I SEE SOMETHING IN THE SAND ( я вижу что - то в песке )
WHEN the weather was fine I often went over to the other side of the island to look at my canoe (когда погода была хорошей, я часто ходил на другую сторону острова, чтобы посмотреть на мое каноэ).
Sometimes I spent several days at my summer house (иногда я проводил несколько дней в своем летнем доме). Then, going over to where the canoe was kept (затем, идя туда, где содержалось каноэ), I took short sails along the shore (предпринимал короткие походы под парусом вдоль берега). These little voyages gave me a great deal of pleasure (эти маленькие путешествия доставляли мне много удовольствия).
One morning as I was going to the canoe a strange thing happened (когда я шел к каноэ, произошла одна странная вещь).
I was walking slowly along and looking down (я шел медленно вдоль /берега/ и смотрел вниз), and what do you think I saw (и что вы думаете, я увидел)?
I saw the print of a man's naked foot in the sand (отпечаток голой ноги человека на песке).
The sight made me cold all over (зрелище заставило меня всего похолодеть).
I stood like one that had seen a ghost (я стоял как кто-то, кто увидел привидение). I looked around (посмотрел вокруг). I listened (прислушался). I trembled (дрожал).
I went to the top of a little hill to look farther (я пошел на верхушку маленького холма, чтобы посмотреть дальше). Then I walked up the shore and down the shore (я прошел «вверх и вниз» = «взад и вперед, туда-сюда» по берегу). I saw no other tracks (никаких других следов).
I went back to make sure that I was not dreaming (я пошел обратно, чтобы удостовериться, что я не увидел это во сне). Yes, there in the sand was the print of man's foot. It showed the toes (пальцы /ног/), the heel (пятку), and the sole of the foot (подошву ноги). I was not dreaming (я не видел сон = это был не сон).
My mind was filled with a thousand thoughts and questions (мой ум был наполнен тысячей мыслей и вопросов). Where was the man who made that track (где был человек, который оставил след)? Who was he? How did he get there (как он сюда попал)?
I was so frightened that I did not go to the canoe (был так напуган, что не пошел к каноэ). I turned back and went to my castle as fast as I could (повернулся и пошел к замку так быстро, как я мог).
Whether I went over by the ladder or through the hole in the rock (попал ли я /домой/ по лестнице или через отверстие в скале), I do not know. But I shut myself up as quickly as I could and began to get ready to defend myself (закрылся так быстро, как мог, и начал готовиться защищать себя).
That night I could not sleep. I lay in my hammock (лежал гамаке), and thought and thought.
The track must have been made by an Indian (след, должно быть, оставлен индейцем) or some other wild savage (или каким-то другим дикарем; wild — дикий ; savage — дикарь). This savage had come perhaps from the land that I had seen far across the sea (это дикарь, возможно, пришел с земли, которую я видел за морем).
Perhaps he had come to the island alone (один). Perhaps he had come with many others of his kind (со многими другими его вида = такими же, как он). But where was he now?
I was so much afraid that I did not stir out of my castle for three days and nights (я был так сильно напуган, что не высовывался из замка три дня и три ночи). I was almost starved (чуть не умер от голода; to starve — голодать , умирать от голода), for I had only two or three barley cakes in my kitchen.
Little by little I became brave enough to go out again (мало-помалу я стал достаточно смелым = набрался смелости, чтобы выйти опять). I crept softly down to my fields to milk the goats (пробрался потихоньку на поля, чтобы подоить коз). Poor things (бедные существа)! They were glad enough to see me (они были очень рады увидеть меня).
But every sound made me start and look around (каждый звук заставлял меня вздрагивать и смотреть по сторонам). I fancied (мне казалось) that I saw a savage behind every tree (что я видел дикаря за каждым деревом). I lived for days like some hunted thing that trembles at its own shadow (жил дни = целый ряд дней, как какое-то существо, за которым охотятся, которое дрожит от своей собственной тени).
And all because I had seen the print of a foot in the sand (и все потому, что я видел отпечаток ступни на песке)!
