1. Conan Loses His Ax

(Конан теряет /свой/ топор)

The stillness of the forest trail was so primeval that the tread of a soft-booted foot was a startling disturbance (тишина лесной тропы = на лесной тропе была так первозданна, что поступь ступни в мягкой обуви: «мягко обутой» была пугающим нарушением спокойствия). At least it seemed so to the ears of the wayfarer, though he was moving along the path with the caution that must be practised by any man who ventures beyond Thunder River (по крайней мере она казалась такой для ушей путника, хотя он двигался по тропе с осторожностью, которую должна быть соблюдена = нужно соблюдать любому /человеку/, кто отваживается /зайти/ за Громовую реку). He was a young man of medium height, with an open countenance and a mop of tousled tawny hair unconfined by cap or helmet (он был молодым человеком среднего роста, с открытым лицом и копной взъерошенных рыжевато-коричневых волос, непокрытых шапкой или шлемом; to confine — ограничивать; заточать, держать взаперти). His garb was common enough for that country — a coarse tunic, belted at the waist (его наряд был довольно обычным для этой местности — грубая туника, подпоясанная у талии; to belt — перехватывать ремнем, опоясывать;), short leather breeches beneath (короткие кожаные штаны под /ней/), and soft buckskin boots that came short of the knee (и мягкие сапоги из выделанной оленьей кожи, которые не доходили до колен; to come short of — не хватать, не доходить). A knife-hilt jutted from one boot-top (рукоять ножа выдавалась из голенища). The broad leather belt supported a short, heavy sword and a buckskin pouch (широкий кожаный ремень поддерживал короткий тяжелый меч и сумку из оленьей кожи). There was no perturbation in the wide eyes that scanned the green walls which fringed the trail (в широких = широко раскрытых глазах, что разглядывали зеленые стены, которые окаймляли тропу, не было беспокойства). Though not tall, he was well built (хотя /и/ не высокий, он был хорошо сложен), and the arms that the short wide sleeves of the tunic left bare were thick with corded muscle (а руки, которые короткие широкие рукава туники оставляли открытыми, были крепкими с узловатой мускулатурой; to leave — оставлять).

knee [ni: ], pouch [pautʃ], sleeve [sli: v]

The stillness of the forest trail was so primeval that the tread of a soft-booted foot was a startling disturbance. At least it seemed so to the ears of the wayfarer, though he was moving along the path with the caution that must be practised by any man who ventures beyond Thunder River. He was a young man of medium height, with an open countenance and a mop of tousled tawny hair unconfined by cap or helmet. His garb was common enough for that country — a coarse tunic, belted at the waist, short leather breeches beneath, and soft buckskin boots that came short of the knee. A knife-hilt jutted from one boot-top. The broad leather belt supported a short, heavy sword and a buckskin pouch. There was no perturbation in the wide eyes that scanned the green walls which fringed the trail. Though not tall, he was well built, and the arms that the short wide sleeves of the tunic left bare were thick with corded muscle.

He tramped imperturbably along, although the last settler's cabin lay miles behind him (он шел спокойно вперед, хотя хижина последнего поселенца лежала /в/ милях позади него), and each step was carrying him nearer the grim peril that hung like a brooding shadow over the ancient forest (и каждый шаг нес его ближе к мрачной опасности, которая нависла как тягостная тень над древним лесом; to hang — висеть; to brood — высиживать; нависать /об облаках, тьме и т. п./; тяготить /о заботах/).

last [lɑ: st], hung [hʌŋ], cabin [ˈkæbɪn]

He tramped imperturbably along, although the last settler's cabin lay miles behind him, and each step was carrying him nearer the grim peril that hung like a brooding shadow over the ancient forest.

He was not making as much noise as it seemed to him (он не создавал так много = столько шума, как /это/ ему казалось), though he well knew that the faint tread of his booted feet would be like a tocsin of alarm to the fierce ears that might be lurking in the treacherous green fastness (хотя он хорошо знал, что слабый = легкий шаг его обутой ступни был бы как набатный колокол для шустрых ушей, которые, возможно, таились в предательской зеленой тиши; might — прошедшее время от may — может, образует конструкцию вероятности — возможно, может быть, вероятно). His careless attitude was not genuine (его беспечное состояние = беспечность не была искренней = была наигранной); his eyes and ears were keenly alert (его глаза и уши были очень насторожены), especially his ears, for no gaze could penetrate the leafy tangle for more than a few feet in either direction (особенно его уши, так как никакой взгляд /не/ мог /бы/ проникнуть /за/ сплетение листьев более, чем для = на несколько футов в любом направлении).

noise [nɔɪz], well [wel], tangle [tæŋɡl]

He was not making as much noise as it seemed to him, though he well knew that the faint tread of his booted feet would be like a tocsin of alarm to the fierce ears that might be lurking in the treacherous green fastness. His careless attitude was not genuine; his eyes and ears were keenly alert, especially his ears, for no gaze could penetrate the leafy tangle for more than a few feet in either direction.

But it was instinct more than any warning by the external senses which brought him up suddenly (но /это был/ скорее инстинкт, нежели какое-либо предупреждение от его наружных /органов/ чувств, /который/ вдруг остановил его), his hand on his hilt (его рука на его эфесе /меча/ = его рука /скользнула/ на эфес). He stood stock-still in the middle of the trail (он стоял не шелохнувшись посредине тропы; to stand stock-still — стоять не шелохнувшись; stock — главный ствол /дерева/; пень), unconsciously holding his breath (бессознательно = невольно задерживая /свое/ дыхание), wondering what he had heard, and wondering if indeed he had heard anything (спрашивая себя, что он услышал, и спрашивая себя, действительно ли он услышал что- то). The silence seemed absolute (тишина казалась абсолютной). Not a squirrel chattered or bird chirped (ни одна белка /не/ шуршала, ни /одна/ птица /не/ щебетала). Then his gaze fixed itself on a mass of bushes beside the trail a few yards ahead of him (затем его взгляд сосредоточил себя = сосредоточился на скоплении кустов за тропой в нескольких ярдах перед ним). There was no breeze, yet he had seen a branch quiver (/не/ было никакого ветра, но он увидел ветка колыхаться = как ветка колыхнулась). The short hairs on his scalp prickled (короткие волосы на его скальпе = у него на голове встали дыбом), and he stood for an instant undecided (и он стоял мгновение в нерешительности: «нерешенный»; to decide — решать), certain that a move in either direction would bring death streaking at him from the bushes (уверенный /в том/, что движение в любом направлении принесет ему смерть, устремясь к нему из кустов).

warning [wɔ: nɪŋ], suddenly [ˈsʌdnlɪ], unconsciously [ʌnˈkɔnʃəslɪ]

But it was instinct more than any warning by the external senses which brought him up suddenly, his hand on his hilt. He stood stock-still in the middle of the trail, unconsciously holding his breath, wondering what he had heard, and wondering if indeed he had heard anything. The silence seemed absolute. Not a squirrel chattered or bird chirped. Then his gaze fixed itself on a mass of bushes beside the trail a few yards ahead of him. There was no breeze, yet he had seen a branch quiver. The short hairs on his scalp prickled, and he stood for an instant undecided, certain that a move in either direction would bring death streaking at him from the bushes.

A heavy chopping crunch sounded behind the leaves (тяжелый рубящий хруст раздался за листьями). The bushes were shaken violently (кусты были потрясены = затряслись сильно), and simultaneously with the sound, an arrow arched erratically from among them and vanished among the trees along the trail (и одновременно с /этим/ звуком стрела вылетела по дуге неправильно = по неправильной дуге из /среди/ кустов и исчезла среди деревьев вдоль тропы; arch — арка; свод; to arch — изгибать(ся) дугой). The wayfarer glimpsed its flight as he sprang frantically to cover (путник заметил ее полет, в то время как /он/ прыгнул отчаянно, /чтобы/ укрыться).

bush [bʋʃ], simultaneously [sɪməlˈteɪnjəslɪ], flight [flaɪt]

A heavy chopping crunch sounded behind the leaves. The bushes were shaken violently, and simultaneously with the sound, an arrow arched erratically from among them and vanished among the trees along the trail. The wayfarer glimpsed its flight as he sprang frantically to cover.

Crouching behind a thick stem, his sword quivering in his fingers (пригнувшись за толстым стволом, /с/ /его/ мечом, дрожащим в его пальцах), he saw the bushes part, and a tall figure stepped leisurely into the trail (он увидел, /как/ кусты расступились, и высокая фигура ступила неторопливо в = на тропу). The traveller stared in surprise (странник уставился в удивлении). The stranger was clad like himself in regard to boots and breeches (незнакомец был одет, как он сам — в том, что касалось сапог и штанов), though the latter were of silk instead of leather (хотя последние были из шелка вместо кожи; in regard to — в отношении, что касается). But he wore a sleeveless hauberk of dark mesh-mail in place of a tunic, and a helmet perched on his black mane (но он носил = был одет в кольчугу без рукавов из темных колец вместо туники и шлем, усаженный на его черную гриву). That helmet held the other's gaze; it was without a crest, but adorned by short bull's horns (этот шлем приковал взгляд другого: он был без гребня, но украшенный короткими бычьими рогами; to hold — держать; удерживать). No civilized hand ever forged that head-piece (ни /одна/ цивилизованная рука /не/ ковала когда-либо этот головной убор). Nor was the face below it that of a civilized man (лицо под ним тоже не было таковым = лицом цивилизованного человека): dark, scarred, with smoldering blue eyes (темное, в шрамах, с горящими синими глазами), it was a face as untamed as the primordial forest which formed its background (это было лицо такое же неукротимое, как первобытный лес, который образовывал /его/ фон; nor — тоже не). The man held a broad-sword in his right hand, and the edge was smeared with crimson (мужчина держал палаш в /своей/ правой руке, и лезвие было измазано красным).

clad [klæd], tunic [ˈtju: nɪk]

Crouching behind a thick stem, his sword quivering in his fingers, he saw the bushes part, and a tall figure stepped leisurely into the trail. The traveller stared in surprise. The stranger was clad like himself in regard to boots and breeches, though the latter were of silk instead of leather. But he wore a sleeveless hauberk of dark mesh-mail in place of a tunic, and a helmet perched on his black mane. That helmet held the other's gaze; it was without a crest, but adorned by short bull's horns. No civilized hand ever forged that head-piece. Nor was the face below it that of a civilized man: dark, scarred, with smoldering blue eyes, it was a face as untamed as the primordial forest which formed its background. The man held a broad-sword in his right hand, and the edge was smeared with crimson.

"Come on out," he called, in an accent unfamiliar to the wayfarer (давай выходи, — он позвал = он позвал в = с акцентом, незнакомым путнику; to come out — выходить; come on — ну, давай). "All's safe now (все безопасно теперь). There was only one of the dogs (был только один из псов). Come on out (давай выходи)."

"Come on out," he called, in an accent unfamiliar to the wayfarer. "All's safe now. There was only one of the dogs. Come on out."

The other emerged dubiously and stared at the stranger (другой вышел нерешительно и уставился на незнакомца). He felt curiously helpless and futile as he gazed on the proportions of the forest man (он чувствовал /себя/ беспомощным и ничтожным, когда посмотрел на пропорции лесного человека = человека из леса) — the massive iron-clad breast (массивная одетая в железо грудь), and the arm that bore the reddened sword (и рука, которая держала окровавленный: «покрасневший» меч), burned dark by the sun and ridged and corded with muscles (с темным загаром от солнца и вспученная и узловатая от мускулов; to bear — носить, держать). He moved with the dangerous ease of a panther (он двигался с опасной легкостью пантеры); he was too fiercely supple to be a product of civilization (он был слишком /сильно/ гибким, /чтобы/ быть продуктом цивилизации), even of that fringe of civilization which composed the outer frontiers даже той периферии цивилизации, которая составляла дальние рубежи).

futile [ˈfju: taɪl], ease [i: z], breast [brest]

The other emerged dubiously and stared at the stranger. He felt curiously helpless and futile as he gazed on the proportions of the forest man — the massive iron-clad breast, and the arm that bore the reddened sword, burned dark by the sun and ridged and corded with muscles. He moved with the dangerous ease of a panther; he was too fiercely supple to be a product of civilization, even of that fringe of civilization which composed the outer frontiers.

Turning, he stepped back to the bushes and pulled them apart (обернувшись, он шагнул обратно к кустам и развел их в стороны). Still not certain just what had happened, the wayfarer from the east advanced and stared down into the bushes (все еще неуверенный = непонимающий, что же произошло, путник с востока вышел вперед и всмотрелся вниз в кусты; to advance — идти/двигаться вперед). A man lay there, a short, dark, thickly-muscled man (мужчина лежал там = там лежал мужчина, низкорослый, смуглый, очень мускулистый мужчина), naked except for a loin-cloth, a necklace of human teeth and a brass armlet (обнаженный за исключением набедренной повязки, /с/ ожерельем из человеческих зубов и медного браслета). A short sword was thrust into the girdle of the loin-cloth (короткий меч был заткнут за пояс набедренной повязки; to thrust — воткнуть, заткнуть), and one hand still gripped a heavy black bow и одна рука еще сжимала тяжелый черный лук). The man had long black hair (мужчина имел = у мужчины были длинные черные волосы); that was about all the wayfarer could tell about his head (это было почти все, /что/ путник мог сказать о его голове), for his features were a mask of blood and brains (так как его черты были /скрыты/ маской из крови и мозгов). His skull had been split to the teeth (его череп был раскроен до зубов; to split — расщеплять, раскалывать, разбивать).

certain [ˈsə: tn], except [ɪkˈsept], teeth [ti: Ɵ]

Turning, he stepped back to the bushes and pulled them apart. Still not certain just what had happened, the wayfarer from the east advanced and stared down into the bushes. A man lay there, a short, dark, thickly-muscled man, naked except for a loin-cloth, a necklace of human teeth and a brass armlet. A short sword was thrust into the girdle of the loin-cloth, and one hand still gripped a heavy black bow. The man had long black hair; that was about all the wayfarer could tell about his head, for his features were a mask of blood and brains. His skull had been split to the teeth.

"A Pict, by the gods!" exclaimed the wayfarer (пикт, /клянусь/ богами! — воскликнул странник).

The burning blue eyes turned upon him (горящие синие глаза обернулись на него = к нему).

"Are you surprised (/являешься/ ты удивлен)?"

"Why, they told me at Velitrium, and again at the settlers' cabins along the road (ну, /они/ говорили мне в Велитриуме и снова в хижинах поселенцев вдоль дороги, что эти дьяволы иногда прокрадываются через границу), that these devils sometimes sneaked across the border, but I didn't expect to meet one this far in the interior (но я не ожидал встретить одного /из них/ так далеко в глубинке)."

exclaim [ɪksˈkleɪm], wayfarer [ˈweɪfɛərə], border [ˈbɔ: də]

"A Pict, by the gods!" exclaimed the wayfarer. The burning blue eyes turned upon him.

"Are you surprised?"

"Why, they told me at Velitrium, and again at the settlers' cabins along the road, that these devils sometimes sneaked across the border, but I didn't expect to meet one this far in the interior."

"You're only four miles east of Black River," the stranger informed him (ты /находишься/ лишь /в/ четырех милях восточнее Черной реки, — незнакомец проинформировал его; ‘re — краткая форма от are — являешься, являетесь, являются, являемся глагола to be — быть). "They've been shot within a mile of Velitrium (они были пристрелены = их пристрелили в миле от Велитриума; ‘ve краткая форм от have; have been shot — были пристрелены, страдательный залог). No settler between Thunder River and Fort Tuscelan is really safe (ни один поселенец между Громовой рекой и фортом Тусцелан /не/ находится действительно в безопасности). I picked up this dog's trail three miles south of the fort this morning, and I've been following him ever since (я взял след этого пса /в/ трех милях южнее форта этим утром = сегодня утром, и /я/ преследую его с тех пор; have been following — преследую, настоящее совершенное длительное — обозначает действие, которое началось в прошлом и продолжается до настоящего времени). I came up behind him just as he was drawing an arrow on you (я подошел к нему сзади, как раз когда он натягивал стрелу по тебе = целясь в тебя; to come up — подойти). Another instant and there'd have been a stranger in Hell (еще миг — и в аду появился бы посторонний; there would have been — появился бы, условное прошедшее). But I spoiled his aim for him (но я испортил ему его прицел: «цель»)."

stranger [ˈstreɪnʤə], settler [ˈsetlə], aim [eɪm]

"You're only four miles east of Black River," the stranger informed him. "They've been shot within a mile of Velitrium. No settler between Thunder River and Fort Tuscelan is really safe. I picked up this dog's trail three miles south of the fort this morning, and I've been following him ever since. I came up behind him just as he was drawing an arrow on you. Another instant and there'd have been a stranger in Hell. But I spoiled his aim for him."

The wayfarer was staring wide eyed at the larger man (путник стоял, уставившись широко раскрытыми глазами на крупного мужчину), dumbfounded by the realization that the man had actually tracked down one of the forest devils and slain him unsuspected (ошеломленный осознанием /того/, что мужчина в самом деле выследил одного из лесных дьяволов и убил его внезапно; to slay — убивать; to suspect — подозревать). That implied woodsmanship of a quality undreamed, even for Conajohara (это подразумевало привычку/умение жить в лесу /такого/ качества/, невообразимого даже для Конаджохары; wood(s)man — человек, живущий в лесу).

larger [ˈlɑ: ʤə], actually [ˈæktʃuəlɪ], quality [ˈkwɔlɪtɪ]

The wayfarer was staring wide eyed at the larger man, dumbfounded by the realization that the man had actually tracked down one of the forest devils and slain him unsuspected. That implied woodsmanship of a quality undreamed, even for Conajohara.

"You are one of the fort's garrison (ты /являешься/ один из гарнизона форта)?" he asked.

"I'm no soldier (я /являюсь/ никакой солдат = я не солдат). I draw the pay and rations of an officer of the line, but I do my work in the woods (я получаю жалованье и паек строевого офицера, но я делаю свою работу в лесу; the line — строевые войска (Ам.), пехота (Бр.)). Valannus knows I'm of more use ranging along the river than cooped up in the fort (Валаннус знает, /что/ я из больше пользы = от меня больше пользы, рыскающего вдоль реки, чем торчащего взаперти в форте; to coop up — держать взаперти)."

fort [fɔ: t], garrison [ˈɡærɪsn], soldier [ˈsəulʤə]

"You are one of the fort's garrison?" he asked.

"I'm no soldier. I draw the pay and rations of an officer of the line, but I do my work in the woods. Valannus knows I'm of more use ranging along the river than cooped up in the fort."

Casually the slayer shoved the body deeper into the thickets with his foot, pulled the bushes together and turned away down the trail (мимоходом убийца запихнул тело глубже в заросли /своей/ ногой, сдвинул кусты вместе и свернул на тропу). The other followed him (другой последовал за ним).

"My name is Balthus," he offered (мое имя Балтус = меня зовут Балтус, — попробовал он /завязать беседу/; to offer — предлагать, пробовать, пытаться, вызваться). "I was at Velitrium last night (я был в Велитриуме прошлой ночью / вчера вечером). I haven't decided whether I'll take up a hide of land, or enter fort service (я не решил, займу / возьму ли я надел земли или поступлю на службу в форт)."

together [təˈɡeðə], name [neɪm], service [ˈsə: vɪs]

Casually the slayer shoved the body deeper into the thickets with his foot, pulled the bushes together and turned away down the trail. The other followed him.

"My name is Balthus," he offered. "I was at Velitrium last night. I haven't decided whether I'll take up a hide of land, or enter fort service."

"The best land near Thunder River is already taken," grunted the slayer (лучшая земля возле Громовой реки уже занята, — проворчал убийца). "Plenty of good land between Scalp Creek — you crossed it a few miles back — and the fort, but that's getting too devilish close to the river (полно хорошей земли между ручьем Скальпа — ты пересек его несколько миль назад — и фортом, но это получается слишком /ужасно/ близко к реке). The Picts steal over to burn and murder — as that one did (пикты прокрадываются через /реку/, /чтобы/ жечь и убивать — как тот делал = так же, как и тот). They don't always come singly (они не всегда приходят поодиночке). Some day they'll try to sweep the settlers out of Conajohara (когда-нибудь: «какой-то день» они попытаются вымести поселенцев из Конаджохары). And they may succeed — probably will succeed (и они могут преуспеть — возможно преуспеют; to succeed — добиваться успеха, преуспевать). This colonization business is mad, anyway (это дело колонизации безумно = эта колонизация — безумная затея, во всяком случае). There's plenty of good land east of the Bossonian marches (есть куча хорошей земли восточнее Боссонских болот). If the Aquilonians would cut up some of the big estates of their barons (если бы аквилонцы разрезали на куски некоторые из больших поместий своих баронов), and plant wheat where now only deer are hunted (и посадили пшеницу /там/, где сейчас лишь охотятся на оленей: «олени являются охотимыми»), they wouldn't have to cross the border and take the land of the Picts away from them (они бы не имели = им бы не нужно было пересекать границу и забирать землю пиктов у них = у пиктов их земли)."

good [ɡʋd], murder [mə: də], business [ˈbɪznɪs]

"The best land near Thunder River is already taken," grunted the slayer. "Plenty of good land between Scalp Creek — you crossed it a few miles back — and the fort, but that's getting too devilish close to the river. The Picts steal over to burn and murder — as that one did. They don't always come singly. Some day they'll try to sweep the settlers out of Conajohara. And they may succeed — probably will succeed. This colonization business is mad, anyway. There's plenty of good land east of the Bossonian marches. If the Aquilonians would cut up some of the big estates of their barons, and plant wheat where now only deer are hunted, they wouldn't have to cross the border and take the land of the Picts away from them."

"That's queer talk from a man in the service of the governor of Conajohara," objected Balthus (это странные речи от = для человека в = на службе /у/ губернатора Конджобары, — возразил Балтус).

"That's queer talk from a man in the service of the governor of Conajohara," objected Balthus.

"It's nothing to me," the other retorted (это ничего для меня = мне-то что / а мне наплевать, — парировал другой). "I'm a mercenary (я /есть/ наемник). I sell my sword to the highest bidder (я продаю мой меч тому, кто больше платит; the highest bidder — лицо, предложившее наивысшую цену; to bid — предлагать). I never planted wheat and never will, so long as there are other harvests to be reaped with the sword (я никогда не сажал пшеницу и никогда /не/ буду, покуда есть другие урожаи, которые /надо/ жать мечом; so long as — покуда, пока). But you Hyborians have expanded as far as you'll be allowed to expand (но вы, хайборийцы, распространились так далеко, как вам будет позволено распространяться). You've crossed the marches, burned a few villages (вы перешли болота, сожгли несколько поселков), exterminated a few clans and pushed back the frontier to Black River (истребили несколько кланов и отодвинули назад = дальше границу к Черной реке); but I doubt if you'll even be able to hold what you've conquered, and you'll never push the frontier any further westward (но я сомневаюсь, сможете ли вы удержать даже то, что вы завоевали, и вы никогда не отодвинете границу дальше на запад; even — даже; westward — на запад, в западном направлении). Your idiotic king doesn't understand conditions here (ваш идиот-король не понимает условий здесь = здешних условий). He won't send you enough reinforcements (он не пошлет вам достаточно пополнения), and there are not enough settlers to withstand the shock of a concerted attack from across the river (и /есть/ недостаточно поселенцев, /чтобы/ противостоять удару согласованной атаки из-за реки)."

mercenary [ˈmə: sɪnrɪ], harvest [ˈhɑ: vɪst], doubt [daut]

"It's nothing to me," the other retorted. "I'm a mercenary. I sell my sword to the highest bidder. I never planted wheat and never will, so long as there are other harvests to be reaped with the sword. But you Hyborians have expanded as far as you'll be allowed to expand. You've crossed the marches, burned a few villages, exterminated a few clans and pushed back the frontier to Black River; but I doubt if you'll even be able to hold what you've conquered, and you'll never push the frontier any further westward. Your idiotic king doesn't understand conditions here. He won't send you enough reinforcements, and there are not enough settlers to withstand the shock of a concerted attack from across the river."

