I CARRY SOME THINGS ASHORE 10 страница

I fitted the cave up with whatever was needed to make it comfortable (я оборудовал пещеру всем, что было необходимо, чтобы сделать ее удобной для жизни).

If the worst came to the worst (если бы случилось самое страшное: «если бы худшее пришло к к худшему»; the worst — худшее), I meant to live there (я намеревался жить там). And yet I did not wish to be obliged to do this (но все же я не желал быть вынужденным делать это; to oblige — обязывать; связывать /обязательством, клятвой/; заставлять, принуждать).

When everything was safe and snug (когда все было безопасно и удобно/уютно; snug — удобный; приятный; уютный), I laid some green branches over the entrance and went back to my castle (я уложил несколько зеленых веток над входом = прикрыл вход ветками и пошел обратно в замок; to lay — класть).

I was very glad when I sat down in my old kitchen again (я был очень рад, когда снова сел в моей старой кухне; to sit down — садиться). For, after all, no other place was so much like home (так как, после всего = в конце концов, нет места лучше дома: «никакое другое место не было столь сильно похоже на дом»).

I had now been twenty-three years on this island (я пробыл на острове уже двадцать три года). If it had not been for fear of savages (если бы не страх перед дикарями), I would have been the happiest man in the world (я был бы самым счастливым человеком в мире).

During all those years I had been very busy (в течение всех этих лет я был очень занят). I did not work all the time, as you know (я не работал все время, как вы знаете), but I amused myself in various ways (но развлекал себя разными способами).

I spent much time with Poll, the parrot (я проводил много времени с Попкой-попугаем; to spend — проводить /время/). He soon learned to talk so well that it was a pleasure to hear him (он вскоре научился говорить так хорошо, что было удовольствием слушать его).

My dog had been my best friend and companion (мой пес был моим лучшим другом и спутником/товарищем). He lived for sixteen years (он прожил шестнадцать лет), and then died of old age (и затем умер от старости).

As for my cats, the woods were full of them (что касается моих кошек, леса были полны ими). All ran wild except the two that I kept in my castle (все стали дикими, за исключением двух, которых я держал в замке; to run wild — одичать). These were good mousers and fine pets (они были хорошими ловцами мышей и прекрасными любимцами /домашними животными/; mouse — мышь).

I had also several tame fowls (у меня также было несколько прирученных птиц). These I had caught near the seashore when they were young (этих я поймал у берега, когда они были молодыми; to catch — ловить). I cut their wing feathers short (я обрезал их перья на крыльях коротко) and taught them to eat from my hand (и научил их есть с моей руки; to teach — обучать).

I never knew what kind of birds they were (я так и не узнал, что это были за птицы), but they were large, almost as large as chickens (но они были крупными, почти такими же крупными, как цыплята). They lived among the hedge trees in front of my castle (они жили среди деревьев живой изгороди перед моим замком).

They made their nests there (они вили там гнезда) and kept me well supplied with eggs (и держали меня хорошо обеспеченным яйцами = постоянно обеспечивали меня яйцами; to supply — снабжать /чем-л. — with/, поставлять; доставлять). I did not need to keep any other poultry (мне не было нужды держать какую-либо другую домашнюю птицу).

Thus I lived very pleasantly in my island home (таким образом я жил очень вольготно в моем островном доме). I would have been content to live there always if I could have felt safe from savages (я был бы согласен: «доволен» жить там всегда, если бы я мог чувствовать себя в безопасности от дикарей).

explore [Ik'splO:], candle [kxndl], darkness ['dQ:knIs], splendid ['splendId], diamond ['daIqmqnd], precious ['preSqs], delighted [dI'laItId], treasure ['treZq], entrance ['entrqns], amused [q'mju:zd], companion [kqm'pxnjqn], poultry ['pqultrI], content [kqn'tent]

I EXPLORE MY CAVE FURTHER

THE next day I brought out with me six big candles.

For you must know that I was a candle maker as well as a baker. Indeed, I made very good candles of goats' tallow, using some bits of old ropes for the wicks. As I have just said, I took six candles with me, for I had made up my mind to learn more about the cave I had found.

I lit two of the candles, and went in. The poor old goat was dead, and it was no easy work to dig a hole right there and bury him.

