Thus began the mystery of Keesh (таким образом началась тайна Киша), a mystery that deepened and deepened with the passing of the days (тайна, которая усиливалась и усиливалась в последующие дни). His very next trip he killed a young bear (в свой следующий поход он убил молодого медведя), nearly full‑grown (почти взрослого), and on the trip following (а в последующий поход), a large male bear and his mate (большого самца медведя и его самку; mate – самец или самка; товарищ, напарник). He was ordinarily gone from three to four days (он обычно уходил на три‑четыре дня), though it was nothing unusual for him to stay away a week at a time on the ice‑field (хотя не было ничего необычного для него пропадать за раз и неделю на ледяных просторах). Always he declined company on these expeditions (всегда он отказывался от компании в этих вылазках; to decline – отклонять, отвергать, отказываться), and the people marvelled (и люди диву давались). "How does he do it?" they demanded of one another (как он это делает? – они спрашивали друг у друга). "Never does he take a dog with him (никогда он не берет собаку с собой), and dogs are of such great help, too (а ведь, собаки – тоже такая большая помощь)."
young [jAN], marvel ['mRv(q)l], unusual [An'jHZuql]
Thus began the mystery of Keesh, a mystery that deepened and deepened with the passing of the days. His very next trip he killed a young bear, nearly full‑grown, and on the trip following, a large male bear and his mate. He was ordinarily gone from three to four days, though it was nothing unusual for him to stay away a week at a time on the ice‑field. Always he declined company on these expeditions, and the people marvelled. "How does he do it?" they demanded of one another. "Never does he take a dog with him, and dogs are of such great help, too."
"Why dost thou hunt only bear (почему ты охотишься только на медведя)?" Klosh‑Kwan once ventured to ask him (Клош‑Кван однажды осмелился спросить его; to venture – отважиться, рискнуть, решиться, осмелиться).
And Keesh made fitting answer (и Киш дал надлежащий ответ; to fit – быть впору, быть в самый раз, подходить). "It is well known that there is more meat on the bear (хорошо известно, что на медведе больше мяса)," he said.
venture ['venCq], why [waI], once [wAns]
"Why dost thou hunt only bear?" Klosh‑Kwan once ventured to ask him.
And Keesh made fitting answer. "It is well known that there is more meat on the bear," he said.
But there was also talk of witchcraft in the village (но был также разговор о колдовстве в деревне; witchcraft – колдовство, черная магия). "He hunts with evil spirits," some of the people contended (он охотится со злыми духами, – некоторые из людей утверждали), "wherefore his hunting is rewarded (поэтому его охота удачна; to reward – вознаграждать, воздавать). How else can it be, save that he hunts with evil spirits (как еще может быть, кроме того, что он охотится со злыми духами; save that – за исключением того, что; кроме того, что)?"
witchcraft ['wICkrRft], reward [rI'wLd], evil [Jvl]
But there was also talk of witchcraft in the village. "He hunts with evil spirits," some of the people contended, "wherefore his hunting is rewarded. How else can it be, save that he hunts with evil spirits?"
"Mayhap they be not evil, but good, these spirits," others said (может быть, они не злые, а добрые, эти духи, – говорили другие; mayhap – maybe /архаичное/). "It is known that his father was a mighty hunter (известно, что его отец был могущественным охотником). May not his father hunt with him (не может ли быть, что его отец охотится с ним) so that he may attain excellence and patience and understanding (так что он может достигать совершенства, и терпения, и понимания)? Who knows (кто знает)?"
mayhap ['meIhqp], mighty ['maItI], patience ['peISqns]
"Mayhap they be not evil, but good, these spirits," others said. "It is known that his father was a mighty hunter. May not his father hunt with him so that he may attain excellence and patience and understanding? Who knows?"
