I SEE MUCH OF THE WORLD

 

IT was easy to find a ship to my liking; for all kinds of trading vessels go out from London to every country that is known.

One day I met an old sea captain who had been often to the coast of Africa. He was pleased with my talk.

"If you want to see the world," he said, "you must sail with me." And then he told me that he was going again to Africa, to trade with the black people there. He would carry out a load of cheap trinkets to exchange for gold dust and feathers and other rare and curious things.

I was very glad to go with him. I would see strange lands and savage people. I would have many a stirring adventure.

Before ten days had passed, we were out on the great ocean. Our ship was headed toward the south.

The captain was very kind to me. He taught me much that every sailor ought to know. He showed me how to steer and manage the vessel. He told me about the tides and the compass and how to reckon the ship's course.

The voyage was a pleasant one, and I saw more wonderful things than I can name.

When, at last, we sailed back to London, we had gold enough to make a poor man rich.

I had nearly six pounds of the yellow dust for my own share.

I had learned to be a trader as well as a sailor.

It would take too long to tell you of all my voyages. Some of them were happy and successful; but the most were unpleasant and full of disappointment.

Sometimes I went to Africa, sometimes to the new land of South America. But wherever I sailed I found the life of a sailor by no means easy.

I did not care so much now to see strange sights and visit unknown shores.

I cared more for the money or goods that I would get by trading.

At last a sudden end was put to all my sailing. And it is of this that I will now tell you.

 

I UNDERTAKE A NEW VENTURE (я предпринимаю новое рискованное начинание;venture — рискованное предприятие, рискованное начинание)

 

I HAD grown very tired of being a sailor (я стал очень уставшим от /того, что/ был моряком = мне весьма надоело…; to grow — расти; становиться). I was so tired of it that I made up my mind to try something else (я настолько устал от этого, что принял решение попытать что-то другое; to try — пробовать, испытывать).

It happened that I was then in Brazil (случилось, что я был тогда в Бразилии). I bought some land there (я купил там сколько-то = некоторое количество земли; to buy — покупать) and began to open a plantation (и начал открывать = основывать плантацию). The ground was rich (земля/почва была богатой), and it would be easy to raise tobacco and sugar cane (и было бы легко выращивать табак и сахарный тростник).

But I needed many things (но мне нужно было много вещей). I must have plows and hoes and a sugar mill (я должен иметь = у меня должны быть плуги, и мотыги, и сахарную мельницу = сахарный завод). Above all (и прежде всего: «выше всего») I must have men (у меня должны быть люди) to do the work on the plantation (чтобы делать работу = чтобы работать на плантации).

But neither men nor tools could I get in Brazil (но ни людей, ни инструментов я не мог достать в Бразилии).

I sent to London for the tools (я послал в Лондон за инструментами; to send — посылать). I tried to buy some slaves of the planters near me (я попытался купить рабов у плантаторов около меня), but they had not enough for themselves (но у них не было достаточно для самих себя).

"We will tell you what to do (мы скажем тебе, что делать)," they said. "We will fit out a trading vessel for Africa (мы снарядим торговое судно в Африку). We will put aboard of it everything that you need (мы доставим на борт все, в чем нуждаешься = что будет тебе нужно; to put — помещать, класть, ставить; aboard — на борту; на борт). As for your part (что касается твоей части), you shall be the manager of the business (ты будешь управляющим этого дела/предприятия); and you shall do the trading for us (и будешь заниматься торговлей за нас). You need not put in a penny of your own (тебе не нужно вкладывать ни пенни своих /денег/)."

"But how is that going to help me (но как это поможет мне)?" I asked (спросил я).

"Listen, and we will tell you (послушай, и мы скажем тебе)," they said. "With the goods which we send (с товарами, которые мы посылаем), you will buy as many black slaves as the ship will hold (ты купишь столько черных рабов, сколько выдержит корабль; to hold — держать). You will bring them here (ты привезешь их сюда), and we will divide them equally (и мы разделим их поровну; equal — равный, одинаковый). You shall share with us (ты поделишься с нами), just as though you had paid the money (как если бы ты заплатил деньги; just — точно, как раз, именно, поистине /о месте, времени, образе совершения действия/; to pay — платить)."

The plan pleased me very much (этот план мне очень понравился). I figured that each one of us would have thirty or forty slaves (я рассчитал, что каждый из нас получит тридцать или сорок рабов).

It was very foolish of me to go to sea again (было весьма глупо с моей стороны вновь отправиться в море); but the offer was so good (но предложение было столь хорошим = выгодным) that I could not say No (не мог сказать «нет»).

