I BECOME A POTTER ( становлюсь гончаром )
WHEN it came to making bread (когда предстояло делать хлеб), I found that I needed several vessels (несколько сосудов). In fact, I needed them in many ways (на деле, они нужны были мне по многим причинам).
It would be hard to make wooden vessels (было бы тяжело делать деревянные сосуды). Of course it was out of the question to make vessels of iron or any other metal (конечно, не стояло вопроса = было совершенно невозможно сделать сосуды из железа или любого другого металла). But why might I not make some earthen vessels (но почему не мог я сделать несколько глиняных сосудов)?
If I could find some good clay (если бы я смог найти хорошую глину), I felt quite sure that I could make pots strong enough to be of use (я чувствовал полную уверенность, что я смогу делать горшки достаточно крепкими, чтобы быть годными к использованию, полезными).
After much trouble I found the clay. The next thing was to shape it into pots or jars (придать форму горшков или кувшинов).
You would have laughed to see the first things I tried to make (вы бы посмеялись, увидев первые вещи, которые я сделал). How ugly they were (какими уродливыми они были)!
Some of them fell in pieces of their own weight (некоторые их них распадались на кусочки от собственного веса). Some of them fell in pieces when I tried to lift them (когда я пытался поднять их).
They were of all shapes and sizes (всех форм и размеров).
After I had worked two months I had only two large jars (после того, как я проработал два месяца, у меня было только два больших кувшина) that were fit to look at (на которые можно было смотреть; fit — подходящий , подобающий). These I used for holding my rice and barley meal (их я использовал для хранения рисовой и ячменной еды).
Then I tried some smaller things, and did quite well (попытался /сделать/ несколько более мелких вещей, и сделал довольно хорошо).
I made some plates (тарелок), a pitcher (кувшин), and some little jars that would hold about a pint (и несколько маленьких кувшинов, которые удерживали около пинты /мера емкости = 0,57 л/).
All these I baked in the hot sun (обжег а горячем солнце). They kept their shape (они сохранили свою форму), and seemed quite hard (казались довольно крепкими). But of course they would not hold water or bear the heat of the fire (не удержали бы воды и не выдержали бы жара огня).
One day when I was cooking my meat for dinner (мясо на ужин), I made a very hot fire (сделал очень жаркий огонь). When I was done with it (когда я закончил это = приготовление ужина), I raked down the coals (разгреб угли) and poured water on it to put it out (налил воды на них, чтобы загасить его).
It so happened that one of my little earthenware jars had fallen into the fire and been broken (так случилось, что один из моих глиняных кувшинов упал в огонь и разбился). I had not taken it out (я не вытащил его), but had left it in the hot flames (оставил его в горячем пламени).
Now, as I was raking out the coals (когда я разгребал угли), I found some pieces of it and was surprised at the sight of them (был удивлен при виде их), for they were burned as hard as stones and as red as tiles (спеклись крепкими, как камни, и красными, как черепица).
"If broken pieces will burn so (если разбитые куски обжигаются так)," said I, "why cannot a whole jar be made as hard and as red as these (почему целый кувшин не может быть сделан таким же твердым и красным, как эти)?"
I had never seen potters at work (гончаров за работой). I did not know how to build a kiln for firing the pots (как построить печь для обжига горшков). I had never heard how earthenware is glazed (как глина глазируется).
But I made up my mind to see what could be done (но я решил посмотреть, что может быть сделано).
I put several pots and small jars in a pile (я поставил несколько горшков и кувшинов кучей), one upon another (один на другом). I laid dry wood all over and about them (положил сухое дерево над и вокруг), and then set it on fire (поджег это).
As fast as the wood burned up (как только дерево прогорало), I heaped other pieces upon the fire (я бросал новые деревяшки в огонь). The hot flames roared all round the jars and pots (пламя кружило вокруг кувшинов и горшков). The red coals burned beneath them (красные угли горели за ними).
I kept the fire going all day (я поддерживал огонь весь день). I could see the pots become red-hot through and through (я мог видеть, как горшки становятся красными совершенно; through — насквозь ; совершенно). The sand on the side of a little jar began to melt and run (песок в стороне от маленького кувшина начал плавиться и течь).
After that I let the fire go down (после этого я позволил огню потухнуть), little by little (мало-помалу). I watched it all night (смотрел за ним всю ночь), for I did not wish the pots and jars to cool too quickly (не хотел, чтобы горшки и кувшины остывали слишком быстро).
In the morning I found that I had three very good earthen pots (обнаружил, что я имел три очень хороших глиняных горшка). They were not at all pretty (вовсе не были красивыми), but they were as hard as rocks (тверды как камень; rock — скала) and would hold water (и будут удержать воду).
I had two fine jars also, and one of them was well glazed with the melted sand (хорошо глазированный расплавленным песком).
After this I made all the pots and jars and plates and pans that I needed (сделал все горшки и тарелки и кружки, которые были нужны). They were of all shapes and sizes (они были всех форм и размеров).
You would have laughed to see them (вы бы посмеялись, увидев их).
Of course I was awkward at this work (конечно, я был неуклюжим при этой работе = делал неуклюже). I was like a child making mud pies (как ребенок, делающий пироги из грязи).
But how glad I was when I found that I had a vessel that would bear the fire (но как рад я был когда обнаружил, что я имел сосуд, который бы вынес огонь)! I could hardly wait to put some water in it and boil me some meat (я едва мог ждать, чтобы налить воды в него и сварить себе мясо).
That night I had turtle soup (черепаховый суп) and barley broth for supper (ячменную похлебку на ужин).
turtle [t?:tl] child [t?aild] earthen [?:??n]
I BECOME A POTTER
WHEN it came to making bread, I found that I needed several vessels. In fact, I needed them in many ways. It would be hard to make wooden vessels. Of course it was out of the question to make vessels of iron or any other metal. But why might I not make some earthen vessels?
If I could find some good clay, I felt quite sure that I could make pots strong enough to be of use.
After much trouble I found the clay. The next thing was to shape it into pots or jars.
You would have laughed to see the first things I tried to make. How ugly they were!
Some of them fell in pieces of their own weight. Some of them fell in pieces when I tried to lift them.
They were of all shapes and sizes.
After I had worked two months I had only two large jars that were fit to look at. These I used for holding my rice and barley meal.
Then I tried some smaller things, and did quite well.
I made some plates, a pitcher, and some little jars that would hold about a pint.
All these I baked in the hot sun. They kept their shape, and seemed quite hard. But of course they would not hold water or bear the heat of the fire.
One day when I was cooking my meat for dinner, I made a very hot fire. When I was done with it, I raked down the coals and poured water on it to put it out.
It so happened that one of my little earthenware jars had fallen into the fire and been broken. I had not taken it out, but had left it in the hot flames.
Now, as I was raking out the coals, I found some pieces of it and was surprised at the sight of them, for they were burned as hard as stones and as red as tiles.
"If broken pieces will burn so," said I, "why cannot a whole jar be made as hard and as red as these?"
I had never seen potters at work. I did not know how to build a kiln for firing the pots. I had never heard how earthenware is glazed.
But I made up my mind to see what could be done.
I put several pots and small jars in a pile, one upon another. I laid dry wood all over and about them, and then set it on fire.
As fast as the wood burned up, I heaped other pieces upon the fire. The hot flames roared all round the jars and pots. The red coals burned beneath them.
I kept the fire going all day. I could see the pots become red-hot through and through. The sand on the side of a little jar began to melt and run.
After that I let the fire go down, little by little. I watched it all night, for I did not wish the pots and jars to cool too quickly.
