I CARRY SOME THINGS ASHORE 9 страница. My dog had been my best friend and companion

My dog had been my best friend and companion. He lived for sixteen years, and then died of old age.

As for my cats, the woods were full of them. All ran wild except the two that I kept in my castle. These were good mousers and fine pets.

I had also several tame fowls. These I had caught near the seashore when they were young. I cut their wing feathers short and taught them to eat from my hand.

I never knew what kind of birds they were, but they were large, almost as large as chickens. They lived among the hedge trees in front of my castle.

They made their nests there and kept me well supplied with eggs. I did not need to keep any other poultry.

Thus I lived very pleasantly in my island home. I would have been content to live there always if I could have felt safe from savages.

 

 

I SEE SAVAGES (я вижу дикарей)

 

EARLY one morning (рано утром) in harvest time (во время сбора урожая) I went out to my grain fields to cut down some barley (я выходил в мои зерновые поля срезать ячмень = собирать ячмень). The days were so very hot that it was pleasanter to rise before daylight (эти дни были такими жаркими, что было приятнее встать до восхода) and do the heavier part of my work before the sun was high (и сделать самую тяжелую часть моей работы прежде, чем солнце будет высоко).

 

On this morning of which I am telling you (тем утром, о котором я говорю вам), I started out while it was still quite dark (вышел в путь, когда еще было довольно темно). I had been to the fields so often that I could have found the way with my eyes shut (я бывал в полях так часто, что мог бы найти путь с закрытыми глазами).

As I went along (пока я шел), I was surprised to see a light far over toward my side of the island (я был удивлен увидеть огонек вдалеке ближе к моей стороне острова). I stopped and looked. It was plainly the light of a blazing fire (это был явно свет сверкающего огня).

Who could have built a fire there (кто мог бы развести огонь там)?

Surely none but savages (определенно никто, кроме дикарей).

I was so much surprised (так удивлен) that I stood still and wondered (стоял как вкопанный и задумался).

What if those savages should find my grain fields (что если дикари найдут мои зерновые поля)?

They would know at once that somebody had planted them (они сразу узнают = поймут, что кто-то их посадил), and they would never rest till they should find me (не успокоятся, пока не найдут меня).

I could now see the blaze quite plainly (довольно ясно, отчетливо). As the day dawned (рассветал), I could also see the smoke rising above the trees (дым, поднимающийся над деревьями). The fire was not more than two miles away (огонь был не более чем в двух милях).

I hurried back to my castle as fast as I could run (поспешил обратно так быстро, как только мог бежать). I made everything on the outside of it look as wild as possible (я сделал все снаружи его /чтобы/ выглядело так дико, как возможно).

I climbed over the wall and pulled up the ladder after me (я перелез через забор и затащил лестницу за собой).

I loaded all my cannon (зарядил все мои пушки), as I called the guns (как я называл ружья), that I had placed in the wall (которые установил в стене). I put everything in order for a siege (привел все в порядок, как надо для осады).

Then I waited to see if any enemy would come near (я «ждал увидеть» если враг приблизится = стал ждать приближения противника).

Two hours, three hours passed (прошли), and there was no sight nor sound that was at all uncommon (не было ни вида, ни звука, который был бы необычен). I began to wonder if, after all, the fire had been kindled by some accident (я начал задаваться вопросом, был ли = может быть, в конце концов, огонь разведен каким-то случаем = случайно; accident — /несчастный/ случай) and not by strange men (а не чужаками).

At last I could wait no longer (наконец не мог больше ждать). I set up my ladder against the side of the rock and climbed up to a flat place above my castle (я поставил лестницу к склону скалы и залез на плоское место над замком). I pulled the ladder up after me and then mounted to another landing (и затем взобрался на другую площадку). I pulled it up a second time (во второй раз), and it now reached to the top of the great rock (она теперь достигала верхушки большой скалы).

Here was the place I called my lookout (смотровой площадкой).

Very carefully I climbed up (очень осторожно я взобрался). I laid myself down upon the rock and through my spyglass looked over toward the place where I had seen the fire (я лег на скале и через подзорную трубу посмотрел на место, где я видел огонь).

