(Ползущие [39] во тьме)
The river was a vague trace between walls of ebony (река была нечеткой линией между стенами черного цвета). The paddles that propelled the long boat (весла, которые толкали длинную лодку) creeping along in the dense shadow of the eastern bank (крадущуюся в густой тени восточного берега) dipped softly into the water (опускались бесшумно в воду), making no more noise than the beak of a heron (создавая не больше шума, чем клюв цапли). The broad shoulders of the man in front of Balthus were a blue in the dense gloom (широкие плечи мужчины перед Балтусом были синевой в густом мраке). He knew that not even the keen eyes of the man who knelt in the prow would discern anything more than a few feet ahead of them (он знал, что даже острые глаза человека, который стоял на коленях на носу судна, не различили бы чего-либо = ничего более, чем в нескольких футах впереди них = на расстоянии нескольких футов перед ними; to kneel — стоять на коленях, становиться на колени). Conan was feeling his way by instinct and an intensive familiarity with the river (Конан нащупывал /свой/ путь инстинктивно и /опираясь на/ глубокое знание реки).
boat [bqut], creep [kri:p], gloom [glu:m]
The river was a vague trace between walls of ebony. The paddles that propelled the long boat creeping along in the dense shadow of the eastern bank dipped softly into the water, making no more noise than the beak of a heron. The broad shoulders of the man in front of Balthus were a blue in the dense gloom. He knew that not even the keen eyes of the man who knelt in the prow would discern anything more than a few feet ahead of them. Conan was feeling his way by instinct and an intensive familiarity with the river.
No one spoke (никто /не/ говорил). Balthus had had a good look at his companions in the fort before they slipped out of the stockade and down the bank into the waiting canoe (Балтус хорошо рассмотрел своих спутников в форте до того, как они выскользнули из укрепления и вниз по берегу в ожидающее каноэ; to have a look at — посмотреть на, бросить взгляд на; before — до того как, прежде чем, перед тем как). They were of a new breed growing up in the world on the raw edge of the frontier — men whom grim necessity had taught woodcraft (они были из новой породы, растущей в мире на суровом краю границы — люди, которых суровая необходимость обучила знанию леса; craft — ремесло; ловкость, сноровка). Aquilonians of the western provinces to a man, they had many points in common (аквилонцы из западных провинций до одного /человека/, они имели много общих черт; in common — совместно, сообща, вместе, одновременно). They dressed alike — in buckskin boots (они одевались одинаково — в сапоги из оленьей кожи), leathern breeches and deerskin shirts (кожаные штаны и рубашки из оленьей кожи), with broad girdles that held axes and short swords (с широкими поясами, которые удерживали секиры и палаши); and they were all gaunt and scarred and hard-eyed (и они все были сухопарыми, и в шрамах, и с жестким взглядом); sinewy and taciturn (мускулистыми / жилистыми и молчаливыми).
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canoe [kq'nu:], dress [dres], scar [skQ:]
No one spoke. Balthus had had a good look at his companions in the fort before they slipped out of the stockade and down the bank into the waiting canoe. They were of a new breed growing up in the world on the raw edge of the frontier — men whom grim necessity had taught woodcraft. Aquilonians of the western provinces to a man, they had many points in common. They dressed alike — in buckskin boots, leathern breeches and deerskin shirts, with broad girdles that held axes and short swords; and they were all gaunt and scarred and hard-eyed; sinewy and taciturn.
They were wild men, of a sort, yet there was still a wide gulf between them and the Cimmerian (они были дикари, в некотором роде, тем не менее была еще широкая пропасть между ними и киммерийцем). They were sons of civilization, reverted to a semi-barbarism (они были сынами цивилизации, вернувшимися к полуварварству). He was a barbarian of a thousand generations of barbarians (он был варваром из тысяч поколений варваров). They had acquired stealth and craft, but he had been born to these things (они приобрели хитрость и ловкость, но = а он родился к этим вещам = с ними). He excelled them even in lithe economy of motion (он превосходил их даже в гибкой экономности движения). They were wolves, but he was a tiger (они были волки, а он был тигр).
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gulf [gAlf], stealth [stelT], wolves [wVlvz]
They were wild men, of a sort, yet there was still a wide gulf between them and the Cimmerian. They were sons of civilization, reverted to a semi-barbarism. He was a barbarian of a thousand generations of barbarians. They had acquired stealth and craft, but he had been born to these things. He excelled them even in lithe economy of motion. They were wolves, but he was a tiger.
Balthus admired them and their leader and felt a pulse of pride that he was admitted into their company (Балтус восхищался ими и их вожаком, и испытывал чувство гордости, что он был принят в их компанию). He was proud that his paddle made no more noise than did theirs (он гордился, что его весло производило не больше шума, чем /делали/ их /весла/). In that respect at least he was their equal (в этом отношении по крайней мере он был им ровней), though woodcraft learned in hunts on the Tauran could never equal that ground into the souls of men on the savage border (хотя знание леса, изученное = полученное на охоте в Тауране /не/ могло бы никогда сравняться с тем = знанием, вдолбленным в души людей на дикой / жестокой границе).
admire [qd'maIq], ground [graund], equal ['i:kwql]
Balthus admired them and their leader and felt a pulse of pride that he was admitted into their company. He was proud that his paddle made no more noise than did theirs. In that respect at least he was their equal, though woodcraft learned in hunts on the Tauran could never equal that ground into the souls of men on the savage border.