The ship was soon fitted out for the voyage (корабль был вскоре подготовлен для путешествия/поездки; to fit — быть впору, быть в самый раз, подходить /к чему-л./; /также to fit out/ снаряжать, оснащать). Her load was not very heavy (груз не был очень тяжелым). But there were plenty of goods (но было много товаров) such as were most fit for trade (таких, которые были наиболее подходящими для торговли).

There were boxes of red and blue beads (ящики красного и синего бисера), of bits of glass (кусочков стекла), and of other trinkets (и других безделушек). There were also knives and hatchets (были также ножи и топорики) and little looking-glasses (и маленькие зеркала). We reckoned that each one of these would buy a slave (мы подсчитали, что каждый /предмет/ из этих купит = позволит купить раба).

The ship was to carry fourteen men (корабль должен был везти четырнадцать человек) besides the captain and myself (помимо капитана и меня). She (он /корабль в англ. языке — женского рода/) was as fine a little vessel (был таким прекрасным маленьким судном = суденышком) as ever sailed from the coast of Brazil (которое когда-либо отходило в море от берега Бразилии).

 

tired ['taIqd], bought ['bO:t], plantation [plxn'teIS(q)n], tobacco [tq'bxkqu], sugar ['Sugq], plow ['plau], hoe ['hqu], could [kud], aboard [q'bO:d], business ['bIznqs], divide [dI'vaId], equally ['i:kwqlI], figure ['fIgq], again [q'ge(I)n], load ['lqud], heavy ['hevI], hatchet ['hxtSIt], buy ['baI], carry ['kxrI], coast ['kqust], Brazil [brq'zIl]

 

I UNDERTAKE A NEW VENTURE

 

I HAD grown very tired of being a sailor. I was so tired of it that I made up my mind to try something else. It happened that I was then in Brazil. I bought some land there and began to open a plantation. The ground was rich, and it would be easy to raise tobacco and sugar cane. But I needed many things. I must have plows and hoes and a sugar mill. Above all I must have men to do the work on the plantation.

But neither men nor tools could I get in Brazil.

I sent to London for the tools. I tried to buy some slaves of the planters near me, but they had not enough for themselves.

"We will tell you what to do," they said. "We will fit out a trading vessel for Africa. We will put aboard of it everything that you need. As for your part, you shall be the manager of the business; and you shall do the trading for us. You need not put in a penny of your own."

"But how is that going to help me?" I asked.

"Listen, and we will tell you," they said. "With the goods which we send, you will buy as man black slaves as the ship will hold. You will bring them here, and we will divide them equally. You shall share with us, just as though you had paid the money."

The plan pleased me very much. I figured that each one of us would have thirty or forty slaves.

It was very foolish of me to go to sea again; but the offer was so good that I could not say No.

The ship was soon fitted out for the voyage. Her load was not very heavy. But there were plenty of goods such as were most fit for trade.

There were boxes of red and blue beads, of bits of glass, and of other trinkets. There were also knives and hatchets and little looking-glasses. We reckoned that each one of these would buy a slave.

The ship was to carry fourteen men besides the captain and myself. She was as fine a little vessel as ever sailed from the coast of Brazil.

 

I AM SHIPWRECKED (я потерпел кораблекрушение; to be shipwrecked — потерпеть кораблекрушение)

 

AT length all things were ready for the voyage (наконец все вещи были готовы к путешествию; length — длина; продолжительность), and I went on board the ship (и я вступил на борт корабля).

It was just eight years to the day (было как раз восемь лет ото дня: «ко дню») since I had left my father and mother (с тех пор, как я покинул отца и мать; to leave — оставлять, покидать) and my pleasant home in good old York (и мой милый дом в добром старом Йорке).

I felt that I was doing a foolish thing (я чувствовал, что делаю глупую вещь; to feel — чувствовать); but I did not dare to say so (не осмеливался сказать это: « сказать так»; to dare to do smth. — осмелиться сделать что-л.).

The wind was fair (ветер был попутный; fair — красивый, прекрасный /уст., обычно о женщинах/; /мор./ попутный /о ветре/). The sails were spread (паруса были распущены; to spread — развертывать). Soon we were out to sea (вскоре мы были в открытом море).

For several days the weather was fine (в течение нескольких дней погода была хорошей). The ship sped swiftly on her way (корабль шел быстро по своему курсу; to speed — двигаться поспешно; мчаться; торопиться), and every one was happy and hopeful (и каждый был счастлив и полон надежд).

Then a great storm came up from the southeast (затем большой шторм пришел с юго-востока). I had seen many fierce storms (я видел много жутких штормов), but never one so terrible as this (но никогда столь ужасного, как этот).

We could do nothing (мы не могли сделать ничего) but let the ship drive before the wind (кроме как позволить кораблю идти по ветру: «перед ветром»). Day after day we were tossed by the waves (день за днем нас бросали волны: «мы были бросаемы волнами»); and day after day we expected the ship to go down (и день за днем ожидали, /что/ корабль потонет: «пойдет вниз»).