I could still see the smoke (я все еще мог видеть дым). Yes, and I could see some naked savages sitting around a small fire (несколько обнаженных дикарей, сидящих вокруг маленького костра).

I counted them (посчитал их), and made out that there were no fewer than nine of the wretches (и вычислил, что там было не менее девяти этих убогих; wretch — жалкий человек; негодяй).

They surely did not need a fire to warm themselves by (им уж определенно не нужен был огонь, чтобы греться возле него), for the day was very hot (так как день был очень знойным). No doubt they were cooking something (без сомнения, они готовили что-то). Perhaps they were cannibals and were getting ready for one of their horrible feasts (возможно, они были каннибалами и готовились к одному из своих ужасных пиров).

On the beach not far from them I saw the two canoes in which they had arrived (на которых они прибыли).

The tide was now at its lowest (отлив был сейчас в своей самой низкой точке). When it returned and floated the canoes, they would probably go away (когда прилив вернется и поднимет каноэ, они, возможно, уплывут).

This thought made me feel much easier (эта мысль заставила меня чувствовать гораздо спокойнее = в некоторой мере успокоила меня), for I was sure they would not wander far inland (так как я был уверен, что они не забредут далеко внутрь острова).

I waited and watched till the tide was again at the flood (я ждал и наблюдал пока пока прилив не вернулся; the flood — подъем воды, прилив; поток; наводнение).

Then I saw them all get into the boats and paddle away (затем я увидел, как они все уселись в лодки и погребли прочь). They seemed to be going around to the other side of the island (они, казалось, собирались идти вокруг /острова/ на другую сторону острова = обогнуть остров).

I could now breathe freely again (опять дышать свободно). As soon as they were well gone, I armed myself and hurried across the land to see if I could get another sight of them (вооружился и поспешил через местность посмотреть, мог бы я поймать другой вид их = увидеть их вновь).

I carried two guns on my shoulder, two pistols in my belt (пистолета за поясом), and a big sword at my side (шпагу сбоку). You would have been frightened, had you seen me (вы были бы испуганы, если бы увидели меня).

It was a long, hard walk (долгая, трудная прогулка = путь). But by and by (постепенно) I came to the hill (к холму) that overlooked the farther shore of the island.

This I climbed. I scanned sea and land with my spyglass (осмотрел море и землю через подзорную трубу).

Yes, there were the two canoes coming slowly around the coast (было два каноэ, медленно огибающих побережье).

But what was my surprise to see three other boats put off from a cove near by and hasten around to meet them (каково было мое удивление, когда я увидел увидел, как три других лодки снялись из бухты рядом и поспешили им навстречу)!

It seemed, then, that another party of savages had been feasting at the very spot (значит, видимо другая партия дикарей имела пир на том же месте; to seem — казаться) where I had seen the first footprint in the sand (где я видел первый отпечаток ноги на песке).

I watched the canoes until all five were far out to sea (я наблюдал за каноэ, пока все пять не были далеко в море), on their way to the low-lying shore in the distant west (на своем пути к низкому берегу на отдаленном западе).

Then I went down to the place where the savages had been feasting.

What a dreadful sight met my eyes (какое ужасное зрелище встретило мои глаза)! The sand was covered with blood and bones (песок был покрыт кровью и костями). No doubt some poor captive had been killed there and eaten (бедный пленник был убит здесь и съеден).

I made up my mind (принял решение) that if any other savages should ever come to my island for such a feast, I would not let them enjoy it (не позволю им наслаждаться им).

I gathered up the bones and buried them in the sand (собрал кости и похоронил: «закопал» их в песке). Then I went slowly and sadly (медленно и печально) back to my castle.

After that I never felt quite safe at any time (после этого я никогда не чувствовал себе достаточно безопасно в любое время). I dared not fire a gun (не решался стрелять из ружья); I dared not build a fire (разводить огонь); I dared not walk far from home.

While awake (бодрствуя), I was always planning how to escape the savages (избежать дикарей). While asleep (во сне), I was always dreaming of dreadful things (мне всегда снились ужасные вещи).