In the morning I found that I had three very good earthen pots. They were not at all pretty, but they were as hard as rocks and would hold water.
I had two fine jars also, and one of them was well glazed with the melted sand.
After this I made all the pots and jars and plates and pans that I needed. They were of all shapes and sizes.
You would have laughed to see them.
Of course I was awkward at this work. I was like a child making mud pies.
But how glad I was when I found that I had a vessel that would bear the fire! I could hardly wait to put some water in it and boil me some meat.
That night I had turtle soup and barley broth for supper.
I BUILD A BIG CANOE ( большое каноэ )
WHILE I was doing these things I was always trying to think of some way to escape from the island (пока я делал эти вещи, я постоянно пытался подумать о каком-то пути /как/ сбежать с острова).
True (правда), I was living there with much comfort (я жил там с большим удобствами). I was happier than I had ever been while sailing the seas (был счастливее, чем когда я плавал по морям).
But I longed to see other men (очень хотел увидеть других людей). I longed for home and friends (очень хотел увидеть дом и друзей; to long for … — очень хотеть, стремиться, страстно желать).
You will remember that when I was over at the farther side of the island (вы должны помнить, что когда я был на дальней стороне острова) I had seen land in the distance (я видел землю на расстоянии). Fifty or sixty miles of water lay between me and that land (50-60 миль воды лежало между мной и той землей). Yet I was always wishing that I could reach it (но я всегда желал, чтобы я мог достичь ее).
It was a foolish wish (глупое желание). For there was no telling what I might find on that distant shore (трудно было предположить, что я мог бы найти на том далеком берегу).
Perhaps it was a far worse place than my little island (возможно, это было намного худшее место, чем мой маленький остров). Perhaps there were savage beasts there (дикие звери). Perhaps wild men lived there who would kill me and eat me (дикие люди жили там, которые убьют и съедят меня).
I thought of all these things (думал обо всех этих вещах); but I was willing to risk every kind of danger rather than stay where I was (я желал /скорее/ рискнуть любой опасностью = пойти на любую опасность, чем оставаться, где я был).
At last I made up my mind to build a boat (наконец я решил построить лодку). It should be large enough to carry me and all that belonged to me (должна быть достаточно большой, чтобы перевезти меня и все, что принадлежало мне). It should be strong enough to stand a long voyage over stormy seas (достаточно крепкой, чтобы выдержать долгий вояж по штормящим морям).
I had seen the great canoes which Indians sometimes make of the trunks of trees (я видел большие каноэ, которые индейцы иногда делают из стволов деревьев). I would make one of the same kind (такого же вида).
In the woods I found a cedar tree (нашел кедр) which I thought was just the right thing for my canoe (который, я думал, был как раз подходящим для моего каноэ).
It was a huge tree (огромное дерево). Its trunk was more than five feet through at the bottom (ствол был более пяти футов в диаметре у нижней части).
I chopped and hewed many days before it fell to the ground (рубил много дней, прежде чем он упал на землю). It took two weeks to cut a log of the right length from it (потребовалось две недели, чтобы вырезать бревно нужной длины из него).
Then I went to work on the log (приступил к работе над бревном). I chopped and hewed (рубил и вырубал) and shaped the outside into the form of a canoe (придал снаружи форму каноэ). With hatchet and chisel I hollowed out the inside (топориком и долотом выдолбил полость).
For full three months I worked on that cedar log (полных три месяца я работал над этой кедровым бревном). I was both proud and glad when the canoe was finished (был горд и рад, когда каноэ было закончено). I had never seen so big a boat made from a single tree (я никогда не видел такой большой лодки, сделанной из одного дерева).
It was well shaped and handsome (хорошей формы и красивая). More than twenty men might find room to sit in it (более 20 человек могли бы найти место и сесть в ней).
But now the hardest question of all must be answered (но теперь самый сложный из всех вопросов должен быть отвечен).
How was I to get my canoe into the water (как я смогу доставить каноэ на воду)?
It lay not more than three hundred feet from the little river (лежало не более чем в 300 футах от реки) where I had first landed with my raft (где я впервые причалил с моим плотом).
But how was I to move it three hundred feet, or even one foot (но как я должен был сдвинуть его на триста футов, или даже на один фут)? It was so heavy that I could not even roll it over (было таким тяжелым, что я не мог даже перевернуть его).
I thought of several plans (придумал несколькох планов). But when I came to reckon the time and the labor (но когда я подошел к подсчету времени и труда), I found that even by the easiest plan it would take twenty years to get the canoe into the water (обнаружил, что даже при самом простом плане потребовалось бы 20 лет, чтобы спустить каноэ на воду).
What could I do but leave it in the woods where it lay (что мог я сделать, кроме как оставить его в лесу, где оно лежало)?
How foolish I had been (каким глупым, неразумным я был)! Why had I not thought of the weight of the canoe before going to the labor of making it (почему я не подумал о весе каноэ, перед тем как начать работу по созданию его)?
The wise man will always look before he leaps (мудрый человек всегда посмотрит, прежде чем прыгнет). I certainly had not acted wisely (определенно не действовал мудро).
I went back to my castle (вернулся в замок), feeling sad and thoughtful (чувствуя себе грустным и задумчивым).
Why should I be discontented and unhappy (почему я должен быть таким неудовлетворенным и несчастным)?
I was the master of all that I saw (я был владельцем всего, что я видел). I might call myself the king of the island (я мог назвать себя королем острова).
I had all the comforts of life (я имел все удобства жизни).
I had food in plenty (еду в изобилии).
I might raise shiploads of grain (мог бы вырастить корабли зерна; shipload — судовой груз), but there was no market for it (не было рынка для него).
I had thousands of trees for timber (для древесины) and fue (топлива), but no one wished to buy (но никто не хотел покупать).
I counted the money which I had brought from the ship (пересчитал деньги, которые я принес с корабля). There were above a hundred pieces of gold and silver (свыше 100 монет золота и серебра); but of what use were they (но какая польза от них)?
I would have given all for a handful of peas or beans to plant (я отдал бы все за горсть гороха и бобов /которые можно было бы/ посеять). I would have given all for a bottle of ink (отдал бы все за бутылку чернил).
custom [‘k?st?m] spread [spred] umbrella [?m’brel?]
I BUILD A BIG CANOE
WHILE I was doing these things I was always trying to think of some way to escape from the island. True, I was living there with much comfort. I was happier than I had ever been while sailing the seas.
But I longed to see other men. I longed for home and friends.
You will remember that when I was over at the farther side of the island I had seen land in the distance. Fifty or sixty miles of water lay between me and that land. Yet I was always wishing that I could reach it.
It was a foolish wish. For there was no telling what I might find on that distant shore.
Perhaps it was a far worse place than my little island. Perhaps there were savage beasts there. Perhaps wild men lived there who would kill me and eat me.
I thought of all these things; but I was willing to risk every kind of danger rather than stay where I was.
At last I made up my mind to build a boat. It should be large enough to carry me and all that belonged to me. It should be strong enough to stand a long voyage over stormy seas.
I had seen the great canoes which Indians sometimes make of the trunks of trees. I would make one of the same kind.
In the woods I found a cedar tree which I thought was just the right thing for my canoe.
It was a huge tree. Its trunk was more than five feet through at the bottom.
I chopped and hewed many days before it fell to the ground. It took two weeks to cut a log of the right length from it.
Then I went to work on the log. I chop and hewed and shaped the outside into the form of a canoe. With hatchet and chisel I hollowed out the inside.