Below the fort the river made a wide bend (ниже форта река образовывала широкую излучину). The lights of the outpost were quickly lost (огни аванпоста быстро пропали), but the canoe held on its way for nearly a mile (но каноэ продолжало /свой/ путь почти милю), avoiding snags and floating logs with almost uncanny precision (избегая коряг и плавающих бревен с почти сверхъестественной точностью; to hold on — продолжать).
bend [bend], snag [snxg], precision [prI'sIZn]
Below the fort the river made a wide bend. The lights of the outpost were quickly lost, but the canoe held on its way for nearly a mile, avoiding snags and floating logs with almost uncanny precision.
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Then a low grunt from their leader (затем низкое ворчание от вожака), and they swung its head about and glided toward the opposite shore (и они повернули /его/ носовую часть и заскользили к противоположному берегу; to swing — повернуть, качнуть, колебать). Emerging from the black shadows of the bush that fringed the bank (появление из черных теней кустарника, который окаймлял берег) and coming into the open of the midstream created a peculiar illusion of rash exposure (и выход в = на открытое место на середине реки создавали странную иллюзию стремительного обнажения). But the stars gave little light (но звезды давали мало света), and Balthus knew that unless one were watching for it, it would be all but impossible for the keenest eye to make out the shadowy shape of the canoe crossing the river (и Балтус знал, что если кто-то не высматривал их, /это/ было бы почти невозможно для самого острого глаза выделить призрачную форму каноэ, пересекающего реку).
opposite ['OpqzIt], create [krI'eIt], illusion [I'lu:Zn]
Then a low grunt from their leader, and they swung its head about and glided toward the opposite shore. Emerging from the black shadows of the brush that fringed the bank and coming into the open of the midstream created a peculiar illusion of rash exposure. But the stars gave little light, and Balthus knew that unless one were watching for it, it would be all but impossible for the keenest eye to make out the shadowy shape of the canoe crossing the river.
They swung in under the overhanging bushes of the western shore (они качнулись под нависающие кусты западного берега) and Balthus groped for and found a projecting root which he grasped (и Балтус нащупал и нашел = ощупью нашел выступающий корень, /за который/ он схватился). No word was spoken (ни слова /не/ было сказано). All instructions had been given before the scouting-party left the fort (все указания были даны до того, как разведывательная группа покинула форт). As silently as a great panther, Conan slid over the side and vanished in the bushes (бесшумно, как огромная пантера, Конан скользнул за борт и исчез в кустах). Equally noiseless, nine men followed him (так же бесшумно девять человек последовали за ним). To Balthus, grasping the root with his paddle across his knee, it seemed incredible that ten men should thus fade into the tangled forest without a sound (Балтусу, державшемуся за корень с веслом на коленях, казалось невероятным, чтобы десять человек так растворились в запутанном = непроходимом лесу без звука).
root [ru:t], grasp [grQ:sp], vanish ['vxnIS]
They swung in under the overhanging bushes of the western shore and Balthus groped for and found a projecting root which he grasped. No word was spoken. All instructions had been given before the scouting-party left the fort. As silently as a great panther, Conan slid over the side and vanished in the bushes. Equally noiseless, nine men followed him. To Balthus, grasping the root with his paddle across his knee, it seemed incredible that ten men should thus fade into the tangled forest without a sound.
He settled himself to wait (он устроился ждать). No word passed between him and the other man who had been left with him (ни одним словом /не/ обменялись он и другой человек, который был оставлен с ним). Somewhere, a mile or so to the northwest, Zogar Sag's village stood girdled with thick woods (где-то /в/ миле или около того на северо-запад стояла деревня Зогара Сага, окруженная густым лесом). Balthus understood his orders; he and his companion were to wait for the return of the raiding-party (Балтус понял свои приказы, он и его спутник /должны/ были ждать возвращения диверсионной команды; to raid — совершать налет, набег, облаву). If Conan and his men had not returned by the first tinge of dawn (если бы Конан и его люди не вернулись к первому оттенку рассвета), they were to race back up the river to the fort and report that the forest had again taken its immemorial toll of the invading race (они /должны/ были двигаться назад вверх по реке к форту и доложить, что лес опять собрал свою извечную дань со вторгшейся расы). The silence was oppressive (тишина была гнетущей). No sound came from the black woods, invisible beyond the ebony masses that were the overhanging bushes (ни один звук /не/ доносился из черного леса, невидимого за черными массами, которые были нависающими кустами). Balthus no longer heard the drums (Балтус больше не слышал барабанов; to hear — слышать). They had been silent for hours (они молчали: «быил безмолвными» уже /несколько/ часов). He kept blinking, unconsciously trying to see through the deep gloom (он продолжал моргать, бессознательно пытаясь видеть сквозь глубокий мрак; to keep + V-ing — обозначает продолжение действия, выраженного «инговой» формой). The dank night-smells of the river and the damp forest oppressed him (сырые ночные запахи реки и сырого леса угнетали его). Somewhere, near by, there was a sound as if a big fish had flopped and splashed the water (где-то, поблизости был = раздался звук, как будто большая рыба шлепнула и плеснула водой). Balthus thought it must have leaped so close to the canoe that it had struck the side, for a slight quiver vibrated the craft (Балтус подумал, что она, наверное, прыгнула так близко к каноэ, что /она/ ударилась о борт, так как легкая дрожь колыхнула суденышко). The boat's stern began to swing, slightly away from the shore (корма лодки начала качаться, /уходя/ от берега; to begin — начинать, начинаться). The man behind him must have let go of the projection he was gripping (человек позади него, должно быть, выпустил выступающую часть /коряги/, /за которую/ он держался; to let smth. go — выпустить что-л.). Balthus twisted his head to hiss a warning (Балтус повернул /свою/ голову, /чтобы/ прошипеть предупреждение), and could just make out the figure of his companion, a slightly blacker bulk in the blackness (и мог лишь разобрать фигуру своего спутника, чуть более черное тело в черноте).