Yet days and months passed by (проходили), and still no other savages came (пока дни и месяцы проходили, и все еще никакие другие дикари не прибывали).

 

greeting ['gri:tιη] possess [pə'zes] message ['mesιʤ]

 

 

I SEE SAVAGES

 

EARLY one morning in harvest time I went out to my grain fields to cut down some barley. The days were so very hot that it was pleasanter to rise before daylight and do the heavier part of my work before the sun was high. On this morning of which I am telling you, I started out while it was still quite dark. I had been to the fields so often that I could have found the way with my eyes shut.

As I went along, I was surprised to see a light far over toward my side of the island. I stopped and looked. It was plainly the light of a blazing fire.

Who could have built a fire there?

Surely none but savages.

I was so much surprised that I stood still and wondered.

What if those savages should find my grain fields?

They would know at once that somebody had planted them, and they would never rest till they should find me.

I could now see the blaze quite plainly. As the day dawned, I could also see the smoke rising above the trees. The fire was not more than two miles away.

I hurried back to my castle as fast as I could run. I made everything on the outside of it look as wild as possible.

I climbed over the wall and pulled up the ladder after me.

I loaded all my cannon, as I called the guns, that I had placed in the wall. I put everything in order for a siege.

Then I waited to see if any enemy would come near.

Two hours, three hours passed, and there was no sight nor sound that was at all uncommon. I began to wonder if, after all, the fire had been kindled by some accident and not by strange men.

At last I could wait no longer. I set up my ladder against the side of the rock and climbed up to a flat place above my castle. I pulled the ladder up after me and then mounted to another landing. I pulled it up a second time, and it now reached to the top of the great rock.

Here was the place I called my lookout.

Very carefully I climbed up. I laid myself down upon the rock and through my spyglass looked over toward the place where I had seen the fire.

I could still see the smoke. Yes, and I could see some naked savages sitting around a small fire.

I counted them, and made out that there were no fewer than nine of the wretches.

They surely did not need a fire to warm themselves by, for the day was very hot. No doubt they were cooking something. Perhaps they were cannibals and were getting ready for one of their horrible feasts.

On the beach not far from them I saw the two canoes in which they had arrived.

The tide was now at its lowest. When it returned and floated the canoes, they would probably go away.

This thought made me feel much easier, for I was sure they would not wander far inland.

I waited and watched till the tide was again at the flood.

Then I saw them all get into the boats and paddle away. They seemed to be going around to the other side of the island.

I could now breathe freely again. As soon as they were well gone, I armed myself and hurried across the land to see if I could get another sight of them.

I carried two guns on my shoulder, two pistols in my belt, and a big sword at my side. You would have been frightened, had you seen me.

It was a long, hard walk. But by and by I came to the hill that overlooked the farther shore of the island.

This I climbed. I scanned sea and land with my spyglass.

Yes, there were the two canoes coming slowly around the coast.

But what was my surprise to see three other boats put off from a cove near by and hasten around to meet them!

It seemed, then, that another party of savages had been feasting at the very spot where I had seen the first footprint in the sand.

I watched the canoes until all five were far out to sea, on their way to the low-lying shore in the distant west.

Then I went down to the place where the savages had been feasting.

What a dreadful sight met my eyes! The sand was covered with blood and bones. No doubt some poor captive had been killed there and eaten.

I made up my mind that if any other savages should ever come to my island for such a feast, I would not let them enjoy it.

I gathered up the bones and buried them in the sand. Then I went slowly and sadly back to my castle.

After that I never felt quite safe at any time. I dared not fire a gun; I dared not build a fire; I dared not walk far from home.

While awake, I was always planning how to escape the savages. While asleep, I was always dreaming of dreadful things.

Yet days and months passed by, and still no other savages came.

 

I DISCOVER A WRECK (я обнаруживаю корабль, потерпевший кораблекрушение)

 

ONE day in May a great storm burst upon the island (одним майским днем большая буря обрушилась на остров). All day and far into the night the rain fell and the wind blew (весь день и глубоко ночью дождь падал = шел и ветер дул), the lightnings flashed (молнии сверкали), and the thunder rolled (гром катился = раздавались раскаты грома).