"But the Picts are divided into small clans," persisted Balthus (но пикты /являются/ разделены на маленькие кланы, — упорствовал Балтус; to persist — настаивать). "They'll never unite (они никогда /не/ объединятся). We can whip any single clan (мы можем победить любой одиночный клан)."

"Or any three or four clans," admitted the slayer (или любые три или четыре клана, — согласился убийца). "But some day a man will rise and unite thirty or forty clans, just as was done among the Cimmerians, when the Gundermen tried to push the border northward, years ago (но однажды один человек возвысится и объединит тридцать или сорок = тридцать-сорок кланов, точно /так же/, как /это/ было сделано среди киммерийцев, когда гундеры попытались отодвинуть границу на север, годы = много лет назад). They tried to colonize the southern marches of Cimmeria: destroyed a few small clans, built a fort-town, Venarium — you've heard the tale (они попытались колонизовать южные рубежи Киммерии: уничтожили несколько небольших кланов, построили город-крепость, Венариум — ты слышал историю)."

unite [ju:ˈnaɪt], town [taun], tale [teɪl]

"But the Picts are divided into small clans," persisted Balthus. "They'll never unite. We can whip any single clan."

"Or any three or four clans," admitted the slayer. "But some day a man will rise and unite thirty or forty clans, just as was done among the Cimmerians, when the Gundermen tried to push the border northward, years ago. They tried to colonize the southern marches of Cimmeria: destroyed a few small clans, built a fort-town, Venarium — you've heard the tale."

"So I have indeed," replied Balthus, wincing (так я /слышал/ действительно, — ответил Балтус, вздрагивая; to wince — вздрагивать, морщиться (от боли)). The memory of that red disaster was a black blot in the chronicles of a proud and warlike people (память о той кровавой беде = бойне была черным пятном в хрониках гордого и воинственного народа). "My uncle was at Venarium when the Cimmerians swarmed over the walls (мой дядя был в Венариуме, когда киммерийцы полезли через стены; swarm — рой, стая; to swarm — роиться; кишеть; лезть, карабкаться). He was one of the few who escaped that slaughter (он был одним из немногих, кто избежал этой бойни). I've heard him tell the tale, many a time (я слышал его рассказывать = как он рассказывал эту историю много раз). The barbarians swept out of the hills in a ravening horde, without warning, and stormed Venarium with such fury none could stand before them (варвары обрушились из холмов всепожирающей ордой без предупреждения и атаковали Венариум с такой яростью, /что/ никто /не/ мог выстоять перед ними). Men, women, and children were butchered (мужчин, женщин и детей безжалостно убивали: «были убиваемы»; to butcher — безжалостно убивать; butcher — мясник). Venarium was reduced to a mass of charred ruins, as it is to this day (Венариум был превращен в груду обуглившихся развалин, каким он является = остается до сего дня). The Aquilonians were driven back across the marches, and have never since tried to colonize the Cimmerian country (аквилонцы были отогнаны назад за рубежи, и никогда с тех пор /не/ пытались колонизовать киммерийскую страну). But you speak of Venarium familiarly (но ты говоришь о Венариуме не понаслышке). Perhaps you were there (возможно, ты был там)?"

proud [praud], fury [ˈfjuərɪ], butcher [ˈbʋʧə]

"So I have indeed," replied Balthus, wincing. The memory of that red disaster was a black blot in the chronicles of a proud and warlike people. "My uncle was at Venarium when the Cimmerians swarmed over the walls. He was one of the few who escaped that slaughter. I've heard him tell the tale, many a time. The barbarians swept out of the hills in a ravening horde, without warning, and stormed Venarium with such fury none could stand before them. Men, women, and children were butchered. Venarium was reduced to a mass of charred ruins, as it is to this day. The Aquilonians were driven back across the marches, and have never since tried to colonize the Cimmerian country. But you speak of Venarium familiarly. Perhaps you were there?"

"I was," grunted the other (я был = да, — проворчал другой). "I was one of the horde that swarmed over the walls (я был одним из орды, которая лезла через стены). I hadn't yet seen fifteen snows, but already my name was repeated about the council fires (я еще не видел пятнадцати снегов = зим, но уже мое имя было повторяемо = повторялось у костров совета; to see — видеть)."

Balthus involuntarily recoiled, staring (Балтус невольно отпрянул, широко раскрыв глаза; staring — с широко раскрытыми глазами). It seemed incredible that the man walking tranquilly at his side (это казалось невероятным, что человек, шедший спокойно возле него) should have been one of those screeching, blood-mad devils (должен был быть одним из тех визжащих кровожадных дьяволов) that poured over the walls of Venarium on that long- gone day to make her streets run crimson (которые хлынули через стены Венариума в тот давно прошедший день, /чтобы/ заставить ее = его улицы истекать кровью = залить кровью его улицы; to run — течь, струиться).

"Then you, too, are a barbarian!" he exclaimed involuntarily (тогда ты тоже /есть/ варвар! — он воскликнул невольно). The other nodded, without taking offense (другой кивнул без обиды; to take offense — обижаться).

"I am Conan, a Cimmerian (я /есть/ Конан, киммериец)."

grunt [ɡrʌnt], yet [jet], council [ˈkaunsl]

"I was," grunted the other. "I was one of the horde that swarmed over the walls. I hadn't yet seen fifteen snows, but already my name was repeated about the council fires."

Balthus involuntarily recoiled, staring. It seemed incredible that the man walking tranquilly at his side should have been one of those screeching, blood-mad devils that poured over the walls of Venarium on that long-gone day to make her streets run crimson.

"Then you, too, are a barbarian!" he exclaimed involuntarily. The other nodded, without taking offense.

"I am Conan, a Cimmerian."

"I've heard of you." Fresh interest quickened Balthus' gaze (я слышал о тебе, — сильный интерес оживил взгляд Балтуса). No wonder the Pict had fallen victim to his own sort of subtlety (не удивительно, /что/ пикт пал жертвой такой же ловкости, /как у него/: «его собственного типа ловкости»)! The Cimmerians were barbarians as ferocious as the Picts, and much more intelligent (киммерийцы были варварами, такими же свирепыми, как пикты, и гораздо более умными). Evidently Conan had spent much time among civilized men (очевидно Конан провел много времени среди цивилизованных людей; to spend — тратить; проводить (время)), though that contact had obviously not softened him, nor weakened any of his primitive instincts (хотя этот контакт очевидно ни размягчил его, ни ослабил какой-либо = ни один из его первобытных инстинктов). Balthus' apprehension turned to admiration as he marked the easy catlike stride, the effortless silence with which the Cimmerian moved along the trail (опасение Балтуса превратилось в восхищение, когда он заметил легкую кошачью поступь, естественную бесшумность, с которой киммериец двигался по тропинке; effort — усилие; effortless — не требующий усилий; легкий; естественный, непринужденный). The oiled links of his armor did not clink (смазанные маслом звенья его доспехов не звенели), and Balthus knew Conan could glide through the deepest thicket or most tangled copse as noiselessly as any naked Pict that ever lived (и Балтус знал, /что/ Конан может проскользнуть через самую густую чащу или самый запутанный подлесок так же бесшумно, как любой обнаженный пикт, который когда-либо жил).

you [ju: ], wonder [ˈwʌndə], intelligent [ɪnˈtelɪʤənt]

"I've heard of you." Fresh interest quickened Balthus' gaze. No wonder the Pict had fallen victim to his own sort of subtlety! The Cimmerians were barbarians as ferocious as the Picts, and much more intelligent. Evidently Conan had spent much time among civilized men, though that contact had obviously not softened him, nor weakened any of his primitive instincts. Balthus' apprehension turned to admiration as he marked the easy catlike stride, the effortless silence with which the Cimmerian moved along the trail. The oiled links of his armor did not clink, and Balthus knew Conan could glide through the deepest thicket or most tangled copse as noiselessly as any naked Pict that ever lived.

"You're not a Gunderman (ты не гундер)?" It was more assertion than question (это было более утверждение, нежели вопрос).

Balthus shook his head (Балтус отрицательно покачал /его/ головой; to shake one’s head — покачать головой (отрицательно)). "I'm from the Tauran (я из Таурана)."

"I've seen good woodsmen from the Tauran (я видел хороших лесовиков из Таурана). But the Bossonians have sheltered you Aquilonians from the outer wilderness for too many centuries (но боссонцы защищают вас, аквилонцев, от внешней дикой местности уже слишком много веков; shelter — приют, кров; пристанище; to shelter — защищать, спасать, укрывать). You need hardening (вам надо закалиться)."

question [ˈkwesʧn], outer [ˈautə], many [ˈmenɪ]

"You're not a Gunderman?" It was more assertion than question. Balthus shook his head. "I'm from the Tauran."

"I've seen good woodsmen from the Tauran. But the Bossonians have sheltered you Aquilonians from the outer wilderness for too many centuries. You need hardening."

That was true (это было правдой); the Bossonian marches, with their fortiied villages filled with determined bowmen, had long served Aquilonia as a buffer against the outlying barbarians (Боссонская марка с их укрепленными поселками, заполненными решительными лучниками, давно служила Аквилонии как буфер = буферная территория от внешних варваров). Now among the settlers beyond Thunder River here was growing up a breed of forest men capable of meeting the barbarians at their own game, but their numbers were still scanty (теперь среди поселенцев за Громовой рекой здесь подрастала порода лесных людей, способных сойтись = помериться силой с варварами в их собственной игре / хитрости; to meet — схватиться, сойтись в схватке с, драться на дуэли с). Most of the frontiersmen were like Balthus — more of the settler than the woodsman type (большинство пограничников = жителей фронтира были, как Балтус — больше от поселенца, чем тип лесовика).

That was true; the Bossonian marches, with their fortiied villages filled with determined bowmen, had long served Aquilonia as a buffer against the outlying barbarians. Now among the settlers beyond Thunder River here was growing up a breed of forest men capable of meeting the barbarians at their own game, but their numbers were still scanty. Most of the frontiersmen were like Balthus — more of the settler than the woodsman type.

The sun had not set, but it was no longer in sight, hidden as it was behind the dense forest wall (солнце не село, но его уже не было видно: «оно было не дольше в видимости», так как оно было скрыто за плотной стеной леса; прилагательное + as it is / was — хотя, так как). The shadows were lengthening, deepening back in the woods as the companions strode on down the trail (тени были удлиняющимися = удлинялись, темнея сзади в лесу, когда спутники пошли дальше по тропе; to stride — шагать).

The sun had not set, but it was no longer in sight, hidden as it was behind the dense forest wall. The shadows were lengthening, deepening back in the woods as the companions strode on down the trail.

"It will be dark before we reach the fort," commented Conan casually; then: "Listen (/это/ будет темно = стемнеет до того, как мы доберемся до форта, — заметил Конан мимоходом, потом: слушай!)!"

He stopped short, half crouching, sword ready, transformed into a savage figure of suspicion and menace, poised to spring and rend (он остановился резко, полупригнувшись, меч готов = обнажив меч, преобразился в дикую фигуру = дикаря /преисполненного/ подозрения и угрозы, готового броситься и рвать (на куски); to stop short — резко остановиться, to rend — раздирать, рвать, дробить, расщеплять). Balthus had heard it too — a wild scream that broke at its highest note (Балтус услышал это тоже — дикий крик, который оборвался на /его/ самой высокой ноте; to break — ломать, нарушать, прерывать(ся)). It was the cry of a man in dire fear or agony (это был крик человека в крайнем ужасе или агонии).

listen [lɪsn], suspicion [səsˈpɪʃn], wild [waɪld]

"It will be dark before we reach the fort," commented Conan casually; then: "Listen!"

He stopped short, half crouching, sword ready, transformed into a savage figure of suspicion and menace, poised to spring and rend. Balthus had heard it too — a wild scream that broke at its highest note. It was the cry of a man in dire fear or agony.

Conan was off in an instant, racing down the trail (Конан сорвался в мгновение, бросившись по тропинке), each stride widening the distance between him and his straining companion (/с/ каждым шагом увеличивая расстояние между ним и его напрягающим силы попутчиком; to be off — начинать движение, уходить; to strain — напрягаться, напрягать силы). Balthus puffed a curse (Балтус выдохнул проклятие). Among the settlements of the Tauran he was accounted a good runner (среди селений Таурана он был считаем = считался хорошим бегуном), but Conan was leaving him behind with maddening ease (но Конан опережал его с раздражающей легкостью; to leave behind — опережать, обгонять). Then Balthus forgot his exasperation as his ears were outraged by the most frightful cry he had ever heard (затем Балтус забыл /о/ своем раздражении, когда его уши были подвергнуты насилию = в его уши ворвался / по его ушам ударил самый жуткий крик, который он когда-либо слышал). It was not human, this one; it was a demoniacal caterwauling of hideous triumph that seemed to exult over fallen humanity and find echo in black gulfs beyond human ken (/он/ этот крик был нечеловеческим, это было демоническое пронзительное завывание омерзительного триумфа, которое, казалось, ликует над падшим человечеством и находит отражение = отдается эхом в черных безднах за пределами человеческого познания; one — заместитель существительного во избежание повтора; ken — кругозор; предел познаний, круг знаний).

each [i: ʧ], companion [kəˈmpænjən], humanity [hju:ˈmænɪtɪ]

Conan was off in an instant, racing down the trail, each stride widening the distance between him and his straining companion. Balthus puffed a curse. Among the settlements of the Tauran he was accounted a good runner, but Conan was leaving him behind with maddening ease. Then Balthus forgot his exasperation as his ears were outraged by the most frightful cry he had ever heard. It was not human, this one; it was a demoniacal caterwauling of hideous triumph that seemed to exult over fallen humanity and find echo in black gulfs beyond human ken.

Balthus faltered in his stride, and clammy sweat beaded his flesh (Балтус споткнулся на /его/ бегу, и липкий пот украсил капельками его тело = выступил на его теле). But Conan did not hesitate; he darted around a bend in the trail and disappeared (но Конан не колебался, он метнулся за поворот на тропе и исчез), and Balthus, panicky at finding himself alone with that awful scream still shuddering through the forest in grisly echoes, put on an extra burst of speed and plunged after him (а Балтус, в панике /от того, что/ оказался один с этим страшным криком, все еще вздрагивающим по лесу ужасающим эхом, прибавил дополнительным рывком скорости и ринулся за ним; to put on — добавить, прибавить).

stride [straɪd], clammy [klæmɪ], sweat [swet]

Balthus faltered in his stride, and clammy sweat beaded his flesh. But Conan did not hesitate; he darted around a bend in the trail and disappeared, and Balthus, panicky at finding himself alone with that awful scream still shuddering through the forest in grisly echoes, put on an extra burst of speed and plunged after him.

The Aquilonian slid to a stumbling halt, almost colliding with the Cimmerian who stood in the trail over a crumpled body (аквилонец перешел в спотыкающуюся остановку = резко остановился, почти = чуть не столкнувшись с киммерийцем, который стоял на тропе над измятым телом). But Conan was not looking at the corpse which lay there in the crimson-soaked dust (но Конан не смотрел на труп, который лежал там в пропитанной кровью пыли; to soak — пропитывать). He was glaring into the deep woods on either side of the trail (он вглядывался в густой лес на каждой стороне = по обеим сторонам тропинки).

halt [hɔ: lt], stood [stu: d], corpse [kɔ: ps]

The Aquilonian slid to a stumbling halt, almost colliding with the Cimmerian who stood in the trail over a crumpled body. But Conan was not looking at the corpse which lay there in the crimson-soaked dust. He was glaring into the deep woods on either side of the trail.

Balthus muttered a horrified oath (Балтус пробормотал испуганное ругательство). It was the body of a man which lay there in the trail (это было тело мужчины, которое лежало там на тропинке = там на тропинке лежало тело мужчины), a short, fat man (невысокого полного мужчины), clad in the gilt-worked boots and (despite the heat) the ermine-trimmed tunic of a wealthy merchant (одетого в позолоченные сапоги и (несмотря на жару) в отороченную горностаем тунику зажиточного купца). His fat, pale face was set in a stare of frozen horror (его полное бледное лицо было застывшим = застыло во взгляде = в выражении крайнего ужаса); his thick throat had been slashed from ear to ear as if by a razor-sharp blade (его толстое горло было разрезано от уха до уха, как будто острым, как бритва, клинком). The short sword still in its scabbard seemed to indicate that he had been struck down without a chance to fight for his life (короткий меч все еще в /его/ ножнах, казалось, указывал /на то/, что его убили без = не дав шанса, сражаться за свою жизнь).

boot [bu: t], razor [ˈreɪzə], indicate [ˈɪndɪkeɪt]

Balthus muttered a horrified oath. It was the body of a man which lay there in the trail, a short, fat man, clad in the gilt-worked boots and (despite the heat) the ermine-trimmed tunic of a wealthy merchant. His fat, pale face was set in a stare of frozen horror; his thick throat had been slashed from ear to ear as if by a razor- sharp blade. The short sword still in its scabbard seemed to indicate that he had been struck down without a chance to fight for his life.

"A Pict?" Balthus whispered, as he turned to peer into the deepening shadows of the forest (пикт? — прошептал Балтус, когда он обернулся, /чтобы/ всмотреться в густеющие тени леса).

Conan shook his head and straightened to scowl down at the dead man (Конан отрицательно покачал /своей/ головой и выпрямился, /чтобы/ посмотреть сердито /вниз/ на мертвого человека = мертвеца).

"A forest devil (лесной дух: «дьявол»). This is the fifth, by Crom (это /есть/ пятый, /клянусь/ Кромом)!"

"What do you mean (что ты имеешь в виду; to mean — иметь в виду, подразумевать)?"

"Did you ever hear of a Pictish wizard called Zogar Sag (ты когда-нибудь слышал о пиктском чародее, называемым = по имени Зогар Саг)?"

Balthus shook his head uneasily (Балтус покачал /своей/ головой беспокойно; easy — удобный; легкий; спокойный, хорошо себя чувствующий).

turn [tə: n], fifth [fɪfƟ], scowl [skaul]

"A Pict?" Balthus whispered, as he turned to peer into the deepening shadows of the forest.

Conan shook his head and straightened to scowl down at the dead man. "A forest devil. This is the fifth, by Crom!"

"What do you mean?"

"Did you ever hear of a Pictish wizard called Zogar Sag?" Balthus shook his head uneasily.

"He dwells in Gwawela, the nearest village across the river (он живет в Гвавеле, ближайшем поселке за рекой). Three months ago he hid beside this road and stole a string of pack-mules from a pack-train bound for the fort — drugged their drivers, somehow (три месяца назад он спрятался возле этой дороги и украл караван вьючных мулов из вьючного обоза, направлявшегося в форт, отравил их погонщиков каким-то образом; to drug — отравить, опоить наркотиками / ядом). The mules belonged to this man (мулы принадлежали этому человеку)" — Conan casually indicated the corpse with his foot (Конан мимоходом показал на труп /своей/ ногой) — "Tiberias, a merchant of Velitrium (Тибериас, купец из Велитриума). They were loaded with ale-kegs, and old Zogar stopped to guzzle before he got across the river (они были нагружены бочонками с элем, и старый Зогар остановился, /чтобы/ напиться, прежде чем перебрался через реку; to get across — перебраться). A woodsman named Soractus trailed him, and led Valannus and three soldiers to where he lay dead drunk in a thicket (лесной житель по имени Сорактус выследил его и привел Валаннуса и трех солдат к /тому месту/, где он лежали мертвецки пьяный в кустарнике). At the importunities of Tiberias, Valannus threw Zogar Sag into a cell, which is the worst insult you can give a Pict (по настоянию Тибериаса, Валаннус бросил Зогара Сага в тюремную камеру, что является самым худшим оскорблением, которое ты можешь дать = нанести пикту; to throw — бросать). He managed to kill his guard and escape (он смог = ему удалось убить /его/ охрану и сбежать), and sent back word that he meant to kill Tiberias and the five men who captured him in a way that would make Aquilonians shudder for centuries to come (и /он/ отослал назад сообщение, что он собирается убить Тибериаса и пятерых людей, которые взяли его в плен, /таким/ способом, который заставит аквилонцев содрогаться = от которого аквилонцы будут содрогаться на протяжении грядущих столетий; to mean — намереваться; to capture — взять в плен).

village [ˈvɪlɪʤ], river [ˈrɪvə], month [mʌnƟ]

"He dwells in Gwawela, the nearest village across the river. Three months ago he hid beside this road and stole a string of pack-mules from a pack-train bound for the fort — drugged their drivers, somehow. The mules belonged to this man" — Conan casually indicated the corpse with his foot — "Tiberias, a merchant of Velitrium. They were loaded with ale-kegs, and old Zogar stopped to guzzle before he got across the river. A woodsman named Soractus trailed him, and led Valannus and three soldiers to where he lay dead drunk in a thicket. At the importunities of Tiberias, Valannus threw Zogar Sag into a cell, which is the worst insult you can give a Pict. He managed to kill his guard and escape, and sent back word that he meant to kill Tiberias and the five men who captured him in a way that would make Aquilonians shudder for centuries to come.

"Well, Soractus and the soldiers are dead (ну, Сорактус и солдаты мертвы). Soractus was killed on the river, the soldiers in the very shadow of the fort (Сорактус был убит на реке, солдаты в самой тени форта = прямо у форта). And now Tiberias is dead (а теперь Тибериас мертв). No Pict killed any of them (ни один пикт /не/ убил кого-либо = никого из них). Each victim — except Tiberias, as you see — lacked his head — which no doubt is now ornamenting the altar of Zogar Sag's particular god (каждая жертва — за исключением Тибериаса, как ты видишь — была без головы: «не хватало /своей/ головы» — которая, несомненно, сейчас украшает алтарь особого бога Зогара Сага; to lack — не хватать, недоставать)."

very [ˈverɪ], victim [ˈvɪktɪm], altar [ˈɔ: ltə]

"Well, Soractus and the soldiers are dead. Soractus was killed on the river, the soldiers in the very shadow of the fort. And now Tiberias is dead. No Pict killed any of them. Each victim — except Tiberias, as you see — lacked his head — which no doubt is now ornamenting the altar of Zogar Sag's particular god."

"How do you know they weren't killed by the Picts?" demanded Balthus (как = откуда ты знаешь, что они не были убиты пиктами? — спросил Балтус). Conan pointed to the corpse of the merchant (Конан показал на труп купца). "You think that was done with a knife or a sword (ты думаешь, /что/ это было сделано ножом или мечом; to do — делать)? Look closer and you'll see that only a talon could have made a gash like that (посмотри поближе и /ты/ увидишь, что только коготь мог сделать глубокую рану как эта = такую глубокую рану). The flesh is ripped, not cut (плоть разорвана, не разрезана)."

"Perhaps a panther — " began Balthus, without conviction (может, пантера, — начал Балтус без уверенности: «без убежденности»).

Conan shook his head impatiently (Конан нетерпеливо /отрицательно/ покачал /своей/ головой).

demand [dɪˈmɑ: nd], merchant [ˈmə: ʧənt], knife [naɪf]

"How do you know they weren't killed by the Picts?" demanded Balthus. Conan pointed to the corpse of the merchant.

"You think that was done with a knife or a sword? Look closer and you'll see that only a talon could have made a gash like that. The flesh is ripped, not cut." "Perhaps a panther — " began Balthus, without conviction.

Conan shook his head impatiently.

