Ignorant [`Ignqrqnt], danger [`deInGq], arrest [q`rest], audible [`o:dIbl], consequence [`kOnsIkwqns]

Meanwhile, Selden and his men still wound up the path, ignorant of their danger, and momently drew nearer hand. Once, indeed, they paused, drew into a group, and seemed to point and listen. But it was something from far away across the plain that had arrested their attention — a hollow growl of cannon that came, from time to time, upon the wind, and told of the great battle. It was worth a thought, to be sure; for if the voice of the big guns were thus become audible in Tunstall Forest, the fight must have rolled ever eastward, and the day, by consequence, gone sore against Sir Daniel and the lords of the dark rose.

But presently the little troop began again to move forward (но вскоре маленький отряд начал снова двигаться вперед), and came next to a very open, heathy portion of the way (и пришел затем к очень открытому, поросшему вереском участку пути), where but a single tongue of forest ran down to join the road (где только единственный язык = клин леса спускался вниз, чтобы примкнуть к дороге; to run — бежать). They were but just abreast of this (они только подошли к нему; abreast — рядом), when an arrow shone flying (когда сверкнула летящая стрела: «сверкнула, летя»; to shine — сверкать). One of the men threw up his arms (один из людей вскинул руки; to throw up — вскинуть, бросить вверх), his horse reared (его конь встал на дыбы), and both fell and struggled together in a mass (и оба упали и барахтались вместе в куче). Even from where the boys lay (даже оттуда, где лежали юноши) they could hear the rumour of the men's voices crying out (они могли слышать = им был слышен гул голосов кричащих людей); they could see the startled horses prancing (они могли видеть = им были видны вставшие на дыбы испуганные лошади; to startle — пугать), and, presently, as the troop began to recover from their first surprise (а вскоре, когда отряд начал оправляться от своей первой оторопи; surprise — неожиданность, сюрприз; неожиданное нападение; удивление), one fellow beginning to dismount (/они увидели/ одного человека, начинавшего слезать с коня). A second arrow from somewhat farther off (вторая стрела из несколько бóльшего отдаления; farther — дальше; off — прочь) glanced in a wide arch (блеснула = пролетела, блеснув, широкой аркой); a second rider bit the dust (второй всадник укусил пыль = упал мертвым; to bite — кусать). The man who was dismounting lost hold upon the rein (человек, который спешивался, выпустил уздечку: «утратил хватку»; to lose — терять), and his horse fled galloping (и его конь ускакал прочь галопом: «галопируя»; to flee — спасаться бегством), and dragged him by the foot along the road (и потащил его за ногу по дороге), bumping from stone to stone (бьющегося о камни), and battered by the fleeing hoofs (и избиваемого убегающими копытами). The four who still kept the saddle (четверо, которые все еще удержались в седле: «держали седло»; to keep — держать, хранить) instantly broke and scattered (немедленно разбились = разделились и бросились врассыпную; to break — ломаться); one wheeled (один повернулся; wheel — колесо; to wheel — поворачиваться /вокруг оси/; описывать круги) and rode, shrieking, towards the ferry (и поскакал, крича, к переправе; to ride — ехать верхом); the other three (другие трое), with loose rein and flying raiment (со свободными = отпущенными поводьями и развевающимися: «летящими» одеждами), came galloping up the road from Tunstall (поскакали галопом: «галопируя» по дороге из Танстолла). From every clump they passed an arrow sped (из каждого куста, который они проезжали, вылетала стрела; clump — заросли /деревьев, кустарников/; to speed — быстро пролететь). Soon a horse fell (скоро один конь упал), but the rider found his feet (но всадник нашел свои ноги = поднялся на ноги; to find — найти) and continued to pursue his comrades (и продолжал бежать за своими товарищами) till a second shot despatched him (пока второй выстрел не отправил его на тот свет; to despatch = to dispatch — посылать; отсылать, отправлять по назначению; книжн. отправлять на тот свет, убивать). Another man fell (еще один человек упал); then another horse (затем — еще одна лошадь); out of the whole troop there was but one fellow left (из всего отряда остался только один человек: «там был только один человек оставшийся»), and he on foot (и тот пеший: «пешком»; foot — нога, ступня); only, in different directions (только в разных направлениях), the noise of the galloping of three riderless horses (шум галопа трех оставшихся без седоков коней; rider — всадник; -less — лишенный чего-л.) was dying fast into the distance (быстро умирал = затихал в отдалении).