For full three months I worked on that cedar log. I was both proud and glad when the canoe was finished. I had never seen so big a boat made from a single tree.
It was well shaped and handsome. More than twenty men might find room to sit in it.
But now the hardest question of all must answered.
How was I to get my canoe into the water?
It lay not more than three hundred feet from the little river where I had first landed with my raft.
But how was I to move it three hundred feet, or even one foot? It was so heavy that I could not even roll it over.
I thought of several plans. But when I came to reckon the time and the labor, I found that even by the easiest plan it would take twenty years to get the canoe into the water.
What could I do but leave it in the woods where it lay?
How foolish I had been! Why had I not thought of the weight of the canoe before going to the labor of making it?
The wise man will always look before he leaps. I certainly had not acted wisely.
I went back to my castle, feeling sad and thoughtful.
Why should I be discontented and unhappy?
I was the master of all that I saw. I might call myself the king of the island.
I had all the comforts of life.
I had food in plenty.
I might raise shiploads of grain, but there was no market for it.
I had thousands of trees for timber and fuel, but no one wished to buy.
I counted the money which I had brought from the ship. There were above a hundred pieces of gold and silver; but of what use were they?
I would have given all for a handful of peas or beans to plant. I would have given all for a bottle of ink.
I MAKE AN UMBRELLA ( зонтик )
AS the years went by (пока проходили годы) the things which I had brought from the ship were used up or worn out (использовались /до конца/ и износились).
My biscuits lasted more than a year (печенья хватило более чем на год); for I ate only one cake each day (так как я ел только одно печенье каждый день).
My ink soon gave out (чернила вскоре иссякли), and then I had no more use for pens or paper (затем я не мог больше использовать карандаши и бумагу).
At last my clothes were all worn out (наконец одежда моя была вся изношена).
The weather (погода) was always warm on my island and there was little need for clothes (была малая необходимость в одежде). But I could not go without them (но я не мог выходить без нее).
It so happened that I had saved the skins of all the animals I had killed (так случилось, что я сохранял шкуры всех животных, /которых/ я убил).
I stretched every skin on a framework of sticks (растягивал каждую шкуру на каркасе из палок) and hung it up in the sun to dry (вешал на солнце сушиться).
In time I had a great many of these skins (спустя некоторое время у меня было очень много этих шкур). Some were coarse (некоторые были грубыми) and stiff (негибкими) and fit for nothing (не подходили ни для чего). Others were soft to the touch and very pretty to look at (другие были мягкими на ощупь и приятные глазу).
One day I took one of the finest and made me a cap of it (шапочку из нее). I left all the hair on the outside (я оставил всю шерсть: «волосы» снаружи), so as to shoot off the rain (так, чтобы сбрасывать дождь = защищать от дождя).
It was not very pretty (была не очень красивой); but it was of great use (очень полезна), and what more did I want (чего же больше желать)?
I did so well with the cap that I thought I would try something else (у меня получилось так хорошо с шапочкой, что я подумал, что я бы попытался чт-нибудь еще /сделать/). So, after a great deal of trouble (после многих мучений, трудностей), I made me a whole suit (целый костюм).
I made me a waistcoat (жилет) and a pair of knee breeches (бриджей до колен). I wanted them to keep me cool rather than warm (я хотел, чтобы они «держали» меня скорее в прохладе, чем в тепле). So I made them quite loose (довольно свободными).
You would have laughed to see them (вы бы посмеялись, увидев их). They were funny things, I tell you (забавные вещи, скажу я вам). But when I went out in the rain (но когда я выходил наружу под дождь), they kept me dry («сохраняли меня сухим»).
This, I think, put me in mind of an umbrella (подсказало мне идею сделать зонт).
I had seen umbrellas in Brazil, although they were not yet common in England (не были еще распространены в Англии). They were of much use in the summer when the sun shone hot (когда солнце светило жарко).
I thought that if they were good in Brazil (я думал, если они были хороши в Бразилии), they would be still better here (они будут еще лучше здесь), where the sun was much hotter (где солнце было намного жарче).
So I set about the making of one (приступил к тому, чтобы делать зонт).
I took great pains with it (это потребовало больших усилий от меня; pain — боль ; мука), and it was a long time before it pleased me at all (и прошло долгое время, прежде чем он понравился мне вообще).
I could make it spread (мог развернуть его; spread — развертывать/ся/), but it did not let down (но он не складывался: «не опускался»). And what would be the use of an umbrella that could not be folded (и какая была бы польза от зонта, который нельзя было бы сложить: «не мог быть сложенным»)?
I do not know how many weeks I spent at this work (не знаю, сколько недель я провел за этой работой). It was play work rather than anything else (это была скорее игровая работа = легкая работа, развлечение, чем что-то другое), and I picked it up only at odd times (и я подхватывал ее только в свободное время; odd — нечетный; случайный, нерегулярный).
At last I had an umbrella that opened and shut (наконец я имел зонт, который открывался и закрывался) just as an umbrella should (именно так, как зонт должен).
I covered it with skins (покрыл его шкурами), with the hair on the outside (шерстью наружу). In the rain it was as good as a shed (в дождь он был столь же хорош, как навес). In the sun it made a pleasant shade (он давал приятную тень).
I could now go out in all kinds of weather (выходить в любую погоду). I need not care whether the rain fell or the sun shone (не приходилось беспокоиться, шел ли дождь или светило солнце).
For the next five years I lived very quietly (очень спокойно). I kept always busy (я всегда находил занятие) and did not allow myself to feel lonely (не позволял себе чувствовать себя одиноким).
I divided each day into parts according to my several duties (я делил каждый день на части в соответствии с рядом моих обязанностей).
After reading in my Bible (после чтения Библии), it was my custom to spend about three hours every morning in search of food (моей привычкой было проводить примерно три часа каждое утро в поисках еды). Through the heat of the day (во время дневной жары), I busied myself in the shade of my castle or bower (я занимался = работал в тени замка или беседки).
In the evening, when the sun was low (когда солнце было низким), I worked in my fields (работал на полях). But sometimes I went to work very early in the morning and left my hunting until the afternoon (но иногда шел работать очень рано утром и оставлял охоту до послеобеденного времени).
failure [‘feilj?] trial [trai?l] adventure [?d’vent??]
I MAKE AN UMBRELLA
AS the years went by the things which I had brought from the ship were used up or worn out. My biscuits lasted more than a year; for I ate only one cake each day.
My ink soon gave out, and then I had no more use for pens or paper.
At last my clothes were all worn out.
The weather was always warm on my island and there was little need for clothes. But I could not go without them.
It so happened that I had saved the skins of all the animals I had killed.
I stretched every skin on a framework of sticks. and hung it up in the sun to dry.
In time I had a great many of these skins. Some were coarse and stiff and fit for nothing. Others were soft to the touch and very pretty to look at.
One day I took one of the finest and made me a cap of it. I left all the hair on the outside, so as to shoot off the rain.
It was not very pretty; but it was of great use, and what more did I want?
I did so well with the cap that I thought I would try something else. So, after a great deal of trouble, I made me a whole suit.
I made me a waistcoat and a pair of knee breeches. I wanted them to keep me cool rather than warm. So I made them quite loose.
You would have laughed to see them. They were funny things, I tell you. But when I went out in the rain, they kept me dry.
This, I think, put me in mind of an umbrella.
I had seen umbrellas in Brazil, although they were not yet common in England. They were of much use in the summer when the sun shone hot.
I thought that if they were good in Brazil, they would be still better here, where the sun was much hotter.
So I set about the making of one.
I took great pains with it, and it was a long time before it pleased me at all.
