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 [kqn'fju:zd], dare [dFq], swarm [swO: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!"

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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 [grquT], bewilder [bI'wIldq], cover ['kAvq]

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).

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prisoner ['prIznq], control [kqn'trqul], screech [skri:C]

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 [lRf], branch [brRnC], surely ['SuqlI]

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

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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 [skO:], path [pRT], break [breIk]

"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."

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"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 [kwIk], comply [kqm'plaI], afraid [q'freId]

"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

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(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 [dI'vqut], every [evrI], wisdom ['wIzdqm]

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 ['wIslIN], torture [tO:Cq], 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

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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:IN], silent ['saIlqnt]

"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.

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"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 [hRt], heard [hq: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

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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 [sqs'pISqs], weight [weIt], leopard ['lepqd]

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

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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 [renC], fast [fRst], care [kFq]

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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 ['braIq], least [li:st], evidence ['evIdqns]

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

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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 [dAz], persist [pq'sIst], 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)."

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"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 ['retIsqns], command [kq'mRnd], animal ['xnImql]

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 [wAns], worship ['wq:SIp], language ['lxNgwIG]

"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."

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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 [kO:l], science ['saIqns], refuse [rI'fju: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

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(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 [sO:s], antiquity [xn'tIkwItI]

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)."

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"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 [dIs'kwaIqt], alone [q'lqun], ask [Rsk]

"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

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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 ['sImbql], mold [mquld], inscrutably [In'skru:tqblI]

"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 [R'keIIk], suppose [sq'pquz], ignorance ['Ignqrqns]

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"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 [jq:], sacred ['sekrId], watch [wOC]

"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

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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 [nO:T], overture ['quvqtjuq], drama [drRmq]

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 [mxg'nIfIsnt], view [vju:], panther ['pxnTq]

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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 ['xtItju:d], carnivore ['kRnIvO:], awe [O:]

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

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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 ['smquldq], barbarian [bR'bFqrIqn], idea [aI'dIq]

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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)."

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while [waIl], sign [saIn], find [faInd]

"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,

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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 ['wIzqd], chief [Ci: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

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thickly settled country behind Velitrium (возможно даже пересекут Громовую

реку и совершат налеты на густо населенную местность за Велитриумом)."

whether ['weDq], warning ['wO:nIN], country ['kAntrI]

"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 [tO:k], visible ['vIzIbl], secure [sI'kjuq]

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

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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 [wFq], armor ['Rmq], leaf [li:f]

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"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

плен¹, 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 ['vISqs], belly ['belI], all [O:l]

1 Еще может быть значение: быть пораженным.

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"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 [q'laIv]

"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/

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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 [eIbl], squat [skwOt], ceremony ['serImqnI]

"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 [bVl], gorilla [gq'rIlq], probably ['prObqblI]

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"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 ['Apwqd], without [wI'Daut], faith [feIT]

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

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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 [nO:], thirst [Tq: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

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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 [wO:], knight [naIt], visit ['vIzIt]

"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

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of the Barachan Isles, which lie southwest of Zingara (я ходил¹вдоль него, когда

я был с пиратами Барахских островов, которые лежат на юго-востоке от

Зингары)."

weapon ['wepqn], Isles ['aIlz], lie [laI]

"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 ['frAntIq], mention ['menSn], widely ['waIdlI]

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?"

1 Не забывайте, что моряки не говорят «плавать». Они употребляют слово «ходить». При этом норовят

сострить по поводу того, что плавает. Поэтому: to sail — ходить под парусами, ходить на корабле.

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"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 [rqum], wander ['wOndq], 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

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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 [CeIs], cross [krOs]

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.

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"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 ['ADqwaIz], scour [skauq], must [mAst]

"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 —

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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 ['mqumqntqrIlI], ambush ['xmbVS], enemy ['enImI]

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 ['reklIs], vicinity [vI'sInItI]

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"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 [q'lRm], attack [q'txk], onslaught ['OnslO: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

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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 [Dqu], grove [grquv], meadow ['medqu]

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.

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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 ['eIljqn], achieve [q'Ci:v], dear [dIq]

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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)."

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scowl [skaul], shadow ['Sxdqu], lengthen ['leNTqn]

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 [twxN], caught [kO:t], death [deT]

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.

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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 [spxz'mOdIklI], useless ['ju:slIs], quarter ['kwO:tq]

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

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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 [rIst], maintain [meIn'teIn], wrench [renC]

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

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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

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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 тихо¹, его безвольная поза говорила о

раздробленных конечностях и сломанном позвоночнике).

overwhelmed [quvq'welmd], abandon [q'bxndqn], posture ['pOsCq]

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

1 Здесь уместно вспомнить аквилонскую пословицу: «Не трогай пикта, пока лежит тихо». Не в рифму, но

смертельно.

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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 ['hArI], feather ['feDq], arrow ['xrqu]

"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!"

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