"A man from the Tauran couldn't mistake the mark of a panther's claws (человек из Турана не мог бы ошибиться /в/ следах от когтей пантеры). No. It's a forest devil summoned by Zogar Sag to carry out his revenge (нет. это лесной дух, вызванный Зогаром Сагом, /чтобы/ исполнить его месть). Tiberias was a fool to start for Velitrium alone, and so close to dusk (Тибериас был глупцом, отправляться = что отправился в Велитриум один, и так близко к сумеркам). But each one of the victims seemed to be smitten with madness just before doom overtook him (но каждая из жертв, казалось, была охвачена безумием как раз перед тем, как рок нагнал ее; to smite — охватить, поразить; to overtake — нагнать). Look here; the signs are plain enough (послушай: «смотри сюда», признаки довольно очевидны). Tiberias came riding along the trail on his mule (Тибериас ехал по тропе верхом на своем муле), maybe with a bundle of choice otter pelts behind his saddle to sell in Velitrium (возможно, со связкой отборных шкурок выдр за седлом, /чтобы/ продать = для продажи в Велитриуме), and the thing sprang on him from behind that bush (и тварь прыгнула на него из-за того куста; choice — отборный, высшего качества). See where the branches are crushed down (видишь, где ветки придавлены).

claw [klɔ: ], revenge [rɪˈvenʤ], doom [du: m]

"A man from the Tauran couldn't mistake the mark of a panther's claws. No. It's a forest devil summoned by Zogar Sag to carry out his revenge. Tiberias was a fool to start for Velitrium alone, and so close to dusk. But each one of the victims seemed to be smitten with madness just before doom overtook him. Look here; the signs are plain enough. Tiberias came riding along the trail on his mule, maybe with a bundle of choice otter pelts behind his saddle to sell in Velitrium, and the thing sprang on him from behind that bush. See where the branches are crushed down.

"Tiberias gave one scream, and then his throat was torn open and he was selling his otter skins in Hell (Тибериас издал один вопль, и потом его горло было разорвано, и он продавал /его/ шкурки выдр в аду; to tear open — разрывать). The mule ran away into the woods (мул убежал в лес; to run away — убежать). Listen (послушай)! Even now you can hear him thrashing about under the trees (даже сейчас ты можешь услышать его, мечущимся = как он мечется под деревьями). The demon didn't have time to take Tiberias' head; it took fright as we came up (демон не имел времени = демон не успел снять голову /с/ Тиберия; он испугался, когда мы подошли; to take fright — испугаться; to come up — подходить)."

otter [ˈɔtə], hear [hɪə], fright [fraɪt]

"Tiberias gave one scream, and then his throat was torn open and he was selling his otter skins in Hell. The mule ran away into the woods. Listen! Even now you can hear him thrashing about under the trees. The demon didn't have time to take Tiberias' head; it took fright as we came up."

"As you came up," amended Balthus (когда ты подошел, — поправил Балтус). "It must not be a very terrible creature if it flees from one armed man (это не должно быть очень страшное существо, если оно убегает от одного вооруженного человека). But how do you know it was not a Pict with some kind of a hook that rips instead of slicing (но как = откуда ты знаешь, /что/ это был не пикт с каким-то /видом/ крюка, который разрывает, вместо того, чтобы резать; kind — вид, тип)? Did you see it (ты видел его)?"

kind [kaɪnd], hook [hʋk], instead [ɪnˈsted]

"As you came up," amended Balthus. "It must not be a very terrible creature if it flees from one armed man. But how do you know it was not a Pict with some kind of a hook that rips instead of slicing? Did you see it?"

"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 [wɔnt], further [ˈfə: ðə], 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 [prɪnt], reptile [repˈtaɪl], span [spæn]

"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 [spuə], answer [ɑ: nsə], swamp [swɔmp]

"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 [hɔ: nt], wretch [reʧ]

"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 [æks], 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 [eʤ], couple [kʌpl], litter [ˈlɪtə]

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 [ɡet], help [help], white [waɪt]

"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 [ʃɛə], load [ləud], sinister [ˈsɪnɪstə]

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 [ˈstə: dɪ], ache [eɪk], 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 [ðen], 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 [ˈækʃn], glade [ɡleɪd], 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 [msˈteɪk], direction [dɪˈrekʃn], laughter [lɑ: ftə]

"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 [stɔp], statue [ˈstæʧu: ], track [træk]

"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 [ˈbʌlkɪ], 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 [ˈɔ: ltə], fleet [fli: t], crouched [krauʧt]

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 [ˈfəulɪɪʤ], lurid [ˈljuərɪd], longer [ˈlɔŋə]

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 [ʃaɪn], 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 [ˈkwɔ: tə], dense [dens], hate [heɪt]

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 [reɪn], spear [spɪə], skull [skʌl]

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 [ɡɑ: d], snort [snɔ: t], discipline [ˈdɪsɪplɪn]

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 [əu], me [mi: ], call [kɔ: 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 [mɪdl], morbid [ˈmɔ: bɪd], 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 [rɪˈsi: v], society [səˈsaɪətɪ], begun [bɪˈɡʌn]

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 [wɪl], women [ˈwɪmɪn], 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 [səu]

"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 [əˈpru: vɪŋlɪ], frame [freɪm], province [ˈprɔvɪns]

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 [fʋl], affair [əˈfɛə]

"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 [ˈpaɪƟən], loon [lu: n], magic [ˈmæʤɪk]

"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 [kənˈsi: l], already [ɔ: lˈredɪ], 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 [ɡlɪnt], press [pres], pad [pæd]

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 [əˈlaud], we [wi: ], shore [ʃɔ:]

"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 [seɪʤ], sneer [snɪə]

"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 [fɪə], believe [bɪˈli: 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 [kəuld], threw [Ɵru: ], 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 [dɪˈpend], weakness [ˈwi: knɪs], 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 [ˈɑ: mɪ], supply [səˈplaɪ], boast [bəust]

"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 [ˈnʌmbə], plague [pleɪɡ], threaten [Ɵretn]

"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 [ʧek]

"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 [həuld], any [ˈenɪ], capture [ˈkæpʧə]

"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 [ʤɔb], regiment [ˈreʤɪmənt], pick [pɪk]

"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 [auə], drop [drɔp], eagerly [ˈi: ɡəlɪ]

"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

[39]

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 [bəut], creep [kri: p], gloom [ɡlu: 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 [kəˈnu: ], dress [dres], scar [skɑ:]

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 [ɡʌlf], stealth [stelƟ], wolves [wʋlvz]

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 [ədˈmaɪə], ground [ɡraund], equal [ˈi: kwəl]

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 [snæɡ], precision [prɪˈsɪʒn]

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 [ˈɔpəzɪt], create [krɪˈeɪt], illusion [ɪˈlu: ʒn]

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 [ɡrɑ: sp], vanish [ˈvænɪʃ]

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 [rɪˈpɔ: t], dawn [dɔ: 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 [əˈsli: p], youth [ju: Ɵ], wound [wʋnd]

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 [ˈdɑ: knɪs], yell [jel], shone [ʃɔn]

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 [rəuz], 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 [pəust], space [speɪs], cryptic [ˈkrɪptɪk]

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 [neɪkɪd], immobile [ɪˈməubaɪl], 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 [ˈstedɪ], captor [ˈkæptə], hideous [ˈhɪdɪəs]

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 [əˈwɛə], livid [ˈlɪvɪd], 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 [bleɪm], can't — Br.[kɑ: nt] Am. [kænt], south [sauƟ]

"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 [ˈklʌstə], notice [ˈnəʋtɪs], difference [ˈdɪfrəns]

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 [kaɪnd], runner [ˈrʌnə], our [ˈauə]

"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, бо́льшим, 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 [ˈvɔlju: m], deduce [dɪˈdju: 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 [ˈhɑ: nɪs], leather [ˈleðə]

"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 [fənˈtæstɪk], another [əˈnʌðə], ferocious [fəˈrəuʃəs]

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 [stæʧʋˈesk], erect [ɪˈrekt], increase [ɪnˈkri: 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 [ˈfi: ndɪʃ], convulsively [kənˈvʌlsɪvlɪ], haste [heɪst]

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 [wɪəd], do [du: ], beneath [bɪˈni: Ɵ]

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 [ˈnaɪtmɛə], glisten [ɡlɪsn], primordial [praɪˈmɔ: djəl]

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 [bɛə], hindquarters [ˈhaɪndkwɔ: təz], capacity [kəˈpæsɪtɪ]

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 [əkʧʋˈælɪtɪ], 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 [ˈɡɔ: rɪ], scavenger [ˈskævɪnʤə], slaughter [ˈslɔ: tə]

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 [əˈpɔ: lɪŋ], elephant [ˈelɪfənt], starvation [stɑ:ˈveɪʃn]

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: Ɵ], saber [ˈseɪbə], credit [ˈkredɪt]

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 [ˈpɑ: ʃəlɪ], disembowel [dɪsɪmˈbauəl], ruin [ˈru: ɪn]

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:ˈmænɪtɪ], creature [ˈkri: ʧə], 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 [ɪmplɪˈkeɪʃn], such [sʌʧ], asound [əˈsaund]

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 [pɪˈri: əd], breathless [ˈbreƟlɪs], occupant [ˈɔkjupənt]

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 [ˈrekəɡnaɪz], evil [ˈi: vl], huge [hju: ʤ]

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 [ɪnˈkeɪpəbl], abominable [əˈbɔmɪnəbl], devour [dɪˈvauə]

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 [ˈslaɪtlɪ], loathsome [ˈləuðsəm], nausea [ˈnɔ: sjə]

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 [ʤɔ: z], protrude [prəˈtru: 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 [nɔt], venom [ˈvenəm], scatter [ˈskætə]

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 [ʃri: k], where [wɛə], claw [klɔ:]

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 [blʌd], right [raɪt], gigantic [ʤaɪˈɡæntɪk]

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 [ʃʌv], accord [əˈkɔ: d], idol [ˈaɪdl]

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 [ɪnˈkləuʒə], yard [jɑ:d], stockade [stɔˈkeɪd]

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 [stæmˈpi: d], heave [hi: v], havoc [ˈhævək]

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 [ˈblaɪndɪŋ], lull [lʌl], repel [rɪˈpel]

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 [kɔ: t], wall [wɔ: l], fugitive [ˈfju: ʤɪtɪv]

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 [kənˈfju: zd], dare [dɛə], swarm [swɔ: 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 [ɡrəuƟ], bewilder [bɪˈwɪldə], cover [ˈkʌvə]

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 [ˈprɪznə], control [kənˈtrəul], screech [skri: ʧ]

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 [lɑ:f], branch [brɑ:nʧ], surely [ˈʃuəlɪ]

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 [skɔ: ], path [pɑ:Ɵ], break [breɪk]

"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 [kwɪk], comply [kəmˈplaɪ], afraid [əˈfreɪd]

"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 [dɪˈvəut], every [evrɪ], wisdom [ˈwɪzdəm]

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 [ˈwɪslɪŋ], torture [tɔ: ʧə], 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: ɪŋ], silent [ˈsaɪlənt]

"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 [hɑ:t], heard [hə: 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 [səsˈpɪʃəs], weight [weɪt], leopard [ˈlepəd]

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 [renʧ], fast [fɑ:st], care [kɛə]

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 [ˈbraɪə], least [li: st], evidence [ˈevɪdəns]

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 [dʌz], persist [pəˈsɪst], 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 [ˈretɪsəns], command [kəˈmɑ:nd], animal [ˈænɪməl]

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 [wʌns], worship [ˈwə: ʃɪp], language [ˈlæŋɡwɪʤ]

"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 [kɔ: l], science [ˈsaɪəns], refuse [rɪˈfju: 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 [sɔ: s], antiquity [ænˈtɪkwɪtɪ]

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 [dɪsˈkwaɪət], alone [əˈləun], ask [ɑ: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 [ˈsɪmbəl], mold [məuld], inscrutably [ɪnˈskru: təblɪ]

"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 [ɑ:ˈkeɪɪk], suppose [səˈpəuz], ignorance [ˈɪɡnərəns]

"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 [jə: ], sacred [ˈsekrɪd], watch [wɔʧ]

"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 [nɔ: Ɵ], overture [ˈəuvətjuə], drama [drɑ:mə]

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 [mæɡˈnɪfɪsnt], view [vju: ], panther [ˈpænƟə]

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 [ˈætɪtju: d], carnivore [ˈkɑ:nɪvɔ: ], awe [ɔ:]

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 [ˈsməuldə], barbarian [bɑ:ˈbɛərɪən], idea [aɪˈdɪə]

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 [waɪl], sign [saɪn], find [faɪnd]

"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 [ˈwɪzəd], chief [ʧi: 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 [ˈweðə], warning [ˈwɔ: nɪŋ], country [ˈkʌntrɪ]

"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 [tɔ: k], visible [ˈvɪzɪbl], secure [sɪˈkjuə]

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 [wɛə], armor [ˈɑ:mə], 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 [ˈvɪʃəs], belly [ˈbelɪ], all [ɔ: 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 [əˈlaɪv]

"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 [eɪbl], squat [skwɔt], ceremony [ˈserɪmənɪ]

"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 [bʋl], gorilla [ɡəˈrɪlə], probably [ˈprɔbəblɪ]

"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 [ˈʌpwəd], without [wɪˈðaut], faith [feɪƟ]

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 [nɔ: ], thirst [Ɵə: 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 [wɔ: ], knight [naɪt], visit [ˈvɪzɪt]

"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 [ˈwepən], Isles [ˈaɪlz], lie [laɪ]

"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 [ˈfrʌntɪə], mention [ˈmenʃn], widely [ˈwaɪdlɪ]

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 [rəum], wander [ˈwɔndə], 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 [ʧeɪs], cross [krɔs]

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 [ˈʌðəwaɪz], scour [skauə], must [mʌst]

"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 [ˈməuməntərɪlɪ], ambush [ˈæmbʋʃ], enemy [ˈenɪmɪ]

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 [ˈreklɪs], vicinity [vɪˈsɪnɪtɪ]

"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 [əˈlɑ:m], attack [əˈtæk], onslaught [ˈɔnslɔ: 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 [ðəu], grove [ɡrəuv], meadow [ˈmedəu]

They pushed on without pausing, though Balthus gazed longingly at the squirrels flitting among the branches, which he could have brought down with a cast of his ax. With a sigh he drew up his broad belt. The everlasting silence and gloom of the primitive forest was beginning to depress him. He found himself thinking of the open groves and sun-dappled meadows of the Tauran, of the bluff cheer of his father's steep-thatched, diamond-paned house, of the fat cows browsing through the deep lush grass, and the hearty fellowship of the brawny, bare-armed plowmen and herdsmen.

He felt lonely, in spite of his companion (он чувствовал себя одиноко, несмотря на своего спутника). Conan was as much a part of this wilderness as Balthus was alien to it (насколько Конан был частью этих диких мест, настолько Балтус был чужаком здесь). The Cimmerian might have spent years among the great cities of the world (возможно, Киммериец провел годы среди = в великих городах мира); he might have walked with the rulers of civilization (возможно, он гулял с правителями цивилизации); he might even achieve his wild whim some day and rule as king of a civilized nation (возможно, он даже добьется /исполнения/ своей дикой причуды однажды и будет править, как король цивилизованной страны); stranger things had happened (более странные вещи случались = случались вещи и более странные). But he was no less a barbarian (но он был не кем иным, как варваром). He was concerned only with the naked fundamentals of life (он интересовался лишь голыми жизненными основами). The warm intimacies of small, kindly things (теплые близкие отношения из приятных мелочей: «маленьких приятных вещей»), the sentiments and delicious trivialities that make up so much of civilized men's lives were meaningless to him (чувства и прелестные банальности, которые составляют так много в жизни цивилизованных людей, были бессмысленны для него). A wolf was no less a wolf because a whim of chance caused him to run with the watch-dogs (волк оставался волком: «был не менее волком», оттого, что = пусть даже каприз судьбы заставил его бежать со сторожевыми псами). Bloodshed and violence and savagery were the natural elements of the life Conan knew (кровопролитие и насилие и дикость были естественными составляющими жизни, /которую/ знал Конан); he could not, and would never, understand the little things that are so dear to civilized men and women (он не мог и никогда /не/ захотел бы понять мелочей, которые так дороги цивилизованным мужчинам и женщинам).

alien [ˈeɪljən], achieve [əˈʧi: v], dear [dɪə]

He felt lonely, in spite of his companion. Conan was as much a part of this wilderness as Balthus was alien to it. The Cimmerian might have spent years among the great cities of the world; he might have walked with the rulers of civilization; he might even achieve his wild whim some day and rule as king of a civilized nation; stranger things had happened. But he was no less a barbarian. He was concerned only with the naked fundamentals of life. The warm intimacies of small, kindly things, the sentiments and delicious trivialities that make up so much of civilized men's lives were meaningless to him. A wolf was no less a wolf because a whim of chance caused him to run with the watch-dogs. Bloodshed and violence and savagery were the natural elements of the life Conan knew; he could not, and would never, understand the little things that are so dear to civilized men and women.

The shadows were lengthening when they reached the river and peered through the masking bushes (тени удлинялись, когда они добрались до реки и выглянули сквозь маскирующие кусты). They could see up and down the river for about a mile each way (они могли видеть /местность/ выше и ниже по реке приблизительно на милю в обе стороны: «каждый путь»). The sullen stream lay bare and empty (медленно текущий поток лежал открытый и пустынный). Conan scowled across at the other shore (Конан бросил сердитый взгляд на другой берег; to scowl — хмуриться, бросать сердитый взгляд, смотреть сердито).

"We've got to take another chance here (мы должны еще раз рискнуть здесь: «взять еще один шанс здесь»). We've got to swim the river (мы должны переплыть реку). We don't know whether they've crossed or not (мы не знаем, переплыли ли они или /еще/ нет). The woods over there may be alive with them (лес вон там может быть живым с ними = кишеть ими). We've got to risk it (нам нужно рискнуть). We're about six miles south of Gwawela (мы около шести миль = милях в шести южнее Гвавелы)."

scowl [skaul], shadow [ˈʃædəu], lengthen [ˈleŋƟən]

The shadows were lengthening when they reached the river and peered through the masking bushes. They could see up and down the river for about a mile each way. The sullen stream lay bare and empty. Conan scowled across at the other shore. "We've got to take another chance here. We've got to swim the river. We don't know whether they've crossed or not. The woods over there may be alive with them. We've got to risk it. We're about six miles south of Gwawela."

He wheeled and ducked as a bowstring twanged (он перевернулся и быстро наклонился, когда тренькнула тетива лука). Something like a white flash of light streaked through the bushes (что-то, словно белая вспышка света, пронеслось сквозь кусты). Balthus knew it was an arrow (Балтус знал, это была стрела). Then with a tigerish bound Conan was through the bushes (затем тигриным прыжком Конан был = бросился через кусты). Balthus caught the gleam of steel as he whirled his sword (Балтус уловил проблеск стали, когда он завертел своим мечом), and heard a death scream (и услышал смертельный крик). The next instant he had broken through the bushes after the Cimmerian (/в/ следующий миг он бросился сквозь кусты за киммерийцем).

twang [twæŋ], caught [kɔ: t], death [deƟ]

He wheeled and ducked as a bowstring twanged. Something like a white flash of light streaked through the bushes. Balthus knew it was an arrow. Then with a tigerish bound Conan was through the bushes. Balthus caught the gleam of steel as he whirled his sword, and heard a death scream. The next instant he had broken through the bushes after the Cimmerian.

A Pict with a shattered skull lay face-down on the ground, his fingers spasmodically clawing at the grass (пикт с раздробленным черепом лежал лицом вниз на земле, его пальцы спазматически цеплялись за траву; to claw — цепляться). Half a dozen others were swarming about Conan, swords and axes lifted (полдюжины других толпились вокруг Конана /с/ поднятыми мечами и топорами). They had cast away their bows, useless at such deadly close quarters (они отбросили свои луки, бесполезные на таком ужасно близком расстоянии). Their lower jaws were painted white, contrasting vividly with their dark faces (их нижние челюсти были окрашены белым, контрастируя четко с их темными лицами), and the designs on their muscular breasts differed from any Balthus had ever seen (а рисунки на их мускулистых грудных клетках отличались от любых, /которые/ Балтус когда-либо видел).

spasmodically [spæzˈmɔdɪklɪ], useless [ˈju: slɪs], quarter [ˈkwɔ: tə]

A Pict with a shattered skull lay face-down on the ground, his fingers spasmodically clawing at the grass. Half a dozen others were swarming about Conan, swords and axes lifted. They had cast away their bows, useless at such deadly close quarters. Their lower jaws were painted white, contrasting vividly with their dark faces, and the designs on their muscular breasts differed from any Balthus had ever seen.

One of them hurled his ax at Balthus and rushed after it with lifted knife (один из них бросил свой топор в Балтуса и бросился /вслед/ за ним с поднятым ножом). Balthus ducked and then caught the wrist that drove the knife licking at his throat (Балтус пригнулся и затем поймал запястье, которое направило нож, нанося удар в его горло = и нанес удар ему в горло). They went to the ground together, rolling over and over (они пошли = упали на землю вместе, перекатываясь и перекатываясь). The Pict was like a wild beast, his muscles hard as steel strings (пикт был как дикий зверь, его мускулы крепки, как стальные канаты).

One of them hurled his ax at Balthus and rushed after it with lifted knife. Balthus ducked and then caught the wrist that drove the knife licking at his throat. They went to the ground together, rolling over and over. The Pict was like a wild beast, his muscles hard as steel strings.

Balthus was striving to maintain his hold on the wild man's wrist and bring his own ax into play (Балтус старался удержать /свою/ хватку на запястье дикаря и пустить в ход свой /собственный/ топор), but so fast and furious was the struggle that each attempt to strike was blocked (но такой быстрой и яростной была борьба, что каждая попытка ударить блокировалась). The Pict was wrenching furiously to free his knife hand (пикт извивался яростно, /чтобы/ освободить свою руку с ножом), was clutching at Balthus' ax, and driving his knees at the youth's groin (вцепился в топор Балтуса и давил /своими/ коленями в пах юноши). Suddenly he attempted to shift his knife to his free hand (вдруг он попытался перехватить /свой/ нож в /его/ свободную руку), and in that instant Balthus, struggling up on one knee, split the painted head with a desperate blow of his ax (и в это мгновение Балтус, встав на одно колено, раскроил раскрашенную голову отчаянным / страшным ударом своего топора).

wrist [rɪst], maintain [meɪnˈteɪn], wrench [renʧ]

Balthus was striving to maintain his hold on the wild man's wrist and bring his own ax into play, but so fast and furious was the struggle that each attempt to strike was blocked. The Pict was wrenching furiously to free his knife hand, was clutching at Balthus' ax, and driving his knees at the youth's groin. Suddenly he attempted to shift his knife to his free hand, and in that instant Balthus, struggling up on one knee, split the painted head with a desperate blow of his ax.