leap [li:p], report [rI'pO:t], dawn [dO:n]
He settled himself to wait. No word passed between him and the other man who had been left with him. Somewhere, a mile or so to the northwest, Zogar Sag's village stood girdled with thick woods. Balthus understood his orders; he and his companion were to wait for the return of the raiding-party. If Conan and his men had not returned by the first tinge of dawn, they were to race back up the river to the fort and report that the forest had again taken its immemorial toll of the invading race. The silence was oppressive. No sound came from the black woods, invisible beyond the ebony masses that were the overhanging bushes. Balthus no longer heard the drums. They had been silent for hours. He kept blinking, unconsciously trying to see through the deep gloom. The dank night-smells of the river and the damp forest oppressed him. Somewhere, near by, there was a sound as if a big fish had flopped and splashed the water. Balthus thought it must have leaped so close to the canoe that it had struck the side, for a slight quiver vibrated the craft. The boat's stern began to swing, slightly away from the shore. The man behind him must have let go of the projection he was gripping. Balthus twisted his head to hiss a warning, and could just make out the figure of his companion, a slightly blacker bulk in the blackness.
The man did not reply (мужчина не ответил). Wondering if he had fallen asleep, Balthus reached out and grasped his shoulder (спрашивая себя, /не/ уснул ли он, Балтус потянулся и схватил его плечо; to fall asleep — заснуть). To his amazement, the man crumpled under his touch and slumped down in the canoe (к его изумлению, мужчина рухнул под его прикосновением и осел внизу в каноэ = на дно каноэ). Twisting his body half about, Balthus groped for him, his heart shooting into his throat (повернув его тело на пол-оборота, Балтус ощупал его, у него душа ушла в пятки: «его сердце дернулось в его горло»; to have one's heart in one's mouth/throat — быть очень напуганным; душа в пятки ушла). His fumbling fingers slid over the man's throat (его нащупывающие пальцы скользнули по горлу мужчины) — only the youth's convulsive clenching of his jaws choked back the cry that rose to his lips (только конвульсивное стискивание юноши = юношей /его/ челюстей сдержало крик = только конвульсивно стиснутые челюсти сдержали крик, который поднялся к его губам = готовый сорваться с его губ). His finger encountered a gaping, oozing wound — his companion's throat had been cut from ear to ear (его палец натолкнулся на зияющую, сочащуюся рану — горло его спутника было перерезано от уха до уха; to cut — резать, рубить).
asleep [q'sli:p], youth [ju:T], wound [wVnd]
The man did not reply. Wondering if he had fallen asleep, Balthus reached out and grasped his shoulder. To his amazement, the man crumpled under his touch and slumped down in the canoe. Twisting his body half about, Balthus groped for him, his heart shooting into his throat. His fumbling fingers slid over the man's throat — only the youth's convulsive clenching of his jaws choked back the cry that rose to his lips. His finger encountered a gaping, oozing wound — his companion's throat had been cut from ear to ear.
In that instant of horror and panic Balthus started up — and then a muscular arm out of the darkness locked fiercely about his throat, strangling his yell (в этот миг ужаса и паники Балтус вскочил — а затем мускулистая рука из темноты сомкнулась яростно на его горле, подавляя его вопль). The canoe rocked wildly (каноэ дико затряслось). Balthus' knife was in his hand, though he did not remember jerking it out of his boot, and he stabbed fiercely and blindly (нож Балтуса был в его руке, хотя он не помнил, /как/ выхватил его из сапога, и он яростно и вслепую вонзил /его/). He felt the blade sink deep, and a fiendish yell rang in his ear, a yell that was horribly answered (он почувствовал, /как/ лезвие погрузилось глубоко, и злодейский вопль = вопль злодея раздался в его ухе, вопль, который был ужасно отвечен = на который пришел ужасный ответ). The darkness seemed to come to life about him (темнота, казалось, ожила вокруг него; to come to life — оживать). A bestial clamor rose on all sides, and other arms grappled him (звериный крик поднялся со всех сторон, и другие руки обхватили его). Borne under a mass of hurtling bodies the canoe rolled sidewise shone (/несомое/ под массой столкнувшихся тел каноэ качнулось вбок), but before he went under with it но прежде чем он перевернулся с ним), something cracked against Balthus' head (что-то ударилось о голову Балтуса) and the night was briefly illuminated by a blinding burst of fire before it gave way to a blackness where not even stars (и ночь на короткое время осветилась ослепляющей вспышкой огня, прежде чем она уступила /место/ черноте, где не светили даже звезды; to give way — уступать, отступать, поддаваться, сдаваться; to shine — светить).
darkness ['dQ:knIs], yell [jel], shone [SOn]
In that instant of horror and panic Balthus started up — and then a muscular arm out of the darkness locked fiercely about his throat, strangling his yell. The canoe rocked wildly. Balthus' knife was in his hand, though he did not remember jerking it out of his boot, and he stabbed fiercely and blindly. He felt the blade sink deep, and a fiendish yell rang in his ear, a yell that was horribly answered. The darkness seemed to come to life about him. A bestial clamor rose on all sides, and other arms grappled him. Borne under a mass of hurtling bodies the canoe rolled sidewise, but before he went under with it, something cracked against Balthus' head and the night was briefly illuminated by a blinding burst of fire before it gave way to a blackness where not even stars shone.