Little by little I grew bolder (стал отважнее), and I made up my mind to strengthen my castle (решил укрепить замок). If savage Indians should indeed come and find me, I would be ready for them (если дикие индейцы в самом деле придут и найдут меня, я был бы готов к ним = к этому).
So I carried out earth and small stones (притащил земли и небольших камней), and piled them up against the castle wall till it was ten feet thick (уложил их у стены замка, пока она не стала шириной десять футов). I have already told you how strong it was at first, and how I had made a dense hedge of trees on the outside (я уже рассказал вам, какой крепкой она был вначале, и как я сделал плотную ограду из деревьев снаружи). It was now so strong that nothing could break through it (такой крепким, что ничто не могло прорваться сквозь нее).
Through the wall at certain places I made five holes large enough (пять достаточно больших отверстий) for a man's arm to reach in (чтобы человеческая рука могла просунуться скозь них). In each of these holes I planted a gun (установил ружье); for you will remember (как вы помните) that I brought several from the ship (принес несколько).
Each one of these guns was fitted in a frame that could be drawn back and forth (каждое ружье было установлено в раму, которую можно было передвигать назад и вперед). They worked so well in their places that I could shoot off all five of them in less than two minutes (мог выстрелить из всех пяти менее чем за две минуты).
Many a weary month did I work before I had my wall to my notion (много изматывающих месяцев я работал, прежде чем я имел стену по своему видению). But at last it was finished (наконец была завершена).
The hedge that was before it grew up so thick and high that no man nor animal could see through it (ограда, которая была перед ней, выросла такой плотной и высокой, что ни человек, ни животное не могли видеть сквозь нее). If you had seen it, you would not have dreamed there was anything inside of it (вам бы не приснилось = не подумалось, что было что-то внутри), much less a house (менее всего — дом).
For two years I lived in fear (жил в страхе). All that I did was to make my home stronger and safer (все, что я делал, было сделать мой дом крепче и безопаснее).
Far in the woods I built a large pen of logs and stakes (далеко в лесу я построил большой склад из бревен и кольев; pen — небольшая огороженная площадка). Around it I planted a hedge like that in front of the castle (вокруг него я посадил живую изгородь, как перед моим замком). Then I put a dozen young goats into it (затем я пустил дюжину молодых коз в него), to feed upon the grass and grow (чтобы питаться = пастись на траве и расти).
If savages should come, and if they should kill the other goats, they could not find these; for they were too well hidden in the deep woods (если бы дикари пришли и убили бы других коз, они бы не нашли этих, так как они были хорошо спрятаны в глубоком лесу).
All these things I did because I had seen the print of a man's foot in the sand.
courage ['k?r??] mischief ['m?s??f] lout ['laut]
I SEE SOMETHING IN THE SAND
WHEN the weather was fine I often went over to the other side of the island to look at my canoe.
Sometimes I spent several days at my summer house. Then, going over to where the canoe was kept, I took short sails along the shore. These little voyages gave me a great deal of pleasure.
One morning as I was going to the canoe a strange thing happened.
I was walking slowly along and looking down, and what do you think I saw?
I saw the print of a man's naked foot in the sand.
The sight made me cold all over.
I stood like one that had seen a ghost. I looked around. I listened. I trembled.
I went to the top of a little hill to look farther. Then I walked up the shore and down the shore. I saw no other tracks.
I went back to make sure that I was not dreaming. Yes, there in the sand was the print of man's foot. It showed the toes, the heel, and the sole of the foot. I was not dreaming.
My mind was filled with a thousand thoughts and questions. Where was the man who made that track? Who was he? How did he get there?
I was so frightened that I did not go to the canoe. I turned back and went to my castle as fast as I could.
Whether I went over by the ladder or through the hole in the rock, I do not know. But I shut myself up as quickly as I could and began to get ready to defend myself.
That night I could not sleep. I lay in my hammock, and thought and thought.
The track must have been made by an Indian or some other wild savage. This savage had come perhaps from the land that I had seen far across the sea.
Perhaps he had come to the island alone. Perhaps he had come with many others of his kind. But where was he now?
I was so much afraid that I did not stir out of my castle for three days and nights. I was almost starved, for I had only two or three barley cakes in my kitchen.