He sprang up and glared wildly about for his companion, expecting to see him overwhelmed by numbers (он вскочил и дико огляделся для = в поисках своего спутника, ожидая увидеть его, подавленного численностью = превосходящим противником). Then he realized the full strength and ferocity of the Cimmerian (/и/ тогда он осознал полную силу и свирепость киммерийца). Conan bestrode two of his attackers, shorn half asunder by that terrible broadsword (Конан перешагнул /через/ двух из /его/ нападавших, разрубленных пополам этим ужасным палашом; to bestride — перешагивать через; to shear — резать, рубить). As Balthus looked he saw the Cimmerian beat down a thrusting short sword (когда Балтус посмотрел, он увидел, /как/ киммериец отбил вниз колющий короткий меч), avoid the stroke of an ax with a cat-like side-wise spring (избегнул = ушел от удара топора кошачьим прыжком в сторону) which brought him within arm's length of a squat savage stooping for a bow (который принес = приблизил его на расстояние руки от сидящего на корточках дикаря, наклонившегося за луком). Before the Pict could straighten (прежде чем пикт смог выпрямиться), the red sword flailed down and clove him from shoulder to midbreastbone (кровавый меч ударил вниз и разрезал его от плеча до средней грудной кости; to cleave — разрезать, раскалывать), where the blade stuck (где клинок застрял; to stick — застрять). The remaining warriors rushed in, one from either side (оставшиеся воины бросились, /по/ одному с обеих сторон). Balthus hurled his ax with an accuracy that reduced the attackers to one (Балтус швырнул свой топор с точностью, которая уменьшила /количество/ нападавших до одного = остался один нападавший), and Conan, abandoning his efforts to free his sword, wheeled and met the remaining Pict with his bare hands (а Конан, бросив попытки освободить свой меч, повернулся и встретил оставшегося пикта /с/ голыми руками). The stocky warrior, a head shorter than his tall enemy, leaped in (коренастый воин, /на/ голову ниже, чем его высокий противник, прыгнул), striking with his ax, at the same time stabbing murderously with his knife (ударяя = нанося удар /своим/ топором, в то же время тыкая смертоносно своим ножом). The knife broke on the Cimmerian's mail (нож поломался о кольчугу киммерийца), and the ax checked in midair as Conan's fingers locked like iron on the descending arm (а топор остановился в воздухе, когда пальцы Конан сомкнулись, как железные, на опускающейся руке). A bone snapped loudly, and Balthus saw the Pict wince and falter (кость громко хрустнула, и Балтус увидел, /как/ пикт сморщился и споткнулся; to wince (in pain) — морщиться от боли). The next instant he was swept off his feet (/в/ следующий миг он был снесен с ног), lifted high above the Cimmerian's head поднят высоко над головой Конана) — he writhed in midair for an instant, kicking and thrashing (он покорчился в воздухе мгновение, лягаясь и молотя /конечностями/), and then was dashed headlong to the earth with such force that he rebounded (а потом был брошен вниз головой на землю с такой силой, что он отскочил), and then lay still, his limp posture telling of splintered limbs and a broken spine (и потом лежал тихо, его безвольная поза говорила о раздробленных конечностях и сломанном позвоночнике).

overwhelmed [əuvəˈwelmd], abandon [əˈbændən], posture [ˈpɔsʧə]

He sprang up and glared wildly about for his companion, expecting to see him overwhelmed by numbers. Then he realized the full strength and ferocity of the Cimmerian. Conan bestrode two of his attackers, shorn half asunder by that terrible broadsword. As Balthus looked he saw the Cimmerian beat down a thrusting shortsword, avoid the stroke of an ax with a cat-like side-wise spring which brought him within arm's length of a squat savage stooping for a bow. Before the Pict could straighten, the red sword flailed down and clove him from shoulder to midbreastbone, where the blade stuck. The remaining warriors rushed in, one from either side. Balthus hurled his ax with an accuracy that reduced the attackers to one, and Conan, abandoning his efforts to free his sword, wheeled and met the remaining Pict with his bare hands. The stocky warrior, a head shorter than his tall enemy, leaped in, striking with his ax, at the same time stabbing murderously with his knife. The knife broke on the Cimmerian's mail, and the ax checked in midair as Conan's fingers locked like iron on the descending arm. A bone snapped loudly, and Balthus saw the Pict wince and falter. The next instant he was swept off his feet, lifted high above the Cimmerian's head — he writhed in midair for an instant, kicking and thrashing, and then was dashed headlong to the earth with such force that he rebounded, and then lay still, his limp posture telling of splintered limbs and a broken spine.

"Come on!" Conan wrenched his sword free and snatched up an ax (давай / ну же! — Конан провернул свой меч свободный = провернув, высвободил меч и выхватил топор). "Grab a bow and a handful of arrows, and hurry (хватай лук и пригорошню стрел — и поспеши)! We've got to trust to our heels again (мы должны снова довериться нашим ногам). That yell was heard (этот крик был услышан). They'll be here in no time (они будут здесь мигом; in no time — мигом, мгновенно, очень скоро: «в никакое время»). If we tried to swim now, they'd feather us with arrows before we reached midstream (если бы мы попытались поплыть сейчас, они бы утыкали нас стрелами, до того, как мы добрались бы до середины реки)!"

hurry [ˈhʌrɪ], feather [ˈfeðə], arrow [ˈærəu]

"Come on!" Conan wrenched his sword free and snatched up an ax. "Grab a bow and a handful of arrows, and hurry! We've got to trust to our heels again. That yell was heard. They'll be here in no time. If we tried to swim now, they'd feather us with arrows before we reached midstream!"

 

6. Red Axes of the Border

(Красные топоры границы)

Conan did not plunge deeply into the forest (Конан не погрузился глубоко в лес). A few hundred yards from the river, he altered his slanting course and ran parallel with it (/в/ нескольких сотнях ярдов от реки он поменял свой наклонный курс и побежал параллельно ему). Balthus recognized a grim determination not to be hunted away from the river which they must cross if they were to warn the men in the fort (Балтус распознал мрачную решимость не быть отогнанным = не уходить от реки, которую они должны пересечь, если им предстояло предупредить людей в форте). Behind them rose more loudly the yells of the forest men (позади них поднялись громче крики лесных людей). Balthus believed the Picts had reached the glade where the bodies of the slain men lay (Балтус полагал, /что/ пикты добрались до поляны, где лежали тела убитых людей). Then further yells seemed to indicate that the savages were streaming into the woods in pursuit (дальнейшие крики, казалось, указывают, что дикари устремились в лес в погоню). They had left a trail any Pict could follow (они оставили след, /по которому/ мог пойти любой пикт).

plunge [plʌnʤ], parallel [ˈpærəlel], pursuit [pəˈsju: t]

Conan did not plunge deeply into the forest. A few hundred yards from the river, he altered his slanting course and ran parallel with it. Balthus recognized a grim determination not to be hunted away from the river which they must cross if they were to warn the men in the fort. Behind them rose more loudly the yells of the forest men. Balthus believed the Picts had reached the glade where the bodies of the slain men lay. Then further yells seemed to indicate that the savages were streaming into the woods in pursuit. They had left a trail any Pict could follow.

Conan increased his speed (Конан увеличил свою скорость), and Balthus grimly set his teeth and kept on his heels, though he felt he might collapse any time (а Балтус мрачно стиснул /свои/ зубы и последовал за ним, хотя он чувствовал, /что/ он может свалиться /в/ любой момент). It seemed centuries since he had eaten last (это казалось веками = казалось века прошли, с тех пор как он ел последний раз). He kept going more by an effort of will than anything else (он продолжал двигаться усилием воли — более, чем чем-либо еще = только усилие воли заставляло его двигаться). His blood was pounding so furiously in his ear-drums that he was not aware when the yells died out behind them (его кровь стучала так бешено в его барабанных перепонках, что он не заметил, когда затихли вопли позади них).

speed [spi: d], collapse [kəˈlæps], else [els]

Conan increased his speed, and Balthus grimly set his teeth and kept on his heels, though he felt he might collapse any time. It seemed centuries since he had eaten last. He kept going more by an effort of will than anything else. His blood was pounding so furiously in his ear-drums that he was not aware when the yells died out behind them.

Conan halted suddenly (Конан неожиданно остановился)… Balthus leaned against a tree and panted (Балтус оперся о дерево и тяжело дышал).

"They've quit!" grunted the Cimmerian, scowling (они прекратили /погоню/! — пробормотал киммериец, хмуря брови).

"Sneaking — up — on — us!" gasped Balthus (подкрадываются не-за-мет-но к нам! — задыхался = выпалил, задыхаясь, Балтус).

Conan shook his head (Конан покачал /своей/ головой).

Conan halted suddenly… Balthus leaned against a tree and panted. "They've quit!" grunted the Cimmerian, scowling.

"Sneaking — up — on — us!" gasped Balthus. Conan shook his head.

"A short chase like this they'd yell every step of the way (/при/ такой короткой погоне они бы кричали на каждом шагу пути). No (нет). They've gone back (они вернулись). I thought I heard somebody yelling behind them a few seconds before the noise began to get dimmer (я слышал, /как/ кто-то крикнул позади них за несколько секунд до того, как шум начал становиться слабее = стал слабеть). They've been recalled (их позвали назад). And that's good for us, but damned bad for the men in the fort (и это хорошо для нас, но ужасно плохо для людей в форте). It means the warriors are being summoned out of the woods for the attack (это значит, /что/ воины вызываются = воинов вызывают из лесов для атаки). Those men we ran into were warners from a tribe down the river (те люди, /на которых/ мы наткнулись, были вестниками из племени ниже по реке). They were undoubtedly headed for Gwawela to join in the assault on the fort (они несомненно направлялись к Гвавеле, /чтобы/ присоединиться к атаке на форт). Damn it, we're farther away than ever, now (проклятие, мы сейчас дальше, чем /были/ когда-либо). We've got to get across the river (мы имеем = нам нужно перебраться через реку)."

warnor [ˈwɔ: nə], assault [əˈsɔ: lt], undoubtedly [ʌnˈdautɪdlɪ]

"A short chase like this they'd yell every step of the way. No. They've gone back. I thought I heard somebody yelling behind them a few seconds before the noise began to get dimmer. They've been recalled. And that's good for us, but damned bad for the men in the fort. It means the warriors are being summoned out of the woods for the attack. Those men we ran into were warnors from a tribe down the river. They were undoubtedly headed for Gwawela to join in the assault on the fort. Damn it, we're farther away than ever, now. We've got to get across the river."

Turning east he hurried through the thickets with no attempt at concealment (повернув на восток, он поспешил через заросли без попытки = не пытаясь, скрываться). Balthus followed him, for the first time feeling the sting of lacerations on his breast and shoulder where the Pict's savage teeth had scored him (Балтус последовал за ним, в первый раз почувствовав острую боль на /его/ груди и плече, где свирепые зубы пикта оставили глубокие следы /на нем/). He was pushing through the thick bushes that hinged the bank when Conan pulled him back (он пробивался сквозь густые кусты, которые нависали над берегом, когда Конан потащил его назад). Then he heard a rhythmic splashing (затем он услышал ритмичный плеск), and peering through the leaves (и, глядя сквозь листья; to peer — вглядываться, вперять взгляд), saw a dugout canoe coming up the river (увидел каноэ-долбленку, идущую вверх по реке; to dig — копать, рыть), its single occupant paddling hard against the current (ее единственный обитатель упорно греб против течения). He was a strongly built Pict with a white heron feather (он был крепкосложенным пиктом с белым пером цапли) thrust in a copper band (вставленным в медную ленту) that confined his square- cut mane (которая охватывала его прямоугольно постриженную гриву).

rhythmic [ˈrɪðmɪk], current [ˈkʌrənt], heron [ˈherən]

Turning east he hurried through the thickets with no attempt at concealment. Balthus followed him, for the first time feeling the sting of lacerations on his breast and shoulder where the Pict's savage teeth had scored him. He was pushing through the thick bushes that hinged the bank when Conan pulled him back. Then he heard a rhythmic splashing, and peering through the leaves, saw a dugout canoe coming up the river, its single occupant paddling hard against the current. He was a strongly built Pict with a white heron feather thrust in a copper band that confined his square-cut mane.

"That's a Gwawela man," muttered Conan (это человек из Гвавелы, — пробормотал Конан). "Emissary from Zogar (эмиссар от Зогара). White plume shows that (белое перо указывает на это). He's carried a peace talk to the tribes down the river (он нес слово о мире племенам в низовьях реки) and now he's trying to get back and take a hand in the slaughter (а сейчас он пытается вернуться и принять участие в бойне; to take a hand in — участвовать, принять участие)."

emissary [ˈemɪsərɪ], peace [pi: s], hand [hænd]

"That's a Gwawela man," muttered Conan. "Emissary from Zogar. White plume shows that. He's carried a peace talk to the tribes down the river and now he's trying to get back and take a hand in the slaughter."

The lone ambassador was now almost even with their hiding-place, and suddenly Balthus almost jumped out of his skin (одинокий посол /был/ теперь почти поравнялся с их укрытием, и вдруг Балтус чуть не выпрыгнул из своей кожи). At his very ear had sounded the harsh gutturals of a Pict (у самого его уха раздались резкие гортанные звуки пикта). Then he realized that Conan had called to the paddler in his own tongue (затем он понял, что Конан позвал гребца на его собственном = родном языке). The man started, scanned the bushes and called back something (человек дернулся, осмотрел кусты и ответил что-то), then cast a startled glance across the river (затем бросил испуганный взгляд за реку), bent low and sent the canoe shooting in toward the western bank (низко наклонился и направил каноэ быстро = стрелой к западному берегу). Not understanding, Balthus saw Conan take from his hand the bow he had picked up in the glade, and notch an arrow (не понимая, Балтус увидел, /как/ Конан взял из его руки лук, /который/ он подобрал на поляне и наложил стрелу; notch — выемка, метка, зарубка; to notch — /зд./ ставить стрелу на тетиву).

ambassador [æmˈbæsədə], paddler [ˈpædlə], startled [ˈstɑ:tld]

The lone ambassador was now almost even with their hiding-place, and suddenly Balthus almost jumped out of his skin. At his very ear had sounded the harsh gutturals of a Pict. Then he realized that Conan had called to the paddler in his own tongue. The man started, scanned the bushes and called back something, then cast a startled glance across the river, bent low and sent the canoe shooting in toward the western bank. Not understanding, Balthus saw Conan take from his hand the bow he had picked up in the glade, and notch an arrow.

The Pict had run his canoe in close to the shore, and staring up into the bushes, called out something (пикт подогнал /свое/ каноэ близко к берегу и вглядываясь в кусты, выкрикнул что-то). His answer came in the twang of the bow-string (его ответ пришел в звоне тетивы = ему ответил звон тетивы), the streaking flight of the arrow (стремительный полет стрелы) that sank to the feathers in his broad breast (которая погрузилась в перья на его широкой груди). With a choking gasp he slumped sidewise and rolled into the shallow water (с задыхающимся дыханием = хрипом он упал вбок и скатился в мелкую воду = в мелководье). In an instant Conan was down the bank and wading into the water to grasp the drifting canoe (черег миг Конан был вниз берега = спустился на берег и вошел в воду, /чтобы/ схватить дрейфующее каноэ). Balthus stumbled after him and somewhat dazedly crawled into the canoe (Балтус заковылял за ним и как-то обалдело заполз в каноэ; to daze — изумить; ошеломить, удивить, поразить). Conan scrambled in, seized the paddle (Конан вскарабкался вовнутрь, схватил весло) and sent the craft shooting toward the eastern shore (и направил суденышко стрелой к восточному берегу). Balthus noted with envious admiration the play of the great muscles beneath the sun-burnt skin (Балтус заметил с завистливым восхищением перекатывание огромных мускулов под загорелой кожей). The Cimmerian seemed an iron man, who never knew fatigue (киммериец казался железным человеком, который никогда /не/ знал усталости).

shallow [ˈʃæləu], craft [krɑ:ft], fatigue [fəˈti: ɡ]

The Pict had run his canoe in close to the shore, and staring up into the bushes, called out something. His answer came in the twang of the bow-string, the streaking flight of the arrow that sank to the feathers in his broad breast. With a choking gasp he slumped sidewise and rolled into the shallow water. In an instant Conan was down the bank and wading into the water to grasp the drifting canoe. Balthus stumbled after him and somewhat dazedly crawled into the canoe. Conan scrambled in, seized the paddle and sent the craft shooting toward the eastern shore. Balthus noted with envious admiration the play of the great muscles beneath the sun-burnt skin. The Cimmerian seemed an iron man, who never knew fatigue.

"What did you say to the Pict?" asked Balthus (что ты сказал пикту? — спросил Балтус).

"Told him to pull into shore (велел ему подплыть к берегу); said there was a white forest runner on the bank who was trying to get a shot at him (сказал, /что/ на берегу /есть/ белый лазутчик, который пытается подстрелить его; to get a shot at — выстрелить в, стрельнуть по)."

"That doesn't seem fair," Balthus objected (это, кажется, нечестно, — неодобрительно заметил Балтус; to object — возражать, не одобрять, сказать неодобрительно). "He thought a friend was speaking to him (он думал, друг разговаривает с ним). You mimicked a Pict perfectly — (ты скопировал пикта в совершенстве)"

fair [fɛə], friend [frend], perfectly [ˈpə: fəktlɪ]

"What did you say to the Pict?" asked Balthus.

"Told him to pull into shore; said there was a white forest runner on the bank who was trying to get a shot at him."

"That doesn't seem fair," Balthus objected. "He thought a friend was speaking to him. You mimicked a Pict perfectly —»

"We needed his boat," grunted Conan, not pausing in his exertions (мы нуждались в его лодке, — пробурчал Конан, не прекращая своих усилий = грести).

"Only way to lure him to the bank (единственный способ заманить его к берегу). Which is worse — to betray a Pict who'd enjoy skinning us both alive (что хуже — обмануть пикта, который был бы рад содрать с нас обоих шкуру живьем), or betray the men across the river whose lives depend on our getting over (или предать людей за рекой, чьи жизни зависят от нашей переправы = от того, сможем ли мы переправиться; to skin — сдирать шкуру)?" Balthus mulled over this delicate ethical question for a moment (Балтус задумался над этим деликатным этическим вопросом на секунду), then shrugged his shoulders and asked: "How far are we from the fort (потом пожал /своими/ плечами и спросил: как далеко мы от форта)?"

Conan pointed to a creek which flowed into Black River from the east, a few hundred yards below them (Конан показал на речушку, которая впадала в Черную реку с востока, в нескольких сотнях ярдов ниже их /по течению/).

exertion [ɪɡˈzə: ʃn], betray [bɪˈtreɪ], depend [dɪˈpend]

We needed his boat," grunted Conan, not pausing in his exertions. "Only way to lure him to the bank. Which is worse — to betray a Pict who'd enjoy skinning us both alive, or betray the men across the river whose lives depend on our getting over?"

Balthus mulled over this delicate ethical question for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders and asked: "How far are we from the fort?"

Conan pointed to a creek which flowed into Black River from the east, a few hundred yards below them.

"That's South Creek; it's ten miles from its mouth to the fort (это Южный приток, это десять миль от его устья до форта = от его устья до форта десять миль). It's the southern boundary of Conajohara (это южная граница Конаджохары). Marshes miles wide south of it (болота шириной /в/ мили южнее ее). No danger of a raid from across them (никакой опасности налета из-за них). Nine miles above the fort North Creek forms the other boundary (/в/ девяти милях выше форта Северный приток образует другую границу). Marshes beyond that, too (за ним тоже болота). That's why an attack must come from the west, across Black River (вот почему атака должна = нападения нужно ожидать придти с запада, через = из-за Черной реки). Conajohara's just like a spear, with a point nineteen miles wide, thrust into the Pictish wilderness (Конаджохара — как раз как копье с наконечником шириной в девятнадцать миль, вонзенным в пиктские пустоши)."

mouth [mauƟ], southern [ˈsʌðən], wilderness [ˈwɪldənɪs]

That's South Creek; it's ten miles from its mouth to the fort. It's the southern boundary of Conajohara. Marshes miles wide south of it. No danger of a raid from across them. Nine miles above the fort North Creek forms the other boundary. Marshes beyond that, too. That's why an attack must come from the west, across Black River. Conajohara's just like a spear, with a point nineteen miles wide, thrust into the Pictish wilderness."

"Why don't we keep to the canoe and make the trip by water (почему /бы/ нам не оставить /себе/ каноэ и не совершить путешествие по воде)?"

"Because, considering the current we've got to brace, and the bends in the river, we can go faster afoot (потому что, учитывая поток, /который/ нам нужно преодолевать, и излучины на реке, мы можем идти быстрее пешком). Besides, remember Gwawela is south of the fort; if the Picts are crossing the river we'd run right into them (кроме того, помни = не забывай, /что/ Гвавела южнее форта, если пикты пересекают реку, мы бы натолкнулись на них)."

"Why don't we keep to the canoe and make the trip by water?"

"Because, considering the current we've got to brace, and the bends in the river, we can go faster afoot. Besides, remember Gwawela is south of the fort; if the Picts are crossing the river we'd run right into them."

Dusk was gathering as they stepped upon the eastern bank (собирались = сгущались сумерки, когда они ступили на восточный берег). Without pause Conan pushed on northward, at a pace that made Balthus' sturdy legs ache (без остановки Конан двинулся на север в темпе, который заставил выносливые ноги Балтуса болеть = отдавался болью в выносливых ногах Балтуса). "Valannus wanted a fort built at the mouths of North and South Creeks," grunted the Cimmerian (Валаннус хотел форт построенным = хотел, чтобы построили форт в устьях Северного и Южного притоков; to build — построить). "Then the river could be patrolled constantly (тогда бы реку можно было патрулировать постоянно). But the Government wouldn't do it (но правительство не захотело этого).

ache [eɪk], want [wɔnt], constantly [ˈkɔnstəntlɪ]

Dusk was gathering as they stepped upon the eastern bank. Without pause Conan pushed on northward, at a pace that made Balthus' sturdy legs ache.

"Valannus wanted a fort built at the mouths of North and South Creeks," grunted the Cimmerian. "Then the river could be patrolled constantly. But the Government wouldn't do it.

"Soft-bellied fools sitting on velvet cushions with naked girls offering them iced wine on their knees (толстопузые глупцы, сидящие на бархатных подушках с обнаженными девицами, предлагающими им охлажденное /льдом/ вино на /своих/ коленях; ice — лед). — I know the breed (я знаю эту породу). They can't see any farther than their palace wall (они не могут видеть дальше их дворцовой стены). Diplomacy — hell (дипломатия — ад = проклятие)! They'd fight Picts with theories of territorial expansion (они сражались бы с пиктами с помощью теорий территориальной экспансии). Valannus and men like him have to obey the orders of a set of damned fools (Валаннусу и людям, таким как он, приходится подчиняться приказам кучки треклятых дураков; set — круг людей, связанных своим статусом, общими интересами, привычками или занятием: группа, компания, шайка и т. п.). They'll never grab any more Pictish land, any more than they'll ever rebuild Venarium (они никогда /не/ захватят больше пиктской земли, /не/ больше, чем если = даже если /они/ когда- нибудь восстановят Венариум). The time may come when they'll see the barbarians swarming over the walls of the eastern cities (возможно, придет время, когда они увидят варваров, кишащих за стенами восточных городов)!"

velvet [ˈvelvɪt], cushion [ˈkʌʃn], damned [dæmd]

"Soft-bellied fools sitting on velvet cushions with naked girls offering them iced wine on their knees. — I know the breed. They can't see any farther than their palace wall. Diplomacy — hell! They'd fight Picts with theories of territorial expansion. Valannus and men like him have to obey the orders of a set of damned fools. They'll never grab any more Pictish land, any more than they'll ever rebuild Venarium. The time may come when they'll see the barbarians swarming over the walls of the eastern cities!"

A week before, Balthus would have laughed at any such preposterous suggestion (неделей раньше Балтус посмеялся бы над любым таким абсурдным предположением). Now he made no reply (теперь он не ответил: «сделал никакого ответа»; to make — делать, изготовлять). He had seen the unconquerable ferocity of the men who dwelt beyond the frontiers (он /уже/ видел непобедимую ярость людей, которые жили за границей; to dwell — жить, проживать).

He shivered, casting glances at the sullen river, just visible through the bushes (он вздрогнул, бросая взгляды на медленную реку, как раз видимую сквозь кусты), at the arches of the trees which crowded close to its banks (на своды деревьев, которые теснились возле ее берегов). He kept remembering that the Picts might have crossed the river and be lying in ambush between them and the fort (он продолжал помнить = все еще помнил, что пикты, возможно, пересекли реку и лежат в засаде между ними и фортом). It was fast growing dark (/оно/ быстро становилось темно = быстро темнело).

preposterous [prɪˈpɔstərəs], unconquerable [ʌnˈkɔŋkərəbl], ferocity [fəˈrɔsɪtɪ]

A week before, Balthus would have laughed at any such preposterous suggestion. Now he made no reply. He had seen the unconquerable ferocity of the men who dwelt beyond the frontiers.

He shivered, casting glances at the sullen river, just visible through the bushes, at the arches of the trees which crowded close to its banks. He kept remembering that the Picts might have crossed the river and be lying in ambush between them and the fort. It was fast growing dark.