But I was used to such storms (привык к таким штормам), and I minded it but little (не обращал на него большого внимания). I stayed home in my castle, and felt very thankful that I had a place so safe and dry and comfortable (я оставался дома в моем замке и чувствовал благодарность за то, что у меня было такое безопасное, сухое и удобное место).

 

I sat up quite late (я сидел /не ложился спать/ довольно поздно), reading my Bible by the light of a little lamp I had made (читая Библию при свете маленькой лампы, которую я сделал), and thinking of my strange lot in life (и думая о моем странной жребии в жизни). Suddenly I heard a sound which I felt sure was the noise of a gun fired at sea (вдруг я услышал звук, который, я чувствовал, наверняка был шумом ружья, выстрелившего у моря).

I started up quickly (вскочил быстро). I threw on my raincoat (набросил дождевик) and mounted to my lookout on the top of the great rock (взобрался на смотровую площадку на верхушке большой скалы).

The rain had stopped and the wind was going down (дождь прекратился и ветер стихал). It was now past midnight (за полночь), and very dark (очень темно).

A moment after I had reached my place (через мгновение после того, как я добрался до места) there was a flash of light that caused me to stop вспышка света которая заставила меня остановится) and listen for another gun (и прислушаться, не будет ли еще /ружейного/ выстрела).

In a few seconds I heard it (через несколько секунд я услышал его). It seemed to come from that part of the sea (он, казалось, донесся с той части моря) where I was once caught by the strong current (где я был однажды захвачен сильным потоком) and driven far out in my boat (и отнесен далеко /в море/ в моей лодке).

I knew at once that the shots were fired from some ship in distress (выстрелы стрелялись с какого-то корабля в бедствии). Perhaps she was being driven upon the shore by the wind and waves (возможно, он /корабль/ был относим = его гнало на берег ветром и волнами). Could I do anything to help the poor men on board (мог ли сделать что-то, чтобы помочь бедным людям на борту)?

With great labor and danger to myself (с большим трудом и опасностью для себя) I gathered some sticks and brush into a pile on the rock and set it on fire (собрал палки и ветки в кучу на скале и поджег их).

The wood was not dry (дрова были не сухими), but when the fire was once kindled (но когда костер был разведен) it blazed up fiercely (засверкал неистово, яростно: «свирепо») and cast a light over all the rocks and trees about me (отбросил свет на все скалы и деревья вокруг меня).

I felt sure that if there were sailors on the ship (я чувствовал уверенность, что если были моряки на борту), they could not help but see it (не могли не увидеть его). And no doubt they did see it (без сомнения, они видели его), for I soon heard another gun (так как вскоре я услышал другое ружье = другой выстрел).

All night long I kept the fire burning (всю ночь напролет я сохранял огонь горящим = поддерживал огонь); but no other sound besides the wind did I hear (но никаких других звуков, кроме ветра, я не слышал).

When it was broad day (когда наступил день; broad — широкий) and the mists had cleared away (туман рассеялся: «дымки прояснились»), I turned my spyglass toward that part of the sea from which the sounds came (откуда доносились звуки).

Far away from the shore there was surely something (далеко от берега определенно что-то было); but whether it was a wreck or a ship under sail (но был ли это корабль, потерпевший кораблекрушение, или корабль под парусом), I could not tell (различить). The distance was too great (расстояние было слишком большим).

I watched it from time to time all day (я смотрел на него время от времени весь день). It did not move (он не двигался).

"It must be a ship at anchor (должно быть, это корабль на якоре)," I said to myself.

Early the next morning (рано следующим утром) I took my gun and went down toward that side of the island where the current had once caught me (взял свое ружье и спустился к той стороне острова, где поток однажды захватил меня). When I had come to the shore there, I climbed upon some rocks and looked out over the sea (взобрался на скалы и выглянул в море).

The air was very clear now (чистым), and I could plainly see the ship (мог отчетливо видеть корабль).

She was not at anchor (он был не на якоре). She was fast on some great rocks of which there were many in that part of the sea (он застрял на больших рифах, которых было много в этой части моря).