None the less (тем не менее), his success continued (его успех продолжался), and the less skilful hunters were often kept busy hauling in his meat (и менее искусные охотники были часто заняты притаскиванием его мяса). And in the division of it he was just (и в дележе его /мяса/ он был справедлив). As his father had done before him (как его отец делал/поступал до него), he saw to it that the least old woman and the last old man received a fair portion (он смотрел за тем, чтобы самая жалкая старуха и самый последний старик получили справедливую долю; to see – наблюдать, смотреть, видеть), keeping no more for himself than his needs required (оставляя для себя не больше, чем требовали его нужды = чем ему требовалось). And because of this (и из‑за этого), and of his merit as a hunter (и его заслуг как охотника), he was looked upon with respect (на него стали смотреть с уважением), and even awe (и даже /с/ благоговением/трепетом); and there was talk of making him chief after old Klosh‑Kwan (и был разговор о том, чтобы сделать его вождем после старого Клош‑Квана). Because of the things he had done (из‑за вещей, которые он делал), they looked for him to appear again in the council (они ожидали, что он появится снова на совете; to look for – надеяться, ожидать), but he never came (но он никогда не приходил), and they were ashamed to ask (а им было стыдно пригласить).
success [s(q)k'ses], awe [L], require [rI'kwaIq]
None the less, his success continued, and the less skilful hunters were often kept busy hauling in his meat. And in the division of it he was just. As his father had done before him, he saw to it that the least old woman and the last old man received a fair portion, keeping no more for himself than his needs required. And because of this, and of his merit as a hunter, he was looked upon with respect, and even awe; and there was talk of making him chief after old Klosh‑Kwan. Because of the things he had done, they looked for him to appear again in the council, but he never came, and they were ashamed to ask.
"I am minded to build me an igloo (я хочу построить иглу)," he said one day to Klosh‑Kwan and a number of the hunters (сказал он однажды Клош‑Квану и ряду охотников). "It shall be a large igloo (это должна быть большая иглу), wherein Ikeega and I can dwell in comfort (где Айкига и я могли бы жить с удобством; to dwell – жить, обитать)."
"Ay," they nodded gravely (так, – они закивали головой важно; ay – положительный ответ).
"But I have no time (но у меня нет времени). My business is hunting (мое дело – охота), and it takes all my time (и она занимает все мое время). So it is but just that the men and women of the village (поэтому это только справедливо, чтобы мужчины и женщины деревни) who eat my meat should build me my igloo (которые едят мое мясо, построили мне мою иглу)."
build [bIld], wherein [weqr'In], dwell [dwel]
"I am minded to build me an igloo," he said one day to Klosh‑Kwan and a number of the hunters. "It shall be a large igloo, wherein Ikeega and I can dwell in comfort."
"Ay," they nodded gravely.
"But I have no time. My business is hunting, and it takes all my time. So it is but just that the men and women of the village who eat my meat should build me my igloo. "
And the igloo was built accordingly (и, таким образом, иглу была построена), on a generous scale (большого размера/с широким размахом; generous – щедрый; scale – чаша весов; шкала) which exceeded even the dwelling of Klosh‑Kwan (которая превосходила даже жилище Клош‑Квана). Keesh and his mother moved into it (Киш и его мать переселились/переехали туда), and it was the first prosperity she had enjoyed (и это было первое благополучие, которым она /мать Киша/ наслаждалась) since the death of Bok (со времени смерти Бока). Nor was material prosperity alone hers (не только материальное благополучие окружало ее), for (потому что), because of her wonderful son (из‑за своего замечательного сына) and the position he had given her (и положения, которое он дал ей), she came to be looked upon as the first woman in all the village (она стала считаться первой женщиной во всей деревне; to look upon – смотреть как на; считать за); and the women were given to visiting her (и женщины посещали ее: «женщины были предрасположены к посещению ее»; given to – склонный, предрасположенный к чему‑либо, подверженный чему‑либо), to asking her advice (чтобы спросить у нее совета), and to quoting her wisdom (и ссылались на ее мудрость) when arguments arose among themselves or with the men (когда споры возникали среди них или с мужчинами; to arise).
accordingly [q'kLdINlI], generous ['Gen(q)rqs], death [deT], wonderful ['wAndqful], quote [kwqut]
And the igloo was built accordingly, on a generous scale which exceeded even the dwelling of Klosh‑Kwan. Keesh and his mother moved into it, and it was the first prosperity she had enjoyed since the death of Bok. Nor was material prosperity alone hers, for, because of her wonderful son and the position he had given her, she came to be looked upon as the first woman in all the village; and the women were given to visiting her, to asking her advice, and to quoting her wisdom when arguments arose among themselves or with the men.