A slight sound ahead of them jumped his heart into his throat (легкий звук = шорох впереди них подбросил его сердце к его горлу = от легкого шороха у него подпрыгнуло сердце), and Conan's sword gleamed in the air (а меч Конана сверкнул в воздухе). He lowered it when a dog, a great, gaunt, scarred beast (он опустил его, когда собака, огромный сухопарый зверь в шрамах), slunk out of the bushes and stood staring at them (выскользнул из кустов и стоял, уставившись на них; to slink out — выскользнуть).

"That dog belonged to a settler who tried to build his cabin on the bank of the river a few miles south of the fort," grunted Conan (этот пес принадлежал поселенцу, который попытался построить свою хижину на берегу реки /в/ нескольких милях южнее форта, — проворчал Конан). "The Picts slipped over and killed him, of course, and burned his cabin (пикты переправились и убили его, конечно, и сожгли его хижину). We found him dead among the embers, and the dog lying senseless among three Picts he'd killed (мы нашли его мертвым среди углей и пса, лежащим без чувств между трех пиктов, /которых/ он убил). He was almost cut to pieces (он был почти разрезан на куски). We took him to the fort and dressed his wounds (мы отнесли его в форт и перевязали его раны), but after he recovered he took to the woods and turned wild (но после того как он оправился, он подался в лес и одичал; to turn wild — одичать). — What now, Slasher, are you hunting the men who killed your master (что теперь, Задира, ты охотишься на людей, которые убили твоего хозяина)?"

ember [ˈembə], senseless [ˈsenslɪs], master [ˈmɑ:stə]

A slight sound ahead of them jumped his heart into his throat, and Conan's sword gleamed in the air. He lowered it when a dog, a great, gaunt, scarred beast, slunk out of the bushes and stood staring at them.

"That dog belonged to a settler who tried to build his cabin on the bank of the river a few miles south of the fort," grunted Conan. "The Picts slipped over and killed him, of course, and burned his cabin. We found him dead among the embers, and the dog lying senseless among three Picts he'd killed. He was almost cut to pieces. We took him to the fort and dressed his wounds, but after he recovered he took to the woods and turned wild. — What now, Slasher, are you hunting the men who killed your master?"

The massive head swung from side to side and the eyes glowed greenly (массивная голова закачалась из стороны в сторону, а глаза пылали зеленоватым). He did not growl or bark (он не рычал и не лаял). Silently as a phantom he slid in behind them (молча, как фантом, он скользнул за них).

"Let him come," muttered Conan (пусть идет /с нами/: «позволь ему идти», — пробормотал Конан; to come — приходить, идти вместе). "He can smell the devils before we can see them (он может учуять демонов раньше, чем мы можем увидеть их = чем мы увидим их)."

The massive head swung from side to side and the eyes glowed greenly. He did not growl or bark. Silently as a phantom he slid in behind them.

"Let him come," muttered Conan. "He can smell the devils before we can see them."

Balthus smiled and laid his hand caressingly on the dog's head (Балтус улыбнулся и положил /свою/ руку ласково на голову собаки). The lips involuntarily writhed back to display the gleaming fangs (губы невольно оттянулись, /чтобы/ показать сверкающие клыки); then the great beast bent his head sheepishly (потом огромный зверь наклонил /свою/ голову застенчиво / глуповато; sheep — овца), and his tail moved with jerky uncertainty (а его хвост задвигался с двигающейся толчками неуверенностью = задергался неуверенно толчками), as if the owner had almost forgotten the emotions of friendliness (как будто владелец /хвоста/ почти забыл чувства дружбы; to forget — забывать). Balthus mentally compared the great gaunt hard body with the fat sleek hounds (Балтус мысленно сравнил огромное сухопарое крепкое тело с толстыми гладкими охотничьими собаками) tumbling vociferously over one another in his father's kennel yard (кувыркающимися шумно друг через друга во дворе псарни его отца; kennel — собачья конура; псарня; yard — двор). He sighed (он вздохнул). The frontier was no less hard for beasts than for men (граница была не менее тяжелой для зверей, чем для людей). This dog had almost forgotten the meaning of kindness and friendliness (этот пес почти забыл значение доброты и дружелюбия).

involuntarily [ɪnˈvɔləntərəlɪ], vociferously [vəuˈsɪferəslɪ], sigh [saɪ]

Balthus smiled and laid his hand caressingly on the dog's head. The lips involuntarily writhed back to display the gleaming fangs; then the great beast bent his head sheepishly, and his tail moved with jerky uncertainty, as if the owner had almost forgotten the emotions of friendliness. Balthus mentally compared the great gaunt hard body with the fat sleek hounds tumbling vociferously over one another in his father's kennel yard. He sighed. The frontier was no less hard for beasts than for men. This dog had almost forgotten the meaning of kindness and friendliness.

Slasher glided ahead, and Conan let him take the lead (Задира проскользнул вперед, и Конан позволил ему возглавлять шествие). The last tinge of dusk faded into stark darkness (последний оттенок сумерек растворился в полнейшей тьме). The miles fell away under their steady feet (мили исчезали под их крепкими ногами). Slasher seemed voiceless (Задира казался немым).

Suddenly he halted, tense, ears lifted (вдруг он остановился, напряженный, уши подняты = торчком). An instant later the men heard it — a demoniac yelling up the river ahead of them, faint as a whisper (мгновение спустя люди услышали это — демонические крики вверх по реке впереди них, слабые, как шорох).

Conan swore like a madman (Конан ругался как сумасшедший). to swear like a trooper. Да и пьют у нас, как сапожник, а у них — как рыба: to drink like a fish.

"They've attacked the fort (они напали на форт)! We're too late (мы опоздали: «мы слишком поздно»)! Come on (давай / вперед)!"

demoniac [dɪˈməunɪæk], swore [swɔ: ], steady [stedɪ]

Slasher glided ahead, and Conan let him take the lead. The last tinge of dusk faded into stark darkness. The miles fell away under their steady feet. Slasher seemed voiceless. Suddenly he halted, tense, ears lifted. An instant later the men heard it — a demoniac yelling up the river ahead of them, faint as a whisper. Conan swore like a madman.

"They've attacked the fort! We're too late! Come on!"

He increased his pace, trusting to the dog to smell out ambushes ahead (он ускорил шаг, доверяя собаке разнюхивать засады впереди). In a flood of tense excitement Balthus forgot his hunger and weariness (в потоке напряженного волнения Балтус забыл про голод и усталость). The yells grew louder as they advanced (крики стали громче, когда они продвинулись вперед), and above the devilish screaming they could hear the deep shouts of the soldiers (и над адскими воплями, они могли слышать низкие крики солдат; deep — глубокий). Just as Balthus began to fear they would run into the savages who seemed to be howling just ahead of them (как раз когда Балтус начал опасаться, /что/ они наткнутся на дикарей, которые, казалось, воют прямо перед ними), Conan swung away from the river in a wide semicircle that carried them to a low rise (Конан свернул от реки широким полукругом, который вел их к невысокой возвышенности) from which they could look over the forest (с которой они могли заглянуть за лес). They saw the fort, lighted with torches thrust over the parapets on long poles (они увидели форт, освещенный факелами, воткнутыми за парапетами на длинных шестах). These cast a flickering, uncertain light over the clearing (они отбрасывали мерцающий неясный свет через росчисть), and in that light they saw throngs of naked, painted figures along the fringe of the clearing (и в этом свете они увидели толпы голых раскрашенных фигур вдоль бахромы росчисти). The river swarmed with canoes (река кишела каноэ). The Picts had the fort completely surrounded (пикты полностью окружили форт).

flood [flʌd], weariness [ˈwɪərɪnɪs], fringe [frɪnʤ]

He increased his pace, trusting to the dog to smell out ambushes ahead. In a flood of tense excitement Balthus forgot his hunger and weariness. The yells grew louder as they advanced, and above the devilish screaming they could hear the deep shouts of the soldiers. Just as Balthus began to fear they would run into the savages who seemed to be howling just ahead of them, Conan swung away from the river in a wide semicircle that carried them to a low rise from which they could look over the forest. They saw the fort, lighted with torches thrust over the parapets on long poles. These cast a flickering, uncertain light over the clearing, and in that light they saw throngs of naked, painted figures along the fringe of the clearing. The river swarmed with canoes. The Picts had the fort completely surrounded.

An incessant hail of arrows rained against the stockade from the woods and the river (непрерывный град стрел обрушился на укрепление из леса и с реки). The deep twanging of the bowstrings rose above the howling (низкое треньканье тетивы луков поднялось над воем). Yelling like wolves (завывая как волки), several hundred naked warriors with axes in their hands (несколько сотен голых воинов с топорами в /их/ руках) ran from under the trees and raced toward the eastern gate (выбежали из-под деревьев и бросились к восточным воротам). They were within a hundred and fifty yards of their objective (они были в пределах ста пятидесяти ярдов от своей цели) when a withering blast of arrows from the wall littered the ground with corpses (когда смертоносный поток стрел со стены усеял землю трупами) and sent the survivors fleeing back to the trees (и отправил выживших /убегающими/ назад к деревьям). The men in the canoes rushed their boats toward the river-wall (люди в каноэ бросили свои лодки к стене, выходящей на реку,), and were met by another shower of clothyard shafts (и были встречены еще одним градом стрел) and a volley from the small ballistae mounted on towers on that side of the stockade (и залпом из небольших баллист, установленных на башнях по ту сторону частокола). Stones and logs whirled through the air and splintered and sank half a dozen canoes (камни и бревна пронеслись в воздухе и раздробили и потопили полдюжины каноэ), killing their occupants, and the other boats drew back out of range (убивая их пассажиров, а остальные лодки отошли за пределы досягаемости; out of range — вне досягаемости). A deep roar of triumph rose from the walls of the fort, answered by bestial howling from all quarters (низкий триумфальный рев поднялся со стен форта, /на который/ ответил звериный вой со всех сторон).

incessant [ɪnˈsesnt], survivor [səˈvaɪvə], triumph [ˈtraɪəmf]

An incessant hail of arrows rained against the stockade from the woods and the river. The deep twanging of the bowstrings rose above the howling. Yelling like wolves, several hundred naked warriors with axes in their hands ran from under the trees and raced toward the eastern gate. They were within a hundred and fifty yards of their objective when a withering blast of arrows from the wall littered the ground with corpses and sent the survivors fleeing back to the trees. The men in the canoes rushed their boats toward the river-wall, and were met by another shower of clothyard shafts and a volley from the small ballistae mounted on towers on that side of the stockade. Stones and logs whirled through the air and splintered and sank half a dozen canoes, killing their occupants, and the other boats drew back out of range. A deep roar of triumph rose from the walls of the fort, answered by bestial howling from all quarters.

"Shall we try to break through?" asked Balthus, trembling with eagerness (мы попробуем прорваться? — спросил Балтус, дрожа с = от нетерпения).

Conan shook his head (Конан покачал /своей/ головой). He stood with his arms folded, his head slightly bent (он стоял, скрестив руки на груди, слегка склонив голову: «с его руками скрещенными, его голова слегка склоненная»), a somber and brooding figure (мрачная и погруженная в размышления фигура). "The fort's doomed (форт обречен; to doom — обрекать, приговаривать). The Picts are blood-mad, and won't stop until they're all killed (пикты кровожадны, и не остановятся, пока /они/ все /не/ будут убиты). And there are too many of them for the men in the fort to kill (а их слишком много: «там есть слишком много из них» для людей в форте, /чтобы/ убить). We couldn't break through, and if we did, we could do nothing but die with Valannus (мы не смогли бы прорваться, а если бы /мы/ /и/ сделали = прорвались, /то мы не/ смогли бы сделать ничего, кроме /как/ умереть с Валаннусом)."

eagerness [ˈi: ɡənɪs], figure [ˈfɪɡə], with [wɪð]

"Shall we try to break through?" asked Balthus, trembling with eagerness. Conan shook his head. He stood with his arms folded, his head slightly bent, a somber and brooding figure.

"The fort's doomed. The Picts are blood-mad, and won't stop until they're all killed. And there are too many of them for the men in the fort to kill. We couldn't break through, and if we did, we could do nothing but die with Valannus."

"There's nothing we can do but save our own hides, then (значит, мы ничего не можем сделать: «там есть ничего мы можем сделать», кроме как спасти наши собственные шкуры)?"

"Yes. We've got to warn the settlers (да = нет, можем. Мы должны предупредить поселенцев; to warn — предостеречь). Do you know why the Picts are not trying to burn the fort with fire-arrows (/ты/ знаешь, почему пикты не пытаются поджечь форт горящими стрелами)? Because they don't want a flame that might warn the people to the east (потому что они не хотят пламени = им не нужен огонь, который мог бы предупредить людей на востоке). They plan to stamp out the fort, and then sweep east before anyone knows of its fall (они планируют уничтожить форт, а потом обрушиться на восток, пока никто /не/ знает о его падении). They may cross Thunder River and take Velitrium before the people know what's happened (они могут пересечь Громовую реку и взять Велитриум, прежде чем люди узнают = поймут, что случилось). At least they'll destroy every living thing between the fort and Thunder River (по меньшей мере, они уничтожат все живое: «каждую живую вещь» между фортом и Громовой рекой).

burn [bə: n], fall [fɔ: l], destroy [dɪˈstrɔɪ]

"There's nothing we can do but save our own hides, then?"

"Yes. We've got to warn the settlers. Do you know why the Picts are not trying to burn the fort with fire-arrows? Because they don't want a flame that might warn the people to the east. They plan to stamp out the fort, and then sweep east before anyone knows of its fall. They may cross Thunder River and take Velitrium before the people know what's happened. At least they'll destroy every living thing between the fort and Thunder River.

"We've failed to warn the fort (нам не удалось предупредить форт; to fail — не удаваться, не получаться, подводить), and I see now it would have done no good if we had succeeded и я вижу теперь, это ни принесло бы никакой пользы, если бы мы преуспели /в этом/; to do good — приносить пользу). The fort's too poorly manned (в форте слишком мало людей: «форт слишком бедно облюден»). A few more charges and the Picts will be over the walls and breaking down the gates (еще несколько атак, и пикты будут за стенами и разнесут ворота). But we can start the settlers toward Velitrium (но мы можем отправить поселенцев к Велитриуму). Come on (давай / шевелись)! We're outside the circle the Picts have thrown around the fort (мы снаружи кольца, /которое/ пикты раскинули вокруг форта). We'll keep clear of it (мы избежим его / будем держаться вне его; to keep clear of — остерегаться, избегать)."

see [si: ], poorly [ˈpuəlɪ], clear [klɪə]

"We've failed to warn the fort, and I see now it would have done no good if we had succeeded. The fort's too poorly manned. A few more charges and the Picts will be over the walls and breaking down the gates. But we can start the settlers toward Velitrium. Come on! We're outside the circle the Picts have thrown around the fort. We'll keep clear of it."

They swung out in a wide arc (они повернули по широкой дуге), hearing the rising and falling of the volume of the yells, marking each charge and repulse (слыша подъем и падение громкости криков = как усиливаются и стихают крики, знаменуя каждую атаку и /ее/ отражение). The men in the fort were holding their own (люди в форте сдерживали свои); but the shrieks of the Picts did not diminish in savagery (но крики пиктов не становились тише по свирепости; to diminish — убывать, уменьшаться). They vibrated with a timbre that held assurance of ultimate victory (они вибрировали с тембром, который поддерживал уверенность в окончательной победе).

Before Balthus realized they were close to it, they broke into the road leading east (прежде чем Балтус понял, /что/ они вблизи нее, они вышли на дорогу, ведущую на восток).

arc [ɑ:k], charge [ʧɑ:ʤ], assurance [əˈʃuərəns]

They swung out in a wide arc, hearing the rising and falling of the volume of the yells, marking each charge and repulse. The men in the fort were holding their own; but the shrieks of the Picts did not diminish in savagery. They vibrated with a timbre that held assurance of ultimate victory.

Before Balthus realized they were close to it, they broke into the road leading east.

"Now run!" grunted Conan (теперь беги! — рыкнул Конан). Balthus set his teeth (Балтус стиснул /свои/ зубы). It was nineteen miles to Velitrium, a good five to Scalp Creek beyond which began the settlements (/это/ было девятнадцать миль до Велитриума, добрых пять до притока Скальп, за которым начинались поселения). It seemed to the Aquilonian that they had been fighting and running for centuries (/это/ казалось аквилонцу = аквилонцу казалось, что они сражаются и бегут уже века). But the nervous excitement that rioted through his blood stimulated him to herculean efforts (но нервное возбуждение, которое будоражило /его/ кровь, стимулировало его на титанические: «геркулесовские» усилия).

nervous [ˈnə: vəs], excitement [ɪkˈsaɪtmənt], riot [ˈraɪət]

"Now run!" grunted Conan. Balthus set his teeth. It was nineteen miles to Velitrium, a good five to Scalp Creek beyond which began the settlements. It seemed to the Aquilonian that they had been fighting and running for centuries. But the nervous excitement that rioted through his blood stimulated him to herculean efforts.

Slasher ran ahead of them, his head to the ground (Задира бежал впереди них: /его/ голова /опущена/ к земле), snarling low, the first sound they had heard from him (низкий рык — первый звук, /который/ они услышали от него).

"Picts ahead of us!" snarled Conan, dropping to one knee and scanning the ground in the starlight (пикты перед нами! — прорычал Конан, припадая на одно колено и рассматривая землю в звездном свете). He shook his head, baffled (он покачал /своей/ головой озадаченно). "I can't tell how many (я не могу сказать сколько). Probably only a small party (возможно, лишь маленький отряд).

Some that couldn't wait to take the fort (несколько, которые не могли дождаться взятия форта). They've gone ahead to butcher the settlers in their beds (они ушли вперед, /чтобы/ убивать поселенцев в /их/ постелях)! Come on (вперед)!"

ahead [əˈhed], scan [skæn], small [smɔ: l]

Slasher ran ahead of them, his head to the ground, snarling low, the first sound they had heard from him.

"Picts ahead of us!" snarled Conan, dropping to one knee and scanning the ground in the starlight. He shook his head, baffled. "I can't tell how many. Probably only a small party. Some that couldn't wait to take the fort. They've gone ahead to butcher the settlers in their beds! Come on!"

Ahead of them presently they saw a small blaze through the trees, and, heard a wild and ferocious chanting (перед ними = собой теперь они увидели маленькое пламя среди деревьев и услышали дикое и свирепое пение). The trail bent there, and leaving it, they cut across the bend, through the thickets (тропа там сворачивала, и сойдя с нее, они срезали изгиб через заросли). A few moments later they were looking on a hideous sight (несколько секунд спустя они смотрели на отвратительное зрелище). An ox-wain stood in the road (телега, запряженная быками, стояла на дороге) piled with meager household furnishings (нагруженная скудной домашней утварью); it was burning (она горела); the oxen lay near with their throats cut (быки лежали рядом с перерезанным горлом; an ox — бык, вол, oxen — быки, волы). A man and a woman lay in the road, stripped and mutilated (мужчина и женщина лежали на дороге, раздетые и изуродованные). Five Picts were dancing about them with fantastic leaps and bounds (пять пиктов плясали вокруг них с причудливыми прыжками и скачками), waving bloody axes; one of them brandished the woman's red-smeared gown (размахивая окровавленными топорами, один из них выставлял женское платье, испачканное красным).

chanting [ʧɑ:ntɪŋ], household [ˈhaushəuld], gown [ɡaun]

Ahead of them presently they saw a small blaze through the trees, and, heard a wild and ferocious chanting. The trail bent there, and leaving it, they cut across the bend, through the thickets. A few moments later they were looking on a hideous sight. An ox-wain stood in the road piled with meager household furnishings; it was burning; the oxen lay near with their throats cut. A man and a woman lay in the road, stripped and mutilated. Five Picts were dancing about them with fantastic leaps and bounds, waving bloody axes; one of them brandished the woman's red-smeared gown.

At the sight a red haze swam before Balthus (при виде /этого/ красный туман поплыл перед /глазами/ Балтуса). Lifting his bow he lined the prancing figure, black against the fire, and loosed (подняв /свой/ лук, он навел /его/ на скачущую фигуру, черную на фоне огня, и отпустил тетиву). The slayer leaped convulsively and fell dead with the arrow through his heart (убийца подпрыгнул конвульсивно и упал мертвый, со стрелой в сердце). Then the two white men and the dog were upon the startled survivors (затем двое белых мужчин и пес набросились на пораженных уцелевших). Conan was animated merely by his fighting spirit and an old, old racial hate (Конан был воодушевлен своим бойцовским духом и старой-старой расовой ненавистью), but Balthus was afire with wrath (а Балтус был охвачен огнем гнева: «был зажжен гневом / был в огне от гнева»; afire — охваченный огнем).

prancing [prɑ:nsɪŋ], racial [ˈreʃəl], wrath [rɔƟ]

At the sight a red haze swam before Balthus. Lifting his bow he lined the prancing figure, black against the fire, and loosed. The slayer leaped convulsively and fell dead with the arrow through his heart. Then the two white men and the dog were upon the startled survivors. Conan was animated merely by his fighting spirit and an old, old racial hate, but Balthus was afire with wrath.

He met the first Pict to oppose him with a ferocious swipe (он встретил первого пикта, /который/ выступил против него, жестоким сильным ударом; swipe — сильный удар) that split the painted skull (который расколол раскрашенный череп), and sprang over his failing body to grapple with the others (и перепрыгнул его падающее: «слабеющее» тело, /чтобы/ схватиться с остальными). But Conan had already killed one of the two he had chosen, and the leap of the Aquilonian was a second late (но Конан уже убил одного из двух, /которых/ он выбрал, и прыжок аквилонца на секунду опоздал). The warrior was down with the long sword through him even as Balthus' ax was lifted (воин упал /пронзенный/ длинным мечом, как раз когда был поднят топор Балтуса). Turning toward the remaining Pict, Balthus saw Slasher rise from his victim, his great jaws dripping blood (обернувшись к оставшемуся пикту, Балтус увидел, /как/ Задира поднялся от своей жертвы, /а/ /из/ его огромных челюстей стекала кровь).

He met the first Pict to oppose him with a ferocious swipe that split the painted skull, and sprang over his failing body to grapple with the others. But Conan had already killed one of the two he had chosen, and the leap of the Aquilonian was a second late. The warrior was down with the long sword through him even as Balthus' ax was lifted. Turning toward the remaining Pict, Balthus saw Slasher rise from his victim, his great jaws dripping blood.

Balthus said nothing as he looked down at the pitiful forms in the road beside the burning wain (Балтус /не/ сказал ничего, когда /он/ посмотрел вниз на жалкие фигуры на дороге возле горящей повозки). Both were young, the woman little more than a girl (оба были молоды, женщина — почти девочка: «чуть больше, чем девочка»). By some whim of chance the Picts had left her face unmarred, and even in the agonies of an awful death it was beautiful (по какой-то прихоти судьбы пикты оставили ее лицо нетронутым, и даже в муках ужасной смерти оно было прекрасно). But her soft young body had been hideously slashed with many knives (но ее нежное молодое тело было страшно исполосовано множеством ножей) — a mist clouded Balthus' eyes and he swallowed chokingly (дымка затуманила глаза Балтуса, и он сглотнул, задыхаясь = пытаясь избавиться от комка в горле). The tragedy momentarily overcame him (трагедия на минуту переполнила его). He felt like falling upon the ground and weeping and biting the earth (ему захотелось упасть на землю и рыдать, и грызть землю; to feel like V-ing — хотеться сделать что-л.).

unmarred [ʌnˈmɑ:d], beside [bɪˈsaɪd], swallow [ˈswɔləu]

Balthus said nothing as he looked down at the pitiful forms in the road beside the burning wain. Both were young, the woman little more than a girl. By some whim of chance the Picts had left her face unmarred, and even in the agonies of an awful death it was beautiful. But her soft young body had been hideously slashed with many knives — a mist clouded Balthus' eyes and he swallowed chokingly. The tragedy momentarily overcame him. He felt like falling upon the ground and weeping and biting the earth.

