Chapter VI — night in the woods (concluded): dick and joan (Глава шестая (заключение) — Ночь в лесу: Дик и Джоанна)

The horses had by this time finished the small store of provender (лошади к этому времени покончили с маленьким запасом корма; provender — корм, зерно, фураж), and fully breathed from their fatigues (и полностью отдохнули от своей усталости; fatigue — усталость, утомление; тяжелая, утомительная работа). At Dick's command, the fire was smothered in snow (по команде Дика костер был задушен в снегу = засыпан снегом); and while his men got once more wearily to saddle (и пока его люди устало садились в седла), he himself (он сам), remembering, somewhat late, true woodland caution (вспомнив, немного поздновато, настоящие лесные предосторожности), chose a tall oak (выбрал высокий дуб; to choose — выбирать) and nimbly clambered to the topmost fork (и проворно вскарабкался на верхнюю ветку: «на самое верхнее разветвление»). Hence he could look far abroad (оттуда он мог смотреть далеко) on the moonlit and snow-paven forest (на залитый лунным светом и покрытый: «мощеный» снегом лес). On the south-west (на юго-западе), dark against the horizon (темный на фоне горизонта), stood those upland, heathy quarters (находилась та холмистая, покрытая вереском земля) where he and Joanna had met (где он и Джоанна встретились; to meet — встретиться) with the terrifying misadventure of the leper (с ужасным приключением с прокаженным). And there his eye was caught by a spot of ruddy brightness (и здесь его взгляд приковало к себе ярко-красное пятнышко: «был пойман пятнышком красной яркости») no bigger than a needle's eye (не больше игольного ушка).

provender [`prOvIndq], fatigue [fq`tJg], smother [`smADq], horizon [hq`raIz(q)n]

The horses had by this time finished the small store of provender, and fully breathed from their fatigues. At Dick's command, the fire was smothered in snow; and while his men got once more wearily to saddle, he himself, remembering, somewhat late, true woodland caution, chose a tall oak and nimbly clambered to the topmost fork. Hence he could look far abroad on the moonlit and snow-paven forest. On the south-west, dark against the horizon, stood those upland, heathy quarters where he and Joanna had met with the terrifying misadventure of the leper. And there his eye was caught by a spot of ruddy brightness no bigger than a needle's eye.

He blamed himself sharply for his previous neglect (он горячо выругал себя за свое предыдущее небрежение). Were that, as it appeared to be, the shining of Sir Daniel's camp-fire (если бы это было, как казалось, светом костра в лагере сэра Дэниела), he should long ago have seen (он бы уже давно увидел) and marched for it (и пошел к нему); above all, he should, for no consideration (превыше всего, он не должен был ни в коем случае; consideration — размышление, рассуждение, рассмотрение), have announced his neighbourhood (выдавать свое соседство; to announce — объявлять, давать знать; заявлять; извещать) by lighting a fire of his own (зажигая свой собственный костер). But now he must no longer squander valuable hours (но теперь он не должен тратить зря драгоценные часы; valuable — ценный). The direct way to the uplands was about two miles in length (прямой путь к возвышенности был примерно две мили длиной); but it was crossed by a very deep, precipitous dingle (но его пересекала очень глубокая, обрывистая лощина), impassable to mounted men (непроходимая для конных людей); and for the sake of speed (и ради скорости), it seemed to Dick advisable to desert the horses (Дику показалось целесообразным оставить лошадей; to advise — советовать) and attempt the adventure on foot (и завершить: «попытать» предприятие пешком).

previous [`prJvIqs], neglect [nI`glekt], precipitous [prI`sIpItqs], impassable [Im`pRsqbl]

He blamed himself sharply for his previous neglect. Were that, as it appeared to be, the shining of Sir Daniel's camp-fire, he should long ago have seen and marched for it; above all, he should, for no consideration, have announced his neighbourhood by lighting a fire of his own. But now he must no longer squander valuable hours. The direct way to the uplands was about two miles in length; but it was crossed by a very deep, precipitous dingle, impassable to mounted men; and for the sake of speed, it seemed to Dick advisable to desert the horses and attempt the adventure on foot.

Ten men were left to guard the horses (десять человек были оставлены, чтобы сторожить лошадей; to leave — оставлять); signals were agreed upon (условились о сигналах; to agree upon — согласиться, условиться о чем-л./) by which they could communicate in case of need (которыми они могли бы переговариваться в случае необходимости); and Dick set forth at the head of the remainder (и Дик пошел вперед во главе остальных; to set forth — пуститься вперед), Alicia Risingham walking stoutly by his side (а Алисия Райзингем отважно шагала подле него).