After this unpleasant task was done, I went into the back part of the cave. The flame of the candles lighted up the darkness, and I could see quite plainly.

The narrow passage of which I have told you was no less than thirty feet long. In one place it was so low that I had to creep through on all fours.

But no sooner was I through this low place than I found myself in a splendid chamber. It was large enough to shelter a hundred men.

Indeed, it seemed like the great hall of some old English castle. I had never seen anything so grand.

The roof was at least twenty feet high. The light from my two candles shone upon the walls and made it look as though covered with thousand of bright stars.

Whether these were diamonds, or gold, or some other precious things, I did not know, and in fact I never learned.

The floor was dry and level. It was covered with white sand, which was very clean.

I was delighted. No better or safer storehouse could I have wished.

When I had looked at the room on every side and found that it was really the end of the cave, I went out and hurried back to my castle.

I found that I still had about sixty pounds of powder. This was the first thing that I carried to my new cavern. I took thither also the lead that I had for making bullets and small shot.

I felt now like one of the wonderful elves that you read about. They live, as you know, in rocks and in caves where none can get at them; and they have hidden treasures of gold and precious stones.

What if a hundred savages should hunt me? They could not come near me here. I was safe from all foes.

I fitted the cave up with whatever was needed to make it comfortable.

If the worst came to the worst, I meant to live there. And yet I did not wish to be obliged to do this.

When everything was safe and snug, I laid some green branches over the entrance and went back to my castle.

I was very glad when I sat down in my old kitchen again. For, after all, no other place was so much like home.

I had now been twenty-three years on this island. If it had not been for fear of savages, I would have been the happiest man in the world.

During all those years I had been very busy. I did not work all the time, as you know, but I amused myself in various ways.

I spent much time with Poll, the parrot. He soon learned to talk so well that it was a pleasure to hear him.

My dog had been my best friend and companion. He lived for sixteen years, and then died of old age.

As for my cats, the woods were full of them. All ran wild except the two that I kept in my castle. These were good mousers and fine pets.

I had also several tame fowls. These I had caught near the seashore when they were young. I cut their wing feathers short and taught them to eat from my hand.

I never knew what kind of birds they were, but they were large, almost as large as chickens. They lived among the hedge trees in front of my castle.

They made their nests there and kept me well supplied with eggs. I did not need to keep any other poultry.

Thus I lived very pleasantly in my island home. I would have been content to live there always if I could have felt safe from savages.

I SEE SAVAGES (я вижу дикарей)

EARLY one morning (рано утром) in harvest time (во время сбора урожая) I went out to my grain fields to cut down some barley (я выходил в мои зерновые поля срезать ячмень = собирать ячмень). The days were so very hot that it was pleasanter to rise before daylight (эти дни были такими жаркими, что было приятнее встать до восхода) and do the heavier part of my work before the sun was high (и сделать самую тяжелую часть моей работы прежде, чем солнце будет высоко).

On this morning of which I am telling you (тем утром, о котором я рассказываю вам), I started out while it was still quite dark (я вышел в путь, когда еще было довольно темно). I had been to the fields so often that I could have found the way with my eyes shut (я бывал в полях так часто, что мог бы найти путь с закрытыми глазами; to shut — закрывать).

As I went along (пока я шел; to go along — двигаться вперед /обычно по дороге, по улице/), I was surprised to see a light far over toward my side of the island (я был удивлен увидеть огонек вдалеке ближе к моей стороне острова). I stopped and looked (я остановился и стал смотреть). It was plainly the light of a blazing fire (это был явно свет ярко горящего костра; to blaze — гореть ярким пламенем; fire — огонь; костер).

Who could have built a fire there (кто мог бы развести там костер)?

Surely none but savages (определенно никто, кроме дикарей).

I was so much surprised (я так удивлен) that I stood still and wondered (что остановился как вкопанный и задумался).

What if those savages should find my grain fields (что если те дикари найдут мои зерновые поля)?

They would know at once that somebody had planted them (они сразу узнают = поймут, что кто-то их посадил), and they would never rest till they should find me (и не успокоятся, пока не найдут меня; never — никогда).