Little by little I became brave enough to go out again. I crept softly down to my fields to milk the goats. Poor things! They were glad enough to see me.
But every sound made me start and look around. I fancied that I saw a savage behind every tree. I lived for days like some hunted thing that trembles at its own shadow.
And all because I had seen the print of a foot in the sand!
Little by little I grew bolder, and I made up my mind to strengthen my castle. If savage Indians should indeed come and find me, I would be ready for them.
So I carried out earth and small stones, and piled them up against the castle wall till it was ten feet thick. I have already told you how strong it was at first, and how I had made a dense hedge of trees on the outside. It was now so strong that nothing could break through it.
Through the wall at certain places I made five holes large enough for a man's arm to reach in. In each of these holes I planted a gun; for you will remember that I brought several from the ship.
Each one of these guns was fitted in a frame that could be drawn back and forth. They worked so well in their places that I could shoot off all five of them in less than two minutes.
Many a weary month did I work before I had my wall to my notion. But at last it was finished.
The hedge that was before it grew up so thick and high that no man nor animal could see through it. If you had seen it, you would not have dreamed there was anything inside of it, much less a house.
For two years I lived in fear. All that I did was to make my home stronger and safer.
Far in the woods I built a large pen of logs and stakes. Around it I planted a hedge like that in front of the castle. Then I put a dozen young goats into it, to feed upon the grass and grow.
If savages should come, and if they should kill the other goats, they could not find these; for they were too well hidden in the deep woods.
All these things I did because I had seen the print of a man's foot in the sand.
I AM AGAIN ALARMED ( вновь встревожен )
FIVE or six years had passed (пять или шесть лет прошли), and not another footprint had I seen (я не видел другого отпечатка ноги).
I had gotten over my great fright (преодолел мой большой страх), and yet I was not so bold as I had been (но все же я не был не таким отважным, каким был /раньше/). Any sudden sound would make me start and look around (любой неожиданный звук мог заставить меня вздрогнуть и /начать/ осматриваться).
I thought that if savage men had been on the island once (я думал, если дикие люди были на острове однажды), they were quite likely to come again (они вполне могли прийти опять; likely – вероятно). So I kept on the lookout for them all the time (продолжал быть начеку все время, поджидал их все время).
My flock of goats had now grown to be very large (стадо коз стало очень большим), and I needed another field (мне требовалось другое поле). I wished to put some of them in a hidden spot where the savages, if they did come, would not find them (я хотел спрятать некоторых из них в потаенное место, где дикари, если бы они пришли, не нашли бы их).
I had already a small flock in one such spot (я уже имел маленькое стадо в одном таком месте), as I have told you. But now I wished to have another (еще одно).
In looking for the right kind of place (ища подходящее место), I went all over the island (обошел весь остров). I even went far out on a rocky point beyond the place where I kept my canoe (вышел даже на скалистое место за тем местом, где я держал каноэ).
As I was standing on a rock and looking out to sea, I thought I saw a boat in the distance (подумал, что увидел лодку на расстоянии = мне показалось, что вдали я увидел лодку). I was only a little speck on the water (пятнышко на воде), and it seemed to rise and fall with the waves (казалось, поднимается и падает с волнами). It could not be a rock (это не могла быть скала).
I looked at it till my eyes could look no more (пока мои глаза больше не могли смотреть). I had saved a spyglass out of the ship (сохранил подзорную трубу с корабля); but, as luck would have it (как было угодно судьбе), I had left it at home (оставил ее дома). How I wished for it then (как я желал ее тогда)!
Whether I really saw a boat or not (видел ли я в действительности лодку или нет), I do not know. But as I walked back along the shore (но пока я шел обратно вдоль берега), I made up my mind never to go out again without my spyglass (решил никогда больше не выходить без подзорной трубы).
I walked slowly along, thinking of what I had seen (я шел медленно, думая о том, что я видел). All at once I came upon that which made my heart stand still (вдруг я наткнулся на то, что заставило мое сердце остановиться).
On the sandy, sloping beach of a pleasant little harbor (на песчаном, клонящемся /к воде/ пляже красивой маленькой заводи) I saw not only one footprint, but hundreds of them (я увидел не только один отпечаток ноги, а тысячи их).