"Some young couple just hitting out on their own," Conan was saying as he wiped his sword unemotionally (какая-то молодая пара как раз отправились самостоятельно, — Конан говорил, когда вытирал свой меч бесстрастно = говорил бесстрастно, вытирая свой меч). "On their way to the fort when the Picts met them (в путь в форт, когда пикты встретили их). Maybe the boy was going to enter the service; maybe take up land on the river (возможно, парень собирался поступить на службу, возможно, взять землю на реке). Well, that's what will happen to every man, woman, and child this side of Thunder River if we don't get them into Velitrium in a hurry (ну, вот что случится с каждым мужчиной, женщиной и ребенком по эту сторону Громовой реки, если мы не доставим их в Велитриум по-быстрее; in a hurry — в спешке, быстро)."

young [jʌŋ], couple [kʌpl], unemotionally [ʌnɪˈməuʃənlɪ]

"Some young couple just hitting out on their own," Conan was saying as he wiped his sword unemotionally. "On their way to the fort when the Picts met them. Maybe the boy was going to enter the service; maybe take up land on the river. Well, that's what will happen to every man, woman, and child this side of Thunder River if we don't get them into Velitrium in a hurry."

Balthus' knees trembled as he followed Conan (колени Балтуса задрожали, когда он последовал за Конаном). But there was no hint of weakness in the long easy stride of the Cimmerian (но не было /и/ намека на усталость в широком легком шаге киммерийца). There was a kinship between him and the great gaunt brute that glided beside him (было родство между ним и огромным поджарым животным, которое скользило возле него). Slasher no longer growled with his head to the trail (Задира больше не рычал, с /его/ головой, /склоненной/ к тропе). The way was clear before them (путь был чист перед ними). The yelling on the river came faintly to them, but Balthus believed the fort was still holding (крики на реке доносились слабо до них, но Балтус верил, /что/ форт еще держится). Conan halted suddenly, with an oath (Конан вдруг остановился с ругательством = ругнувшись).

Balthus' knees trembled as he followed Conan. But there was no hint of weakness in the long easy stride of the Cimmerian. There was a kinship between him and the great gaunt brute that glided beside him. Slasher no longer growled with his head to the trail. The way was clear before them. The yelling on the river came faintly to them, but Balthus believed the fort was still holding. Conan halted suddenly, with an oath.

He showed Balthus a trail that led north from the road (он показал Балтусу тропу, которая вела на север от дороги). It was an old trail, partly grown with new young growth, and this growth had recently been broken down (это была старая тропа, частично заросшая новой молодой порослью, и эта поросль недавно была сломана). Balthus realized this fact more by feel than sight, though Conan seemed to see like a cat in the dark (Балтус осознал этот факт больше ощущением, нежели зрением, хотя Конана, казалось, видит как кошка в темноте). The Cimmerian showed him where broad wagon tracks turned off the main trail, deeply indented in the forest mold (киммериец показал ему, где широкие следы телеги свернули с главной тропы, глубоко отпечатавшиеся в лесном рыхлом грунте).

show [ʃəu], recently [ˈri: sntlɪ], wagon [ˈwæɡən]

He showed Balthus a trail that led north from the road. It was an old trail, partly grown with new young growth, and this growth had recently been broken down. Balthus realized this fact more by feel than sight, though Conan seemed to see like a cat in the dark. The Cimmerian showed him where broad wagon tracks turned off the main trail, deeply indented in the forest mold.

"Settlers going to the licks after salt," he grunted (поселенцы едут на солончаки за солью, — проворчал он). "They're at the edges of the marsh, about nine miles from here (они на краю болота, около девяти миль отсюда). Blast it (проклятие)! They'll be cut off and butchered to a man (они будут отрезаны и убиты все до последнего: «до одного человека»)! Listen (слушай)! One man can warn the people on the road (один человек может предупредить людей на дороге). Go ahead and wake them up and herd them into Velitrium (иди вперед и буди их, и гони их в Велитриум). I'll go and get the men gathering the salt (я пойду и заберу людей, собирающих соль). They'll be camped by the licks (они станут лагерем у солончаков). We won't come back to the road (мы не будем возвращаться на дорогу). We'll head straight through the woods (мы пойдем напрямую через лес)."

salt [sɔ: lt], marsh [mɑ:ʃ], road [rəud]

"Settlers going to the licks after salt," he grunted. "They're at the edges of the marsh, about nine miles from here. Blast it! They'll be cut off and butchered to a man! Listen! One man can warn the people on the road. Go ahead and wake them up and herd them into Velitrium. I'll go and get the men gathering the salt. They'll be camped by the licks. We won't come back to the road. We'll head straight through the woods."

With no further comment Conan turned off the trail and hurried down the dim path (без дальнейших комментариев Конан свернул с тропы и поспешил по неясной тропинке), and Balthus, after staring after him for a few moments, set out along the road (а Балтус, посмотрев несколько секунд ему вслед, отправился по дороге). The dog had remained with him, and glided softly at his heels (пес остался с ним и плавно скользил вслед за ним; heel — пятка; каблук). When Balthus had gone a few rods he heard the animal growl (когда Балтус прошел несколько родов, он услышал, /как/ животное зарычало). Whirling, he glared back the way he had come (повернувшись, он посмотрел назад туда, откуда: «путь» он пришел), and was startled to see a vague ghostly glow vanishing into the forest in the direction Conan had taken (и был поражен, увидев неясный призрачный свет, исчезающий в лесу в том направлении, /в котором/ пошел Конан). Slasher rumbled deep in his throat (Задира зарычал низким горловым звуком: «глубоко в его глотке»), his hackles stiff and his eyes balls of green fire (его шерсть на загривке вздыбилась, а его глаза /стали/ шарами из зеленого пламени). Balthus remembered the grim apparition that had taken the head of the merchant Tiberias not far from that spot, and he hesitated (Балтус вспомнил страшное привидение, которое забрало голову купца Тибериаса недалеко от того места, и он заколебался). The thing must be following Conan (должно быть, тварь преследует Конана). But the giant Cimmerian had repeatedly demonstrated his ability to take care of himself (но гигантский киммериец неоднократно демонстрировал свою способность позаботиться о самом себе), and Balthus felt his duty lay toward the helpless settlers who slumbered in the path of the red hurricane (и Балтус чувствовал, что его долг лежал к = распространялся на беспомощных поселенцев, которые спали на пути кровавого урагана). The horror of the fiery phantom was overshadowed by the horror of those limp, violated bodies beside the burning ox-wain (ужас перед пламенным фантомом был перевешен ужасом от тех безвольных оскверненных тел рядом с горящей телегой с волами).

further [fə: ðə], remain [rɪˈmeɪn], hesitate [ˈhezɪteɪt]

With no further comment Conan turned off the trail and hurried down the dim path, and Balthus, after staring after him for a few moments, set out along the road. The dog had remained with him, and glided softly at his heels. When Balthus had gone a few rods he heard the animal growl. Whirling, he glared back the way he had come, and was startled to see a vague ghostly glow vanishing into the forest in the direction Conan had taken. Slasher rumbled deep in his throat, his hackles stiff and his eyes balls of green fire. Balthus remembered the grim apparition that had taken the head of the merchant Tiberias not far from that spot, and he hesitated.

The thing must be following Conan. But the giant Cimmerian had repeatedly demonstrated his ability to take care of himself, and Balthus felt his duty lay toward the helpless settlers who slumbered in the path of the red hurricane. The horror of the fiery phantom was overshadowed by the horror of those limp, violated bodies beside the burning ox-wain.

He hurried down the road, crossed Scalp Creek and came in sight of the first settler's cabin — a, long, low structure of ax-hewn logs (он поспешил по дороге, пересек приток Скальп и вошел в видимость = заметил первую хижину поселенца — длинное, низкое строение из отесанных /топором/ бревен). In an instant he was pounding on the door (через миг он колотил по двери). A sleepy voice inquired his pleasure (сонный голос поинтересовался о его желании = поинтересовался, что ему угодно).

"Get up! The Picts are over the river (вставайте! Пикты перешли реку; to be over — пересечь, переправиться)!"

sleepy [ˈsli: pɪ], inquire [ɪnˈkwaɪə], door [dɔ:]

He hurried down the road, crossed Scalp Creek and came in sight of the first settler's cabin — a, long, low structure of ax-hewn logs. In an instant he was pounding on the door. A sleepy voice inquired his pleasure.

"Get up! The Picts are over the river!"

That brought instant response (это вызвало мгновенный ответ). A low cry echoed his words and then the door was thrown open by a woman in a scanty shift (тихий крик эхом повторил его слова, и потом дверь была распахнута женщиной в скудной = короткой сорочке). Her hair hung over her bare shoulders in disorder; she held a candle in one hand and an ax in the other (ее волосы свисали через ее голые плечи в беспорядке = ее волосы в беспорядке свисали на голые плечи, она держала свечу в одной руке и топор в другой). Her face was colorless, her eyes wide with terror (ее лицо было бледным, ее глаза расширены от ужаса).

"Come in!" she begged (входите! — умоляла она). "We'll hold the cabin (мы удержим хижину)."

"No. We must make for Velitrium (нет, мы должны двигаться в Велитриум). The fort can't hold them back (форт не может их удержать). It may have fallen already (возможно, он уже пал). Don't stop to dress (не задерживайтесь, чтобы одеться). Get your children and come on (хватайте детей и вперед)."

brought [brɔ: t], colorless [ˈkʌləlɪs], children [ˈʧɪldrən]

That brought instant response. A low cry echoed his words and then the door was thrown open by a woman in a scanty shift. Her hair hung over her bare shoulders in disorder; she held a candle in one hand and an ax in the other. Her face was colorless, her eyes wide with terror.

"Come in!" she begged. "We'll hold the cabin."

"No. We must make for Velitrium. The fort can't hold them back. It may have fallen already. Don't stop to dress. Get your children and come on."

"But my man's gone with the others after salt!" she wailed, wringing her hands (но мой муж ушел с остальными за солью! — она запричитала, заламывая /ее/ руки). Behind her peered three tousled youngsters, blinking and bewildered (за ней выглядывали три взъерошенных юнца, щурящиеся и смущенные). "Conan's gone after them (Конан пошел за ними). He'll fetch them through safe (он проведет их в целости и сохранности). We must hurry up the road to warn the other cabins (мы должны спешить по дороге, /чтобы/ предупредить остальные дома)."

Relief flooded her countenance (облегчение нахлынуло на ее лицо). "Mitra be thanked!" she cried (благодарение Митре: «Митра будь отблагодарен», — воскликнула она). "If the Cimmerian's gone after them, they're safe if mortal man can save them (если киммериец пошел за ними, они в безопасности, если /только/ смертный человек может спасти их)!"

tousled [ˈtauzld], countenance [ˈkauntɪnəns], mortal [mɔ: tl]

"But my man's gone with the others after salt!" she wailed, wringing her hands. Behind her peered three tousled youngsters, blinking and bewildered.

"Conan's gone after them. He'll fetch them through safe. We must hurry up the road to warn the other cabins."

Relief flooded her countenance.

"Mitra be thanked!" she cried. "If the Cimmerian's gone after them, they're safe if mortal man can save them!"

In a whirlwind of activity she snatched up the smallest child and herded the others through the door ahead of her (в вихре деятельности она схватила самого маленького ребенка и погнала остальных через дверь впереди себя). Balthus took the candle and ground it out under his heel (Балтус схватил свечу и растоптал ее /под/ пяткой). He listened an instant (он прислушался на мгновение). No sound came up the dark road (ни звука /не/ доносилось на темной дороге).

"Have you got a horse (у тебя есть лошадь)?"

"In the stable," she groaned (в конюшне, — простонала она). "Oh, hurry (о, поспеши)!"

activity [ækˈtɪvɪtɪ], candle [kændl], horse [hɔ: s]

In a whirlwind of activity she snatched up the smallest child and herded the others through the door ahead of her. Balthus took the candle and ground it out under his heel. He listened an instant. No sound came up the dark road.

"Have you got a horse?"

"In the stable," she groaned. "Oh, hurry!"

He pushed her aside as she fumbled with shaking hands at the bars (он оттолкнул ее в сторону, когда она завозилась трясущимися руками с засовом). He led the horse out and lifted the children on its back, telling them to hold to its mane and to one another (он вывел лошадь и поднял детей ей на спину, велев им держаться за /ее/ гриву и друг за друга). They stared at him seriously, making no outcry (они смотрели на него серьезно, не создавая шума / не протестуя; outcry — неистовый крик; шум; шумный протест). The woman took the horse's halter and set out up the road (женщина взяла недоуздок лошади = лошадь за недоуздок и отправилась по дороге). She still gripped her ax and Balthus knew that if cornered she would fight with the desperate courage of a she-panther (она все еще сжимала свой топор, и Балтус знал, что если ее загнать в угол: «если загнанная в угол», она будет драться с отчаянной храбростью пантеры-самки; cornered — в трудном, затруднительном положении, загнанный в угол, припертый к стене; corner — угол).

fight [faɪt], desperate [ˈdespərɪt], courage [ˈkʌrɪʤ]

He pushed her aside as she fumbled with shaking hands at the bars. He led the horse out and lifted the children on its back, telling them to hold to its mane and to one another. They stared at him seriously, making no outcry. The woman took the horse's halter and set out up the road. She still gripped her ax and Balthus knew that if cornered she would fight with the desperate courage of a she-panther.

He held behind, listening (он задержался, прислушиваясь). He was oppressed by the belief that the fort had been stormed and taken (он был подавлен верой = мыслью, что форт уже штурмовали и взяли), that the dark-skinned hordes were already streaming up the road toward Velitrium (что темнокожие орды уже стремятся по дороге к Велитриуму), drunken on slaughter and mad for blood (опьяненные бойней и безумно жаждущие крови). They would come with the speed of starving wolves (они придут = примчатся со скоростью голодных волков; to starve — умирать от голода).

He held behind, listening. He was oppressed by the belief that the fort had been stormed and taken, that the dark-skinned hordes were already streaming up the road toward Velitrium, drunken on slaughter and mad for blood. They would come with the speed of starving wolves.

Presently they saw another cabin looming ahead (теперь они увидели еще одну хижину, маячившую впереди). The woman started to shriek a warning, but Balthus stopped her (женщина начала выкрикивать предупреждение, но Балтус остановил ее). He hurried to the door and knocked (он поспешил к двери и постучал). A woman's voice answered him (женский голос ответил ему). He repeated his warning, and soon the cabin disgorged its occupants — an old woman, two young women, and four children (он повторил свое предупреждение, и вскоре хижина исторгла своих обитателей — старуху, двух молодых женщин и четырех детей). Like the other woman's husband, their men had gone to the salt licks the day before, unsuspecting of any danger (как /и/ муж другой женщины, их мужчины ушли на солончаки день назад, не подозревая об /какой-либо/ опасности). One of the young women seemed dazed, the other prone to hysteria (одна из молодых женщин казалась оцепеневшей: «ошеломленной», другая собиралась впасть в истерику: «подвержена к истерике»). But the old woman, a stern old veteran of the frontier, quieted them harshly (но старуха, суровый старый ветеран границы, решительно угомонила их; harsh — жесткий, твердый, грубый, неприятный (на ощупь); шершавый, шероховатый); she helped Balthus get out the two horses that were stabled in a pen behind the cabin and put the children on them (она помогла Балтусу вывести двух лошадей, которые были поставлены в загоне для скота и посадить детей на них). Balthus urged that she herself mount with them (Балтус настаивал, чтобы они сама забралась /на лошадь/ с ними), but she shook her head and made one of the younger women ride (но она покачала головой и заставила скакать верхом одну из младших женщин; to make smb. do smth. — заставлять кого-л. делать что-л.).

knock [nɔk], husband [ˈhʌzbənd], women [ˈwɪmɪn]

Presently they saw another cabin looming ahead. The woman started to shriek a warning, but Balthus stopped her. He hurried to the door and knocked. A woman's voice answered him. He repeated his warning, and soon the cabin disgorged its occupants — an old woman, two young women, and four children. Like the other woman's husband, their men had gone to the salt licks the day before, unsuspecting of any danger. One of the young women seemed dazed, the other prone to hysteria. But the old woman, a stern old veteran of the frontier, quieted them harshly; she helped Balthus get out the two horses that were stabled in a pen behind the cabin and put the children on them. Balthus urged that she herself mount with them, but she shook her head and made one of the younger women ride.

"She's with child," grunted the old woman (она с ребенком = она ждет ребенка, — проворчала старуха). "I can walk — and fight, too, if it comes to that (я могу идти — и сражаться тоже, если это = дело дойдет до этого)."

As they set out, one of the young women said (когда они отправились, одна из молодых женщин сказала): "A young couple passed along the road about dusk (молодая пара проехала по дороге перед сумерками); we advised them to spend the night at our cabin, but they were anxious to make the fort tonight (мы советовали им провести ночь в нашей избе, но они хотели добраться до форта сегодня вечером; to be anxious to do smth. — хотеть, сильно желать сделать что-л.). Did — did — (делали = они…; did — служебный глагол прошедшего времени, который сообщает, что сейчас будет задан вопрос)"

"They met the Picts," answered Balthus briefly, and the woman sobbed in horror (они встретили пиктов, — ответил Балтус коротко, и женщина всхлипнула в ужасе).

anxious [ˈæŋkʃəs], briefly [ˈbri: flɪ], horror [ˈhɔrə]

"She's with child," grunted the old woman. "I can walk — and fight, too, if it comes to that."

As they set out, one of the young women said: "A young couple passed along the road about dusk; we advised them to spend the night at our cabin, but they were anxious to make the fort tonight. Did — did —»

"They met the Picts," answered Balthus briefly, and the woman sobbed in horror.

They were scarcely out of sight of the cabin when some distance behind them quavered a long high-pitched yell (они едва оказались вне видимости от дома = едва дом пропал из виду, когда = как на некотором расстоянии позади них завибрировал долгий пронзительный вопль).

"A wolf!" exclaimed one of the women (волк! — воскликнула одна из женщин).

"A painted wolf with an ax in his hand," muttered Balthus (раскрашенный волк с топором в /его/ руке, — пробормотал Балтус). "Go (идите / вперед)! Rouse the other settlers along the road and take them with you (поднимайте других поселенцев по дороге и уводите их с собой). I'll scout along behind (я разведаю сзади / прикрою)."

scarcely [ˈskɑ:slɪ], quaver [ˈkweɪvə], scout [skaut]

They were scarcely out of sight of the cabin when some distance behind them quavered a long high-pitched yell.

"A wolf!" exclaimed one of the women.

"A painted wolf with an ax in his hand," muttered Balthus. "Go! Rouse the other settlers along the road and take them with you. I'll scout along behind."

Without a word the old woman herded her charges ahead of her (без слов старуха погнала своих подопечных впереди себя). As they faded into the darkness, Balthus could see the pale-ovals that were the faces of the children twisted back over their shoulders to stare toward him (когда они растаяли во тьме, Балтус мог видеть бледные овалы, которые были лицами детей, обернувшихся через плечо, /чтобы/ посмотреть в его сторону: «к нему»). He remembered his own people on the Tauran and a moment's giddy sickness swam over him (он вспомнил своих родных: «его собственных людей» в Тауране, и секундная головокружительная тошнота нахлынула на него). With momentary weakness he groaned and sank down in the road (от кратковременной слабости он охнул и опустился на дорогу), his muscular arm fell over Slasher's massive neck and he felt the dog's warm moist tongue touch his face (его мускулистая рука упала через = охватила массивную шею Задиры, и он почувствовал, /как/ теплый влажный язык пса коснулся его лица).

remember [rɪˈmembə], giddy [ˈɡɪdɪ], muscular [ˈmʌskjulə]

Without a word the old woman herded her charges ahead of her. As they faded into the darkness, Balthus could see the pale-ovals that were the faces of the children twisted back over their shoulders to stare toward him. He remembered his own people on the Tauran and a moment's giddy sickness swam over him. With momentary weakness he groaned and sank down in the road, his muscular arm fell over Slasher's massive neck and he felt the dog's warm moist tongue touch his face.

He lifted his head and grinned with a painful effort (он поднял /свою/ голову и улыбнулся с болезненным усилием = выдавил улыбку).

"Come on, boy," he mumbled, rising (давай, парень, — пробурчал он, поднимаясь). "We've got work to do (у нас есть работа: «мы имеем работу делать»)."

He lifted his head and grinned with a painful effort.

"Come on, boy," he mumbled, rising. "We've got work to do."

A red glow suddenly became evident through the trees (красное зарево вдруг стало видно сквозь деревья = вдруг сквозь деревья стало видно красное зарево; evident — очевидный). The Picts had fired the last hut (пикты подожгли последнюю хижину). He grinned (он ухмыльнулся). How Zogar Sag would froth if he knew his warriors had let their destructive natures get the better of them (как бы вскипел Зогар Саг, если бы он узнал, что его воины позволили своей разрушительной сущности взять верх над собой). The fire would warn the people farther up the road (огонь предупредит людей дальше по дороге). They would be awake and alert when the fugitives reached them (они проснутся и поднимут тревогу, когда беглецы доберутся до них). But his face grew grim (но его лицо помрачнело). The women were traveling slowly, on foot and on the overloaded horses (женщины двигались медленно пешком и на перегруженных лошадях). The swift-footed Picts would run them down within a mile, unless — he took his position behind a tangle of fallen logs beside the trail (быстроногие пикты догонят их через милю, если он /не/ займет /свою/ позицию за грудой поваленных бревен возле тропы). The road west of him was lighted by the burning cabin (дорога на западе от него была освещена горящей хижиной), and when the Picts came he saw them first — black furtive figures etched against the distant glare (и когда пикты подошли, он увидел их первым — черные крадущие фигуры, отпечатавшиеся на фоне далекого зарева).

evident [ˈevɪdənt], overloaded [əuvəˈləudɪd], glare [ɡlɛə]

A red glow suddenly became evident through the trees. The Picts had fired the last hut. He grinned. How Zogar Sag would froth if he knew his warriors had let their destructive natures get the better of them. The fire would warn the people farther up the road. They would be awake and alert when the fugitives reached them. But his face grew grim. The women were traveling slowly, on foot and on the overloaded horses. The swift-footed Picts would run them down within a mile, unless — he took his position behind a tangle of fallen logs beside the trail. The road west of him was lighted by the burning cabin, and when the Picts came he saw them first — black furtive figures etched against the distant glare.

Drawing a shaft to the head, he loosed and one of the figures crumpled (оттянув стрелу к голове, он спустил тетиву, и одна из фигур рухнула). The rest melted into the woods on either side of the road (остальные исчезли в лесу по обе стороны дороги). Slasher whimpered with the killing lust beside him (Задира возле него заскулил от жажды убивать). Suddenly a figure appeared on the fringe of the trail, under the trees (вдруг одна фигура появилась на краю тропы, под деревьями), and began gliding toward the fallen timbers (и начала скользить = заскользила к поваленным бревнам). Balthus' bow-string twanged and the Pict yelped, staggered and fell into the shadows with the arrow through his thigh (тетива Балтуса зазвенела, и пикт завопил, зашатался и упал в тени со стрелой сквозь = в бедре). Slasher cleared the timbers with a bound and leaped into the bushes (Задира перескочил бревна прыжком и бросился в кусты). They were violently shaken and then the dog slunk back to Balthus' side, his jaws crimson (они яростно затряслись, и затем пес прокрался назад к Балтусу: «к стороне / боку Балтуса», /с/ окровавленными челюстями; crimson — малиновый, темно-красный, кармазинный).

crumple [krʌmpl], thigh [Ɵaɪ], crimson [krɪmzn]

Drawing a shaft to the head, he loosed and one of the figures crumpled. The rest melted into the woods on either side of the road. Slasher whimpered with the killing lust beside him. Suddenly a figure appeared on the fringe of the trail, under the trees, and began gliding toward the fallen timbers. Balthus' bow-string twanged and the Pict yelped, staggered and fell into the shadows with the arrow through his thigh. Slasher cleared the timbers with a bound and leaped into the bushes. They were violently shaken and then the dog slunk back to Balthus' side, his jaws crimson.