I could now see the blaze quite plainly (я мог теперь видеть довольно ясно/отчетливо). As the day dawned (день рассветал), I could also see the smoke rising above the trees (я мог также видеть дым, поднимающийся над деревьями). The fire was not more than two miles away (костер был не более чем в двух милях).

I hurried back to my castle as fast as I could run (я поспешил обратно к замку так быстро, как только мог бежать). I made everything on the outside of it look as wild as possible (я сделал, чтобы все снаружи его выглядело так дико = необитаемо, как возможно).

I climbed over the wall and pulled up the ladder after me (я перелез через забор и затащил лестницу за собой).

I loaded all my cannon (я зарядил все мои пушки), as I called the guns (как я называл ружья), that I had placed in the wall (которые установил в стене). I put everything in order for a siege (я привел все в порядок, как надо для осады).

Then I waited to see if any enemy would come near (затем я ждал увидеть, если враг приблизится = стал ждать приближения противника).

Two hours, three hours passed (прошли два часа, три часа), and there was no sight nor sound that was at all uncommon (и не было ни вида, ни звука, который был бы необычен). I began to wonder if, after all, the fire had been kindled by some accident (я начал задаваться вопросом, был ли = может быть, в конце концов, огонь зажжен каким-то случаем = случайно; to kindle — зажигать, разжигать /пламя, костер/; accident — /несчастный/ случай) and not by strange men (а не чужаками).

At last I could wait no longer (наконец я не мог больше ждать). I set up my ladder against the side of the rock (я приставил лестницу к боку скалы) and climbed up to a flat place above my castle (и залез на плоское место над замком). I pulled the ladder up after me (я втащил лестницу за собой) and then mounted to another landing (и затем взобрался на другую площадку; to mount — подниматься, восходить; to mount a ladder — взобраться на лестницу). I pulled it up a second time (я втащил ее во второй раз), and it now reached to the top of the great rock (и она теперь достигала верхушки большой скалы).

Here was the place I called my lookout (здесь было место, которое я называл моей смотровой площадкой).

Very carefully I climbed up (очень осторожно я взобрался). I laid myself down upon the rock (я улегся на скале) and through my spyglass looked over toward the place where I had seen the fire (и через подзорную трубу посмотрел на место, где я видел огонь; spyglass — подзорная труба; to spy — шпионить, следить /за кем-л. — on/upon/; подглядывать, подсматривать; glass — стекло).

I could still see the smoke (я по-прежнему мог видеть дым). Yes, and I could see some naked savages sitting around a small fire (да, и я мог видеть несколько обнаженных дикарей, сидящих вокруг маленького костра).

I counted them (я посчитал их), and made out that there were no fewer than nine of the wretches (и вычислил, что там было не менее девяти этих убогих; wretch — жалкий человек; негодяй).

They surely did not need a fire to warm themselves by (им уж определенно не нужен был огонь, чтобы греться возле него), for the day was very hot (так как день был очень знойным). No doubt they were cooking something (без сомнения, они готовили что-то). Perhaps they were cannibals and were getting ready for one of their horrible feasts (возможно, они были каннибалами и готовились к одному из своих ужасных пиров; to get ready — готовиться: «становиться готовым»).

On the beach (на берегу: «на береговой полосе») not far from them (недалеко от них) I saw the two canoes in which they had arrived (я увидел два каноэ, на которых они прибыли).

The tide was now at its lowest (отлив был сейчас в своей самой низкой точке). When it returned and floated the canoes, they would probably go away (когда прилив вернется и поднимет каноэ, они, возможно, уплывут; to float — плавать; всплывать; держаться на поверхности воды).

This thought made me feel much easier (эта мысль заставила меня чувствовать гораздо спокойнее = в некоторой мере успокоила меня), for I was sure they would not wander far inland (так как я был уверен, что они не забредут далеко вглубь острова; inland — вглубь страны).

I waited and watched till the tide was again at the flood (я ждал и наблюдал, пока пока прилив не вернулся; flood — подъем воды, прилив; поток; наводнение).

Then I saw them all get into the boats and paddle away (затем я увидел, как они все уселись в лодки и погребли прочь). They seemed to be going around to the other side of the island (они, казалось, собирались идти вокруг /острова/ на другую сторону острова = обогнуть остров).