I saw that the masts of the vessel were broken (мачты судна были сломаны), and that her hull was lying more than halfway out of the water (что корпус лежал более чем наполовину вне воды).

I thought of the sailors who must have been on board (подумал о моряках, которые должны были бы быть на борту), and wondered if any had escaped (задавался вопросом, спасся ли кто-нибудь). It seemed impossible (казалось невозможным) that any could have reached the shore through the furious sea (что кто-то смог добраться до берега через свирепое море) that was raging during the storm (которое бушевало во время шторма).

"Oh, that one had been saved (если бы кто-нибудь спасся)!" I cried as I walked up and down the shore (ходя из стороны в сторону по берегу).

I wrung my hands (ломал: «скручивал» руки; to wring), my lips were firmly set (губы были жестко сомкнуты), my eyes were full of tears (полны слез).

"Oh, that one had been saved!" I cried again and again.

It was thus that after so many lonely years without seeing a friendly face (было так = дело в том, что после столь многих одиноких лет, не видя дружеского лица) I longed to have at least one companion to talk with and to share my hopes and fears (я очень хотел иметь хотя бы одного товарища, чтобы говорить с ним и разделить мои надежды и страхи).

The sea was now quite calm (довольно спокойным). Even among the rocks the water was smooth (даже между скал вода была гладкой).

Seeing everything thus favorable (благоприятным), I made up my mind to get my canoe and go out to the wreck (к кораблю, потерпевшему кораблекрушение).

I hurried back to my castle (поспешил обратно) to get things ready for my voyage (чтобы приготовиться к моей поездке).

I packed a big basket with bread (наполнил большую корзину хлебом); I filled a jug with fresh water (кувшин пресной водой); I put a compass in my pocket (компас в карман) that I might have it to steer by (который мог понадобиться, чтобы править /судном/); I threw a bag full of raisins upon my shoulder (перекинул сумку, полную изюма, через плечо).

Loaded with all these necessary things (нагруженный всеми этими нужными вещами), I went round to the place where my canoe was hidden (пошел к месту, где мое каноэ было спрятано). I found her half full of water (наполовину заполненным водой), for she had been lying there neglected for a long time (так как оно лежало там «пренебрегаемое» = без ухода долгое время).

With much labor I bailed the water out of her (с большим трудом вычерпал воду из нее /из лодки/) and got her afloat (поставил на воду; afloat — наплаву). Then I loaded my cargo into her (погрузил мой груз в нее), and hurried home for more (и поспешил домой за следующим, за бóльшим /грузом/).

My second load (вторым грузом, второй загрузкой) was a bag full of rice (сумка, полная риса), the umbrella to set up over my head for shade (зонт, чтобы установить его над головой для тени), another jug of water (другой кувшин воды), a cheese (сыр), a bottle of milk (бутылка молока), and about two dozen barley cakes (около двух дюжин ячменных лепешек).

All these I carried around to my canoe (снес на каноэ). If there were men on board the wreck they might be in need of food (если на борту потерпевшего крушение корабля были люди, они могли бы нуждаться в еде).

When I had arranged everything in good order (когда я все привел в хороший порядок), I started out (отправился).

I kept the canoe quite close to the shore (держал близко к берегу) until I had rounded the point past which the dangerous current flowed (пока я не обогнул точку, за которым текло опасное течение). Being then in smooth water (будучи затем в тихой: «гладкой» воде), I struck boldly out toward the wreck (направился отважно к остову разбитого судна).

Soon, however, upon looking a little ahead of me (вскоре, тем не менее, глядя немного вперед передо мной), I saw the second current flowing in a great eddy past a long line of half-hidden rocks (я увидел второе течение, текущее в большом водовороте мимо длинной линии полускрытых /водой/ скал).

As I looked on these rapid currents (быстрые потоки), my heart began to fail me (мое сердце начало отказывать мне). I knew that if I should be driven into one of them, it would carry me a great way out to sea (я знал, что если бы я попал в один из них, меня бы вынесло далеко в море). It would carry me so far that I should never be able to get back again (так что ни за что не смогу приплыть обратно).