I could make it spread, but it did not let down. And what would be the use of an umbrella that could not be folded?
I do not know how many weeks I spent at this work. It was play work rather than anything else, and I picked it up only at odd times.
At last I had an umbrella that opened and shut just as an umbrella should.
I covered it with skins, with the hair on the outside. In the rain it was as good as a shed. In the sun it made a pleasant shade.
I could now go out in all kinds of weather. I need not care whether the rain fell or the sun shone.
For the next five years I lived very quietly. I kept always busy and did not allow myself to feel lonely.
I divided each day into parts according to my several duties.
After reading in my Bible, it was my custom to spend about three hours every morning in search of food. Through the heat of the day, I busied myself in the shade of my castle or bower.
In the evening, when the sun was low, I worked in my fields. But sometimes I went to work very early in the morning and left my hunting until the afternoon.
I HAVE A PERILOUS ADVENTURE ( опасное приключение )
I HAD never given up the idea of having a canoe (никогда не бросал идею иметь каноэ).
My first trial (попытка), as you have seen, was a failure (была провалом). I had made too big a boat (слишком большую лодку), and I had made it too far from the water (сделал ее слишком далеко от воды). I could do better another time (я мог сделать лучше в другой раз).
One day after I had harvested my grain (после того как я собрал зерно), I set to work (принялся за работу).
There was no tree near the river that was fit for a canoe (около реки не было дерева, которое подходило для каноэ). But I found a fine one nearly half a mile away (но я нашел хорошее /дерево/ примерно в полумиле).
Before I began to chop the tree (прежде чем я начал рубить дерево), I made all my plans for taking the canoe to the water (я разработал все планы /как/ доставить каноэ к воде).
I worked now with a will (с желанием), for I felt sure that I would succeed (так как я чувствовал себя уверенным, что преуспею).
In a few weeks the little vessel was finished (маленькое судно было готово). It was a very pretty canoe (красивое), and large enough for only two or three persons (достаточно большим только для двух или трех человек).
Small as it was (маленькое, каким оно было = хотя оно было таким маленьким), it was quite heavy (довольно тяжелым). For you must remember that it was a part of the tree (так как вы должны помнить, что это была часть дерева), hollowed out and shaped like a boat (выдолбленная внутри в форме лодки). It was as much as I could do to lift one end of it (все, что я мог сделать, это поднять один конец его).
How should I ever get it to the river (как я должен когда-либо доставить его к реке = как же мне доставить его к реке)?
I have already told you that I had made plans for this (подготовил планы для этого).
Through the soft ground between the river and the canoe I dug a big ditch (в мягкой земле между рекой и каноэ я прокопал большую канаву). It was four feet deep and six feet wide (четыре фута глубиной и шесть футов шириной) and nearly half a mile long (почти полмили длиной).
I worked at this ditch for nearly two years (работал над этой канавой почти два года). When it was done and filled with water from the river (наполнена водой из реки), I slid my canoe into it (спустил мое каноэ в нее). It floated (поплыло), as I knew it would (как я и думал, что он будет = сделает).
As I pushed it along to the end of the great ditch and out into the river, it looked very small (когда я столкнул его к концу большой канавы и в реку, оно выглядело очень маленьким). I could never hope to make a long voyage in it (вовсе не мог надеяться совершить большое путешествие на нем)!
But I could sail round the island (мог ходить под парусом вокруг острова), and make little journeys close to the shore (совершать маленькие путешествия близко к берегу).
Before starting out (прежде чем отправиться), I put up a mast in the prow of the canoe (я установил мачту на носу каноэ) and made a sail for it of a piece of the ship's sail that I had kept with great care (сделал парус для нее из куска корабельного паруса, который я хранил с большой заботой).
Then at each end of the little vessel I made lockers (на каждой стороне маленького судна я сделал отсеки) or small boxes, in which I put a supply of food (припасы еды) and other things that I would need on my voyage (которые могли пригодиться мне во время путешествия).
On the inside of the vessel (внутри судна) I cut a little, long, hollow place or shelf (я вырезал маленькую длинную полость, или полку) where I could lay my gun (куда я мог положить ружье); and above this I tacked a long flap of goatskin (прикрепил большой кусок козьей шкуры) to hang down over it and keep it dry (чтобы свисала над ним и сохраняла его сухим).
In the stern (на корме) I set up my umbrella (я установил зонтик), so that it would keep the hot sun off of me while I was steering the canoe (так, чтобы он меня от солнца, пока я правил каноэ).
Then every day I made short trips (короткие путешествия) down the river to the sea and back again (вниз по реке к морю и обратно опять). Sometimes, when the wind was fair (иногда, когда ветер был попутным), I sailed a little way out (я выходил немного в море); but I was afraid to go far (я боялся выходить далеко).
At last I made up my mind for a voyage around the island (наконец я решил /совершить/ путешествие вокруг острова).
I filled my lockers with food (наполнил ящики едой). In one I put two dozen barley cakes and a pot full of parched rice (в один я положил две дюжины ячменных лепешек и горшок, полный поджаренного риса). In the other I stored the hind quarters of a goat (я другой я положил заднюю четверть козы).
I also put in powder and shot enough to kill as much game as I would need (я также положил достаточно пороха и дроби, чтобы убить так много дичи, сколько бы мне понадобилось).
On a day in November I set sail on my voyage (отправился в плавание: «поставил парус»; to set sail — отправляться в плавание). It proved to be a harder voyage than I had bargained for (оказался более тяжелым, чем я ожидал; to bargain — торговаться , заключать сделку ; рассчитывать).
In the first place, there were so many rocks along the shore (столь много скал вдоль берега) that I sometimes had to sail for miles out into the sea to get around them (что я иногда должен был выходить на несколько миль в море, чтобы обогнуть их) .
Then, when I was on the farther side of the island (на дальней стороне острова), I struck a furious current of water (наткнулся на быстрый поток воды) that was pouring round a point of land like the sluice of mill (который тек вокруг возвышения земли, как водовод мельницы).
I could do nothing in such a current (я не мог ничего делать в таком течении). My canoe was whirled along like a leaf in a whirlwind (крутило, как листок в вихре). The sail was of no use (парус был бесполезным). The little vessel spun round and round in the eddies (это маленькое судно вертелось в воронках; to spin) and was carried far out to sea (было вынесено далеко в море).
I gave myself up for lost (сдался и думал, что пропал). I was so far out that I could hardly see the low shores of my island (я был так далеко в открытом море, что едва мог видеть низкие берега моего острова).
Suddenly I noticed that the canoe was only a little way from the edge of the current (вдруг я заметил, что каноэ было лишь на небольшом расстоянии от края течения). Just beyond it the water was quite calm and smooth (прямо за ним вода была довольно спокойной и ровной).
I took up my paddle again (взял весло опять) and paddled with all my might (греб со всей своей силой). With great joy I soon found myself floating in quiet water (к большой радости я вскоре обнаружил себя плывущим в тихой воде).
The wind was fair for the shore (ветер дул к берегу), and I set my sail again (поднял парус опять). The canoe sped swiftly back toward the island (поспешило быстро назад к острову; to speed).
I saw then that I was sailing midway between two strong currents (я увидел затем, что я плыл посредине между двумя сильными течениями). If I should be caught in either (если бы я попал в одно из них), I would again be carried out to sea (я бы опять был выброшен в море).