I could now breathe freely again (я мог опять дышать свободно). As soon as they were well gone, I armed myself and hurried across the land to see if I could get another sight of them (я вооружился и поспешил через местность посмотреть, мог бы я поймать другой вид их = увидеть их вновь).

I carried two guns on my shoulder (я нес два ружья на плече), two pistols in my belt (два пистолета за поясом), and a big sword at my side (и большую = длинную шпагу сбоку). You would have been frightened, had you seen me (вы были бы испуганы, если бы увидели меня).

It was a long, hard walk (это была долгая, трудная прогулка = долгий, трудный путь). But by and by I came to the hill (но вскоре я вышел к холму; by and by — вскоре) that overlooked the farther shore of the island (который возвышался над дальним берегом острова).

This I climbed (на него я взобрался). I scanned sea and land with my spyglass (я осмотрел море и землю через подзорную трубу).

Yes, there were the two canoes coming slowly around the coast (да = в самом деле, было два каноэ, медленно огибающих побережье).

But what was my surprise to see three other boats put off from a cove near by and hasten around to meet them (каково было мое удивление, когда я увидел, как три других лодки снялись из бухты рядом и поспешили им навстречу: «встретить их»)!

It seemed, then, that another party of savages had been feasting at the very spot (значит, видимо, другая партия дикарей пировала на том самом месте; to seem — казаться) where I had seen the first footprint in the sand (где я видел первый отпечаток ноги на песке).

I watched the canoes until all five were far out to sea (я наблюдал за каноэ, пока все пять не были далеко в море), on their way to the low-lying shore in the distant west (на своем пути к низкому берегу на отдаленном западе).

Then I went down to the place where the savages had been feasting (затем я спустился к месту, где /ранее/ пировали дикари).

What a dreadful sight met my eyes (какое ужасное зрелище встретило мои глаза; to meet — встречать)! The sand was covered with blood and bones (песок был покрыт кровью и костями). No doubt some poor captive had been killed there and eaten (без сомнения, какой-то бедный пленник был убит здесь и съеден).

I made up my mind (я принял решение) that if any other savages should ever come to my island for such a feast (что если какие-либо другие дикари когда-либо прибудут на мой остров для такого пира), I would not let them enjoy it (я не позволю им наслаждаться им).

I gathered up the bones and buried them in the sand (я собрал кости и похоронил их в песке; to bury — хоронить, зарывать в землю). Then I went slowly and sadly back to my castle (затем я медленно и печально пошел в замок).

After that I never felt quite safe at any time (после этого я никогда не чувствовал себе достаточно безопасно в какое-либо время). I dared not fire a gun (я не решался стрелять из ружья); I dared not build a fire (не решался разводить огонь); I dared not walk far from home (не решался бродить далеко от дома).

While awake (бодрствуя: «когда бодрствующий»), I was always planning how to escape the savages (я постоянно планировал/размышлял, как избежать дикарей; to escape — бежать, совершать побег; избежать /наказания, опасности и т. п./, спастись; отделаться). While asleep (когда я спал: «когда спящий»), I was always dreaming of dreadful things (мне всегда снились ужасные вещи).

Yet days and months passed by (однако дни и месяцы проходили), and still no other savages came (и все же никакие другие дикари не прибывали; still — до сих пор, все еще, по-прежнему; все же, тем не менее, однако).

early ['WlI], surprised [sq'praIzd], siege [si:G], enemy ['enImI], kindle [kIndl], spyglass ['spaIglQ:s], wretch [retS], ready ['redI], horrible ['hOrqbl], feast [fi:st], arrive [q'raIv], return [rI'tq:n], probably ['prOb(q)blI], breathe [brJD], hurry ['hArI], pistol [pIstl], surprise [sq'praIz], hasten ['heIs(q)n], blood [blAd], enjoy [In'GOI]

I SEE SAVAGES

EARLY one morning in harvest time I went out to my grain fields to cut down some barley. The days were so very hot that it was pleasanter to rise before daylight and do the heavier part of my work before the sun was high. On this morning of which I am telling you, I started out while it was still quite dark. I had been to the fields so often that I could have found the way with my eyes shut.

As I went along, I was surprised to see a light far over toward my side of the island. I stopped and looked. It was plainly the light of a blazing fire.