The men had freed themselves of heavy armour (люди освободились от тяжелого вооружения), and left behind their lances (и оставили свои копья; to leave behind — оставить «сзади»); and they now marched with a very good spirit in the frozen snow (и они теперь шагали с бодростью по мерзлому снегу), and under the exhilarating lustre of the moon (под ободряющим сиянием луны; to exhilarate — веселить, развлекать; оживлять, подбодрять). The descent into the dingle (спуск в лощину), where a stream strained sobbing through the snow and ice (где ручеек струился, всхлипывая, /пробиваясь/ сквозь снег и лед; to sob — рыдать; всхлипывать), was effected with silence and order (был выполнен в тишине и порядке); and on the further side (а на дальней стороне), being then within a short half mile of (будучи в полумиле оттуда) where Dick had seen the glimmer of the fire (где Дик заметил блеск костра), the party halted to breathe before the attack (отряд остановился, чтобы передохнуть перед нападением).

communicate [kq`mjHnIkeIt], exhilarating [Ig`zIl(q)reItIN], lustre [`lAstq]

Ten men were left to guard the horses; signals were agreed upon by which they could communicate in case of need; and Dick set forth at the head of the remainder, Alicia Risingham walking stoutly by his side.

The men had freed themselves of heavy armour, and left behind their lances; and they now marched with a very good spirit in the frozen snow, and under the exhilarating lustre of the moon. The descent into the dingle, where a stream strained sobbing through the snow and ice, was effected with silence and order; and on the further side, being then within a short half mile of where Dick had seen the glimmer of the fire, the party halted to breathe before the attack.

In the vast silence of the wood (в глубокой тишине леса; vast — обширный, громадный; пространный), the lightest sounds were audible from far (малейшие звуки были слышны издалека); and Alicia, who was keen of hearing (и Алисия, у которой был острый слух: «была остра на слух»), held up her finger warningly (предостерегающе подняла палец; to hold up — поднять: «держать вверх»; to warn — предостерегать) and stooped to listen (и нагнулась, чтобы прислушаться). All followed her example (все последовали ее примеру); but besides the groans of the choked brook (но кроме глухого шума ручья: «шума задушенного ручья») in the dingle close behind (в лощине непосредственно позади), and the barking of a fox at a distance of many miles among the forest (и лая лисы на расстоянии многих миль в лесу), to Dick's acutest hearkening (на острейшее слушание Дика = как он ни вслушивался), not a breath was audible (ни ветерка: «ни дыхания» не было слышно).

"But yet, for sure, I heard the clash of harness," whispered Alicia (и все же я точно слышала клацанье сбруи, — прошептала Алисия).

acutest [q`kjHtqst], hearkening [`hRk(q)nIN]

In the vast silence of the wood, the lightest sounds were audible from far; and Alicia, who was keen of hearing, held up her finger warningly and stooped to listen. All followed her example; but besides the groans of the choked brook in the dingle close behind, and the barking of a fox at a distance of many miles among the forest, to Dick's acutest hearkening, not a breath was audible.

"But yet, for sure, I heard the clash of harness," whispered Alicia.

"Madam," returned Dick, who was more afraid of that young lady (мадам, — ответил Дик, который больше боялся этой юной леди) than of ten stout warriors (чем десяти дюжих воинов), "I would not hint ye were mistaken (я не хотел бы намекнуть = сказать, что вы ошиблись); but it might well have come from either of the camps (но он = звук мог донестись из любого лагеря)."

"It came not thence (он донесся не оттуда). It came from westward," she declared (он донесся с запада, — объявила она).

"It may be what it will," returned Dick (может быть и так, — ответил Дик); "and it must be as heaven please (и должно быть так, как небо того пожелает). Reck we not a jot (не будем беспокоиться: «ни на йоту»), but push on the livelier (но пойдем дальше еще быстрее), and put it to the touch (и узнаем, что это: «подвергнем это осязанию»). Up, friends (вставайте, друзья) — enough breathed (довольно отдохнули)."

afraid [q`freId], warrior [`wOrIq], thence [Dens]

"Madam," returned Dick, who was more afraid of that young lady than of ten stout warriors, "I would not hint ye were mistaken; but it might well have come from either of the camps."

"It came not thence. It came from westward," she declared.

"It may be what it will," returned Dick; "and it must be as heaven please. Reck we not a jot, but push on the livelier, and put it to the touch. Up, friends — enough breathed."