I needed all the skill I had to steer the canoe aright (мне нужно было все мое умение, которое у меня было, чтобы направить каноэ прямо). At last (наконец), when the sun was almost down (когда солнце почти зашло), I brought it into a quiet little cove (я завел его в маленькую бухточку) where the shore was green with grass (где берег был зеленым от травы).
furious [‘fju?ri?s] thumb [??m] knee [ni:]
I HAVE A PERILOUS ADVENTURE
I HAD never given up the idea of having a canoe.
My first trial, as you have seen, was a failure. I had made too big a boat, and I had made it too far from the water. I could do better another time. One day after I had harvested my grain, I set to work.
There was no tree near the river that was fit for a canoe. But I found a fine one nearly half a mile away.
Before I began to chop the tree, I made all my plans for taking the canoe to the water.
I worked now with a will, for I felt sure that I would succeed.
In a few weeks the little vessel was finished. It was a very pretty canoe, and large enough for only two or three persons.
Small as it was, it was quite heavy. For you must remember that it was a part of the tree, hollowed out and shaped like a boat. It was as much as I could do to lift one end of it.
How should I ever get it to the river?
I have already told you that I had made plans for this.
Through the soft ground between the river and the canoe I dug a big ditch. It was four feet deep and six feet wide and nearly half a mile long.
I worked at this ditch for nearly two years. When it was done and filled with water from the river, I slid my canoe into it. It floated, as I knew it would.
As I pushed it along to the end of the great ditch and out into the river, it looked very small. I could never hope to make a long voyage in it!
But I could sail round the island, and make little journeys close to the shore.
Before starting out, I put up a mast in the prow of the canoe and made a sail for it of a piece of the ship's sail that I had kept with great care.
Then at each end of the little vessel I made lockers or small boxes, in which I put a supply of food and other things that I would need on my voyage.
On the inside of the vessel I cut a little, long, hollow place or shelf where I could lay my gun; and above this I tacked a long flap of goatskin to hang down over it and keep it dry.
In the stern I set up my umbrella, so that it would keep the hot sun off of me while I was steering the canoe.
Then every day I made short trips down the river to the sea and back again. Sometimes, when the wind was fair, I sailed a little way out; but I was afraid to go far.
At last I made up my mind for a voyage around the island.
I filled my lockers with food. In one I put two dozen barley cakes and a pot full of parched rice. In the other I stored the hind quarters of a goat.
I also put in powder and shot enough to kill as much game as I would need.
On a day in November I set sail on my voyage. It proved to be a harder voyage than I had bargained for.
In the first place, there were so many rocks along the shore that I sometimes had to sail for miles out into the sea to get around them.
Then, when I was on the farther side of the island, I struck a furious current of water that was pouring round a point of land like the sluice of mill.
I could do nothing in such a current. My canoe was whirled along like a leaf in a whirlwind. The sail was of no use. The little vessel spun round and round in the eddies and was carried far out to sea.
I gave myself up for lost. I was so far out that I could hardly see the low shores of my island.
Suddenly I noticed that the canoe was only a little way from the edge of the current. Just beyond it the water was quite calm and smooth.
I took up my paddle again and paddled with all my might. With great joy I soon found myself floating in quiet water.
The wind was fair for the shore, and I set my sail again. The canoe sped swiftly back toward the island.
I saw then that I was sailing midway between two strong currents. If I should be caught in either, I would again be carried out to sea.
I needed all the skill I had to steer the canoe aright. At last, when the sun was almost down, I brought it into a quiet little cove where the shore was green with grass.
I AM ALARMED BY A VOICE ( разбужен голосом )
AS soon as I touched the land (как только я коснулся земли), I fell upon my knees and gave God thanks for bringing me safe out of so great danger (упал на колени и отдал Господу благодарности за то, что он вынес = вывел меня живым из такой большой опасности).
I made the canoe fast to a rock by the shore (привязал каноэ к скале у берега; fast — крепкий , твердый), and lay down on the grass (лег на траву).
I was so tired (я был таким уставшим) that I soon fell asleep (скоро заснул) and did not waken once until the next morning (не просыпался до следующего утра).
I went up a little hill close by the shore (поднялся по маленькому холму /расположенному/ близко к берегу), and looked around to see what part of the island I was in (и осмотрелся вокруг, чтобы увидеть, в какой части острова я был).
To my right I saw some well-known trees (справа я увидел хорошо известные деревья) which I had visited when I was exploring the island (которые я посетил = видел когда исследовал остров). Then I knew that I was only a little way from my summer house (всего лишь на небольшом расстоянии от моего летнего дома) and that I could reach it easily by walking (и мог легко достичь его пешком).
I was sick of the sea (меня укачало на море; sick — больной), and I thought that nothing would be so pleasant as a few days in my quiet bower (ничто не было бы столь приятно, как несколько дней в моей тихой беседке).
So, with my umbrella over my head (с зонтом над головой), I started across the country (я отправился через местность). It was a hot day (жаркий день), and I walked slowly (медленно).
I stopped often to rest (останавливался часто отдохнуть), and did not reach my summer house until it was growing dark (достиг дома, лишь когда темнело).
I saw that everything was standing just as I had left it (все было таким, как я оставил его); for I always kept it in good order (так как я всегда содержал его = все вещи в хорошем порядке).
As soon as I got over the fence (как только я перелез через забор), I sat down to rest (сел отдохнуть); and I was so tired that I fell asleep (заснул).
Then, all at once in the darkness (вдруг в темноте), I heard a voice calling me (услышал голос, зовущий меня), "Robin, Robin, Robin Crusoe!"
I was so full of sleep (так крепко спал: «был столь полон сна») that I did not wake up at once (что не проснулся сразу). But between sleeping and waking I could hear somebody saying (но между сном и бодрствованием мог слышать, как кто-то говорит), "Robin Crusoe, Robin Crusoe!"
I wondered who it could be (я задавался вопросом, кто это мог быть), but I was still more than half asleep (но я все еще спал).
Then the voice screamed in my ear (затем голос крикнул в ухо), "ROBIN CRUSOE!"
I sprang to my feet (вскочил на ноги). I was frightened almost out of my wits (был напуган почти до безумия; wit — ум , разум). Who in the world could be speaking my name in that place (кто в мире мог произносить мое имя в этом месте)?
No sooner were my eyes well open (как только мои глаза совершенно раскрылись) than I saw in the dim light of the moon (при тусклом свете луны) my Poll Parrot (попугая Попку) sitting on a post quite close to my shoulder (сидящего на колышке довольно близко в моему плечу).
"Poor Robin Crusoe (бедный)," he said. "Poor Robin Crusoe."
He was looking down at me as though in pity (как будто сжалившись: «словно в жалости»).
He was but repeating the words I had taught him (он всего лишь повторял слова, которым я его научил). I knew that he was glad to see me (рад видеть меня), as I also was glad to see him (равно как и я).
I let him sit on my thumb (я позволил ему сесть на мой большой палец) as he often did at home (как он часто делал дома). He rubbed his bill on my face (потер своим клювом о мое лицо) and kept saying (продолжал говорить): "Poor Robin Crusoe! Where are you (где ты)? Where have you been (где ты был)?" and other words that he knew (и другие слова, которые он знал).
I wondered how the bird had come to this place (я задавался вопросом, как птица попала в это место), for I had left him at the castle (ведь я оставил его в замке). I asked him; "Why are you here, Poll?"
But he answered me only by saying (он отвечал мне только, говоря): "Poor Robin Crusoe! Where have you been?"
I surely believe that the bird loved me (я правда верю, что птица любила меня; surely — конечно, несомненно).
In the morning I carried him with me back to my castle.