The storm grew fiercer and fiercer (шторм становился /все/ свирепее и свирепее; to grow — расти; становиться; fierce — жестокий, лютый, свирепый). The men gave themselves up for lost (люди /команда/ считали себе погибшими; to give smb. up for lost — считать кого-л. погибшим; lost — потерянный, пропавший; to lose — терять).

But on the twelfth day the wind went down (однако на двенадцатый день ветер стих). The waves were not so strong (волны не были такими сильными). We began to hope for our lives (мы начали надеяться на жизнь: «на наши жизни»).

Early the next morning a sailor cried out (рано следующим утром моряк выкрикнул), "Land (земля)! land!"

I ran out of the cabin to look (я выбежал из кабины посмотреть; to run — бежать). But at that very moment the ship struck upon a great bank of sand (но в тот же самый момент корабль наткнулся на большую песчаную отмель; very — самый; to strike — ударять; bank — вал, насыпь; банка, отмель) over which the fierce sea was rolling (над которой перекатывалось свирепое море; to roll — катиться).

She stopped short (корабль резко остановился сразу; short — короткий; резко, круто). She could not move (он не мог двинуться). The great waves dashed over her deck (большие волны заливали палубу: «перехлестывали через палубу»; to dash — /о массе жидкости/ разбиваться /обычно с силой и грохотом,/ хлестать; брызгать, плескать). All of us would have been washed overboard (все мы были бы смыты за борт) if we had not hurried back to the cabin (если бы не поспешили обратно в каюту).

"What shall we do (что на делать)?" cried the men (кричали люди = матросы).

"We can do nothing (мы ничего не можем сделать)," said the captain. "Our voyage is at an end (наше путешествие подошло к концу: «есть при конце»), and there is no longer any hope for our lives (и больше нет какой-либо = ни малейшей надежды нам остаться в живых). We can only wait for the ship to break in pieces (можем только ждать, пока корабль не разломится на куски)."

"Yes, there is one chance for our lives (да = и все же есть один шанс на спасение: «для наших жизней»)!" cried the mate (воскликнул помощник). "Follow me (следуйте за мной)!"

In the lull of the storm (во временном затишье шторма; lull — временное затишье; временное успокоение; перерыв) we rushed again to the deck (мы снова ринулись на палубу). One of our boats was still there (одна из наших лодок все еще была там).

We slung her over the ship's side (мы спустили через борт корабля; to sling — бросать, швырять; спускать на ремнях). We jumped aboard of her (мы прыгнули на борт = запрыгнули на нее). We cut her loose (мы отрезали канаты/освободили ее; to cut — резать; loose — свободный, непривязанный), and floated away upon the wild sea (и отплыли по дикому = бурному морю; to float — плыть /неуправляемо, удерживаться на плаву/).

No boat could live in such a sea as that (никакая лодка не могла выжить в таком море, как то). But we saw land ahead of us (мы видели землю впереди нас); and perhaps some of us might be cast alive upon the beach (и, возможно, некоторые из нас смогут быть выброшены живыми на берег; to cast — бросать, кидать, швырять; выбрасывать /о море, волнах/; beach — береговая полоса; пляж).

This was our only hope (это была единственная надежда).

The raging waves (неистовые волны; to rage — беситься, злиться; бушевать, свирепствовать /о буре, эпидемии, страстях и т. п./; rage — ярость, гнев, бешенство) carried us nearer and nearer to the shore (тащили нас ближе и ближе к побережью; to carry — везти; нести).

We could see the breakers (волны прибоя: «ломатели») dashing upon the great rocks (бьющие о большие скалы). The land looked more frightful than the sea (земля выглядела более устрашающей, чем море; fright — сильный внезапный испуг; страх).

Then all at once (затем, совершенно неожиданно; at once — сразу, немедленно), a huge wave overset the boat (огромная волна перевернула лодку). We had no time to speak or think (мы не имели времени поговорить или подумать). We were thrown out into the raging sea (были выброшены в неистовствующее море; to throw — бросать). We were swallowed up by the waves (мы были проглочены волнами).

 

dare ['deq], several ['sevrql], fierce ['fIqs], before [bI'fL], expect [Ik'spekt], grew [gru:], roll ['rqul], move [mu:v], hurry ['hArI], cabin ['kxbIn], break ['breIk], piece [pi:s], chance [tSQ:ns], follow ['fOlqu], lull [lAl], rush [rAS], boat ['bqut], slung ['slAN], cut [kAt], loose [lu:s], float ['flqut], upon [q'pOn], ahead [q'hed], cast [kQ:st], alive [q'laIv], beach [bi:tS], rage ['reIG]

 

I AM SHIPWRECKED

AT length all things were ready for the voyage, and I went on board the ship.