portion [`pO:S(q)n], abreast [q`brest], arch [Q:tS], shriek [Sri:k], direction [dI`rekS(q)n]

But presently the little troop began again to move forward, and came next to a very open, heathy portion of the way, where but a single tongue of forest ran down to join the road. They were but just abreast of this, when an arrow shone flying. One of the men threw up his arms, his horse reared, and both fell and struggled together in a mass. Even from where the boys lay they could hear the rumour of the men's voices crying out; they could see the startled horses prancing, and, presently, as the troop began to recover from their first surprise, one fellow beginning to dismount. A second arrow from somewhat farther off glanced in a wide arch; a second rider bit the dust. The man who was dismounting lost hold upon the rein, and his horse fled galloping, and dragged him by the foot along the road, bumping from stone to stone, and battered by the fleeing hoofs. The four who still kept the saddle instantly broke and scattered; one wheeled and rode, shrieking, towards the ferry; the other three, with loose rein and flying raiment, came galloping up the road from Tunstall. From every clump they passed an arrow sped. Soon a horse fell, but the rider found his feet and continued to pursue his comrades till a second shot despatched him. Another man fell; then another horse; out of the whole troop there was but one fellow left, and he on foot; only, in different directions, the noise of the galloping of three riderless horses was dying fast into the distance.

All this time not one of the assailants had for a moment shown himself (все это время ни один из нападавших ни на секунду не показал себя; to show — показать). Here and there along the path (там и сям вдоль тропы), horse or man rolled, undespatched, in his agony (конь или человек катался, еще живой: «неубитый», в агонии); but no merciful enemy broke cover (но никакой милосердный противник не вышел из укрытия: «не нарушил укрытия»; to break — ломать) to put them from their pain (чтобы избавить их от муки; to put — класть, ставить).

The solitary survivor stood bewildered in the road (единственный выживший стоял, растерянный, на дороге) beside his fallen charger (у своего павшего скакуна). He had come the length of that broad glade (он прошел всю длину этой широкой просеки), with the island of timber, pointed out by Dick (с островком рощицы, отмеченной Диком = о которой говорил Дик). He was not, perhaps, five hundred yards from (он был, возможно, менее чем в пятистах ярдов от /того места/) where the boys lay hidden (где юноши лежали, спрятавшись; to hide — прятаться); and they could see him plainly (и они могли видеть его ясно), looking to and fro in deadly expectation (глядящего туда-сюда в ужасном ожидании). But nothing came (но ничто не пришло = не случилось); and the man began to pluck up his courage (и человек начал собираться с храбростью = с духом), and suddenly unslung and bent his bow (и внезапно снял с плеча и натянул свой арбалет = тетиву). At the same time (в то же время), by something in his action (по чему-то в его действии = по какому-то жесту), Dick recognised Selden (Дик узнал Селдена).

agony [`xgqnI], merciful [`mq:sIf(q)l], put [pVt], survivor [sq`vaIvq], broad [brO:d], action [`xkS(q)n]

All this time not one of the assailants had for a moment shown himself. Here and there along the path, horse or man rolled, undespatched, in his agony; but no merciful enemy broke cover to put them from their pain.

The solitary survivor stood bewildered in the road beside his fallen charger. He had come the length of that broad glade, with the island of timber, pointed out by Dick. He was not, perhaps, five hundred yards from where the boys lay hidden; and they could see him plainly, looking to and fro in deadly expectation. But nothing came; and the man began to pluck up his courage, and suddenly unslung and bent his bow. At the same time, by something in his action, Dick recognised Selden.

