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!"

 

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).

 

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 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."

 

"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 (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 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.

"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 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 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]

 

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 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)."

"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."

 

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 (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)."

"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 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]

 

"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 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]

 

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 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]

 

The barbarian's eyes were smoldering with fires that never lit the eyes of men bred to the ideas of civilization. In that instant he was all wild, and had forgotten the man at his side. In his burning gaze Balthus glimpsed and vaguely recognized pristine images and half-embodied memories, shadows from Life's dawn, forgotten and repudiated by sophisticated races — ancient, primeval fantasms unnamed and nameless.

Then the deeper fires were masked and Conan was silently leading the way deeper into the forest.

 

"We've no more to fear from the beasts," he said after a while, "but we've left a sign for men to read (нам не нужно больше бояться животных, — он сказал через некоторое время, — но мы оставили знак для людей /чтобы прочитать/). They won't follow our trail very easily (они не пойдут по нашему следу очень легко), and until they find that symbol they won't know for sure we've turned south (и пока они /не/ найдут этот символ, они не будут знать наверняка, /что/ мы повернули на юг). Even then it won't be easy to smell us out without the beasts to aid them (даже тогда /это/ будет нелегко вынюхать нас без зверей чтобы помочь им = без помощи зверей). But the woods south of the trail will be full of warriors looking for us (но леса южнее тропинки будут полны воинов, ищущих нас). If we keep moving after daylight, we'll be sure to run into some of them (если мы /будем/ продолжать движение после рассвета, мы наверняка наткнемся на кого-то из них; to run into — наткнуться, налететь на). As soon as we find a good place we'll hide and wait until another night to swing back and make the river (как только мы найдем хорошее место, мы спрячемся и подождем, пока /не/ наступит еще одна ночь и направимся к реке; to make (for) — направляться, двигаться). We've got to warn Valannus, but it won't help him any if we get ourselves killed (мы должны предупредить Валаннуса, но /это/ никоим образом не поможет ему, если мы сами погибнем; to get killed — стать убитым, погибнуть)."

 

while [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, 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 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 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]

 

"If more borderers would wear harness there'd be fewer skulls hanging on the altar-huts. But most men make noise if they wear armor. They were waiting on each side of the path, without moving. And when a Pict stands motionless, the very beasts of the forest pass him without seeing him. They'd seen us crossing the river and got in their places. If they'd gone into ambush after we left the bank, I'd have had some hint of it. But they were waiting, and not even a leaf trembled. The devil himself couldn't have suspected anything. The first suspicion I had was when I heard a shaft rasp against a bow as it was pulled back. I dropped and yelled for the men behind me to drop, but they were too slow, taken by surprise like that.

 

"Most of them fell at the first volley that raked us from both sides (большинство их пали при первом залпе, который обстрелял = накрыл нас с обеих сторон). Some of the arrows crossed the trail and struck Picts on the other side (некоторые из стрел перелетели тропу и поразили пиктов на другой стороне). I heard them howl (я слышал их выть = их вой)." He grinned with vicious satisfaction (он оскалился со злым удовлетворением). "Such of us as were left plunged into the woods and closed with them (те из нас, что остались, бросились в лес и вступили в борьбу с ними; to close with — вступить в борьбу с). When I saw the others were all down or taken, I broke through and outfooted the painted devils through the darkness (когда я увидел, /что/ остальные все погибли или взяты в плен[40], 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]

 

"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/ 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]

 

"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 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 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 of the Barachan Isles, which lie southwest of Zingara (я ходил[41] вдоль 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?"