It was just eight years to the day since I had left my father and mother and my pleasant home in good old York.

I felt that I was doing a foolish thing; but I did not dare to say so.

The wind was fair. The sails were spread. Soon we were out to sea.

For several days the weather was fine. The ship sped swiftly on her way, and every one was happy and hopeful.

Then a great storm came up from the southeast. I had seen many a fierce storm, but never one so terrible as this.

We could do nothing but let the ship drive before the wind. Day after day we were tossed by the waves; and day after day we expected the ship to go down.

The storm grew fiercer and fiercer. The men gave themselves up as lost.

But on the twelfth day the wind went down. The waves were not so strong. We began to hope for our lives.

Early the next morning a sailor cried out, "Land! land!"

I ran out of the cabin to look. But at that very moment the ship struck upon a great bank of sand over which the fierce sea was rolling.

She stopped short. She could not move. The great waves dashed over her deck. All of us would have been washed overboard if we had not hurried back to the cabin.

"What shall we do?" cried the men.

"We can do nothing," said the captain. "Our voyage is at an end, and there is no longer any hope for our lives. We can only wait for the ship to break in pieces."

"Yes, there is one chance for our lives!" cried the mate. "Follow me!"

In the lull of the storm we rushed again to the deck. One of our boats was still there.

We slung her over the ship's side. We jumped aboard of her. We cut her loose, and floated away upon the wild sea.

No boat could live in such a sea as that. But we saw land ahead of us; and perhaps some of us might be cast alive upon the beach.

This was our only hope.

The raging waves carried us nearer and nearer to the shore.

We could see the breakers dashing upon the great rocks. The land looked more frightful than the sea.

Then all at once, a huge wave overset the boat. We had no time to speak or think. We were thrown out into the raging sea. We were swallowed up by the waves.

 

I AM CAST UPON A STRANGE SHORE (я выброшен на незнакомый берег)

THE next thing I knew (следующая вещь, которую я узнал = следующее, что я понял) I was lying on the beach (/это то, что/ я лежал на пляже) and the breakers were rolling over me (а огромные волны перекатывались через меня).

 

 

Some wave, kinder than others (какая-то волна, более мягкая/тихая, чем другие; kind — добрый, любезный, сердечный; податливый; покладистый, послушный), must have carried me there (должно быть, отнесла меня туда).

I got upon my feet (я встал на ноги) and ran as fast as I could (и побежал так быстро, как мог).

I saw another wave coming after me (я увидел другую волну, идущую за мной = догоняющую меня). It was high as a hill (она была высокой, как холм).

I held my breath and waited (я задержал дыхание и ждал; to hold — держать). In a moment the wave was upon me (через мгновение волна была на мне). I could feel myself carried farther and farther (я мог чувствовать себя утащенным дальше и дальше = как меня тащило…) toward the dry land (по направлению к сухой земле).

The water covered me (вода накрыла меня). But I held my breath and tried to swim (я задержал дыхание и постарался плыть).

The wave became smaller and weaker (волна становилась /все/ меньше и слабее; to become — становиться) as it rolled farther and farther up the long beach (по мере того, как она катилась дальше вверх на длинную береговую полосу).

At last I could keep my head and shoulders above water (наконец я смог держать голову и плечи над водой). I could breathe again (я снова мог дышать).

I felt the ground under my feet (я почувствовал землю под ногами). I struck out with all my might for the dry land (я устремился со всей своей силой = изо всех сил к суше; to strike — ударять; to strike out — направляться, устремляться).

But now the water was rushing back from the shore (но теперь вода неслась/хлынула обратно от берега; to rush — бросаться, мчаться, нестись, устремляться). I feared lest I should be carried out to sea again (я боялся, как бы нt быть утащенным снова в море; lest — чтобы не, как бы не).

I swam (плыл; to swim), I ran (бежал; to run). I held on to the rocks (держался = цеплялся за камни; to hold). Then another great wave came and lifted me high upon the shore (затем другая огромная волна подняла = отнесла меня высоко на берег).

In another moment I was safe on dry land (в следующее: «в другое» мгновение я был в безопасности на суше).

I was worn out with the hard struggle (я был утомлен тяжелой борьбой; to wear — носить /об одежде, обуви/; to wear out — изнашивать; изнурять), I lay down upon the green grass (я лег на зеленую траву; to lie — лежать; to lie down — ложиться; прилечь). I looked up at the sky (я взглянул вверх на небо) and thanked God that I was alive and safe (и поблагодарил Бога за то, что был живым и в невредимым).