As for the canoe (что касается каноэ), I would gladly have brought it back to its place in the little river (я бы с радостью привел его обратно к тому месту на маленькой реке). But I was afraid of being caught again in the furious currents (я боялся, что вновь попаду в те неистовые потоки: «оказаться схваченным, захваченным»; to catch — ловить); and so I left it in the safe cove on the other side of the island (оставил его в безопасной бухточке на другой стороне острова).
struggle [str?gl] satisfy ['s?t?sfa?]
I AM ALARMED BY A VOICE
AS soon as I touched the land, I fell upon my knees and gave God thanks for bringing me safe out of so great danger. I made the canoe fast to a rock by the shore, and lay down on the grass.
I was so tired that I soon fell asleep and did not waken once until the next morning.
I went up a little hill close by the shore, and looked around to see what part of the island I was in.
To my right I saw some well-known trees which I had visited when I was exploring the island. Then I knew that I was only a little way from my summer house and that I could reach it easily by walking.
I was sick of the sea, and I thought that nothing would be so pleasant as a few days in my quiet bower.
So, with my umbrella over my head, I started across the country. It was a hot day, and I walked slowly.
I stopped often to rest, and did not reach my summer house until it was growing dark.
I saw that everything was standing just as I had left it; for I always kept it in good order.
As soon as I got over the fence, I sat down to rest; and I was so tired that I fell asleep.
Then, all at once in the darkness, I heard a voice calling me, "Robin, Robin, Robin Crusoe!"
I was so full of sleep that I did not wake up at once. But between sleeping and waking I could hear somebody saying, "Robin Crusoe, Robin Crusoe!"
I wondered who it could be, but I was still more than half asleep.
Then the voice screamed in my ear, "ROBIN CRUSOE!"
I sprang to my feet. I was frightened almost out of my wits. Who in the world could be speaking my name in that place?
No sooner were my eyes well open than I saw in the dim light of the moon my Poll Parrot sitting on a post quite close to my shoulder.
"Poor Robin Crusoe," he said. "Poor Robin Crusoe."
He was looking down at me as though in pity.
He was but repeating the words I had taught him. I knew that he was glad to see me, as I also was glad to see him.
I let him sit on my thumb as he often did at home. He rubbed his bill on my face and kept saying: "Poor Robin Crusoe! Where are you? Where have you been?" and other words that he knew.
I wondered how the bird had come to this place, for I had left him at the castle. I asked him; "Why are you here, Poll?"
But he answered me only by saying: "Poor Robin Crusoe! Where have you been?"
I surely believe that the bird loved me.
In the morning I carried him with me back to my castle.
As for the canoe, I would gladly have brought it back to its place in the little river. But I was afraid of being caught again in the furious currents; and so I left it in the safe cove on the other side of the island.
I AM HAPPY AS A KING (я счастлив, как король)
I HAD now had adventures enough for a time (достаточно приключений пока = уже достаточно), and I felt very happy to be at home with my goats and other pets (чувствовал себя очень счастливым быть дома с моими козами и другими питомцами).
A few years before (несколькими годами ранее), I had started with keeping three kids that I had caught (я начал с содержания трех козлят, которых я поймал). Now I had a herd of three and forty goats (стадо из 30-40 коз), some of them young, some old (некоторые из них /были/ старые, некоторые молодые).
I kept them in five little fields that I had fenced (содержал их в пяти маленьких полях, которые я огородил), at the foot of my castle hill (у подножия моего холма с замком). I never had any lack of meat and I had plenty of milk, too (не имел недостатка в мясе и имел много молока также).
Indeed (на самом деле), I had gone so far as to set up a little dairy (я зашел так далеко, что сделал небольшую маслобойню), and sometimes my goats gave me a gallon or two of milk in a day (галлон или два молока в день /галлон — мера жидких и сыпучих тел = 4,54 л/).
Before coming to the island I had never milked a cow (никогда не доил корову), much less a goat (тем более: «гораздо менее» козу). I had never seen butter made (никогда не видел, как масло делается), or even cheese (или даже сыр). But I learned how to do everything of the kind (научился как делать все это; kind — сорт , разновидность). And now I had more butter and cheese than I could eat (сейчас я имел больше масла и сыра, чем мог съесть).
After dinner it was my custom to go out for a stroll (после обеда у меня была привычка выходить на прогулку). How proud I was of my little kingdom (как я гордился своим маленьким королевством)!
If you had seen me then (если бы вы увидели меня тогда), you would not have laughed (вы не посмеялись бы). You would have been frightened (испугались бы). For a stranger-looking fellow you never saw (так как более странно выглядящего человека вы никогда не видели).
Be pleased to take a picture of me (пожалуйста, «возьмите» описание меня = вот вам…).
On my head was a big cap made of goatskin (на голове была большая шапка, сделана из козьей шкуры). It was very tall and without shape (очень высокая и без формы). A flap hung down from the back of it to keep the rain off my neck (лоскут свисал с нее назад, чтобы оберегать шею от дождя).
I wore a short jacket of goatskin (короткий жакет из козьей шкуры) and a pair of knee breeches of the same (бриджи до колен из того же /материала/).
I had neither stockings nor shoes (не имел ни чулок, ни туфель). But I wore around my legs and feet some queer things (носил вокруг ног и ступней странные вещи) that I called buskins (баскинами; buskins — высокие башмаки со шнуровкой на толстой подошве). They were made of goatskin, too (были сделаны из козьей шкуры, также), and were of great use when walking among briers or stones (были очень удобны при ходьбе между кустами и камнями; brier — колючий кустарник).
Around my waist (вокруг талии) I had a broad belt of rawhide (сыромятной кожи). I had no need of sword or dagger (мне не требовался ни меч, ни кинжал); and so I carried in this belt a little saw and a hatchet (я носил в этом поясе маленькую пилу и топорик).
Another belt, which hung over my shoulder (другой ремень, который висел на плече), held my powderhorn and shot pouch (держал рог с порохом и мешочек с дробью).
On my back was slung a basket (на спине висела корзина; to sling — бросать , швырять ; вешать через плечо). On my shoulder was my gun (на плече было мое ружье). Above my head I carried my great clumsy, ugly umbrella (над головой я носил мой большой грубый, уродливый зонт; clumsy — неловкий ; топорный , неаккуратно сделанный).
My face was as dark as mahogany (лицо было темным, как красное дерево). It was tanned by the sun and browned by the hot winds (смуглым от солнца и загорелым от горячих ветров; to tan — дубить / кожу /; обжигать кожу / о солнце /).
My beard was at one time a yard long (борода была одно время ярд длиной /ярд — мера длины, равная 3 футам или 914,4 мм/). But I soon grew tired of it (устал от нее) and cut it pretty short (обрезал ее довольно коротко). Yet even then it looked grizzly enough (довольно серой/седой), I assure you (уверяю вас).
It is not a very handsome picture (не очень красивая картинка), is it (не так ли)?
But do not blame me (не вините меня). I dressed as well as I could (я одевался так, как мог). I kept myself clean (содержал себя в чистоте). I tried to be worthy of respect (старался быть достойным уважения), even though no one saw me (хотя никто не видел меня).
I looked over my little kingdom (королевство) and was proud (горд) and happy.
You would have laughed to see me and my family when dinner time came (когда приходило время обеда).
First there was myself (я сам), Robinson Crusoe, king of the island (король острова). I was the lord of everything I could see (повелителем всего, что я мог видеть).
Then, like a king (затем, как король), I dined alone (ел один), with my servants looking on (со слугами, смотрящими на /меня/).
No one was allowed to talk to me but Poll Parrot (никому не было позволено говорить со мной, кроме попугая Попки), who sat on the back of my chair (который сидел на спинке стула) and waited for what I would give him (и ждал того, что я ему дам).
