы потеряли след; this far — так далеко)*"
"They've lost the trail, all right; otherwise they'd have been on our necks before now (они потеряли наш след, вполне = они действительно потеряли след, иначе они бы уже набросились на нас: «были бы на наших шеях до сейчас»). Under ordinary circumstances they'd scour the woods for miles in every direction (в обычных обстоятельствах они бы прочесали леса на мили во всех направлениях). Some of them should have passed within sight of this hill (некоторые из них должны были пройти в пределах видимости с этого холма). They must be preparing to cross the river (они, наверное, готовятся пересечь реку). We've got to take a chance and make for the river (нам нужно попытать шанс = попытаться и направиться к реке)."
otherwise [****wa*z], scour [skau*], must [m*st]
"Would they come this far south if they lost the trail*"
"They've lost the trail, all right; otherwise they'd have been on our necks before now. Under ordinary circumstances they'd scour the woods for miles in every direction. Some of them should have passed without sight of this hill. They must be preparing to cross the river. We've got to take a chance and make for the river."
Creeping down the rocks Balthus felt his flesh crawl between his shoulders as he momentarily expected a withering blast of arrows from the green masses above them (крадясь вниз по скалам = спускаясь крадучись по скалам, Балтус почувствовал, /как/ по его телу побежали мурашки, когда он на секунду представил губительный поток стрел из зеленых масс над ними; to wither — иссушать; уничтожать). He feared that the Picts had discovered them and were lying about in ambush (он боялся, что пикты обнаружили их и лежат в засаде). But Conan was convinced no enemies were near, and the Cimmerian was right (но Конан был убежден, /что/ никаких врагов /не/ было = нет поблизости, и киммериец был прав).
momentarily [*m*um*nt*r*l*], ambush [**mb**], enemy [*en*m*]
Creeping down the rocks Balthus felt his flesh crawl between his shoulders as he momentarily expected a withering blast of arrows from the green masses above them. He feared that the Picts had discovered them and were lying about in ambush. But Conan was convinced no enemies were near, and the Cimmerian was right.
"We're miles to the south of the village," grunted Conan (мы /в/ милях к югу от поселка, — пробурчал Конан). "We'll hit straight through for the river (мы будем пробиваться прямо к реке). I don't know how far down the river they've spread (я не знаю, как далеко вниз по реке они распространились; to spread — распространиться). We'll hope to hit it below them (/мы/ будем надеяться, /что/ наткнемся = выйдем на нее ниже них)."
With haste that seemed reckless to Balthus they hurried eastward (со спешкой, которая казалась безрассудной Балтусу, они поспешили /на/ восток). The woods seemed empty of life (лес казался пустым от жизни = вымершим). Conan believed that all the Picts were gathered in the vicinity of Gwawela, if, indeed, they had not already crossed the river (Конан полагал, что все пикты собрались вблизи Гвавелы, если, в самом деле, они уже не пересекли реку). He did not believe they would cross in the daytime, however (он не думал, однако, /что/ они переправятся в дневное время).
spread [spred], reckless [*rekl*s], vicinity [v**s*n*t*]
"We're miles to the south of the village," grunted Conan. "We'll hit straight through for the river. I don't know how far down the river they've spread. We'll hope to hit it below them."
With haste that seemed reckless to Balthus they hurried eastward. The woods seemed empty of life. Conan believed that all the Picts were gathered in the vicinity of Gwawela, if, indeed, they had not already crossed the river. He did not believe they would cross in the daytime, however.
"Some woodsman would be sure to see them and give the alarm (какой-нибудь лесной житель наверняка увидел бы их и поднял бы тревогу). They'll cross above and below the fort, out of sight of the sentries (они переправятся выше и ниже форта, вне видимости часовых). Then others will get in canoes and make straight across for the river wall (потом другие заберутся в каноэ и направятся прямо к речной стене = стене, выходящей на реку). As soon as they attack, those hidden in the woods on the east shore will assail the fort from the other sides (как только они атакуют, /те/ спрятавшиеся в лесу на восточном побережье нападут на форт с других сторон). They've tried that before, and got the guts shot and hacked out of them (они пробовали это раньше, и им повыпускали кишки: «они получили кишки простреленными и вырезанными»). But this time they've got enough men to make a real onslaught of it (но /на/ этот раз они имеют = у них достаточно людей, /чтобы/ произвести настоящую атаку на него)."
alarm [**l*:m], attack [**t*k], onslaught [**nsl*: t]
"Some woodsman would be sure to see them and give the alarm. They'll cross above and below the fort, out of sight of the sentries. Then others will get in canoes and make straight across for the river wall. As soon as they attack, those hidden in the woods on the east shore will assail the fort from the other sides. They've tried that before, and got the guts shot and hacked out of them. But this time they've got enough men to make a real onslaught of it."
They pushed on without pausing, though Balthus gazed longingly at the squirrels flitting among the branches (они продвигались без остановок, хотя Балтус глядел жадно на белок, мелькающих среди ветвей), which he could have brought down with a cast of his ax (которых он мог бы сбить броском своего топора). With a sigh he drew up his broad belt (со вздохом он подтянул свой широкий ремень). The everlasting silence and gloom of the primitive forest was beginning to depress him (постоянная тишина и мрак первобытного леса начинали угнетать его). He found himself thinking of the open groves and sun- dappled meadows of the Tauran (он нашел себя думающим = он поймал себя на том, что думает о тауранских открытых рощах и лугах в солнечных пятнах), of the bluff cheer of his father's steep-thatched, diamond-paned house (о грубовато-сердечном веселье крытого соломой ромбовидного дома его отца), of the fat cows browsing through the deep lush grass (о коровах, неспешно выбирающих густую сочную траву), and the hearty fellowship of the brawny, bare-armed plowmen and herdsmen (и об искренней дружбе мускулистых пахарей и пастухов с открытыми /до плеч/ руками).
though [**u], grove [*r*uv], meadow [*med*u]