But it was the mystery of Keesh's marvellous hunting (но именно тайна чудесной охоты Киша) that took chief place in all their minds (заняла главное место во всех умах). And one day Ugh‑Gluk taxed him with witchcraft to his face (и однажды Уг‑Глук обвинил его в колдовстве = бросил ему в лицо обвинение в колдовстве; to tax – обвинять, упрекать).
"It is charged," Ugh‑Gluk said ominously (обвиняют /тебя/, – Уг‑Глук сказал зловеще; to charge – обвинять, выдвигать обвинение), "that thou dealest with evil spirits (что ты имеешь дело со злыми духами), wherefore thy hunting is rewarded (вот почему твоя охота удачна)."
marvelous ['mRv(q)lqs], ominously ['OmInqslI], face [feIs]
But it was the mystery of Keesh's marvellous hunting that took chief place in all their minds. And one day Ugh‑Gluk taxed him with witchcraft to his face.
"It is charged," Ugh‑Gluk said ominously, "that thou dealest with evil spirits, wherefore thy hunting is rewarded."
"Is not the meat good?" Keesh made answer (разве мясо не хорошее? – ответил Киш). "Has one in the village yet to fall sick from the eating of it (разве кто‑нибудь в деревне уже заболел от того, что ел его: «разве кому‑нибудь пришлось = случилось заболеть…»)? How dost thou know that witchcraft be concerned (откуда ты знаешь, что тут замешано колдовство; to concern – касаться, быть причиной; thou = you /устар./)? Or dost thou guess, in the dark (или ты говоришь наугад: «предполагаешь в темноте»), merely because of the envy that consumes thee (только потому, что зависть поглощает тебя; merely – только, просто)?"
merely ['mIqlI], thee [DJ], concern [kqn'sWn]
"Is not the meat good?" Keesh made answer. "Has one in the village yet to fall sick from the eating of it? How dost thou know that witchcraft be concerned? Or dost thou guess, in the dark, merely because of the envy that consumes thee?"
And Ugh‑Gluk withdrew discomfited (и Уг‑Глук ушел, пристыженный; to withdraw – уходить, удаляться), the women laughing at him as he walked away (женщины смеялись над ним, когда он уходил = смеялись ему вслед). But in the council one night (но на совете одной ночью), after long deliberation (после долгого обсуждения), it was determined to put spies on his track (было определено = решено послать соглядатаев по его следу) when he went forth to hunt (когда он отправится охотиться; to go forth – отправляться в путь), so that his methods might be learned (так, что его методы /охоты/ могли бы быть изучены). So, on his next trip (итак, в его следующий поход), Bim and Bawn, two young men (Бим и Боун, два молодых мужчины), and of hunters the craftiest (и из охотников самые ловкие), followed after him (последовали за ним), taking care not to be seen (стараясь не быть увиденными). After five days they returned (через пять дней они вернулись), their eyes bulging and their tongues a‑tremble to tell (их глаза были расширенными и их языки дрожавшими, /чтобы/ рассказать; bulging – расширенный, выпученный; to bulge – выдаваться, выпячиваться) what they had seen (чтó они видели). The council was hastily called in Klosh‑Kwan's dwelling (совет был спешно созван в жилище Клош‑Квана), and Bim took up the tale (и Бим начал рассказ).
withdrew [wID'drH], tongue [tAN], care [keq], might [maIt]
And Ugh‑Gluk withdrew discomfited, the women laughing at him as he walked away. But in the council one night, after long deliberation, it was determined to put spies on his track when he went forth to hunt, so that his methods might be learned. So, on his next trip, Bim and Bawn, two young men, and of hunters the craftiest, followed after him, taking care not to be seen. After five days they returned, their eyes bulging and their tongues a‑tremble to tell what they had seen. The council was hastily called in Klosh‑Kwan's dwelling, and Bim took up the tale.
"Brothers! As commanded (как было приказано), we journeyed on the trail of Keesh (мы шли по следу Киша), and cunningly we journeyed (и осторожно мы шли), so that he might not know (так, чтобы он не смог узнать = заметить). And midway of the first day (в середине пути первого дня) he picked up with a great he‑bear (он нашел большого медведя‑самца; to pick up – подобрать; to pick up with – связаться с). It was a very great bear (это был очень большой медведь)."
journey ['GWnI], cunningli ['kAnINlI], first [fWst]
"Brothers! As commanded, we journeyed on the trail of Keesh, and cunningly we journeyed, so that he might not know. And midway of the first day he picked up with a great he‑bear. It was a very great bear."