No more appeared in the trail (больше никого /не/ появлялось на тропе); Balthus began to fear they were stealing past his position through the woods (Балтус начал опасаться, /что/ они прокрались мимо его позиции через лес), and when he heard a faint sound to his left he loosed blindly (и когда он услышал слабый звук слева от него: «к его левому», он спустил тетиву вслепую). He cursed as he heard the shaft splinter against a tree (он выругался, когда услышал, /что/ его стрела ударилась о дерево), but Slasher glided away as silently as a phantom (но Задира унесся /так/ бесшумно, как фантом), and presently Balthus heard a thrashing and a gurgling (и теперь Балтсу услышал удары и бульканье); then Slasher came like a ghost through the bushes (потом Задира вернулся как привидение сквозь кусты), snuggling his great, crimson-stained head against Balthus' arm (прижавшись своей огромной, испачканной в красное головой к руке Балтуса). Blood oozed from a gash in his shoulder, but the sounds in the wood had ceased for ever (кровь сочилась из разреза на его плече, но звуки в лесу прекратились навсегда).

appear [əˈpɪə], steal [sti: l], cease [si: z]

No more appeared in the trail; Balthus began to fear they were stealing past his position through the woods, and when he heard a faint sound to his left he loosed blindly. He cursed as he heard the shaft splinter against a tree, but Slasher glided away as silently as a phantom, and presently Balthus heard a thrashing and a gurgling; then Slasher came like a ghost through the bushes, snuggling his great, crimson-stained head against Balthus' arm. Blood oozed from a gash in his shoulder, but the sounds in the wood had ceased for ever.

The men lurking on the edges of the road evidently sensed the fate of their companion (люди, таившиеся по краям дороги, очевидно догадались о судьбе их товарища), and decided that an open charge was preferable to being dragged down in the dark by a devil-beast they could neither see nor hear (и решили, что открытое нападение было предпочтительно тому, что их погубит в темноте дьявольская тварь: «бытию погубленным в темноте дьявольской тварью», /которую/ они /не/ могли ни видеть, ни слышать; to drag — тянуть, тащить, волочить; to drag down — ослаблять, разрушать). Perhaps they realized that only one man lay behind the logs (возможно, они поняли, что лишь один человек лежит за бревнами). They came with a sudden rush, breaking cover from both sides of the trail (они вдруг выбежали: «они пришли с неожиданным броском», ломая растительный покров с обеих сторон тропы). Three dropped with arrows through them — and the remaining pair hesitated (трое упали со стрелами в них: «сквозь них» — а оставшаяся пара заколебалась). One turned and ran back down the road (один повернул и побежал назад по дороге), but the other lunged over the breastwork, his eyes and teeth gleaming in the dim light, his ax lifted (а другой ринулся через бруствер /со/ /своими/ глазами и зубами, сверкающими в неясном свете, подняв свой топор). Balthus' foot slipped as he sprang up, but the slip saved his life (ступня Балтуса поскользнулась, когда он прыгнул = при прыжке, но это скольжение = это спасло ему жизнь). The descending ax shaved a lock of hair from his head, and the Pict rolled down the logs from the force of his wasted blow (опускающийся топор сбрил клок волос с его головы, а пикт скатился с бревен от силы его напрасно потраченного = ушедшего в пустоту удара). Before he could regain his feet Slasher tore his throat out (прежде чем он смог снова встать на ноги, Задира вырвал его горло; to regain one’s feet / footing — снова встать на ноги).

companion [kəmˈpænjən], preferable [ˈprefərəbl], hair [hɛə]

The men lurking on the edges of the road evidently sensed the fate of their companion, and decided that an open charge was preferable to being dragged down in the dark by a devil-beast they could neither see nor hear. Perhaps they realized that only one man lay behind the logs. They came with a sudden rush, breaking cover from both sides of the trail. Three dropped with arrows through them — and the remaining pair hesitated. One turned and ran back down the road, but the other lunged over the breastwork, his eyes and teeth gleaming in the dim light, his ax lifted. Balthus' foot slipped as he sprang up, but the slip saved his life. The descending ax shaved a lock of hair from his head, and the Pict rolled down the logs from the force of his wasted blow. Before he could regain his feet Slasher tore his throat out.

Then followed a tense period of waiting (затем последовал напряженный период ожидания), in which time Balthus wondered if the man who had fled had been the only survivor of the party (во время которого Балтус спрашивал себя, был ли человек, который убежал, единственным уцелевшим из отряда). Obviously it had been a small band that had either left the fighting at the fort, or was scouting ahead of the main body (очевидно, это был небольшой отряд, который либо покинул бой у форта, либо вел разведку перед главными силами). Each moment that passed increased the chances for safety of the women and children hurrying toward Velithum (каждый момент, который проходил, увеличивал шансы на безопасность = спасение женщин и детей, спешащих к Велитриуму).

wonder [ˈwʌndə], obviously [ˈɔbvɪəslɪ], safety [ˈseɪftɪ]

Then followed a tense period of waiting, in which time Balthus wondered if the man who had fled had been the only survivor of the party. Obviously it had been a small band that had either left the fighting at the fort, or was scouting ahead of the main body. Each moment that passed increased the chances for safety of the women and children hurrying toward Velithum.

Then without warning a shower of arrows whistled over his retreat (затем без предупреждения град стрел просвистел над его убежищем). A wild howling rose from the woods along the trail (дикий вой поднялся из леса вдоль тропы). Either the survivor had gone after aid, or another party had joined the first (либо уцелевший ходил за помощью, либо еще один отряд присоединился к первому). The burning cabin still smoldered, lending a little light (горящая хижина еще тлела, давая немного света). Then they were after him, gliding through the trees beside the trail (потом они пошли за ним, скользя между деревьев возле тропы). He shot three arrows and threw the bow away (он выпустил три стрелы и отбросил лук; to shoot — стрелять; to throw away — отбросить). As if sensing his plight, they came on (как будто чувствуя его /скверное/ положение, они приближались), not yelling now, but in deadly silence except for a swift pad of many feet (теперь не вопя, но в смертельной тишине кроме = нарушаемой только быстрой тихой поступью множества ног; pad — подушечка на концах пальцев у человека или на подошве некоторых животных).

shower [ˈʃauə], retreat [rɪˈtri: t], plight [plaɪt]

Then without warning a shower of arrows whistled over his retreat. A wild howling rose from the woods along the trail. Either the survivor had gone after aid, or another party had joined the first. The burning cabin still smoldered, lending a little light. Then they were after him, gliding through the trees beside the trail. He shot three arrows and threw the bow away. As if sensing his plight, they came on, not yelling now, but in deadly silence except for a swift pad of many feet.

He fiercely hugged the head of the great dog growling at his side, muttered: "All right, boy, give 'em hell!" (он ободряюще обнял голову огромного пса, рычащего рядом с ним, прошептал: хорошо, парень, поддай им жару: «дай им ада») and sprang to his feet, drawing his ax (и вскочил на /свои/ ноги, поднимая топор; to draw — извлекать, обнажать (оружие), поднимать). Then the dark figures flooded over the breastworks and closed in a storm of flailing axes, stabbing knives and ripping fangs (затем темные фигуры хлынули через бруствер и вошли в ближний бой в вихре рубящих топоров, колющих ножей и рвущих клыков).

fiercely [ˈfɪəslɪ], growl [ɡraul], draw [drɔ:]

He fiercely hugged the head of the great dog growling at his side, muttered: "All right, boy, give 'em hell!" and sprang to his feet, drawing his ax. Then the dark figures flooded over the breastworks and closed in a storm of flailing axes, stabbing knives and ripping fangs.

 

7. The Devil in the Fire

(Демон в огне)

When Conan turned from the Velitrium road, he expected a run of some nine miles and set himself to the task (когда Конан свернул с дороги на Велитриум, он ожидал пробежки миль на девять и взялся за это дело; some — около, приблизительно). But he had not gone four when he heard the sounds of a party of men ahead of him (но он не прошел /и/ четырех, когда он услышал звуки отряда людей перед собой). From the noise they were making in their progress he knew they were not Picts (по шуму, который они производили при продвижении, он знал = понял, /что/ они = это не пикты). He hailed them (он окликнул их).

"Who's there?" challenged a harsh voice (кто там? — потребовал ответа грубый голос). "Stand where you are until we know you, or you'll get an arrow through you (стой, где /стоишь/, пока мы /не/ опознаем тебя, или /ты/ получишь стрелу /сквозь тебя/)."

"You couldn't hit an elephant in this darkness," answered Conan impatiently (ты не смог бы попасть /и/ в слона в этой темноте, — ответил Конан нетерпеливо). "Come on, fool; it's I–Conan (давай = кончай, болван, это я — Конан). The Picts are over the river (пикты перешли: «находятся через» реку)."

task [tɑ:sk], progress [ˈprəuɡrəs], impatiently [ɪmˈpeɪʃəntlɪ]

When Conan turned from the Velitrium road, he expected a run of some nine miles and set himself to the task. But he had not gone four when he heard the sounds of a party of men ahead of him. From the noise they were making in their progress he knew they were not Picts. He hailed them.

"Who's there?" challenged a harsh voice. "Stand where you are until we know you, or you'll get an arrow through you."

"You couldn't hit an elephant in this darkness," answered Conan impatiently. "Come on, fool; it's I–Conan. The Picts are over the river."

"We suspected as much," answered the leader of the men, as they strode forward — tall, rangy men, stern-faced, with bows in their hands (мы так и подозревали, — ответил предводитель людей, когда они пошли вперед — высокие, поджарые мужчины, с суровыми лицами, с луками в /их/ руках). "One of our party wounded an antelope and tracked it nearly to Black River (один из нашего отряда ранил антилопу и шел по следу за ней почти до Черной реки). He heard them yelling down the river and ran back to our camp (он услышал их вопли ниже по реке и прибежал назад в наш лагерь). We left the salt and the wagons, turned the oxen loose, and came as swiftly as we could (мы оставили соль и телеги, освободили волов и пришли = пошли назад, как можно быстрее: «так быстро, как мы могли»). If the Picts are besieging the fort, war- parties will be ranging up the road toward our cabins (если пикты осаждают форт, военные отряды будут рыскать вверх по дороге в сторону наших хижин = забредут по дороге к нашим хижинам)."

forward [ˈfɔ: wəd], nearly [ˈnɪəlɪ], oxen [ɔksən]

"We suspected as much," answered the leader of the men, as they strode forward — tall, rangy men, stern-faced, with bows in their hands. "One of our party wounded an antelope and tracked it nearly to Black River. He heard them yelling down the river and ran back to our camp. We left the salt and the wagons, turned the oxen loose, and came as swiftly as we could. If the Picts are besieging the fort, war-parties will be ranging up the road toward our cabins."

"Your families are safe," grunted Conan (ваши семьи в безопасности, — пробурчал Конан). "My companion went ahead to take them to Velitrium (мой товарищ пошел вперед, чтобы отвести их в Велитриум). If we go back to the main road we may run into the whole horde (если мы пойдем назад по главной дороге, мы можем наткнуться на целую орду). We'll strike southeast, through the timber (мы пойдем на юго-восток, через лес). Go ahead (идите вперед). I'll scout behind (я разведаю сзади / прикрою)."

"Your families are safe," grunted Conan. "My companion went ahead to take them to Velitrium. If we go back to the main road we may run into the whole horde. We'll strike southeast, through the timber. Go ahead. I'll scout behind."

A few moments later the whole band was hurrying southeastward (несколько секунд спустя весь отряд спешил на юго-восток). Conan followed more slowly, keeping just within ear-shot (Конан шел за ними медленнее, держась как раз в пределах слышимости). He cursed the noise they were making (он проклинал шум, /который/ они создавали); that many Picts or Cimmerians would have moved through the woods with no more noise than the wind makes as it blows through the black branches (столько пиктов или киммерийцев прошли бы через лес с шумом не больше, чем от ветра: «чем ветер делает», когда он дует между черных ветвей). He had just crossed a small glade when he wheeled, answering the conviction of his primitive instincts that he was being followed (он только что пересек небольшую поляну, когда он повернулся, отвечая на = повинуясь вере в свои первобытные инстинкты, которым он следовал). Standing motionless among the bushes he heard the sounds of the retreating settlers fade away (стоя неподвижно среди кустов, он услышал, как затихают звуки удаляющихся поселенцев). Then a voice called faintly back along the way he had come: "Conan! Conan! Wait for me, Conan (потом голос позвал слабо сзади с той стороны: «вдоль пути», откуда он пришел: Конан! Конан! Подожди меня, Конан)!"

wind [wɪnd], blow [bləu], conviction [kənˈvɪkʃn]

A few moments later the whole band was hurrying southeastward. Conan followed more slowly, keeping just within ear-shot. He cursed the noise they were making; that many Picts or Cimmerians would have moved through the woods with no more noise than the wind makes as it blows through the black branches. He had just crossed a small glade when he wheeled, answering the conviction of his primitive instincts that he was being followed. Standing motionless among the bushes he heard the sounds of the retreating settlers fade away. Then a voice called faintly back along the way he had come: "Conan! Conan! Wait for me, Conan!"

"Balthus!" he swore bewilderedly (Балтус! — он озадаченно ругнулся). Cautiously he called: "Here I am (осторожно /он/ позвал: я здесь)!"

"Wait for me, Conan!" the voice came more distinctly (подожди меня, Конан! — голос донесся более отчетливо).

Conan moved out of the shadows, scowling (Конан вышел из теней, хмурясь). "What the devil are you doing here (какого черта ты делаешь здесь)? — Crom (о, Кром)!"

He half crouched, the flesh prickling along his spine (он наполовину пригнулся, мурашки побежали по спине). It was not Balthus who was emerging from the other side of the glade (это /был/ не Балтус /который/ возник с = на другой стороне поляны). A weird glow burned through the trees (причудливый свет горел сквозь = среди деревьев). It moved toward him, shimmering weirdly — a green witchfire that moved with purpose and intent (он двигался к нему, причудливо мерцая — зеленый колдовской огонь, который двигался целенаправленно и намеренно: «с целью и намерением»).

distinctly [dɪsˈtɪŋktlɪ], scowl [skaul], purpose [ˈpə: pəs]

"Balthus!" he swore bewilderedly. Cautiously he called: "Here I am!" "Wait for me, Conan!" the voice came more distinctly.

Conan moved out of the shadows, scowling. "What the devil are you doing here? — Crom!"

He half crouched, the flesh prickling along his spine. It was not Balthus who was emerging from the other side of the glade. A weird glow burned through the trees. It moved toward him, shimmering weirdly — a green witchfire that moved with purpose and intent.

It halted some feet away and Conan glared at it (он остановился в нескольких футах /прочь/, и Конан уставился на него), trying to distinguish its fire-misted outlines (пытаясь разобрать его огненно-туманные контуры). The quivering flame had a solid core (колышущееся пламя имело твердое ядро); the flame was but a green garment that masked some animate and evil entity (пламя было лишь покровом, которое маскировало некую живую и злобную сущность); but the Cimmerian was unable to make out its shape or likeness (но Конан не смог разобрать его форму или облик). Then, shockingly, a voice spoke to him from amidst the fiery column (затем, поразительно, из середины огненной колонны с ним заговорил голос).

distinguish [dɪsˈtɪŋɡwɪʃ], outline [ˈautlaɪn], fiery [ˈfaɪərɪ]

It halted some feet away and Conan glared at it, trying to distinguish its fire-misted outlines. The quivering flame had a solid core; the flame was but a green garment that masked some animate and evil entity; but the Cimmerian was unable to make out its shape or likeness. Then, shockingly, a voice spoke to him from amidst the fiery column.

"Why do you stand like a sheep waiting for the butcher, Conan (почему ты стоишь как овца, ждущая мясника, Конан)?"

The voice was human but carried strange vibrations that were not human (голос был человеческий, но нес странные вибрации, которые не были человеческими).

"Sheep?" Conan's wrath got the best of his momentary awe (овца? — гнев Конана пересилил его секундный страх). "Do you think I'm afraid of a damned Pictish swamp devil (ты думаешь, я боюсь проклятого пиктского болотного демона)? A friend called me (друг позвал меня = меня позвал друг)."

why [waɪ], sheep [ʃi: p], butcher [ˈbʋʧə]

"Why do you stand like a sheep waiting for the butcher, Conan?"

The voice was human but carried strange vibrations that were not human. "Sheep?" Conan's wrath got the best of his momentary awe. "Do you think I'm afraid of a damned Pictish swamp devil? A friend called me."

"I called in his voice," answered the other (я позвал его голосом, — ответил другой = собеседник / призрак). "The men you follow belong to my brother; I would not rob his knife of their blood (люди, за которыми ты идешь, принадлежат моему брату, я не лишил бы его нож их крови). But you are mine (но ты мой). O fool, you have come from the far gray hills of Cimmeria to meet your doom in the forests of Conajohara (о, глупец, ты пришел с далеких серых холмов Киммерии, /чтобы/ встретить свою смерть в лесах Конаджохары)." "You've had your chance at me before now," snorted Conan (у тебя уже был шанс /разделаться/ со мной прежде, — фыркнул Конан). "Why didn't you kill me then, if you could (почему /же/ ты не убил меня тогда, если /ты/ мог)?"

belong [bɪˈlɔŋ], brother [ˈbrʌðə], far [fɑ:]

"I called in his voice," answered the other. "The men you follow belong to my brother; I would not rob his knife of their blood. But you are mine. O fool, you have come from the far gray hills of Cimmeria to meet your doom in the forests of Conajohara."

"You've had your chance at me before now," snorted Conan. "Why didn't you kill me then, if you could?"

"My brother had not painted a skull black for you and hurled it into the fire that burns for ever on Gullah's black altar (мой брат /тогда еще/ не раскрасил череп черным для тебя и /не/ бросил его в огонь, который горит вечно на черном алтаре Гуллы). He had not whispered your name to the black ghosts that haunt the uplands of the Dark Land (он не прошептал твое имя черным призракам, которые обитают на нагорьях Темной Страны). But a bat has flown over the Mountains of the Dead (но летучая мышь перелетела Горы Мертвых) and drawn your image in blood on the white tiger's hide (и нарисовала твой образ кровью на шкуре белого тигра) that hangs before the long hut where sleep the Four Brothers of the Night (которая висит перед длинной хижиной, где спять Четыре Брата Ночи). The great serpents coil about their feet and the stars burn like fireflies in their hair (огромные змеи сворачиваются = свернулись у их ног, а звезды горят, как светлячки, в их волосах)."

"My brother had not painted a skull black for you and hurled it into the fire that burns for ever on Gullah's black altar. He had not whispered your name to the black ghosts that haunt the uplands of the Dark Land. But a bat has flown over the Mountains of the Dead and drawn your image in blood on the white tiger's hide that hangs before the long hut where sleep the Four Brothers of the Night. The great serpents coil about their feet and the stars burn like fireflies in their hair."

"Why have the gods of darkness doomed me to death?" growled Conan (почему боги тьмы обрекли меня на смерть? — прорычал Конан).

Something — a hand, foot or talon, he could not tell which, thrust out from the fire and marked swiftly on the mold (нечто — рука, нога или коготь, он не мог сказать точно: «который», вытянулось из огня и начертало быстро на рыхлой земле). A symbol blazed there, marked with fire, and faded, but not before he recognized it (символ пылал там, бросающийся в глаза благодаря огню: «помеченный с огнем» и угас, но не прежде, чем он узнал его).

"Why have the gods of darkness doomed me to death?" growled Conan.

Something — a hand, foot or talon, he could not tell which, thrust out from the fire and marked swiftly on the mold. A symbol blazed there, marked with fire, and faded, but not before he recognized it.

"You dared make the sign which only a priest of Jhebbal Sag dare make (ты осмелился начертать знак, который смеет изображать лишь жрец Джеббал Сага). Thunder rumbled through the black Mountain of the Dead (гром прогрохотал = прокатился через черную Гору Мертвых) and the altar-hut of Gullah was thrown down by a wind from the Gulf of Ghosts (и хижина с алтарем Гулы была разрушена ветром с Залива Привидений). The loon which is messenger to the Four Brothers of the Night flew swiftly and whispered your name in my ear (полярная гагара, /которая является/ вестник Четырех Братьев Ночи, быстро прилетела и прошептала твое имя в мое ухо). Your race is run (твой бег закончен: «отбеган»). You are a dead man already (ты уже мертвый человек = мертвец). Your head will hang in the altar-hut of my brother (твоя голова будет висеть в хижине с алтарем моего брата). Your body will be eaten by the black-winged, sharp-beaked Children of Jhil (твое тело будет съедено = съедят чернокрылые, остроклювые дети Джила = Джаббала)."

"Who the devil is your brother?" demanded Conan (кто /же/, блин, твой брат? — спросил Конан). His sword was naked in his hand, and he was subtly loosening the ax in his belt (его меч был обнажен в его руке, и он незаметно освобождал топор на /его/ поясе).

priest [pri: st], messenger [ˈmesɪnʤə], subtly [ˈsʌtlɪ]

"You dared make the sign which only a priest of Jhebbal Sag dare make. Thunder rumbled through the black Mountain of the Dead and the altar-hut of Gullah was thrown down by a wind from the Gulf of Ghosts. The loon which is messenger to the Four Brothers of the Night flew swiftly and whispered your name in my ear. Your race is run. You are a dead man already. Your head will hang in the altar-hut of my brother. Your body will be eaten by the black-winged, sharp-beaked Children of Jhil."

"Who the devil is your brother?" demanded Conan. His sword was naked in his hand, and he was subtly loosening the ax in his belt.

"Zogar Sag; a child of Jhebbal Sag who still visits his sacred groves at times (Зогар Саг, дитя Джеббал Сага, который все еще временами посещает свои священные рощи). A woman of Gwawela slept in a grove holy to Jhebbal Sag (одна женщина Гвавелы спала в роще, священной для Джеббала Сага). Her babe was Zogar Sag (ее ребенком был = стал Зогар Саг). I too am a son of Jhebbal Sag, out of a fire-being from a far realm (я тоже сын Джеббал Сага от огненного существа из далекого королевства). Zogar Sag summoned me out of the Misty Lands (Зогар Саг призвал меня из Туманных Земель). With incantations and sorcery and his own blood he materialized me in the flesh of his own planet (заклинаниями, волшебством и своей кровью он материализовал меня во плоти его собственной планеты). We are one, tied together by invisible threads (мы одно /целое/, связанные вместе незримыми нитями). His thoughts are my thoughts; if he is struck, I am bruised (его мысли — мои мысли, если ударят его, синяк появляется у меня: «если он ударен, я ушиблен»). If I am cut, he bleeds (если меня поранят, кровь течет у него: «если я ранен, он кровоточит»; to bleed — кровоточить, истекать кровью). But I have talked enough (но я сказал достаточно). Soon your ghost will talk with the ghosts of the Dark Land (скоро твой дух будет беседовать с духами Темной Страны), and they will tell you of the old gods which are not dead (и они расскажут тебе о древних богах, которые не являются мертвыми = не умерли), but sleep in the outer abysses, and from time to time awake (а спят во внешних безднах и время от времени пробуждаются)."

son [sʌn], realm [relm], sorcery [ˈsɔ: sərɪ]

"Zogar Sag; a child of Jhebbal Sag who still visits his sacred groves at times. A woman of Gwawela slept in a grove holy to Jhebbal Sag. Her babe was Zogar Sag. I too am a son of Jhebbal Sag, out of a fire-being from a far realm. Zogar Sag summoned me out of the Misty Lands. With incantations and sorcery and his own blood he materialized me in the flesh of his own planet. We are one, tied together by invisible threads. His thoughts are my thoughts; if he is struck, I am bruised. If I am cut, he bleeds. But I have talked enough. Soon your ghost will talk with the ghosts of the Dark Land, and they will tell you of the old gods which are not dead, but sleep in the outer abysses, and from time to time awake."