The Beasts of Zogar Sag
(Звери Зогар Сага)
Fires dazzled Balthus again as he slowly recovered his senses (огни ослепили Балтуса опять, когда он медленно пришел в сознание / в чувство; to recover one’s senses — приходить в сознание: «вновь обретать свои чувства»). He blinked, shook his head (он заморгал, потряс головой; to shake). Their glare hurt his eyes (их яркий свет причинял боль его глазам; to hurt — ушибить, причинять боль). A confused medley of sound rose about him, growing more distinct as his senses cleared (беспорядочная мешанина звуков поднялась вокруг него, становясь более разборчивой, по мере того, как его чувства прояснялись). He lifted his head and stared stupidly about him (он поднял /свою/ голову и посмотрел глупо = тупо вокруг себя = по сторонам). Black figures hemmed him in, etched against crimson tongues of flame (черные фигуры окружали его, четко очерченные против = на фоне кровавых языков пламени; to etch — гравировать, запечатлевать; hem — ободок, кайма; край, кромка; to hem — ограничивать (что-л. определенными границами); окружать).
sense [sens], rose [rquz], hem [hem]
Fires dazzled Balthus again as he slowly recovered his senses. He blinked, shook his head. Their glare hurt his eyes. A confused medley of sound rose about him, growing more distinct as his senses cleared. He lifted his head and stared stupidly about him. Black figures hemmed him in, etched against crimson tongues of flame.
Memory and understanding came in a rush (память и понимание пришли в спешке = быстро). He was bound upright to a post in an open space, ringed by fierce and terrible figures (он был привязан вертикально к столбу на открытом пространстве, окруженный свирепыми и ужасными фигурами; to bind — вязать, привязывать, связывать). Beyond that ring fires burned, tended by naked, dark-skinned women (за этим кругом горели костры, /за которыми/ присматривали обнаженные темнокожие женщины; to tend — присматривать, ухаживать). Beyond the fires he saw huts of mud and wattle, thatched with brush (за кострами он увидел хижины из глины и прутьев, крытые кустарником). Beyond the huts there was a stockade with a broad gate (за хижинами был частокол с широкими воротами). But he saw these things only incidentally (но он видел эти вещи лишь мельком). Even the cryptic dark women with their curious coiffures were noted by him only absently (даже таинственные темные женщины с их любопытными прическами были замечены им лишь рассеянно). His full attention was fixed in awful fascination on the men who stood glaring at him (его полное = все внимание было сосредоточено, в ужасной притягательности, на мужчинах, которые стояли уставясь на него).
post [pqust], space [speIs], cryptic ['krIptIk]
Memory and understanding came in a rush. He was bound upright to a post in an open space, ringed by fierce and terrible figures. Beyond that ring fires burned, tended by naked, dark-skinned women. Beyond the fires he saw huts of mud and wattle, thatched with brush. Beyond the huts there was a stockade with a broad gate. But he saw these things only incidentally. Even the cryptic dark women with their curious coiffures were noted by him only absently. His full attention was fixed in awful fascination on the men who stood glaring at him.
Short men, broad-shouldered, deep-chested, lean-hipped низкорослые мужчины, широкоплечие, с широкой грудью, с узкими бедрами), they were naked except for scanty loin-clouts (они были обнажены за исключением скудной набедренной повязки; except for — за исключением). The firelight brought out the play of their swelling muscles in bold relief (свет костра подчеркивало / выделяло игру их вздымающихся мускулов очень рельефно; to bring out — выявлять, обнаруживать; in relief — рельефно). Their dark faces were immobile (их темные лица были неподвижны), but their narrow eyes glittered with the fire that burns in the eyes of a stalking tiger (но их узкие глаза сверкали огнем, которые горит в глазах подкрадывающегося тигра). Their tangled manes were bound back with bands of copper (их спутанные гривы были перетянуты сзади лентами / полосками меди). Swords and axes were in their hands (мечи и топоры были в их руках). Crude bandages banded the limbs of some (грубые повязки перехватывали конечности некоторых), and smears of blood were dried on their dark skins (и пятна крови высохли на их темных шкурах). There had been fighting, recent and deadly (они сражались, недавно и смертельно).
naked [neIkId], immobile [I'mqubaIl], recent [ri:snt]
Short men, broad-shouldered, deep-chested, lean-hipped, they were naked except for scanty loin‑clouts. The firelight brought out the play of their swelling muscles in bold relief. Their dark faces were immobile, but their narrow eyes glittered with the fire that burns in the eyes of a stalking tiger. Their tangled manes were bound back with bands of copper. Swords and axes were in their hands. Crude bandages banded the limbs of some, and smears of blood were dried on their dark skins. There had been fighting, recent and deadly.