After I had rested a little while (после /того как/ я отдохнул немного) I arose and looked around me (я встал и огляделся вокруг; to arise — подниматься, вставать).

Far out from the shore I could see the ship (далеко от берега я мог видеть корабль). It was still lying where it had stuck in the sand (он все еще лежал там, где он застрял в песке; to stick — втыкать; застрять). The waves were dashing over it (волны захлестывали его: «перехлестывали через него»).

"How was it possible for me to swim so far (как было возможно мне проплыть так далеко)?" I asked myself (спросил я себя).

Then I began to think of the men that were with me (затем я стал думать о людях, которые были со мной). Had any of them been saved (был ли кто-нибудь из них спасен)?

I walked along the shore for a mile or more (я прошелся вдоль берега милю или больше). I looked in every spot for some signs of my friends (я заглядывал в каждый угол за какими-либо знаками = признаками/следами моих друзей; spot — пятнышко; место, участок местности).

In one place I found a hat (в одном месте я нашел шляпу; to find — находить); in another, a cap (в другом — шапку); And in still another, two shoes that were not mates (а еще в другом — два башмака, которые не были парой).

But of the men themselves I saw nothing (но от самих людей не видел ничего = но из самих людей я никого не видел). All were drowned in the deep sea (все утонули в глубоком море; to be drowned — утонуть: «быть утонувшим»).

 

fast [fQ:st], after ['Q:ftq], moment ['mqumqnt], farther ['fRDq], cover ['kAvq], breath [breT], became [bI'keIm], shoulder ['Squldq], above [q'bAv], breathe [brJD], ground ['graund], shore [SL], arose [q'rquz], possible ['pOsqbl], ask [Q:sk], sign ['saIn], friend ['frend], shoe [Su:], drown ['draun]

 

I AM CAST UPON A STRANGE SHORE

 

THE next thing I knew I was lying on the beach and the breakers were rolling over me. Some wave, kinder than others, must have carried me there. I got upon my feet and ran as fast as I could. I saw another wave coming after me. It was high as a hill.

I held my breath and waited. In a moment the wave was upon me. I could feel myself carried farther and farther toward the dry land.

The water covered me. But I held my breath and tried to swim.

The wave became smaller and weaker as it rolled farther and farther up the long beach.

At last I could keep my head and shoulders above water. I could breathe again.

I felt the ground under my feet. I struck out with all my might for the dry land.

But now the water was rushing back from the shore. I feared lest I should be carried out to sea again.

I swam, I ran. I held on to the rocks. Then another great wave came and lifted me high upon the shore.

In another moment I was safe on dry land.

I was worn out with the hard struggle, I lay down upon the green grass. I looked up at the sky and thanked God that I was alive and safe.

After I had rested a little while I arose and looked around me.

Far out from the shore I could see the ship. It was still lying where it had stuck in the sand. The waves were dashing over it.

"How was it possible for me to swim so far?" I asked myself.

Then I began to think of the men that were with me. Had any of them been saved?

I walked along the shore for a mile or more. I looked in every spot for some signs of my friends.

In one place I found a hat; in another, a cap; And in still another, two shoes that were not mates.

But of the men themselves I saw nothing. All were drowned in the deep sea.

 

I FIND A STRANGE LODGING PLACE (я нахожу странное место обитания)

 

IT was now late in the afternoon (был уже поздний день; afternoon — время после полудня; послеобеденное время; in the afternoon — после полудня, днем; noon — полдень). The sun was shining in the bright sky (солнце светило в ярком небе; to shine — светить). The storm was at an end (шторм закончился).

 

 

I began to look around me (я начал смотреть вокруг = осматриваться), to see what kind of place I was in (чтобы увидеть, в какого рода месте я был). "Where shall I go (куда мне пойти)?" I asked myself (спросил я себя). "What shall I do (что мне делать)?"

My clothes were still wet (моя одежда была все еще мокрой). I could dry them only by sitting in the sun (я мог высушить ее, только сидя на солнце).

I had nothing to eat or drink (у меня не было ничего есть или пить).

I had nothing about me but a knife, a pipe, and a little tobacco (при собе у меня не было ничего, кроме ножа, трубки и немного табака).

How could I live on this strange shore without shelter and without food (как мог я жить на этом чужом берегу без укрытия/крова и еды; shelter — приют, кров; пристанище, прибежище)?

The thought of this made me almost wild (мысль об этом привела меня в ужас: «сделала меня почти диким»). I ran this way and that, like a madman (я бегал туда и сюда: «в этом направении и в том», как сумасшедший).

Then I sat down and cried like a child (затем я сел и заплакал, как ребенок).

I never felt so lonely (никогда я не чувствовал себя таким одиноким; to feel — чувствовать) as at that moment (как в это мгновение). I never felt so helpless and lost (никогда я не чувствовал себя таким беспомощным и потерянным).