As they advanced (пока = по мере того как они продвигались /вперед/), the snow became more and more trampled with hoof-marks (снег становился все более и более утоптанным следами копыт), and it was plain that they were drawing near (и было ясно, что они приближались) to the encampment of a considerable force of mounted men (к стоянке значительного количества: «силы» конных воинов). Presently they could see the smoke (вскоре они увидели: «смогли видеть» дым) pouring from among the trees (валивший из-за деревьев), ruddily coloured on its lower edge (красновато окрашенный с нижнего края) and scattering bright sparks (и разбрасывающий яркие искры).

And here, pursuant to Dick's orders (и здесь, следуя приказам Дика), his men began to open out (его люди начали вытягиваться = развернули свои ряды), creeping stealthily in the covert (пробираясь украдкой, втайне), to surround on every side the camp of their opponents (чтобы окружить со всех сторон лагерь своих противников: «на каждой стороне»). He himself, placing Alicia in the shelter of a bulky oak (он сам, оставив: «поместив» Алисию под прикрытием большого дуба), stole straight forth in the direction of the fire (крадучись пошел вперед по направлению к костру; to steal — красться).

encampment [In`kxmpmqnt], stealthily [`stelTIlI], covert [`kAvqt], opponent [q`pqVnqnt]

As they advanced, the snow became more and more trampled with hoof-marks, and it was plain that they were drawing near to the encampment of a considerable force of mounted men. Presently they could see the smoke pouring from among the trees, ruddily coloured on its lower edge and scattering bright sparks.

And here, pursuant to Dick's orders, his men began to open out, creeping stealthily in the covert, to surround on every side the camp of their opponents. He himself, placing Alicia in the shelter of a bulky oak, stole straight forth in the direction of the fire.

At last, through an opening of the wood (наконец, в просвет леса = между деревьями), his eye embraced the scene of the encampment (его глаз охватил картину лагеря: «сцену»). The fire had been built upon a heathy hummock of the ground (костер был устроен на покрытом вереском холмике из земли; to build — строить), surrounded on three sides by thicket (окруженном с трех сторон зарослями), and it now burned very strong (и он теперь горел очень сильно), roaring aloud and brandishing flames (громко гудя и выпуская языки пламени; to brandish — махать, размахивать /например, мечом, палкой/). Around it there sat not quite a dozen people (вокруг него сидело не больше дюжины человек), warmly cloaked (тепло одетых в плащи); but though the neighbouring snow was trampled down as by a regiment (но хотя снег вокруг был утоптан, словно /целым/ полком), Dick looked in vain for any horse (Дик тщетно искал хоть одну лошадь; to look for — искать). He began to have a terrible misgiving (у него появилось ужасное подозрение) that he was out-manoeuvred (что его перехитрили). At the same time (в то же время), in a tall man with a steel salet (в высоком человеке со стальным шлемом), who was spreading his hands before the blaze (который протягивал руки перед пламенем), he recognised his old friend (он узнал своего старого друга) and still kindly enemy, Bennet Hatch (и в то же время доброго врага, Беннета Хэтча; still — все же, тем не менее, однако); and in two others, sitting a little back (а в двух других, сидящих немного позади), he made out, even in their male disguise, Joanna Sedley and Sir Daniel's wife (он узнал, даже в мужских костюмах, Джоанну Седли и жену сэра Дэниела; to make out — разглядеть, различить).

hummock [`hAmqk], regiment [`reGImqnt]

At last, through an opening of the wood, his eye embraced the scene of the encampment. The fire had been built upon a heathy hummock of the ground, surrounded on three sides by thicket, and it now burned very strong, roaring aloud and brandishing flames. Around it there sat not quite a dozen people, warmly cloaked; but though the neighbouring snow was trampled down as by a regiment, Dick looked in vain for any horse. He began to have a terrible misgiving that he was out-manoeuvred. At the same time, in a tall man with a steel salet, who was spreading his hands before the blaze, he recognised his old friend and still kindly enemy, Bennet Hatch; and in two others, sitting a little back, he made out, even in their male disguise, Joanna Sedley and Sir Daniel's wife.

"Well," thought he to himself (вот, — подумал он про себя: «себе»), "even if I lose my horses (даже если я потеряю своих лошадей), let me get my Joanna (дайте мне получить мою Джоанну), and why should I complain (и почему бы = на что мне жаловаться)?"

And then, from the further side of the encampment (и затем, с дальнего конца лагеря), there came a little whistle (раздался легкий свист), announcing that his men had joined (сообщавший, что его люди соединились), and the investment was complete (и осада была готова: «полна»).

Bennet, at the sound, started to his feet (Беннет при этом звуке вскочил на ноги); but ere he had time to spring upon his arms (но прежде чем у него было время = прежде чем он успел схватиться за оружие), Dick hailed him (Дик окликнул его).