His eyes wavered away from the steady glare of his captors, and he repressed a cry of horror (его глаза отвернулись от твердого взгляда его пленителей, и он подавил крик ужаса). A few feet away there rose a low, hideous pyramid: it was built of gory human heads (/в/ нескольких футах прочь = от него возвышалась низкая отвратительная пирамида, она была построена из окровавленных человеческих голов; to build — строить). Dead eyes glared glassily up the black sky (мертвые глаза смотрели стеклянно = остекленевшим взглядом вверх в черное небо). Numbly he recognized the countenances which were turned toward him (оцепенев, он узнал лица, которые были повернуты к нему; numb — онемелый, оцепенелый, неподвижный). They were the heads of the men who had followed Conan into the forest (они = это были головы людей, которые последовали за Конаном в лес). He could not tell if the Cimmerian's head were among them (он не мог сказать, была ли голова Конана среди них). Only a few faces were visible to him (лишь несколько лиц были видимы ему). It looked to him as if there must be ten or eleven heads at least (/это/ ему показалось, что как будто там должно быть, по крайней мере, десять-одиннадцать голов). A deadly sickness assailed him (ужасная тошнота охватила его). He fought a desire to retch (он боролся с желанием вырвать; to retch — рыгать; тужиться (при рвоте)). Beyond the heads lay the bodies of half a dozen Picts (за головами лежали тела полудюжины пиктов), and he was aware of a fierce exultation at the sight (и он осознавал = испытывал яростное торжество при виде /этого/; to be aware of — осознавать, знать, отдавать себе отчет). The forest runners had taken toll, at least (по крайней мере, лесные разведчики собрали дань; to take toll — собрать пошлину).
steady ['stedI], captor ['kxptq], hideous ['hIdIqs]
His eyes wavered away from the steady glare of his captors, and he repressed a cry of horror. A few feet away there rose a low, hideous pyramid: it was built of gory human heads. Dead eyes glared glassily up the black sky. Numbly he recognized the countenances which were turned toward him. They were the heads of the men who had followed Conan into the forest. He could not tell if the Cimmerian's head were among them. Only a few faces were visible to him. It looked to him as if there must be ten or eleven heads at least. A deadly sickness assailed him. He fought a desire to retch. Beyond the heads lay the bodies of half a dozen Picts, and he was aware of a fierce exultation at the sight. The forest runners had taken toll, at least.
Twisting his head away from the ghastly spectacle (отвернув /свою/ голову от мерзкого зрелища), he became aware that another post stood near him он понял / заметил, что еще один столб стоял возле него) — a stake painted black as was the one to which he was bound (столб, окрашенный в черный цвет, как и тот, к которому был привязан он). A man sagged in his bonds there, naked except for his leathern breeks (мужчина, обвисший в своих путах там, обнаженный за исключением его кожаных штанов), whom Balthus recognized as one of Conan's woodsmen которого = в котором Балтус узнал, /как/ одного из лесовиков Конана). Blood trickled from his mouth, oozed sluggishly from a gash in his side (кровь сочилась из его рта, вытекала медленно из глубокой раны в боку; sluggish — вялый; медленный, неторопливый). Lifting his head as he licked his livid lips (подняв /свою/ голову, когда он облизывал /свои/ мертвенно-бледные губы), he muttered, making himself heard with difficulty above the fiendish clamor of the Picts: "So they got you, too (он пробормотал, делая себя услышанным = стараясь быть услышанным, с трудом /перекрывая/ злодейский гул пиктов: значит, они взяли тебя тоже; to get — взять, поймать, достать, заполучить)!"
aware [q'wFq], livid ['lIvId], too [tu:]
Twisting his head away from the ghastly spectacle, he became aware that another post stood near him — a stake painted black as was the one to which he was bound. A man sagged in his bonds there, naked except for his leathern breeks, whom Balthus recognized as one of Conan's woodsmen. Blood trickled from his mouth, oozed sluggishly from a gash in his side. Lifting his head as he licked his livid lips, he muttered, making himself heard with difficulty above the fiendish clamor of the Picts: "So they got you, too!"
"Sneaked up in the water and cut the other fellow's throat," groaned Balthus (незаметно подкрались в воде и перерезали горло другому парню, — простонал Балтус). "We never heard them till they were on us (мы никогда = вовсе не слышали, пока они /не/ были на нас = напали на нас). Mitra, how can anything move so silently (Митра, как может что-нибудь двигаться так бесшумно)?"
"Sneaked up in the water and cut the other fellow's throat," groaned Balthus. "We never heard them till they were on us. Mitra, how can anything move so silently?"
"They're devils," mumbled the frontiersman (они дьяволы, — пробормотал житель приграничья). "They must have been watching us from the time we left midstream (они, наверное, следили за нами с того времени, когда мы покинули середину реки; to leave — покидать, оставлять). We walked into a trap (мы угодили в западню). Arrows from all sides were ripping into us before we knew it (стрелы со всех сторон вонзались в нас, пока мы поняли это = мы опомнились). Most of us dropped at the first fire (большинство из нас погибло при первом залпе). Three or four broke through the bushes and came to hand-grips (трое-четверо пробились через кусты и вступили врукопашную; to come to handgrips — вступать врукопашную; to grip — схватить; сжать). But there were too many (но /их/ было слишком много). Conan might have gotten away (Конан, возможно, ушел). I haven't seen his head (я не видел его головы). Been better for you and me if they'd killed us outright (было бы лучше для тебя и для меня, если бы они убили нас сразу). I can't blame Conan (я не могу винить Конана). Ordinarily we'd have gotten to the village without being discovered (в обычном случае мы бы добрались до деревни, не будучи обнаруженными = незаметно). They don't keep spies on the river bank as far down as we landed (они не держат соглядатаев на берегу реки так далеко вниз /по реке/, где мы высадились). We must have stumbled into a big party coming up the river from the south (мы, наверное, натолкнулись на большой отряд, поднимающийся вверх по реке с юга). Some devilment is up (затевается какая-то дьявольщина; to be up — происходить, затевать, замышлять). Too many Picts here (здесь слишком много пиктов). These aren't all Gwaweli; men from the western tribes here and from up and down the river (эти = они не все гвавельцы, здесь люди из западных племен и с верховьев и низовьев реки)."
blame [bleIm], can't — Br.[kQ:nt] Am. [kxnt], south [sauT]
"They're devils," mumbled the frontiersman. "They must have been watching us from the time we left midstream. We walked into a trap. Arrows from all sides were ripping into us before we knew it. Most of us dropped at the first fire. Three or four broke through the bushes and came to hand-grips. But there were too many. Conan might have gotten away. I haven't seen his head. Been better for you and me if they'd killed us outright. I can't blame Conan. Ordinarily we'd have gotten to the village without being discovered. They don't keep spies on the river bank as far down as we landed. We must have stumbled into a big party coming up the river from the south. Some devilment is up. Too many Picts here. These aren't all Gwaweli; men from the western tribes here and from up and down the river."