Soon I saw that night was coming on (вскоре я увидел, что наступала/приближась ночь).

I thought: "What if there are wild beasts in the woods (я подумал: что если в лесу есть дикие чудовища)? They will come out in the darkness (они выйдут в темноте) and find me here (и найдут меня здесь). And then how can I save myself from them (и тогда как я смогу спастись от них)?"

A little way from the shore I saw a tree (недалеко от берега я увидел дерево). It stood all alone (оно стояло совсем одно), with no other trees near it (без каких-либо других деревьев около него).

It was thick and bushy (оно было толстое и ветвистое: «густое»; bush — куст), with long thorns on its branches (с длинными колючками на ветках).

I walked out to look at it (я пошел /туда/ посмотреть на него).

To my great joy (к моей большой радости) I found a spring of fresh water (я обнаружил источник пресной воды) bubbling out from among its roots (булькающий наружу между ее корней; to bubble — булькать).

I knelt down (встал на колени; to kneel — преклонять колени, становиться на колени /также to kneel down/) and took a long drink (и взял = сделал длинный глоток), for I was very thirsty (так как очень хотел пить; to be thirsty — хотеть пить: «быть жаждущим»; thirst — жажда). Then I climbed up into the tree (затем взобрался наверх в дерево = забрался на дерево; to climb — взбираться, влезать, восходить, карабкаться, подниматься).

The branches grew very close together (ветки росли очень близко вместе = очень тесно). I found a place where I could rest (я нашел место, где я мог отдохнуть), half sitting and half lying (полусидя-полулежа), with no danger of falling (без опасности падения = не опасаясь упасть).

With my pocket knife (своим карманным ножом) I cut a strong stick about two feet long (я отрезал прочную палку примерно два фута[1] длиной). This would be my weapon (это будет моим оружием) if any beast should find me in the night (если какое-либо чудовище найдет меня в ночи).

It was now quite dark (было уже: «теперь» довольно темно; quite — вполне, совершенно; довольно; почти, до некоторой степени). The only sound that I could hear (единственным звуком, который я мог слышать) was that of the waves breaking against the shore (был звук волн, разбивающихся о берег).

It seemed so good to be on dry land (казалось так хорошо быть на суше) that I forgot every danger (что забыл любую опасность). I was so tired (я был таким уставшим) that I soon fell asleep (что скоро заснул; to fаll asleep — заснуть: «упасть спящим»). Never have I slept more soundly (никогда я не спал более крепко; sound — здоровый, крепкий; /перен., о сне/ крепкий, глубокий).

 

around [q'raund], without [wI'Dqut], thought [TO:t], almost ['Llmqust], wild ['waIld], child ['tSaIld], [bi:st], stood [stu:d], alone [q'lqun], branch [brRntS], walk [wO:k], among [q'mAN], knelt [nelt], thirsty ['Tq:stI], climb ['klaIm], danger ['deInGq], weapon ['wepqn], quite ['kwaIt], sound ['saund]

 

I FIND A STRANGE LODGING PLACE

 

IT was now late in the afternoon. The sun was shining in the bright sky. The storm was at an end. I began to look around me, to see what kind of place I was in. "Where shall I go?" I asked myself. "What shall I do?"

My clothes were still wet. I could dry them only by sitting in the sun.

I had nothing to eat or drink.

I had nothing about me but a knife, a pipe, and a little tobacco.

How could I live on this strange shore without shelter and without food?

The thought of this made me almost wild. I ran this way and that, like a madman.

Then I sat down and cried like a child.

I never felt so lonely as at that moment. I never felt so helpless and lost.

Soon I saw that night was coming on.

I thought: "What if there are wild beasts in the woods? They will come out in the darkness and find me here. And then how can I save myself from them?"

A little way from the shore I saw a tree. It stood all alone, with no other trees near it.

It was thick and bushy, with long thorns on its branches.

I walked out to look at it.

To my great joy I found a spring of fresh water bubbling out from among its roots.

I knelt down and took a long drink, for I was very thirsty. Then I climbed up into the tree.

The branches grew very close together. I found a place where I could rest, half sitting and half lying, with no danger of falling.

With my pocket knife I cut a strong stick about two feet long. This would be my weapon if any beast should find me in the night.

It was now quite dark. The only sound that I could hear was that of the waves breaking against the shore.

It seemed so good to be on dry land that I forgot every danger. I was so tired that I soon fell asleep. Never have I slept more soundly.

 

I VISIT THE WRECK (я посещаю разбитое судно)

 

WHEN I awoke (когда я проснулся; to awake — просыпаться) it was broad daylight (было совсем светло; broad — широкий; daylight — дневной свет; дневное время суток). The sun was up (солнце светило: «было наверху»). The sky was clear (небо было ясным). The air seemed soft and mild (воздух казался мягким и тихим; mild — безветренный, тихий, спокойный, ясный). A fine day was beginning (начинался прекрасный день).