Who could have built a fire there?

Surely none but savages.

I was so much surprised that I stood still and wondered.

What if those savages should find my grain fields?

They would know at once that somebody had planted them, and they would never rest till they should find me.

I could now see the blaze quite plainly. As the day dawned, I could also see the smoke rising above the trees. The fire was not more than two miles away.

I hurried back to my castle as fast as I could run. I made everything on the outside of it look as wild as possible.

I climbed over the wall and pulled up the ladder after me.

I loaded all my cannon, as I called the guns, that I had placed in the wall. I put everything in order for a siege.

Then I waited to see if any enemy would come near.

Two hours, three hours passed, and there was no sight nor sound that was at all uncommon. I began to wonder if, after all, the fire had been kindled by some accident and not by strange men.

At last I could wait no longer. I set up my ladder against the side of the rock and climbed up to a flat place above my castle. I pulled the ladder up after me and then mounted to another landing. I pulled it up a second time, and it now reached to the top of the great rock.

Here was the place I called my lookout.

Very carefully I climbed up. I laid myself down upon the rock and through my spyglass looked over toward the place where I had seen the fire.

I could still see the smoke. Yes, and I could see some naked savages sitting around a small fire.

I counted them, and made out that there were no fewer than nine of the wretches.

They surely did not need a fire to warm themselves by, for the day was very hot. No doubt they were cooking something. Perhaps they were cannibals and were getting ready for one of their horrible feasts.

On the beach not far from them I saw the two canoes in which they had arrived.

The tide was now at its lowest. When it returned and floated the canoes, they would probably go away.

This thought made me feel much easier, for I was sure they would not wander far inland.

I waited and watched till the tide was again at the flood.

Then I saw them all get into the boats and paddle away. They seemed to be going around to the other side of the island.

I could now breathe freely again. As soon as they were well gone, I armed myself and hurried across the land to see if I could get another sight of them.

I carried two guns on my shoulder, two pistols in my belt, and a big sword at my side. You would have been frightened, had you seen me.

It was a long, hard walk. But by and by I came to the hill that overlooked the farther shore of the island.

This I climbed. I scanned sea and land with my spyglass.

Yes, there were the two canoes coming slowly around the coast.

But what was my surprise to see three other boats put off from a cove near by and hasten around to meet them!

It seemed, then, that another party of savages had been feasting at the very spot where I had seen the first footprint in the sand.

I watched the canoes until all five were far out to sea, on their way to the low-lying shore in the distant west.

Then I went down to the place where the savages had been feasting.

What a dreadful sight met my eyes! The sand was covered with blood and bones. No doubt some poor captive had been killed there and eaten.

I made up my mind that if any other savages should ever come to my island for such a feast, I would not let them enjoy it.

I gathered up the bones and buried them in the sand. Then I went slowly and sadly back to my castle.

After that I never felt quite safe at any time. I dared not fire a gun; I dared not build a fire; I dared not walk far from home.

While awake, I was always planning how to escape the savages. While asleep, I was always dreaming of dreadful things.

Yet days and months passed by, and still no other savages came.

I DISCOVER A WRECK (я обнаруживаю корабль, потерпевший кораблекрушение)

ONE day in May a great storm burst upon the island (одним майским днем большая буря обрушилась на остров; to burst — лопаться; разрываться; взрываться; разражаться). All day and far into the night the rain fell and the wind blew (весь день и глубоко ночью: «далеко в ночь» падал = шел дождь и дул ветер; to fall — падать; to blow — дуть), the lightnings flashed (сверкали молнии), and the thunder rolled (и катился гром = раздавались раскаты грома).

But I was used to such storms (но привык к таким штормам), and I minded it but little (и не обращал на него большого внимания). I stayed home in my castle (я оставался дома в моем замке), and felt very thankful that I had a place so safe and dry and comfortable (и чувствовал благодарность: «чувствовал /себя/ благодарным» за то, что у меня было такое безопасное, сухое и удобное место; to feel — чувствовать).