My dog was now so old and feeble (мой пес был теперь столь старым и немощным) that he could hardly stir (что едва могла пошевелиться). He sat always at my right hand (сидел всегда по правую руку) and wagged his tail if I did but snap my finger (и вилял хвостом, если я щелкал пальцем).
My two cats waited (кошки ждали), one on each side of the table (одна на каждой стороне стола), to see what I would give them (ожидая подачки).
These two cats were not the same that I had brought from the ship (не те же самые). Those were dead (мертвы), long ago (давно), of old age (от старости). But they had left many kittens (оставили много котят).
Indeed (в самом деле), there had come to be so many cats that I was forced to drive them away (случилось быть = оказалось так много кошек, что я был вынужден выгнать их). All but these two had gone into the woods (все, кроме этих двух, ушли в леса) and become very wild (стали очень дикими).
argument [‘?:gjum?nt] corner ['ko:n?] stocking ['stok??] well [wel]
I AM HAPPY AS A KING
I HAD now had adventures enough for a time, and I felt very happy to be at home with my goats and other pets.
A few years before, I had started with keeping three kids that I had caught. Now I had a herd of three and forty goats, some of them young, some old.
I kept them in five little fields that I had fenced, at the foot of my castle hill. I never had any lack of meat and I had plenty of milk, too.
Indeed, I had gone so far as to set up a little dairy, and sometimes my goats gave me a gallon or two of milk in a day.
Before coming to the island I had never milked a cow, much less a goat. I had never seen butter made, or even cheese. But I learned how to do everything of the kind. And now I had more butter and cheese than I could eat.
After dinner it was my custom to go out for a stroll. How proud I was of my little kingdom!
If you had seen me then, you would not have laughed. You would have been frightened. For a stranger-looking fellow you never saw.
Be pleased to take a picture of me.
On my head was a big cap made of goatskin. It was very tall and without shape. A flap hung down from the back of it to keep the rain off my neck.
I wore a short jacket of goatskin and a pair of knee breeches of the same.
I had neither stockings nor shoes. But I wore around my legs and feet some queer things that I called buskins. They were made of goatskin, too, and were of great use when walking among briers or stones.
Around my waist I had a broad belt of rawhide. I had no need of sword or dagger; and so I carried in this belt a little saw and a hatchet.
Another belt, which hung over my shoulder, held my powderhorn and shot pouch.
On my back was slung a basket. On my shoulder was my gun. Above my head I carried my great clumsy, ugly umbrella.
My face was as dark as mahogany. It was tanned by the sun and browned by the hot winds.
My beard was at one time a yard long. But I soon grew tired of it and cut it pretty short. Yet even then it looked grizzly enough, I assure you.
It is not a very handsome picture, is it?
But do not blame me. I dressed as well as I could. I kept myself clean. I tried to be worthy of respect, even though no one saw me.
I looked over my little kingdom and was proud and happy.
You would have laughed to see me and my family when dinner time came.
First there was myself, Robinson Crusoe, king of the island. I was the lord of everything I could see.
Then, like a king, I dined alone, with my servants looking on.
No one was allowed to talk to me but Poll Parrot, who sat on the back of my chair and waited for what I would give him.
My dog was now so old and feeble that he could hardly stir. He sat always at my right hand and wagged his tail if I did but snap my finger.
My two cats waited, one on each side of the table, to see what I would give them.
These two cats were not the same that I had brought from the ship. Those were dead, long ago, of old age. But they had left many kittens.
Indeed, there had come to be so many cats that I was forced to drive them away. All but these two had gone into the woods and become very wild.
I LEARN TO BAKE AND AM PROSPEROUS (я учусь печь, и я процветаю; prosperous — процветающий, преуспевающий; удачливый )
I HAVE already told you about farming (я уже рассказал вам о фермерстве), and of the difficulties under which I did my work (и о сложностях, с которыми я делал свою работу). The thing which I wished to do most of all to make good bread (вещь, которую я хотел сделать больше всего — сделать хороший хлеб).
I tried many plans, but it was several years before I could think of myself as a really good baker (я испробовал много планов, но прошло несколько лет, прежде чем я мог думать о себе как о действительно хорошем пекаре).
My barley was very fine (ячмень был очень хорош). The grains were large and smooth (зерна были большими и гладкими). When boiled a long time with a bit of goat's meat (при варке в течение долгого времени с куском козьего мяса), they made good food (были хорошей едой).
But they did not take the place of bread (но это не занимало места хлеба). Before bread could be made, the grains of barley must be ground into meal (прежде, чем хлеб может быть сделан, зерна ячменя должны быть помолоты в муку).
I tried pounding them with a stone (пытался растирать их камнем; to pound — бить, колотить; толочь). But that was slow work (медленная работа). The stone crumbled into sand (камень рассыпался в песок). My meal was worth nothing (такая еда не стоила ничего).
I looked all over the island for a harder stone (я обыскал весь остров /в поисках/ более твердого камня). All were alike (все были такими же = одинаковыми).
So at last I cut a large block of very hard wood (в конце концов я нашел большой кусок очень крепкой древесины). I rounded it on the outside with my hatchet (закруглил его снаружи топориком). Then, partly by chopping (частично рубкой), partly by burning (выжиганием), I made a hollow place in the end of it (сделал полость на конце его).
Out of a piece of ironwood (из куска железного дерева) I made a heavy pestle or beater (сделал тяжелый пестик, или колотушку).
I had now a very good little mill (мельницу). In a short time I had crushed enough barley to make meal for a large loaf (размолол достаточно ячменя, чтобы сделать муку для большой буханки).
It was easy to make the dough (было легко сделать тесто). I had only to mix the meal with water and knead it with my hands (мне нужно было лишь смешать муку с водой и размять это руками). I must not think of yeast to make the dough light (не приходилось думать о дрожжах, чтобы сделать тесто мягким).
The baking part was the main thing (выпекание было основным), and the hardest to learn (самым сложным, чтобы научиться).
At first I put my biscuits of dough in the hot ashes (вначале я клал куски теста в горячие угли) and left them there till they were baked (оставлял там, пока не испекутся). But I did not like these ash cakes very well (мне не нравились эти пироги с золой).
Then I tried another plan.
I made two large earthen vessels (два больших глиняных сосуда). They were broad and shallow (широкими и неглубокими: «мелкими»). Each was about two feet across and not more than nine inches deep (каждый был около двух футов в ширину и не более девяти дюймов глубиной).
These I burned in the fire (их я обжег на огне) till they were as hard as rocks and as red as tiles (пока они не стали твердыми, как камни: «скалы» и красными, как черепица).
I made also a hearth before my fireplace (очаг перед костром), and paved it with some square tiles of my own making (выложил его квадратными черепицами моего собственного изготовления). But, perhaps I ought not to call them square (возможно, не стоит их называть квадратными: «я не должен бы…»).
The hearth, when finished, was quite level and smooth (очаг, когда был завершен, был довольно ровным и гладким). It was as pretty as I could have wished (он был таким красивым, как я мог желать).
Next I built a great fire of hard wood (затем я развел большой огонь из твердой древесины). When the wood had burned down (когда дерево прогорело), I raked the hot coals out upon my hearth (выгреб /из него/ угли на мой очаг). I left them there till the hearth was hot through and through (я оставил их там пока очаг не прогрелся основательно).
My loaves of dough were all ready (куски теста были готовы). I swept hearth clean (вытер очаг дочиста) and then put the loaves down upon the hottest part of it (положил куски на самую горячую часть очага).