"None greater," Bawn corroborated, and went on himself (больше не бывает, – перебил Боун и продолжил сам; to go on – продолжать). "Yet was the bear not inclined to fight (но медведь не хотел вступать в борьбу; inclined – склонный), for he turned away and made off slowly over the ice (потому что он повернул назад и пошел прочь медленно по льду). This we saw from the rocks of the shore (это мы видели со скал берега), and the bear came toward us (и медведь пошел по направлению к нам), and after him came Keesh (а за ним шел Киш), very much unafraid (без всякого страха = совершенно не боясь). And he shouted harsh words after the bear (и он кричал бранные слова медведю), and waved his arms about (и размахивал руками), and made much noise (и поднял большой шум). Then did the bear grow angry (и тогда медведь стал сердитым/рассердился), and rise up on his hind legs, and growl (и поднялся на задние лапы и зарычал). But Keesh walked right up to the bear (но Киш шел прямо на медведя)."
corroborate [kq'rObqreIt], toward ['tquqd], harsh [hRS], growl [graul]
"None greater," Bawn corroborated, and went on himself. "Yet was the bear not inclined to fight, for he turned away and made off slowly over the ice. This we saw from the rocks of the shore, and the bear came toward us, and after him came Keesh, very much unafraid. And he shouted harsh words after the bear, and waved his arms about, and made much noise. Then did the bear grow angry, and rise up on his hind legs, and growl. But Keesh walked right up to the bear."
"Ay," Bim continued the story (да, – Бим продолжил этот рассказ). "Right up to the bear Keesh walked (прямо на медведя шел Киш). And the bear took after him (и медведь бросился на него: «начал его преследовать»), and Keesh ran away (и Киш побежал прочь). But as he ran he dropped a little round ball on the ice (но пока он бежал, он уронил маленький круглый шарик на лед). And the bear stopped and smelled of it (и медведь остановился и понюхал его), then swallowed it up (затем проглотил его). And Keesh continued to run away and drop little round balls (а Киш продолжал убегать и бросать маленькие круглые шарики), and the bear continued to swallow them up."
swallow ['swOlqu], right [raIt], bear [beq]
"Ay," Bim continued the story. "Right up to the bear Keesh walked. And the bear took after him, and Keesh ran away. But as he ran he dropped a little round ball on the ice. And the bear stopped and smelled of it, then swallowed it up. And Keesh continued to run away and drop little round balls, and the bear continued to swallow them up."
Exclamations and cries of doubt were being made (вопли и крики сомнения были сделаны = последовали), and Ugh‑Gluk expressed open unbelief (и Уг‑Глук выразил открытое неверие).
"With our own eyes we saw it," Bim affirmed (своими собственными глазами мы видели это, утверждал Бим). And Bawn – "Ay, with our own eyes."
exclamation ["eksklq'meIS(q)n], unbelief ["AnbI'lJf], affirm [q'fWm]
Exclamations and cries of doubt were being made, and Ugh‑Gluk expressed open unbelief.
"With our own eyes we saw it," Bim affirmed.
And Bawn – "Ay, with our own eyes."
"And this continued until the bear stood suddenly upright (и это продолжалось, пока медведь вдруг не встал вертикально = на задние лапы) and cried aloud in pain (и /не/ завыл громко от боли), and thrashed his fore paws madly about (и колотил передними лапами по‑сумашедшему вокруг). And Keesh continued to make off over the ice (а Киш продолжал убегать по льду; to make off – убегать, удирать) to a safe distance (на безопасное расстояние). But the bear gave him no notice (но медведь не обращал не него внимания), being occupied with the misfortune the little round balls had wrought within him (будучи занятым бедой, которую маленькие круглые шарики наделали внутри него; wrought – уст. р.p. от to work – делать, выполнять, совершать)."
thrash [TrxS], occupied ['OkjupaId], misfortune [mIs'fLC(q)n]
"And this continued until the bear stood suddenly upright and cried aloud in pain, and thrashed his fore paws madly about. And Keesh continued to make off over the ice to a safe distance. But the bear gave him no notice, being occupied with the misfortune the little round balls had wrought within him."