I sat up quite late (я не ложился спать довольно поздно = допоздна; to sit up — не ложиться спать; засиживаться до поздней ночи; бодрствовать), reading my Bible by the light of a little lamp I had made (читая Библию при свете маленького светильника, которую я сделал), and thinking of my strange lot in life (и думая о моем странной жребии в жизни). Suddenly I heard a sound which I felt sure was the noise of a gun fired at sea (вдруг я услышал звук, который, я чувствовал, наверняка был шумом ружья, выстрелившего в море).

I started up quickly (я быстро вскочил). I threw on my raincoat (я набросил дождевик) and mounted to my lookout on the top of the great rock (и взобрался на смотровую площадку на вершине большой скалы).

The rain had stopped and the wind was going down (дождь прекратился, и ветер стихал). It was now past midnight (было уже за полночь), and very dark (и очень темно).

A moment after I had reached my place (через мгновение после того, как я добрался до места) there was a flash of light that caused me to stop (была вспышка света, которая заставила меня остановится) and listen for another gun (и прислушаться, не будет ли еще /ружейного/ выстрела).

In a few seconds I heard it (через несколько секунд я услышал его). It seemed to come from that part of the sea (он, казалось, донесся с той части моря) where I was once caught by the strong current (где я был однажды захвачен сильным потоком; to catch — ловить) and driven far out in my boat (и отнесен далеко /в море/ в моей лодке; to drive — гнать).

I knew at once that the shots were fired from some ship in distress (я сразу понял, что выстрелы стрелялись с какого-то корабля в бедствии). Perhaps she was being driven upon the shore by the wind and waves (возможно, он /корабль — в англ. языке это слово женского рода/ был относим на берег ветром и волнами). Could I do anything to help the poor men on board (мог ли я сделать что-либо, чтобы помочь бедным людям на борту)?

With great labor and danger to myself (с большим трудом и опасностью для себя) I gathered some sticks and brush into a pile on the rock and set it on fire (я собрал палки и ветки в кучу на скале и поджег их).

The wood was not dry (дрова были не сухими), but when the fire was once kindled (но когда костер был разведен) it blazed up fiercely (он разгорелся неистово/яростно: «свирепо») and cast a light over all the rocks and trees about me (и отбрасывал свет на все скалы и деревья вокруг меня).

I felt sure that if there were sailors on the ship (я чувствовал уверенность, что если на корабле были моряки), they could not help but see it (они не могли не увидеть его /костер/). And no doubt they did see it (и без сомнения, они увидели его), for I soon heard another gun (так как вскоре я услышал другое ружье = другой выстрел).

All night long I kept the fire burning (всю ночь напролет я сохранял огонь горящим = поддерживал огонь); but no other sound besides the wind did I hear (но никаких других звуков, кроме ветра, я не слышал).

When it was broad day (когда наступил день; broad — широкий) and the mists had cleared away (и туман рассеялся: «дымки прояснились»), I turned my spyglass toward that part of the sea from which the sounds came (я обратил мою подзорную трубу в ту сторону, откуда доносились звуки; to turn — поворачивать; toward — /по направлению/ к).

Far away from the shore there was surely something (далеко от берега определенно что-то было); but whether it was a wreck or a ship under sail (но был ли это корабль, потерпевший кораблекрушение, или корабль под парусом), I could not tell (я не мог различить). The distance was too great (расстояние было слишком большим).

I watched it from time to time all day (я смотрел на него время от времени весь день). It did not move (он не двигался).

"It must be a ship at anchor (должно быть, это корабль на якоре)," I said to myself (сказал я себе = подумал я).

Early the next morning (рано следующим утром) I took my gun and went down toward that side of the island where the current had once caught me (я взял свое ружье и спустился к той стороне острова, где поток однажды захватил меня). When I had come to the shore there (когда я пришел к тому берегу: «к берегу там»), I climbed upon some rocks and looked out over the sea (я взобрался на скалы и выглянул на море).

The air was very clear now (воздух был теперь очень ясным), and I could plainly see the ship (и я мог отчетливо видеть корабль).

She was not at anchor (он был не на якоре). She was fast on some great rocks of which there were many in that part of the sea (он застрял на больших рифах, которых было много в этой части моря; fast — крепкий).

I saw that the masts of the vessel were broken (я увидел, что мачты судна были сломаны; to break — ломать), and that her hull was lying more than halfway out of the water (и что его корпус лежал более чем наполовину вне воды).