Balthus stared at the ferocious shapes (Балтус уставился на дикие фигуры). Little as he knew of Pictish ways, he was aware that the number of men clustered about them was out of proportion to the size of the village (хотя он знал мало о пиктских обычаях, он понимал, что количество мужчин, собравшихся вокруг них было несоизмеримо с размером поселка; out of proportion to — несоизмеримо с, несоразмерно с). There were not enough huts to have accommodated them all (было недостаточно хижин, /чтобы/ разместить их всех). Then he noticed that there was a difference in the barbaric tribal designs painted on their faces and breasts (затем он заметил, что была разница в варварских племенных узорах, нанесенных краской на их лица и грудь; to paint — красить, наносить краской, рисовать).
cluster ['klAstq], notice ['nqVtIs], difference ['dIfrqns]
Balthus stared at the ferocious shapes. Little as he knew of Pictish ways, he was aware that the number of men clustered about them was out of proportion to the size of the village. There were not enough huts to have accommodated them all. Then he noticed that there was a difference in the barbaric tribal designs painted on their faces and breasts.
"Some kind of devilment," muttered the forest runner (какая-то дьявольщина, — пробормотал лесной разведчик). "They might have gathered here to watch Zogar's magic-making (возможно, они собрались здесь смотреть на колдовство Зогара). He'll make some rare magic with our carcasses (он сотворит какое-нибудь редкое колдовство с нашими тушками). Well, a border-man doesn't expect to die in bed (ну, пограничник не надеется умереть в постели). But I wish we'd gone out along with the rest (но жаль, что мы не ушли с остальными: «я желаю, чтобы мы ушли /тогда/ с остальными»)."
kind [kaInd], runner ['rAnq], our ['auq]
"Some kind of devilment," muttered the forest runner. "They might have gathered here to watch Zogar's magic-making. He'll make some rare magic with our carcasses. Well, a border-man doesn't expect to die in bed. But I wish we'd gone out along with the rest."
The wolfish howling of the Picts rose in volume and exultation (волчий вой пиктов возрос по громкости и ликованию), and from a movement in their ranks, an eager surging and crowding (и по движению в их рядах, энергичной пульсации и уплотнению; crowd — толпа; to crowd — толпиться), Balthus deduced that someone of importance was coming (Балтус сделал вывод, что шел кто-то важный). Twisting his head about, he saw that the stakes were set before a long building, larger than the other huts (повернув голову, он увидел, что столбы были установлены перед длинным строением, бóльшим, чем остальные хижины), decorated by human skulls dangling from the eaves (украшенным человеческими черепами, свисающими с карниза; to set — установить, поставить). Through the door of that structure now danced a fantastic figure (через = в двери этого сооружения теперь танцевала фантастическая фигура).
volume ['vOlju:m], deduce [dI'dju:s], eave [i:v]
The wolfish howling of the Picts rose in volume and exultation, and from a movement in their ranks, an eager surging and crowding, Balthus deduced that someone of importance was coming. Twisting his head about, he saw that the stakes were set before a long building, larger than the other huts, decorated by human skulls dangling from the eaves. Through the door of that structure now danced a fantastic figure.
"Zogar!" muttered the woodsman, his bloody countenance set in wolfish lines as he unconsciously strained at his cords (Зогар! — пробормотал лесовик, его окровавленное лицо приобрело волчьи черты, когда он бессознательно натянул свои путы). Balthus saw a lean figure of middle height (Балтус увидел тощую фигру среднего роста), almost hidden in ostrich plumes set on a harness of leather and copper (почти скрытую страусиными перьями, насаженных на доспехи из кожи и меди). From amidst the plumes peered a hideous and malevolent face (/из/ среди перьев выглядывало омерзительное и злобное лицо). The plumes puzzled Balthus (перья озадачили Балтуса). He knew their source lay half the width of a world to the south (он знал, /что/ их источник лежал /за/ половину ширины мира = полмира к югу). They fluttered and rustled evilly as the shaman leaped and cavorted (они зловеще развевались и шуршали, когда шаман прыгал и скакал).
set [set], harness ['hQ:nIs], leather ['leDq]
"Zogar!" muttered the woodsman, his bloody countenance set in wolfish lines as he unconsciously strained at his cords. Balthus saw a lean figure of middle height, almost hidden in ostrich plumes set on a harness of leather and copper. From amidst the plumes peered a hideous and malevolent face. The plumes puzzled Balthus. He knew their source lay half the width of a world to the south. They fluttered and rustled evilly as the shaman leaped and cavorted.