Over each loaf I put one of the large earthen vessels I had made (над каждой буханкой я поставил один из больших глиняных сосудов, которые я сделал). Then I heaped hot coals on the top of the vessel (уложил горячие угли поверх каждого сосуда) and all round the sides of it (и по сторонам его).
In a short time I lifted the vessels and took out my loaves (через короткое время я поднял сосуды и вынул мои буханки). They were baked as well as the best oven in the world could have baked them (были выпечены так, как лучшая печка в мире выпекла бы их).
By trying and trying again (пробуя вновь и вновь), I at last learned to bake almost everything I wanted (наконец научился печь почти все, что я хотел). I baked cakes and rice pudding fit for a king (лепешки и рисовый пудинг, подходящие для короля). But I did not care for pies (не заботился о пирогах).
I now felt quite contented and prosperous (удовлетворенным и процветающим). For did I not have everything that I needed (разве у меня не было всего, что мне нужно)?
I had two homes on the island. I called them my plantations (плантациями).
The first of these was my strong castle under the rock. I had enlarged it until my cave contained many rooms (я расширил его, пока моя пещера не /стала/ содержать много комнат), one opening into another (открыващихся одна в другую).
The largest and driest of these was my storeroom (самая большая и самая сухая из них была складская комната). Here I kept the largest of my earthen pots (самые большие из моих глиняных горшков). Here also were fourteen or fifteen big baskets (корзин), all filled with grain (наполненных зерном).
My sitting room was not large (зал был не большим), but it was made for comfort.
As for the wall in front of the castle (что касается стены перед замком), it was a wonderful thing (это была удивительная вещь). The long stakes which I had driven down had all taken root (длинные колья, которые я воткнул, все укоренились). They had grown like trees (выросли, как деревья), and were now so big and so thick with branches that it was hard to see between them (и были сейчас такими большими и такими толстыми, что было сложно смотреть между ними).
No one passing by (ни один проходящий мимо) would ever think there was a house behind this matted row of trees (никогда бы не подумал, что там был дом за этим переплетенным рядом деревьев).
Near this dwelling of mine (около этого моего обиталища), but a little farther within the land (немного дальше вглубь местности), were my two barley fields (были два моих ячменных поля). These I cultivated with care (возделывал с заботой), and from them I reaped a good harvest (и с них я получал хороший урожай). As often as I felt the need of more barley I made my fields larger (как только я чувствовал необходимость в большем количестве ячменя, я расширял свои поля).
Farther away was what I called my country seat (дальше было то, что я называл своим деревенским пристанищем, деревенской резиденцией; seat — сиденье; местонахождение). There was my pleasant summer house or bower (мой приятный/симпатичный летний дом или беседка), where I liked to go for rest (куда мне нравилось уходить отдохнуть).
In the middle of my bower (в центре беседки) I had my tent always set (я имел мой навес всегда готовым). It was made of a piece of sail spread over some poles (из куска паруса, натянутого на колья).
Under the tent I had made a soft couch (мягкую кушетку) with the skins of animals and a blanket thrown over them (со шкурами животных и одеялом, накинутым на них). Here, when the weather was fair, I often slept at night (здесь я часто спал ночью при хорошей погоде).
A little way from the bower was the field in which I kept my cattle (держал мой скот) — that is to say (то есть), my goats (коз).
I had taken great pains to fence and inclose this field (обнести забором и огородить это поле). I was so fearful, lest the goats should break out (я так боялся, как бы козы не вырвались наружу), that I worked many a day planting a hedge all around (что я проработал много дней, высаживая /живую/ изгородь вокруг). The hedge grew to be very tall and was as strong as a wall (крепким, как стена).
On the shore of the sea (на берегу моря), some distance beyond my summer house (на некотором расстоянии от моего летнего дома), was the little inlet where I had laid up my canoe (/узкий/ залив, где я хранил мое каноэ; to lay up — откладывать , копить ; выводить временно из строя).
gorgeous ['go:??s]
I LEARN TO BAKE AND AM PROSPEROUS
I HAVE already told you about farming, and of the difficulties under which I did my work. The thing which I wished to do most of all to make good bread. I tried many plans, but it was several years before I could think of myself as a really good baker.
My barley was very fine. The grains were large and smooth. When boiled a long time with a bit of goat's meat, they made good food.
But they did not take the place of bread. Before bread could be made, the grains of barley must be ground into meal.
I tried pounding them with a stone. But that was slow work. The stone crumbled into sand. My meal was worth nothing.
I looked all over the island for a harder stone. All were alike.
So at last I cut a large block of very hard wood. I rounded it on the outside with my hatchet. Then, partly by chopping, partly by burning, I made a hollow place in the end of it.
Out of a piece of ironwood I made a heavy pestle or beater.
I had now a very good little mill. In a short time I had crushed enough barley to make meal for a large loaf.
It was easy to make the dough. I had only to mix the meal with water and knead it with my hands. I must not think of yeast to make the dough light.
The baking part was the main thing, and the hardest to learn.
At first I put my biscuits of dough in the hot ashes and left them there till they were baked. But I did not like these ash cakes very well.
Then I tried another plan.
I made two large earthen vessels. They were broad and shallow. Each was about two feet across and not more than nine inches deep.
These I burned in the fire till they were as hard as rocks and as red as tiles.
I made also a hearth before my fireplace, and paved it with some square tiles of my own making. But, perhaps I ought not to call them square.
The hearth, when finished, was quite level and smooth. It was as pretty as I could have wished.
Next I built a great fire of hard wood. When the wood had burned down, I raked the hot coals out upon my hearth. I left them there till the hearth was hot through and through.
My loaves of dough were all ready. I swept hearth clean and then put the loaves down upon the hottest part of it.
Over each loaf I put one of the large earthen vessels I had made. Then I heaped hot coals on the top of the vessel and all round the sides of it.
In a short time I lifted the vessels and took out my loaves. They were baked as well as the best oven in the world could have baked them.
By trying and trying again, I at last learned to bake almost everything I wanted. I baked cakes and rice pudding fit for a king. But I did not care for pies.
I now felt quite contented and prosperous. For did I not have everything that I needed?
I had two homes on the island. I called them my plantations.
The first of these was my strong castle under the rock. I had enlarged it until my cave contained many rooms, one opening into another.
The largest and driest of these was my storeroom. Here I kept the largest of my earthen pots. Here also were fourteen or fifteen big baskets, all filled with grain.
My sitting room was not large, but it was made for comfort.
As for the wall in front of the castle, it was a wonderful thing. The long stakes which I had driven down had all taken root. They had grown like trees, and were now so big and so thick with branches that it was hard to see between them.
No one passing by would ever think there was a house behind this matted row of trees.
Near this dwelling of mine, but a little farther within the land, were my two barley fields. These I cultivated with care, and from them I reaped a good harvest. As often as I felt the need of more barley I made my fields larger.
Farther away was what I called my country seat. There was my pleasant summer house or bower, where I liked to go for rest.
In the middle of my bower I had my tent always set. It was made of a piece of sail spread over some poles.
Under the tent I had made a soft couch with the skins of animals and a blanket thrown over them. Here, when the weather was fair, I often slept at night.
A little way from the bower was the field in which I kept my cattle — that is to say, my goats.
I had taken great pains to fence and inclose this field. I was so fearful, lest the goats should break out, that I worked many a day planting a hedge all around. The hedge grew to be very tall and was as strong as a wall.
On the shore of the sea, some distance beyond my summer house, was the little inlet where I had laid up my canoe.