 

 

It did not take me long (это не заняло у меня много времени) to come down from my lodging place (спуститься с моего места расположения; to lodge — располагаться).

I looked out toward the sea (я взглянул на море; toward — по направлению).

To my great wonder (к моему большому удивлению), I saw that the ship was now much closer to the shore (я увидел, что корабль был теперь намного ближе к берегу). The high tide had lifted her off the sand (высокий прилив приподнял его с песка). It had carried her toward the land (он отнес его к земле) and left her on a huge rock (и оставил на огромном рифе; rock — скала, утес; подводный камень, риф) less than a mile away (меньше чем в миле /о берега/).

I could see that the good ship stood upright (я мог видеть, что /мой/ добрый корабль стоял прямо/вертикально) and was firmly wedged into the rock (и был крепко насажен на риф; wedge — клин; to wedge — втискивать, загонять).

The waves had not broken her up (волны не сломали его), but her masts had been snapped off (но его мачты были отломаны; to snap off — отломать /резко/; to snap — щелкать, лязгать, хлопать; порвать, сломать), and all her rigging was gone (и все снасти исчезли).

The sea was quite smooth (море было довольно ровным; smooth — гладкий), and the tide was still going out (и все еще был отлив: «поток все еще выходил»). Soon the beach was bare (вскоре берег стал открыт: «обнажен»), and I could walk a long way out (и я смог пройти далеко /к морю/).

I was now within a quarter of a mile of the ship (я был теперь на расстоянии четверти мили от корабля; within — в, внутри; в пределах).

As I looked at her, a sad thought came to my mind (когда я посмотрел на нее, грустная мысль пришла мне на ум). For if we had all kept on board when she stuck in the sand (так как если бы мы остались на борту, когда он застрял в песке), we would now have been safe (мы бы сейчас были невредимы).

But there was no use (не было пользы = толку) in thinking of what might have been (обдумывать то, что могло бы быть).

I waded out (я пошел вброд; to wade — переходить вброд) as far as I could (настолько далеко, насколько смог), and then swam for the ship (а затем поплыл к кораблю; to swim — плыть).

As I came near her (когда я приблизился к нему), I saw that she was lying high out of the water (я увидел, что он лежал высоко из воды = возвышался над водой). The part of the rock that was uncovered (та часть рифа, которая была открыта: to cover — покрывать; to uncover —открывать) rose steep and straight into the air (поднималась круто и прямо в воздух). There was no place for me to set my feet (не было места, /куда/ поставить ноги).

I swam round the ship twice (я проплыл вокруг корабля дважды). How could I ever climb up her smooth sides (как я смогу когда-нибудь = как же мне взобраться по гладким сторонам/бокам)?

I was about to give up (я готов был сдаться), when I saw a small piece of rope (когда увидел небольшой кусок веревки) hanging down from the deck (свисающей с палубы). It reached almost to the water (он почти достигал = доставал до воды). How strange that I did not see it at first (как странно, что я не увидел его сначала)!

I seized hold of the rope (я ухватился: «схватил ухват» за веревку; to seize — хватать, схватывать; hold — схватывание, захват; сжатие; удержание), and climbed hand over hand to the deck (и проворно взобрался на палубу; hand over hand — быстро, проворно: «руку поверх руки»).

I went into the ship's cabin (я вошел в корабельную каюту). I looked all through the unlucky vessel (я осмотрел все несчастное судно; through — через; насквозь; от начала до конца).

 

awoke [q'wquk], clear ['klIq], air ['eq], mild ['maIld], toward [tq'wO:d], huge [hjHG], upright ['Ap'raIt], bare ['beq], quarter ['kwO:tq], use /сущ./ ['ju:s], climb ['klaIm], strange ['streInG], seize [si:z], hold ['hquld]

 

I VISIT THE WRECK

WHEN I awoke it was broad daylight. The sun was up. The sky was clear. The air seemed soft and mild. A fine day was beginning. It did not take me long to come down from my lodging place.

I looked out toward the sea.

To my great wonder, I saw that the ship was now much closer to the shore. The high tide had lifted her off the sand. It had carried her toward the land and left her on a huge rock less than a mile away.

I could see that the good ship stood upright and was firmly wedged into the rock.

The waves had not broken her up, but her masts had been snapped off, and all her rigging was gone.

The sea was quite smooth, and the tide was still going out. Soon the beach was bare, and I could walk a long way out.

I was now within a quarter of a mile of the ship.