At this offer of resistance (при этой попытке сопротивления), from all about him in the covert of the woods (отовсюду вокруг него под прикрытием леса) there went up the sound of laughter (раздался звук смеха; to go up — возникнуть). A score of men, at least (двадцать человек, по крайней мере), for this was the very thickest of the ambush (так как это была самая большая засада; thick — толстый), joined in this cruel and untimely mirth (объединились в этом жестоком и неуместном веселье). Then an arrow glanced over Selden's shoulder (затем стрела сверкнула над плечом Селдена); and he leaped and ran a little back (и он прыгнул и отбежал немного назад; to run — бежать). Another dart struck quivering at his heel (другая стрела ударила = вонзилась, подрагивая, у его пятки; to strike — ударять). He made for the cover (он бросился наутек: «для укрытия»). A third shaft leaped out right in his face (третья стрела вылетела прямо ему в лицо), and fell short in front of him (и упала прямо перед ним). And then the laughter was repeated loudly (а затем смех повторился: «был повторен» громко), rising and reechoing from different thickets (возрастая и отдаваясь эхом из разных кустов).

offer [`Ofq], covert [`kAvqt], laughter [`lQ:ftq], reecho [rI`ekqV]

At this offer of resistance, from all about him in the covert of the woods there went up the sound of laughter. A score of men, at least, for this was the very thickest of the ambush, joined in this cruel and untimely mirth. Then an arrow glanced over Selden's shoulder; and he leaped and ran a little back. Another dart struck quivering at his heel. He made for the cover. A third shaft leaped out right in his face, and fell short in front of him. And then the laughter was repeated loudly, rising and reechoing from different thickets.

It was plain that his assailants were but baiting him (было ясно, что его противники лишь дразнили его), as men, in those days, baited the poor bull (как люди в те времена дразнили бедного быка), or as the cat still trifles with the mouse (или как кошка до сих пор играет с мышью; trifle — мелочь, пустяк; to trifle — шутить; относиться несерьезно, не принимать всерьез; теребить; возиться; играть, вертеть в руках). The skirmish was well over (стычка была окончена); farther down the road (дальше по дороге), a fellow in green was already calmly gathering the arrows (человек в зеленом уже спокойно подбирал стрелы); and now, in the evil pleasure of their hearts (а сейчас, для злого удовольствия своих сердец), they gave themselves the spectacle of their poor fellow-sinner in his torture (они дали сами себе спектакль /— зрелище/ своего ближнего в страданиях; fellow — приятель, товарищ, коллега, собрат; fellow creature — ближний; sinner — грешник).

Selden began to understand (Селден начал понимать); he uttered a roar of anger (он издал рычание ярости), shouldered his cross-bow (приставил к плечу свой арбалет), and sent a quarrel at a venture into the wood (и послал стрелу наудачу в деревья). Chance favoured him (удача благоволила ему), for a slight cry responded (так как легкий крик ответил = раздался в ответ). Then, throwing down his weapon (затем, бросив вниз = наземь свое оружие), Selden began to run before him up the glade (Селден побежал вперед по просеке), and almost in a straight line for Dick and Matcham (и почти по прямой линии = почти прямо к Дику и Мэтчему).

bull [bVl], trifle [traIfl], torture [`tO:tSq], anger [`xŋgq], slight [slaIt], cry [kraI]

It was plain that his assailants were but baiting him, as men, in those days, baited the poor bull, or as the cat still trifles with the mouse. The skirmish was well over; farther down the road, a fellow in green was already calmly gathering the arrows; and now, in the evil pleasure of their hearts, they gave themselves the spectacle of their poor fellow-sinner in his torture.

Selden began to understand; he uttered a roar of anger, shouldered his cross-bow, and sent a quarrel at a venture into the wood. Chance favoured him, for a slight cry responded. Then, throwing down his weapon, Selden began to run before him up the glade, and almost in a straight line for Dick and Matcham.