With fantastic bounds and prancings he entered the ring and whirled before his bound and silent captives (фантастическими прыжками и скачками он вошел в кольцо и закружился перед /его/ связанными и молчащими пленниками). With another man it would have seemed ridiculous — a foolish savage prancing meaninglessly in a whirl of feathers (для другого /человека/ это показалось бы смешным — придурковатый дикарь, скачущий бессмысленно в кружении перьев). But that ferocious face glaring out from the billowing mass gave the scene a grim significance (но это свирепое лицо, пристально глядящее из волнующейся массы, придавало сцене мрачный смысл). No man with a face like that could seem ridiculous or like anything except the devil he was (ни один человек с таким лицом /не/ мог казаться смехотворным или наподобие того, за исключением того демона, которым он был).
fantastic [fqn'txstIk], another [q'nADq], ferocious [fq'rquSqs]
With fantastic bounds and prancings he entered the ring and whirled before his bound and silent captives. With another man it would have seemed ridiculous — a foolish savage prancing meaninglessly in a whirl of feathers. But that ferocious face glaring out from the billowing mass gave the scene a grim significance. No man with a face like that could seem ridiculous or like anything except the devil he was.
Suddenly he froze to statuesque stillness (вдруг он оцепенел в застывшей = полной неподвижности); the plumes rippled once and sank about him (перья колыхнулись один раз и опустились /вокруг него/; to sink — погружаться, тонуть, опускаться). The howling warriors fell silent (воющие воины замолчали; to fall silent — замолчать). Zogar Sag stood erect and motionless (Зогар Саг стоял прямой и неподвижный), and he seemed to increase in height — to grow and expand (и он, казалось, увеличивался в росте — рос и расширялся). Balthus experienced the illusion that the Pict was towering above him (Балтус испытывал иллюзию того, что пикт возвышался над ним), staring contemptuously down from a great height (глядя презрительно сверху вниз с огромной высоты), though he knew the shaman was not as tall as himself (хотя он знал, /что/ шаман был не такой высокий, как он сам). He shook off the illusion with difficulty (он избавился от иллюзии с трудом).
statuesque [stxCV'esk], erect [I'rekt], increase [In'kri:s]
Suddenly he froze to statuesque stillness; the plumes rippled once and sank about him. The howling warriors fell silent. Zogar Sag stood erect and motionless, and he seemed to increase in height — to grow and expand. Balthus experienced the illusion that the Pict was towering above him, staring contemptuously down from a great height, though he knew the shaman was not as tall as himself. He shook off the illusion with difficulty.
The shaman was talking now, a harsh, guttural intonation that yet carried the hiss of a cobra (шаман теперь говорил /с/ раздражающей гортанной интонацией, которая тем не менее несла /в себе/ шипение кобры). He thrust his head on his long neck toward the wounded man on the stake (он вытянул свою голову на /его/ длинной шее в сторону раненого мужчины у столба); his eyes shone red as blood in the firelight (его глаза засветились красным, как кровь в свете костра). The frontiersman spat full in his face (житель приграничья плюнул прямо в его лицо = ему в лицо; to spit — плевать).
The shaman was talking now, a harsh, guttural intonation that yet carried the hiss of a cobra. He thrust his head on his long neck toward the wounded man on the stake; his eyes shone red as blood in the firelight. The frontiersman spat full in his face.
With a fiendish howl Zogar bounded convulsively into the air (с ужасным воем Зогар подпрыгнул судорожно в воздух), and the warriors gave tongue to a yell that shuddered up to the stars (и воины подали голос в виде вопля, который содрогнулся = взметнулся до звезд). They rushed toward the man on the stake, but the shaman beat them back (они бросились к мужчине на столбе, но шаман отразил их; to beat back — отбить, отразить). A snarled command sent men running to the gate (ворчливая команда отправила людей бегом к воротам; to send — отправлять, посылать). They hurled it open, turned and raced back to the circle (они распахнули их, повернулись и побежали назад к кругу). The ring of men split, divided with desperate haste to right and left (кольцо людей распалось, разделилось с отчаянной поспешностью направо и налево). Balthus saw the women and naked children scurrying to the huts (Балтус увидел женщин и голых детей, бегущих стремглав к хижинам). They peeked out of doors and windows (они выглядывали из дверей и окон). A broad lane was left to the open gate (широкий проход был оставлен к открытым воротам), beyond which loomed the black forest (за которыми маячил черный лес), crowding sullenly in upon the clearing, unlighted by the fires (скапливаясь зловеще на росчисти, неосвещенной кострами; clearing — участок, расчищенный под пашню, росчисть).
fiendish ['fi:ndIS], convulsively [kqn'vAlsIvlI], haste [heIst]
With a fiendish howl Zogar bounded convulsively into the air, and the warriors gave tongue to a yell that shuddered up to the stars. They rushed toward the man on the stake, but the shaman beat them back. A snarled command sent men running to the gate. They hurled it open, turned and raced back to the circle. The ring of men split, divided with desperate haste to right and left. Balthus saw the women and naked children scurrying to the huts. They peeked out of doors and windows. A broad lane was left to the open gate, beyond which loomed the black forest, crowding sullenly in upon the clearing, unlighted by the fires.