Yet I was determined to persevere in my venture (был настроен упорно продолжать мое путешествие; persevere — упорно добиваться, стойко, упорно продолжать).

 

persevere [pə:si’viə]

 

 

I DISCOVER A WRECK

ONE day in May a great storm burst upon the island. All day and far into the night the rain fell and the wind blew, the lightnings flashed, and the thunder rolled.

But I was used to such storms, and I minded it but little. I stayed home in my castle, and felt very thankful that I had a place so safe and dry and comfortable. I sat up quite late, reading my Bible by the light of a little lamp I had made, and thinking of my strange lot in life. Suddenly I heard a sound which I felt sure was the noise of a gun fired at sea.

I started up quickly. I threw on my raincoat and mounted to my lookout on the top of the great rock.

The rain had stopped and the wind was going down. It was now past midnight, and very dark.

A moment after I had reached my place there was a flash of light that caused me to stop and listen for another gun.

In a few seconds I heard it. It seemed to come from that part of the sea where I was once caught by the strong current and driven far out in my boat.

I knew at once that the shots were fired from some ship in distress. Perhaps she was being driven upon the shore by the wind and waves. Could I do anything to help the poor men on board?

With great labor and danger to myself I gathered some sticks and brush into a pile on the rock and set it on fire.

The wood was not dry, but when the fire was once kindled it blazed up fiercely and cast a light over all the rocks and trees about me.

I felt sure that if there were sailors on the ship, they could not help but see it. And no doubt they did see it, for I soon heard another gun.

All night long I kept the fire burning; but no other sound besides the wind did I hear.

When it was broad day and the mists had cleared away, I turned my spyglass toward that part of the sea from which the sounds came.

Far away from the shore there was surely something; but whether it was a wreck or a ship under sail, I could not tell. The distance was too great.

I watched it from time to time all day. It did not move.

"It must be a ship at anchor," I said to myself.

Early the next morning I took my gun and went down toward that side of the island where the current had once caught me. When I had come to the shore there, I climbed upon some rocks and looked out over the sea.

The air was very clear now, and I could plainly see the ship.

She was not at anchor. She was fast on some great rocks of which there were many in that part of the sea.

I saw that the masts of the vessel were broken, and that her hull was lying more than halfway out of the water.

I thought of the sailors who must have been on board, and wondered if any had escaped. It seemed impossible that any could have reached the shore through the furious sea that was raging during the storm.

"Oh, that one had been saved!" I cried as I walked up and down the shore.

I wrung my hands, my lips were firmly set, my eyes were full of tears.

"Oh, that one had been saved!" I cried again and again.

It was thus that after so many lonely years without seeing a friendly face I longed to have at least one companion to talk with and to share my hopes and fears.

The sea was now quite calm. Even among the rocks the water was smooth.

Seeing everything thus favorable, I made up my mind to get my canoe and go out to the wreck.

I hurried back to my castle to get things ready for my voyage.

I packed a big basket with bread; I filled a jug with fresh water; I put a compass in my pocket that I might have it to steer by; I threw a bag full of raisins upon my shoulder.

Loaded with all these necessary things, I went round to the place where my canoe was hidden. I found her half full of water, for she had been lying there neglected for a long time.

With much labor I bailed the water out of her and got her afloat. Then I loaded my cargo into her, and hurried home for more.

My second load was a bag full of rice, the umbrella to set up over my head for shade, another jug of water, a cheese, a bottle of milk, and about two dozen barley cakes.

All these I carried around to my canoe. If there were men on board the wreck they might be in need of food.

When I had arranged everything in good order, I started out.

I kept the canoe quite close to the shore until I had rounded the point past which the dangerous current flowed. Being then in smooth water, I struck boldly out toward the wreck.

Soon, however, upon looking a little ahead of me, I saw the second current flowing in a great eddy past a long line of half-hidden rocks.

As I looked on these rapid currents, my heart began to fail me. I knew that if I should be driven into one of them, it would carry me a great way out to sea. It would carry me so far that I should never be able to get back again.

Yet I was determined to persevere in my venture.

 

I MAKE ANOTHER VOYAGE (я предпринимаю еще одно путешествие)