The companions of the Black Arrow now began to shoot in earnest (товарищи /братства/ Черной Стрелы теперь начали стрелять всерьез). But they were properly served (но поделом им: «с ними правильно поступили»); their chance had past (их шанс ушел; to pass — проходить); most of them had now to shoot against the sun (большинство из них теперь должны были стрелять против солнца; to have to — быть вынужденным что-то сделать); and Selden, as he ran (а Селден, пока он бежал = на бегу), bounded from side to side (скакал из стороны в сторону) to baffle and deceive their aim (чтобы сбить и обмануть их прицел; to baffle — расстраивать, опрокидывать /расчеты, планы/; мешать, препятствовать). Best of all (лучше всего), by turning up the glade (повернув вверх по просеке) he had defeated their preparations (он расстроил их планы: «приготовления»); there were no marksmen posted higher up (не было стрелков, размещенных выше) than the one whom he had just killed or wounded (чем тот, кого он только что убил или ранил); and the confusion of the foresters' counsels soon became apparent (и смущение лесных вершителей правосудия скоро стало очевидным; counsel — юрист; to become — стать). A whistle sounded thrice (свист раздался трижды), and then again twice (и потом снова дважды). It was repeated from another quarter (он был повторен = он получил ответ с другой стороны). The woods on either side became full of the sound of people (лес по обе стороны стал полон = наполнился гамом людей) bursting through the underwood (прорывающихся сквозь подлесок); and a bewildered deer ran out into the open (и испуганный олень выбежал на открытое место; to run out — выбежать: «бежать наружу»), stood for a second on three feet (постоял секунду на трех ногах), with nose in air (с носом в воздухе = принюхиваясь), and then plunged again into the thicket (и затем нырнул снова в заросли).

earnest [`q:nqst], properly [`prOpqlI], deceive [dI`si:v], wounded [`wVndId], thrice [TraIs], full [fVl], plunge [plAnG]

The companions of the Black Arrow now began to shoot in earnest. But they were properly served; their chance had past; most of them had now to shoot against the sun; and Selden, as he ran, bounded from side to side to baffle and deceive their aim. Best of all, by turning up the glade he had defeated their preparations; there were no marksmen posted higher up than the one whom he had just killed or wounded; and the confusion of the foresters' counsels soon became apparent. A whistle sounded thrice, and then again twice. It was repeated from another quarter. The woods on either side became full of the sound of people bursting through the underwood; and a bewildered deer ran out into the open, stood for a second on three feet, with nose in air, and then plunged again into the thicket.

Selden still ran, bounding (Селден все еще бежал, прыгая /в разные стороны/); ever and again an arrow followed him (всегда и снова = то и дело стрела преследовала его), but still would miss (но все летела мимо; to miss — промахнуться, не попасть в цель). It began to appear as if he might escape (начало казаться, что он мог бы спастись). Dick had his bow armed (арбалет Дика был заряжен), ready to support him (готов помочь ему); even Matcham, forgetful of his interest (даже Мэтчем, позабыв про свою заинтересованность; forgetful — забывчивый), took sides at heart for the poor fugitive (принял в сердце сторону бедного беглеца); and both lads glowed and trembled (и оба юноши горели и дрожали) in the ardour of their hearts (в пылу своих сердец).

He was within fifty yards of them (он был в пятидесяти ярдах от них), when an arrow struck him and he fell (когда стрела пронзила его, и он упал; to strike — ударять). He was up again (он встал снова: «был вверх»), indeed, upon the instant (действительно, в одно мгновение); but now he ran staggering (но теперь он бежал, шатаясь), and, like a blind man (и, как слепец), turned aside from his direction (свернул с пути: «со своего направления»).

fugitive [`fjV:GItIv], ardour [`Q:dq], blind [blaInd]

Selden still ran, bounding; ever and again an arrow followed him, but still would miss. It began to appear as if he might escape. Dick had his bow armed, ready to support him; even Matcham, forgetful of his interest, took sides at heart for the poor fugitive; and both lads glowed and trembled in the ardour of their hearts.