A tense silence reigned as Zogar Sag turned toward the forest, raised on his tiptoes and sent a weird inhuman call shuddering out into the night (царила напряженная тишина, когда Зогар Саг повернулся к лесу, поднялся на /его/ цыпочки и исторг причудливый нечеловеческий зов, вибрирующий в ночи). Somewhere, far out in the black forest, a deeper cry answered him (где-то, далеко в черном лесу, более низкий крик ответил ему). Balthus shuddered (Балтус содрогнулся). From the timbre of that cry he knew it never came from a human throat (от = по тембру этого крика он знал, /что/ он никогда = вовсе не исходил из человеческого горла). He remembered what Valannus had said — that Zogar boasted that he could summon wild beasts to do his bidding (он вспомнил, что говорил Валаннус — что Зогар хвалился, что он может призвать диких тварей исполнять его приказы; to do one’s bidding — исполнять чьи-то приказы, распоряжения). The woodsman was livid beneath his mask of blood (лесовик был мертвенно-бледный под его маской из крови). He licked his lips spasmodically (он конвульсивно облизал /свои/ губы).
weird [wIqd], do [du:], beneath [bI'ni:T]
A tense silence reigned as Zogar Sag turned toward the forest, raised on his tiptoes and sent a weird inhuman call shuddering out into the night. Somewhere, far out in the black forest, a deeper cry answered him. Balthus shuddered. From the timbre of that cry he knew it never came from a human throat. He remembered what Valannus had said — that Zogar boasted that he could summon wild beasts to do his bidding. The woodsman was livid beneath his mask of blood. He licked his lips spasmodically.
The village held its breath (поселок задержал /свое/ дыхание; to hold — держать, задержать). Zogar Sag stood still as a statue, his plumes trembling faintly about him (Зогар Саг стоял как статуя, его перья слабо подрагивали вокруг него; to tremble — дрожать). But suddenly the gate was no longer empty (но вдруг ворота были больше не пустые).
The village held its breath. Zogar Sag stood still as a statue, his plumes trembling faintly about him. But suddenly the gate was no longer empty.
A shuddering gasp swept over the village and men crowded hastily back, jamming one another between the huts (бросающий в дрожь вздох прокатился по селу, и люди потеснились поспешно назад, сдавливая друг друга между хижинами). Balthus felt the short hair stir on his scalp (Балтус почувствовал, /как/ короткие волосы шевелятся на его макушке). The creature that stood in the gate was like the embodiment of nightmare legend (существо, которое стояло в воротах, было похожим на воплощение кошмарной легенды). Its color was of a curious pale quality which made it seem ghostly and unreal in the dim light (его цвет был необычного бледного оттенка, который делал его /казаться/ призрачным и нереальным в тусклом свете). But there was nothing unreal about the low-hung savage head (однако /не/ было ничего нереального в низко посаженной свирепой голове), and the great curved fangs that glistened in the firelight (и огромных загнутых клыках, которые блестели в свете костров). On noiseless padded feet it approached like a phantom out of the past (на бесшумных лапах с подушечками оно приближалось, как фантом из прошлого; noise — шум). It was a survival of an older, grimmer age, the ogre of many an ancient legend — a saber-tooth tiger (это был пережиток древней зловещей эпохи, ужас многих древних легенд — саблезубый тигр; ogre — великан-людоед). No Hyborian hunter had looked upon one of those primordial brutes for centuries (ни один хайборийский охотник /не/ смотрел на одного из тех изначальных зверей уже /многие/ века). Immemorial myths lent the creatures a supernatural quality, induced by their ghostly color and their fiendish ferocity (давние мифы придавали существам сверхъестественное качество, вызываемое их призрачным цветом и их дьявольской свирепостью); to lend — давать в долг, придавать, приспосабливаться).
nightmare ['naItmFq], glisten [glIsn], primordial [praI'mO:djql]
A shuddering gasp swept over the village and men crowded hastily back, jamming one another between the huts. Balthus felt the short hair stir on his scalp. The creature that stood in the gate was like the embodiment of nightmare legend. Its color was of a curious pale quality which made it seem ghostly and unreal in the dim light. But there was nothing unreal about the low-hung savage head, and the great curved fangs that glistened in the firelight. On noiseless padded feet it approached like a phantom out of the past. It was a survival of an older, grimmer age, the ogre of many an ancient legend — a saber-tooth tiger. No Hyborian hunter had looked upon one of those primordial brutes for centuries. Immemorial myths lent the creatures a supernatural quality, induced by their ghostly color and their fiendish ferocity.
The beast that glided toward the men on the stakes was longer and heavier than a common, striped tiger, almost as bulky as a bear (тварь, которая скользила к мужчинам на столбах, была длиннее и тяжелее, чем обычный полосатый тигр, почти такой же крупной, как медведь). Its shoulders and forelegs were so massive and mightily muscled as to give it a curiously top-heavy look (ее плечи и передние лапы были такие массивные и с такой могучей мускулатурой: «могуче мускулистые», что придавали ей странно неустойчивый вид), though its hindquarters were more powerful than that of a lion (хотя ее задняя часть была более мощной, чем у льва). Its jaws were massive, but its head was brutishly shaped (ее челюсти были массивные, но ее голова была грубой формы). Its brain capacity was small (ее объем мозга был невелик). It had room for no instincts except those of destruction (он не имел места для инстинктов, кроме таковых разрушения = в нем было место лишь для инстинктов разрушения). It was a freak of carnivorous development, evolution run amuck in a horror of fangs and talons (это была аномалия /в/ развитии плотоядных, эволюционное безумие в ужасе из клыков и когтей; to run amuck — обезуметь; быть вне себя, неистовствовать; в ярости набрасываться на всякого встречного).
bear [bFq], hindquarters ['haIndkwO:tqz], capacity [kq'pxsItI]
The beast that glided toward the men on the stakes was longer and heavier than a common, striped tiger, almost as bulky as a bear. Its shoulders and forelegs were so massive and mightily muscled as to give it a curiously top-heavy look, though its hindquarters were more powerful than that of a lion. Its jaws were massive, but its head was brutishly shaped. Its brain capacity was small. It had room for no instincts except those of destruction. It was a freak of carnivorous development, evolution run amuck in a horror of fangs and talons.