"Ay, within him," Bim interrupted (да, внутри него, – прервал Бим). "For he did claw at himself (потому что он царапал себя), and leap about over the ice like a playful puppy (и прыгал вокруг по льду, как игривый щенок), save from the way he growled and squealed (разве что по тому, как он рычал и вопил) it was plain it was not play but pain (было ясно, что это была не игра, а боль). Never did I see such a sight (никогда я не видал такого зрелища)!"
claw [klL], puppy ['pApI], squeal [skwJl]
"Ay, within him," Bim interrupted. "For he did claw at himself, and leap about over the ice like a playful puppy, save from the way he growled and squealed it was plain it was not play but pain. Never did I see such a sight!"
"Nay, never was such a sight seen," Bawn took up the strain (нет, никогда такого не видел: «не было виденным такое зрелище», – Боун подхватил; nay – отрицательный ответ; to take up – подхватить; strain – натяжение; напев, мелодия). "And furthermore, it was such a large bear (и, более того, это был такой крупный медведь)."
"Witchcraft," Ugh‑Gluk suggested (колдовство, – проговорил Уг‑Глук).
sight ['saIt], furthermore ["fWDq'mL], strain [streIn]
"Nay, never was such a sight seen," Bawn took up the strain. "And furthermore, it was such a large bear."
"Witchcraft," Ugh‑Gluk suggested.
"I know not," Bawn replied (я не знаю, – ответил Боун). "I tell only of what my eyes beheld (я рассказываю только то, что мои глаза видели; to behold – /книжн./ – видеть, замечать, узреть). And after a while the bear grew weak and tired (и через некоторое время медведь стал слабым и уставшим; while – промежуток времени), for he was very heavy (потому что он был очень тяжелым) and he had jumped about with exceeding violence (и он прыгал вокруг с чрезвычайным неистовством; to exceed – превышать; переступать пределы, границы), and he went off along the shore‑ice (он пошел прочь вдоль берегового льда), shaking his head slowly from side to side (мотая головой медленно из стороны в сторону) and sitting down ever and again to squeal and cry (и садясь опять и опять повизжать и порычать). And Keesh followed after the bear (а Киш последовал за медведем), and we followed after Keesh (а мы последовали за Кишем), and for that day and three days more we followed (и тот день и три дня еще мы шли следом). The bear grew weak (медведь стал слабым; to grow – расти; становиться), and never ceased crying from his pain (и никогда = вовсе не прекращал кричать от боли)."
cease [sJs], beheld [bI'held], squeal [skwJl]
"I know not," Bawn replied. "I tell only of what my eyes beheld. And after a while the bear grew weak and tired, for he was very heavy and he had jumped about with exceeding violence, and he went off along the shore‑ice, shaking his head slowly from side to side and sitting down ever and again to squeal and cry. And Keesh followed after the bear, and we followed after Keesh, and for that day and three days more we followed. The bear grew weak, and never ceased crying from his pain."
"It was a charm!" Ugh‑Gluk exclaimed (это было заклинание/заговор – Уг‑Глук воскликнул). "Surely it was a charm (конечно, это было заклинание)!"
"It may well be (вполне могло быть)."
And Bim relieved Bawn (и Бим сменил Боуна). "The bear wandered (медведь блуждал), now this way and now that (то в эту сторону, то в ту = в другую), doubling back and forth (мечась то назад, то вперед) and crossing his trail in circles (и пересекая свой след кругами), so that at the end he was near where Keesh had first come upon him (так что в конце он был около /того места/, где Киш первый раз встретил его). By this time he was quite sick, the bear (к этому времени он был совсем больным, этот медведь), and could crawl no farther (и не мог более ползти), so Keesh came up close and speared him to death (поэтому Киш подошел близко и проткнул его копьем /до смерти/)."
charm [CRm], surely ['SuqlI], wander ['wOndq], quite [kwaIt]
"It was a charm!" Ugh‑Gluk exclaimed. "Surely it was a charm!"
"It may well be."
And Bim relieved Bawn. "The bear wandered, now this way and now that, doubling back and forth and crossing his trail in circles, so that at the end he was near where Keesh had first come upon him. By this time he was quite sick, the bear, and could crawl no farther, so Keesh came up close and speared him to death."