He was within fifty yards of them, when an arrow struck him and he fell. He was up again, indeed, upon the instant; but now he ran staggering, and, like a blind man, turned aside from his direction.

Dick leaped to his feet (Дик вскочил на ноги) and waved to him (и помахал ему).

"Here!" he cried (сюда! — кричал он). "This way (этим путем = сюда)! here is help (здесь помощь)! Nay, run, fellow — run (ну, беги, друг, беги)!"

But just then a second arrow struck Selden in the shoulder (но прямо тогда вторая стрела вонзилась Селдену в плечо), between the plates of his brigandine (между пластинами его панциря; brigandine — гибкий панцирь из стальных пластин, покрытый сукном или кожей), and, piercing through his jack (и, пронзив его куртку), brought him, like a stone, to earth (отправила его, как камень, на землю; to bring — принести).

"O, the poor heart!" cried Matcham (о, бедное сердце = бедняга! — вскричал Мэтчем), with clasped hands (со сжатыми руками = заламывая руки).

And Dick stood petrified upon the hill (а Дик стоял, остолбеневеший, на холме; to petrify — обращать в камень), a mark for archery (мишень для лучников).

Ten to one he had speedily been shot (десять к одному, что он был бы немедленно застрелен; to shoot — стрелять) — for the foresters were furious with themselves (так как лесные /жители/ были в ярости на самих себя), and taken unawares by Dick's appearance in the rear of their position (и застигнуты врасплох появлением Дика в тылу своего расположения) — but instantly (но тотчас), out of a quarter of the wood surprisingly near to the two lads (из уголка леса, удивительно близкого к двум юношам), a stentorian voice arose (зычный голос раздался; to arise — раздаваться), the voice of Ellis Duckworth (голос Эллиса Дакуорта).

"Hold!" it roared (стой! — проревел он). "Shoot not (не стреляйте)! Take him alive (возьмите его живым)! It is young Shelton — Harry's son (это молодой Шелтон — сын Гарри).”

earth [q:T], unawares [Anq`weqz], rear [rIq], alive [q`laIv]

Dick leaped to his feet and waved to him.

"Here!" he cried. "This way! here is help! Nay, run, fellow — run!"

But just then a second arrow struck Selden in the shoulder, between the plates of his brigandine, and, piercing through his jack, brought him, like a stone, to earth.

"O, the poor heart!" cried Matcham, with clasped hands.

And Dick stood petrified upon the hill, a mark for archery.

Ten to one he had speedily been shot — for the foresters were furious with themselves, and taken unawares by Dick's appearance in the rear of their position — but instantly, out of a quarter of the wood surprisingly near to the two lads, a stentorian voice arose, the voice of Ellis Duckworth.

"Hold!" it roared. "Shoot not! Take him alive! It is young Shelton — Harry's son."

And immediately after (и немедленно после /этого/) a shrill whistle sounded several times (пронзительный свист раздался несколько раз), and was again taken up and repeated farther off (и был снова подхвачен и повторен дальше; to take up — подхватить). The whistle, it appeared (этот свист, казалось), was John Amend-All's battle trumpet (был фанфарами Джона Правлю-Все), by which he published his directions (которым он отдавал распоряжения).

"Ah, foul fortune!" cried Dick (ах, какая неудача! — вскричал Дик; foul — отвратительный). "We are undone (мы погибли; to undo — погубить). Swiftly, Jack, come swiftly (живо, Джек, побежали живо)!"

And the pair turned (и эта пара = они двое повернулись) and ran back through the open pine clump (и побежали назад сквозь открытую сосновую рощу) that covered the summit of the hill (которая покрывала вершину холма).

pair [peq], summit [`sAmIt]

And immediately after a shrill whistle sounded several times, and was again taken up and repeated farther off. The whistle, it appeared, was John Amend-All's battle trumpet, by which he published his directions.

"Ah, foul fortune!" cried Dick. "We are undone. Swiftly, Jack, come swiftly!"

And the pair turned and ran back through the open pine clump that covered the summit of the hill.