As I looked at her, a sad thought came to my mind. For if we had all kept on board when she stuck in the sand, we would now have been safe.

But there was no use in thinking of what might have been.

I waded out as far as I could, and then swam for the ship.

As I came near her, I saw that she was lying high out of the water. The part of the rock that was uncovered rose steep and straight into the air. There was no place for me to set my feet.

I swam round the ship twice. How could I ever climb up her smooth sides?

I was about to give up, when I saw a small piece of rope hanging down from the deck. It reached almost to the water. How strange that I did not see it at first!

I seized hold of the rope, and climbed hand over hand to the deck.

I went into the ship's cabin. I looked all through the unlucky vessel.

I MAKE ME A RAFT (я делаю себе плот)

THERE was a great deal of water in the ship’s hold (было много воды внутри корабля; deal — некоторое количество; great deal of — много; hold — то, что вмещает и удерживает; гнездо, паз; крепежная деталь; вместилище, хранилище; to hold — держать). But the cabin and the storerooms were dry (но каюта и кладовые были сухими; store — запас, резерв; to store — хранить, сохранять).

 

 

The boxes of food had not been touched by the water (короба с едой не были затронуты водой).

I was very hungry (я был очень голоден), but I had no time to lose (но не имел времени терять = не мог терять время). So I filled my pockets with dry biscuits (так что я наполнил карманы сухим печеньем) and ate them as I went about (и ел их, пока ходил /по кораблю/; about — кругом; повсюду; взад-вперед).

There were many things on the ship (на корабле было много вещей). They might be very useful to me (они могли бы быть полезными для меня) if I had them on shore (если бы я имел их на берегу). But there was no boat (но здесь не было лодки), and how could I carry them there (и как я мог отвезти их туда)?

"I will make a raft (я сделаю плот)." I said to myself (сказал я себе).

There were several long pieces of timber on the deck (на палубе было несколько длинных кусков дерева = бревен; timber — лесоматериалы; строевой лес; древесина; деревянный брус, бревно; балка). I tied a rope to each of these (я привязал веревку к каждому из них) so that it would not float away (чтобы оно /бревно/ не уплыло). Then I dropped them (затем я скинул их), one by one (одно за другим), over the ship’s side (за борт корабля).

After this I slid down my rope into the water (после этого я спустил мою веревку в воду; to slide — скользить; совать), and tied these timbers together (и связал эти бревна). They formed a framework (они образовали каркас; frame, framework — скелет, костяк, каркас, остов) that was strong (который был прочным) and would not sink (и не потонул бы).

On top of this framework I laid all the boards I could find (поверх каркаса я положил все доски, которые смог найти; top — верхушка, вершина).

I now had a very good raft (теперь у меня был очень хороший плот). It was large enough (он был достаточно большой) to carry a great many things (чтобы везти/нести очень много вещей). All the time I was building it (все время, пока я строил его) I was planning how to load it (я планировал, как нагрузить его).

In the cabin there were three strong boxes (в каюте было три тяжелые ящика), such as sailors use (такие, какими пользуются моряки). These I emptied (эти я опустошил). Then I carried them out and let them down upon my raft (затем я вынес их и спустил вниз на плот).

Of all the things on board (из всех вещей на борту), I would need food the most (мне больше всего будет необходима еда). So I filled the first chest (поэтому я наполнил первый ящик; chest — ящик; коробка, сундук; вместилище) with bread, rice, cheese, and a few pieces of meat (хлебом, рисом, сыром и несколькими кусками мяса).

I found also a small bag of grain (я также нашел маленький мешок зерна), of which I took good care (который я бережно забрал: «о котором взял хорошую заботу = хорошо позаботился»). It was barley (это был ячмень).

Then I began to look around for clothing (затем я начал искать одежду), and found enough to do for many a day (и нашел достаточно, чтобы хватило на много дней).

While I was getting these together (пока я собирал эти /вещи/) I happened to see the carpenter’s chest (мне посчастливилось увидеть плотницкий ящик). It was full of tools (он был полон инструментов).

It was hard work to get it on the raft (это была тяжелая работа — доставить его на плот). I lifted and pulled (я поднимал и тянул/тащил). I pulled and lifted; and at last I had it alongside of the other boxes (и наконец я имел его рядом с другими ящиками = мне удалось доставить его туда же, где были и другие ящики). How tired I was (каким уставшим я был = как же я устал)!

 

store [stO:], touch [tAtS], hungry ['hANgrI], pocket ['pOkIt], dry ['draI], biscuit ['bIskIt], ate ['eIt, et], raft [rQ:ft], together [tq'geDq], use /глаг./ ['ju:z], bread [bred], meat [mi:t], barley ['bQ:lI], clothing ['klquDIN], carpenter ['kQ:p(q)ntq], pull [pul]