"And then?" Klosh‑Kwan demanded (а потом? – спросил Клош‑Кван).
"Then we left Keesh skinning the bear (потом мы оставили/покинули Киша снимать шкуру с медведя = освежевывать медведя), and came running that the news of the killing might be told (и побежали, чтобы эти новости об убийстве могли быть рассказаны)."
And in the afternoon of that day (и во второй половине того дня) the women hauled in the meat of the bear (женщины притащили мясо/тушу медведя) while the men sat in council assembled (в то время, как мужчины сидели на созванном совете). When Keesh arrived (когда Киш вернулся) a messenger was sent to him (к нему послали гонца = гонец был послан к нему; to send), bidding him come to the council (приглашая его прийти на совет). But he sent reply (но он послал ответ), saying that he was hungry and tired (говоря, что он был голодный и уставший); also that his igloo was large and comfortable and could hold many men (а также, что его иглу – большая и удобная, и могла бы вместить много мужчин/людей).
afternoon ['Rftq'nHn], haul [hLl], reply [rI'plaI]
"And then?" Klosh‑Kwan demanded.
"Then we left Keesh skinning the bear, and came running that the news of the killing might be told."
And in the afternoon of that day the women hauled in the meat of the bear () while the men sat in council assembled. When Keesh arrived a messenger was sent to him, bidding him come to the council. But he sent reply, saying that he was hungry and tired; also that his igloo was large and comfortable and could hold many men.
And curiosity was so strong on the men (и любопытство было так сильно у мужчин) that the whole council (что весь совет), Klosh‑Kwan to the fore (во главе с Клош‑Кваном), rose up and went to the igloo of Keesh (поднялся и пошел в иглу Киша; to rise up). He was eating (он обедал/кушал), but he received them with respect (но он встретил их с почтением) and seated them according to their rank (и усадил их согласно их рангу = по старшинству). Ikeega was proud and embarrassed by turns (Айкига была горда и смущена по очереди = то гордилась, то смущалась), but Keesh was quite composed (но Киш был совершенно спокоен).
curiosity ["kjuqrI'OsItI], whole [hqul], embarrassed [Im'bxrqst]
And curiosity was so strong on the men that the whole council, Klosh‑Kwan to the fore, rose up and went to the igloo of Keesh. He was eating, but he received them with respect and seated them according to their rank. Ikeega was proud and embarrassed by turns, but Keesh was quite composed.
Klosh‑Kwan recited the information brought by Bim and Bawn (и Клош‑Кван изложил сведения, принесенные Бимом и Боуном), and at its close said in a stern voice (и в завершение этого сказал строгим голосом): "So explanation is wanted, O Keesh (итак, желательно объяснение, о Киш), of thy manner of hunting (твоего способа охоты). Is there witchcraft in it (есть ли в нем колдовство)?"
explanation ["eksplq'neIS(q)n], witchcraft ['wICkrRft], voice [vOIs]
Klosh‑Kwan recited the information brought by Bim and Bawn, and at its close said in a stern voice: "So explanation is wanted, O Keesh, of thy manner of hunting. Is there witchcraft in it?"
Keesh looked up and smiled (Киш взглянул на него и улыбнулся). "Nay, O Klosh‑Kwan. It is not for a boy to know aught of witches (это не для мальчика – знать что бы то ни было из колдовства; witch – ведьма, колдунья), and of witches I know nothing (и в колдовстве я ничего не знаю/не смыслю). I have but devised a means (я только придумал способ) whereby I may kill the ice‑bear with ease, that is all (с помощью которого я могу убить полярного медведя с легкостью, вот и все). It be headcraft, not witchcraft (это смекалка, не колдовство; craft – ремесло; ловкость, умение)."
"And may any man (и каждый может)?"
"Any man."
There was a long silence (наступило долгое молчание). The men looked in one another's faces (мужчины глядели на /лица/ друг друга), and Keesh went on eating (а Киш продолжал есть).
aught [Lt], whereby [weq'baI], ice [aIs]
Keesh looked up and smiled. "Nay, O Klosh‑Kwan. It is not for a boy to know aught of witches, and of witches I know nothing. I have but devised a means whereby I may kill the ice‑bear with ease, that is all. It be headcraft, not witchcraft."
"And may any man?"
"Any man."