"Bennet," he said — "Bennet, old friend, yield ye (Беннет, — сказал он, — Беннет, старый друг, сдавайся). Ye will but spill men's lives in vain (ты лишь потратишь человеческие жизни впустую), if ye resist (если будешь сопротивляться)."

resist [rI`zIst]

"Well," thought he to himself, "even if I lose my horses, let me get my Joanna, and why should I complain?"

And then, from the further side of the encampment, there came a little whistle, announcing that his men had joined, and the investment was complete.

Bennet, at the sound, started to his feet; but ere he had time to spring upon his arms, Dick hailed him.

"Bennet," he said — "Bennet, old friend, yield ye. Ye will but spill men's lives in vain, if ye resist."

"'Tis Master Shelton, by St. Barbary!" cried Hatch (это мастер Шелтон, клянусь святой Варварой! — вскричал Хэтч). "Yield me (сдаться)? Ye ask much (ты много просишь). What force have ye (какие у тебя силы)?"

"I tell you, Bennet, ye are both outnumbered and begirt," said Dick (говорю тебе, Беннет, нас больше: «ты превзойден численно», и ты окружен; to begird — окружать). "Caesar and Charlemagne would cry for quarter (Цезарь и Карл Великий молили бы о пощаде). I have two score men at my whistle (у меня сорок человек в распоряжении: «на моем свисте»; score — двадцать), and with one shoot of arrows (и одним залпом стрел) I could answer for you all (я мог бы ответить вам всем)."

"Master Dick," said Bennet, "it goes against my heart (мастер Дик, — сказал Беннет, — это противно моему сердцу: «идет против»); but I must do my duty (но я должен исполнять свой долг). The saints help you (святые да помогут тебе)!" And therewith he raised a little tucket to his mouth (и тогда он поднес маленький рожок ко рту) and wound a rousing call (и протрубил боевой сигнал; to wind — трубить).

Charlemagne [`SRlqmeIn], wind [waInd], wound [waVnd]

"'Tis Master Shelton, by St. Barbary!" cried Hatch. "Yield me? Ye ask much. What force have ye?"

"I tell you, Bennet, ye are both outnumbered and begirt," said Dick. "Caesar and Charlemagne would cry for quarter. I have two score men at my whistle, and with one shoot of arrows I could answer for you all."

"Master Dick," said Bennet, "it goes against my heart; but I must do my duty. The saints help you!" And therewith he raised a little tucket to his mouth and wound a rousing call.

Then followed a moment of confusion (затем последовал момент замешательства); for while Dick, fearing for the ladies (ибо пока Дик, опасаясь за дам), still hesitated to give the word to shoot (все еще колебался дать приказ стрелять), Hatch's little band sprang to their weapons (маленький отряд Хэтча схватился за оружие; to spring — прыгнуть; вскочить; броситься) and formed back to back (и встал спина к спине) as for a fierce resistance (для яростного сопротивления). In the hurry of their change of place (в спешке их передвижения), Joanna sprang from her seat (Джоанна вскочила со своего места) and ran like an arrow to her lover's side (и помчалась, как стрела, к своему возлюбленному).

"Here, Dick!" she cried, as she clasped his hand in hers (/я/ здесь, Дик! — прокричала она, сжав его руку в своих).

fierce [fIqs], resistance [rI`zIstqns]

Then followed a moment of confusion; for while Dick, fearing for the ladies, still hesitated to give the word to shoot, Hatch's little band sprang to their weapons and formed back to back as for a fierce resistance. In the hurry of their change of place, Joanna sprang from her seat and ran like an arrow to her lover's side.

"Here, Dick!" she cried, as she clasped his hand in hers.

But Dick still stood irresolute (но Дик все еще стоял в нерешительности: «нерешительный»); he was yet young to the more deplorable necessities of war (он был еще юн = непривычен к более удручающим необходимостям войны), and the thought of old Lady Brackley (и мысль о старой леди Брэкли) checked the command upon his tongue (смиряла приказ у него на языке = не давала отдать приказ). His own men became restive (его собственные люди забеспокоились; to become — стать; restive — своенравный, упрямый; беспокойный, нетерпеливый). Some of them cried on him by name (некоторые из них окликали его по имени); others, of their own accord, began to shoot (другие, по собственному почину, принялись стрелять); and at the first discharge poor Bennet bit the dust (и при первом залпе бедный Беннет был убит: «кусал пыль»; to bite — кусать). Then Dick awoke (тогда Дик очнулся; to awake — проснуться).

"On!" he cried (вперед! — крикнул он). "Shoot, boys, and keep to cover (стреляйте, ребята, и держитесь в укрытии). England and York (Англия и Йорк)!"