"I'd like to see what you look like," muttered Conan, working his ax free (я хотел бы увидеть, какой ты: «чему ты выглядишь подобно», — пробормотал Конан, высвобождая свой топор), "you who leave a track like a bird (ты, который оставляет след, как птица), who burn like a flame (который горит, как огонь) and yet speak with a human voice (и тем не менее говорит человеческим голосом)."

"You shall see," answered the voice from the flame, "see, and carry the knowledge with you into the Dark Land (ты увидишь, — ответил голос из пламени, — зри и унеси знание с собой в Темную Страну)."

look [lʋk], flame [fleɪm], knowledge [ˈnɔlɪʤ]

"I'd like to see what you look like," muttered Conan, working his ax free, "you who leave a track like a bird, who burn like a flame and yet speak with a human voice."

"You shall see," answered the voice from the flame, "see, and carry the knowledge with you into the Dark Land."

The flames leaped and sank, dwindling and dimming (языки пламени взметнулись и опустились, уменьшаясь и тускнея). A face began to take shadowy form (лицо начало приобретать призрачную форму). At first Conan thought it was Zogar Sag himself who stood wrapped in green fire (сначала Конан подумал, /что/ это /был/ сам Зогар Саг стоял, окутанный зеленым пламенем). But the face was higher than his own, and there was a demoniac aspect about it (но лицо было выше его собственного, и был у него демонический облик) — Conan had noted various abnormalities about Zogar Sag's features (Конан заметил различные отклонения от черт Зогар Сага) — an obliqueness of the eyes (скошенность глаз), a sharpness of the ears (острота ушей), a wolfish thinness of the lips (волчья тонкость губ): these peculiarities were exaggerated in the apparition which swayed before him (эти особенности были преувеличены в видении, которое покачивалось перед ним). The eyes were red as coals of living fire (глаза были красные, как угли живого огня).

aspect [ˈæspekt], various [ˈvɛərɪəs], exaggerate [ɪɡˈzæʤɪreɪt]

The flames leaped and sank, dwindling and dimming. A face began to take shadowy form. At first Conan thought it was Zogar Sag himself who stood wrapped in green fire. But the face was higher than his own, and there was a demoniac aspect about it — Conan had noted various abnormalities about Zogar Sag's features — an obliqueness of the eyes, a sharpness of the ears, a wolfish thinness of the lips: these peculiarities were exaggerated in the apparition which swayed before him. The eyes were red as coals of living fire.

More details came into view (больше деталей замечал взгляд: «пришло в видимость»): a slender torso, covered with snaky scales (стройное туловище, покрытое змеиной чешуей), which was yet man-like in shape (которое, тем не менее, было человекоподобным по форме), with man like arms, from the waist upward (с человекоподобными руками, /тянувшимися/ от талии вверх), below, long crane-like legs ended in splay, three-toed feet like those of huge bird (ниже длинные журавлиные ноги, заканчивающиеся кривыми трехпалыми ступнями, как /таковые = ступни/ у огромной птицы). Along the monstrous limbs the blue fire fluttered and ran (вдоль чудовищных конечностей трепетал и пробегал голубой огонь). He saw it as through a glistening mist (он видел его, словно сквозь сияющую дымку).

detail [ˈdi: teɪl], torso [ˈtɔ: səu], huge [hju: ʤ]

More details came into view: a slender torso, covered with snaky scales, which was yet man-like in shape, with man like arms, from the waist upward, below, long crane-like legs ended in splay, three-toed feet like those of huge bird. Along the monstrous limbs the blue fire fluttered and ran. He saw it as through a glistening mist.

Then suddenly it was towering over him (затем вдруг оно нависло над ним), though he had not seen it move toward him (хотя он не видел, /чтобы/ оно передвинулось к нему). A long arm, which for the first time he noticed was armed with curving, sickle-like talons, swung high and swept down at his neck (длинная рука, которую он заметил в первый раз, была вооружена изогнутыми серповидными когтями, высоко размахнулась и обрушилась вниз на его шею). With a fierce cry he broke the spell and bounded aside, hurling his ax (/с/ неистовым криком он разорвал чары и отпрыгнул в сторону, метнув /свой/ топор). The demon avoided the cast with an unbelievably quick movement of its narrow head and was on him again with a hissing rush of leaping flames (демон избежал броска невероятно быстрым движением /своей/ узкой головы и был снова был = навис над ним с шипящим наплывом подпрыгнувших языков пламени).

tower [ˈtauə], movement [ˈmu: vmənt], narrow [ˈnærəu]

Then suddenly it was towering over him, though he had not seen it move toward him. A long arm, which for the first time he noticed was armed with curving, sickle-like talons, swung high and swept down at his neck. With a fierce cry he broke the spell and bounded aside, hurling his ax. The demon avoided the cast with an unbelievably quick movement of its narrow head and was on him again with a hissing rush of leaping flames.

But fear had fought for it when it slew its other victims and Conan was not afraid (но страх боролся за него = был на его стороне, когда оно убивало свои остальные жертвы, а Конан не боялся). He knew that any being clothed in material flesh can be slain by material weapons (он знал, что любое существо, одетое в материальную плоть, может быть убито = можно убить вещественным оружием), however grisly its form may be (каким бы мерзким оно ни было: «какой бы мерзкой его форма может быть»).

fear [fɪə], fought [fɔ: t], knew [nju:]

But fear had fought for it when it slew its other victims and Conan was not afraid. He knew that any being clothed in material flesh can be slain by material weapons, however grisly its form may be.

One flailing talon-armed limb knocked his helmet from his head (одна метнувшаяся вооруженная когтями конечность сбила /его/ шлем с его головы). A little lower and it would have decapitated him (немного ниже, и оно sword sank deep in the monster's groin (но сильный восторг охватил его, когда его беспощадно направленный меч погрузился глубоко в пах чудовища). He bounded backward from a flailing stroke, tearing his sword free as he leaped (он отпрыгнул назад от размашистого удара, вырывая свой меч, когда он прыгнул = в прыжке). The talons raked his breast, ripping through mail-links as if they had been cloth (когти царапнули его грудь, разрывая кольчугу, как будто она была /простой/ тканью). But his return spring was like that of a starving wolf (но его ответный выпад был как таковой = прыжок голодного волка; spring — прыжок, бросок). He was inside the lashing arms and driving his sword deep in the monster's belly (он был внутри = между стегающих рук и вгонял свой меч глубоко в брюхо монстра) — felt the arms lock about him and the talons ripping the mail from his back as they sought his vitals (почувствовал, /как/ руки смыкаются вокруг него, а когти рвут кольчугу с /его/ спины, когда они искали его жизненно важные органы = в поисках его жизненно важных органов) — he was lapped and dazzled by blue flame that was chill as ice (он был скручен и ослеплен голубым пламенем, которое было холодное, как лед) — then he had torn fiercely away from the weakening arms and his sword cut the air in a tremendous swipe (затем он яростно рванулся из слабеющих рук, а его меч разрезал воздух в страшном ударе).

limb [lɪm], tear [tɛə], vitals [vaɪtlz]

One flailing talon-armed limb knocked his helmet from his head. A little lower and it would have decapitated him. But fierce joy surged through him as his savagely driven sword sank deep in the monster's groin. He bounded backward from a flailing stroke, tearing his sword free as he leaped. The talons raked his breast, ripping through mail-links as if they had been cloth. But his return spring was like that of a starving wolf. He was inside the lashing arms and driving his sword deep in the monster's belly — felt the arms lock about him and the talons ripping the mail from his back as they sought his vitals — he was lapped and dazzled by blue flame that was chill as ice — then he had torn fiercely away from the weakening arms and his sword cut the air in a tremendous swipe.

The demon staggered and fell sprawling sidewise, its head hanging only by a shred of flesh (демон зашатался и упал растянувшись вбок, его голова висела лишь на лоскуте мяса). The fires that veiled it leaped fiercely upward, now red as gushing blood, hiding the figure from view (огни, которые скрывали его, взметнулись яростно вверх, теперь красные, как хлещущая кровь, скрывая фигуру из виду). A scent of burning flesh filled Conan's nostrils (запах горелой плоти заполнил ноздри Конана). Shaking the blood and sweat from his eyes, he wheeled and ran staggering through the woods (стряхнув кровь и пот из /его/ глаз, он повернулся и побежал, спотыкаясь, через лес). Blood trickled down his limbs (кровь стекала по его конечностям). Somewhere, miles to the south, he saw the faint glow of flames that might mark a burning cabin (где-то, в милях к югу, он увидел слабое зарево пламени, которое могло обозначать горящую хижину). Behind him, toward the road, rose a distant howling that spurred him to greater efforts (позади него, в сторону дороги, поднялся далекий вой, который побудил его к большим усилиям = который заставил его поднапрячься).

demon [ˈdi: mən], only [ˈəunlɪ], spur [spə:]

The demon staggered and fell sprawling sidewise, its head hanging only by a shred of flesh. The fires that veiled it leaped fiercely upward, now red as gushing blood, hiding the figure from view. A scent of burning flesh filled Conan's nostrils. Shaking the blood and sweat from his eyes, he wheeled and ran staggering through the woods. Blood trickled down his limbs. Somewhere, miles to the south, he saw the faint glow of flames that might mark a burning cabin. Behind him, toward the road, rose a distant howling that spurred him to greater efforts.

 

8. Conajohara No More

(Конаджохары больше нет)

There had been fighting on Thunder River; fierce fighting before the walls of Velitrium (на Громовой реке была битва, жестокая битва перед стенами Велитриума); ax and torch had been plied up and down the bank (топор и факел поработали выше и ниже по берегу), and many a settler's cabin lay in ashes before the painted horde was rolled back (и много хижин поселенцев лежали в пепле, прежде чем раскрашенная орда откатилась назад).

A strange quiet followed the storm, in which people gathered and talked in hushed voices (необычная тишина последовала за бурей, в которой люди собирались и беседовали приглушенными голосами), and men with red-stained bandages drank their ale silently in the taverns along the river bank (а люди в повязках с красными пятнами пили молча свой эль в тавернах вдоль берега реки).

cabin [ˈkæbɪn], horde [hɔ: d], bandage [ˈbændɪʤ]

There had been fighting on Thunder River; fierce fighting before the walls of Velitrium; ax and torch had been plied up and down the bank, and many a settler's cabin lay in ashes before the painted horde was rolled back.

A strange quiet followed the storm, in which people gathered and talked in hushed voices, and men with red-stained bandages drank their ale silently in the taverns along the river bank.

There, to Conan the Cimmerian, moodily quaffing from a great wine-glass (там, к Конану-киммерийцу, угрюмо пьющего из большого бокала), came a gaunt forester with a bandage about his head and his arm in a sling (подошел сухопарый лесник с повязкой на /его/ голове и /его/ рукой на перевязи). He was the one survivor of Fort Tuscelan (он был единственным уцелевшим из Форта Тусцелан).

"You went with the soldiers to the ruins of the fort (ты ходил с солдатами к руинам форта; to go — ходить, идти)?" Conan nodded (Конан кивнул).

"I wasn't able," murmured the other (я не смог, — пробормотал другой). "There was no fighting (не было боя)?"

moodily [ˈmu: dɪlɪ], quaff [kwɑ:f], murmur [ˈmə: mə]

There, to Conan the Cimmerian, moodily quaffing from a great wine-glass, came a gaunt forester with a bandage about his head and his arm in a sling. He was the one survivor of Fort Tuscelan.

"You went with the soldiers to the ruins of the fort?" Conan nodded.

"I wasn't able," murmured the other. "There was no fighting?"

"The Picts had fallen back across Black River (пикты отступили за Черную реку). Something must have broken their nerve, though only the devil who made them knows what (что-то, должно быть, подорвало их уверенность, хотя только дьявол, который создал их, знает что)."

The woodsman glanced at his bandaged arm and sighed (лесной житель посмотрел на /его/ перевязанную руку и вздохнул).

"They say there were no bodies worth disposing of (/они/ говорят, /там/ не было тел, стоящих убирания = которые можно было убрать = захоронить; to dispose of — завершать, избавляться, убирать, удалять, уничтожать)." Conan shook his head (Конан покачал /своей/ головой = кивнул). "Ashes (пепел). The Picts had piled them in the fort and set fire to the fort before they crossed the river (пикты сложили их в кучу в форте и подожгли форт, перед тем как /они/ пересекли реку; to pile — складывать в кучу). Their own dead and the men of Valannus (своих собственных мертвецов и людей Валаннуса)."

fallen [fɔ: ln], worth [wə: Ɵ], shook [ʃʋk]

"The Picts had fallen back across Black River. Something must have broken their nerve, though only the devil who made them knows what."

The woodsman glanced at his bandaged arm and sighed. "They say there were no bodies worth disposing of."

Conan shook his head. "Ashes. The Picts had piled them in the fort and set fire to the fort before they crossed the river. Their own dead and the men of Valannus."

"Valannus was killed among the last — in the hand-to-hand fighting when they broke the barriers (Валаннус был убит среди последних — в рукопашном бою, когда они сломали ограждения). They tried to take him alive, but he made them kill him (они попытались взять его живым, но он заставил их убить его). They took ten of the rest of us prisoners when we were so weak from fighting we could fight no more (они взяли десять из нас оставшихся в плен, когда мы были так слабы от боя, /что/ мы больше не могли сражаться). They butchered nine of us then and there (они забили девятерых из нас тогда и там). It was when Zogar Sag died that I got my chance to break free and run for it (это /было/, когда умер Зогар Саг, /что/ я получил свой шанс освободиться = на свободу и помчался изо всех сил; to break free — вырваться на свободу, освободиться; to run for it — бежать изо всех сил, удирать со всех ног)."

"Zogar Sag's dead?" ejaculated Conan (Зогар Саг мертв? — воскликнул Конан).

among [əˈmʌŋ], weak [wi: k], ejaculate [ɪˈʤækjuleɪt]

"Valannus was killed among the last — in the hand-to-hand fighting when they broke the barriers. They tried to take him alive, but he made them kill him. They took ten of the rest of us prisoners when we were so weak from fighting we could fight no more. They butchered nine of us then and there. It was when Zogar Sag died that I got my chance to break free and run for it."

"Zogar Sag's dead?" ejaculated Conan.

"Aye (да = ага). I saw him die (я видел, /как/ он умер). That's why the Picts didn't press the fight against Velitrium as fiercely as they did against the fort (поэтому пикты не наседали в битве против Велитриума так ожесточенно, как /они делали = сражались/ против форта). It was strange (это было странно). He took no wounds in battle (он не получил ран в битве). He was dancing among the slain, waving an ax with which he'd just brained the last of my comrades (он плясал среди убитых, размахивая топором, которым он только что размозжил мозги последнему из моих товарищей). He came at me, howling like a wolf (он набросился на меня, завывая как волк) — and then he staggered and dropped the ax (и потом он споткнулся и уронил топор), and began to reel in a circle screaming as I never heard a man or beast scream before (и начал вертеться = завертелся по кругу, вопя так, как я никогда прежде не слышал, чтобы вопили человек или животное). He fell between me and the fire they'd built to roast me (он упал между мной и костром, /который/ они возвели, /чтобы/ поджарить меня), goggling and frothing at the mouth (выпучив глаза и с пеной: «пенясь» у рта), and all at once he went rigid and the Picts shouted that he was dead (и внезапно он окоченел, а пикты закричали, что он мертв; rigid — жесткий, негнущийся). It was during the confusion that I slipped my cords and ran for the woods (это было во время замешательства, что = именно во время замешательства я выскользнул из моих пут / развязал веревки и убежал в лес).

comrade [ˈkɔmrɪd], roast [rəust], confusion [kənˈfju: ʒn]

"Aye. I saw him die That's why the Picts didn't press the fight against Velitrium as fiercely as they did against the fort. It was strange. He took no wounds in battle.

He was dancing among the slain, waving an ax with which he'd just brained the last of my comrades. He came at me, howling like a wolf — and then he staggered and dropped the ax, and began to reel in a circle screaming as I never heard a man or beast scream before. He fell between me and the fire they'd built to roast me, goggling and frothing at the mouth, and all at once he went rigid and the Picts shouted that he was dead. It was during the confusion that I slipped my cords and ran for the woods.

"I saw him lying in the firelight (я видел его, лежащим в свете костра). No weapon had touched him (ни одно оружие /не/ коснулось его). Yet there were red marks like the wounds of a sword in the groin, belly, and neck (однако были красные отметины, как раны от меча, в паху, животе и на шее) — the last as if his head had been almost severed from his body (последняя, как будто его голова была почти отрезана от тела). What do you make of that (что ты понимаешь из этого = что тебе понятно из этого)?"

"I saw him lying in the firelight. No weapon had touched him. Yet there were red marks like the wounds of a sword in the groin, belly, and neck — the last as if his head had been almost severed from his body. What do you make of that?"

Conan made no reply, and the forester, aware of the reticence of barbarians on certain matters, continued (Конан не сделал ответа = не ответил, а лесник, знающий о скрытности / немногословии варваров по некоторым вопросам, продолжал): "He lived by magic, and somehow, he died by magic (он жил магией, и каким-то образом он умер от магии). It was the mystery of his death that took the heart out of the Picts (это /была/ тайна его смерти, /которая/ отняла мужество у пиктов: «выхватила сердце из пиктов»). Not a man who saw it was in the fighting before Velitrium (ни один человек, который видел это, /не/ был в сражении перед Велитриумом). They hurried back across Black River (они поспешили назад через Черную реку). Those that struck Thunder River were warriors who had come on before Zogar Sag died (те, кто ударил по Громовой реке, были воинами, которые напали раньше, чем умер Зогар Саг). They were not enough to take the city by themselves (их было недостаточно, /чтобы/ взять город самим).

certain [sə: tn], continue [kənˈtinju: ], enough [ɪˈnʌf]

Conan made no reply, and the forester, aware of the reticence of barbarians on certain matters, continued: "He lived by magic, and somehow, he died by magic. It was the mystery of his death that took the heart out of the Picts. Not a man who saw it was in the fighting before Velitrium. They hurried back across Black River.

Those that struck Thunder River were warriors who had come on before Zogar Sag died. They were not enough to take the city by themselves.

"I came along the road, behind their main force, and I know none followed me from the fort (я пришел по дороге за их главными силами, и я знаю, /что/ никто /не/ следовал за мной от форта). I sneaked through their lines and got into the town (я прокрался сквозь их расположение и попал в город; line — оборонительный рубеж, линия фронта, строй, шеренга солдат, расположение). You brought the settlers through all right, but their women and children got into Velitrium just ahead of those painted devils (ты провел поселенцев как нужно, но их женщины и дети попали в Велитриум как раз перед этими раскрашенными демонами). If the youth Balthus and old Slasher hadn't held them up awhile, they'd have butchered every woman and child in Conajohara (если бы юноша Балтус и старый Задира не задержали их некоторое время, они бы вырезали каждую женщину и ребенка = всех женщин и детей в Конаджохаре). I passed the place where Balthus and the dog made their last stand (я проходил через то место, где Балтус и пес оказали /их/ последнее сопротивление). They were lying amid a heap of dead Picts — I counted seven, brained by his ax (он лежали среди кучи мертвых пиктов — я насчитал семь, с размозженными его топором головами), or disemboweled by the dog's fangs (или распотрошенными собачьими клыками), and there were others in the road with arrows sticking in them (и были другие на дороге со стрелами, торчащими в них; to brain — разможжить голову). Gods, what a fight that must have been (боги, что за битва это, наверное, была)!"

force [fɔ: s], last [lɑ:st], stick [stɪk]

"I came along the road, behind their main force, and I know none followed me from the fort. I sneaked through their lines and got into the town. You brought the settlers through all right, but their women and children got into Velitrium just ahead of those painted devils. If the youth Balthus and old Slasher hadn't held them up awhile, they'd have butchered every woman and child in Conajohara. I passed the place where Balthus and the dog made their last stand. They were lying amid a heap of dead Picts — I counted seven, brained by his ax, or disemboweled by the dog's fangs, and there were others in the road with arrows sticking in them. Gods, what a fight that must have been!"

"He was a man," said Conan (он был /настоящий/ мужчина, — сказал Конан). "I drink to his shade, and to the shade of the dog, who knew no fear (я пью за его духа и за духа пса, которые не ведали страха)." He quaffed part of the wine, then emptied the rest upon the floor, with a curious heathen gesture, and smashed the goblet (он выпил большим глотком часть вина, затем вылил остальное на пол с необычным языческим жестом и разбил вдребезги кубок). "The heads of ten Picts shall pay for his, and seven heads for the dog, who was a better warrior than many a man (головы десяти пиктов заплатят за его /голову/, и семь голов за пса, который был лучшим воином, чем многие мужчины)."

heathen [hi: ðn], gesture [ˈʤesʧə], goblet [ˈɡɔblɪt]

"He was a man," said Conan. "I drink to his shade, and to the shade of the dog, who knew no fear." He quaffed part of the wine, then emptied the rest upon the floor, with a curious heathen gesture, and smashed the goblet. "The heads of ten Picts shall pay for his, and seven heads for the dog, who was a better warrior than many a man."

And the forester, staring into the moody, smoldering blue eyes, knew the barbaric oath would be kept (а лесник, пристально глядя в унылые, тлеющие синие глаза, знал, /что/ варварская клятва будет исполнена).

"They'll not rebuild the fort (/они/ не будут восстанавливать форт = форт не будут восстанавливать)?"

"No; Conajohara is lost to Aquilonia (нет, Конаджохара потеряна для Аквилонии). The frontier has been pushed back (граница отодвинулась назад). Thunder River will be the new border (Громовая река будет новым рубежом)."

forester [ˈfɔrɪstə], rebuild [ri: ˈbɪld], new [nju:]

And the forester, staring into the moody, smoldering blue eyes, knew the barbaric oath would be kept.

"They'll not rebuild the fort?"

"No; Conajohara is lost to Aquilonia. The frontier has been pushed back. Thunder River will be the new border."

The woodsman sighed and stared at his calloused hand, worn from contact with ax-

потертую от контакта с ручкой топора и рукояткой меча). Conan reached his long arm for the wine-jug (Конан потянулся своей длинной рукой за кувшином с вином). The forester stared at him, comparing him with the men about them (лесной житель разглядывал его, сравнивая его с людьми, которые были вокруг них), the men who had died along the lost river (с людьми, которые умерли вдоль утраченной реки; to lose — терять; утрачивать), comparing him with those other wild men over that river (сравнивая его с теми другими дикими людьми за той рекой). Conan did not seem aware of his gaze (Конан, казалось, не замечает его взгляда).

callous [ˈkæləs], worn [wɔ: n], compare [kəmˈpɛə]

The woodsman sighed and stared at his calloused hand, worn from contact with ax- haft and sword-hilt. Conan reached his long arm for the wine-jug. The forester stared at him, comparing him with the men about them, the men who had died along the lost river, comparing him with those other wild men over that river. Conan did not seem aware of his gaze.

"Barbarism is the natural state of mankind," the borderer said, still staring somberly at the Cimmerian (варварство /есть/ — естественное состояние человечества, — сказал пограничник, все еще хмуро уставясь на киммерийца). "Civilization is unnatural (цивилизация неестественна = противна природе). It is a whim of circumstance (это прихоть обстоятельств). And barbarism must always ultimately triumph (а варварство должно всегда одерживать окончательную победу = в конечном итоге варварство всегда победит; must — наверное, наверняка, должно быть — означает высокую степень вероятности)."

natural [ˈnæʧrəl], mankind [mænˈkaɪnd], circumstance [ˈsə: kəmstəns]

"Barbarism is the natural state of mankind," the borderer said, still staring somberly at the Cimmerian. "Civilization is unnatural. It is a whim of circumstance. And barbarism must always ultimately triumph."