I stood still, afraid to move (стоял как вкопанный, боясь пошевелиться).
But the footprints were not all (но отпечатки ноги – это было не все). The beach at one place was covered with bones and bits of flesh (пляж был покрыт костями и кусками мяса), as in a slaughter house (как на скотобойне). Some of the bones were quite fresh (некоторые из костей были довольно свежими); some had been charred with fire (некоторые потемнели от огня; to char — обжечь , опалить).
"Here the savages have been holding a feast (здесь дикари «держали» = устраивали пир)," I said to myself (сказал себе).
A little farther on I saw that a pit had been dug in the sand (немного дальше я увидел, что яма была выкопан в песке), and here they had had their fire (и здесь у них был костер). The ashes were still warm (зола еще была теплой).
I wondered what kind of a feast these wild men had been having (я задавался вопросом, какой пир эти дикие люди устраивали). There were savages on the mainland who were said to kill and eat the captives (были дикари на материке, которые, как говорили, убивали и ели пленников) whom they took in war (которых брали на войне). Cannibals they were called (их называли каннибалами).
Could this have been a feast of cannibals (могло это быть пиром каннибалов)? And were these the bones and flesh of human beings (были ли это кости и мясо людей: «людских существ»)?
I trembled as I thought of it (задрожал, когда подумал об этом).
I turned and ran from the place as fast as I could (я развернулся и побежал от этого места так быстро, как /только/ мог).
I ran until I could go no farther (я бежал, пока не мог идти больше). My breath came fast (мое дыхание прерывалось). I sank down upon the ground (упал на землю; to sink — опускаться, падать).
When I had rested a little while (когда я отдохнул немного), I looked around and found that I was not very far from my castle (я осмотрелся и обнаружил, что я был не очень далеко от моего замка). All around me was peaceful and still (все вокруг меня было мирно и спокойно). I was surely safe from harm (я был определенно спасен от вреда/беды = в безопасности).
With tears in my eyes (со слезами на глазах) I knelt down and gave thanks to God (упал на колени и вознес благодарность Богу). I thanked him that he had kept me alive and safe through so many years (благодарил Его /за то/ что Он сохранил меня живым и в безопасности столько много лет). I thanked him that I had been cast on the side of the island which was never visited by savages (за то, что я был выброшен на сторону острова, которую никогда не посещали дикари). I thanked him for all the comforts and blessings that were mine (за все удобства и благословение, которые были моими = выпали мне на долю).
Then I arose and went home to my castle (затем я встал и пошел домой в мой замок; to arise).
As I sat before my door that evening (когда я сидел перед дверью в тот вечер), I thought the whole matter over (я обдумал весь вопрос: «всю материю»), and felt much easier in my mind (и почувствовал намного легче в уме = почувствовал облегчение).
I had been on the island eighteen years before I saw the first footprint (я пробыл на острове 18 лет, прежде чем увидел первый отпечаток ноги). I had been there twenty-three years before I saw any other signs of savages (другие признаки дикарей). It was likely that many more years would pass before any harm should come to me (было похоже, что много лет пройдут, прежде чем какая-либо беда постигнет меня).
With these thoughts I lay down in my hammock and slept without fear (с этими мыслями я лег в мой гамак и спал без страха).
But it was a long time before I went again to the farther shore of the island (но прошло долгое время, прежде чем я пошел опять на дальний берег острова). I did not even go to look after my canoe.
The days went quietly by (дни тихо проходили). I kept quite close to my castle (держался довольно близко к замку), and busied myself with my goats and my grain (занимался козами и зерном).
I was always on my guard (начеку; guard — охрана , защита ; бдительность , осторожность), and never stepped out of doors without first looking around me (не выходил из дверей, не осмотревшись сначала).
observe [?b'z?:v] disgust [d?s'g?st] hesitate ['hez?te?t]
I AM AGAIN ALARMED
FIVE or six years had passed, and not another footprint had I seen.
I had gotten over my great fright, and yet I was not so bold as I had been. Any sudden sound would make me start and look around. I thought that if savage men had been on the island once, they were quite likely to come again. So I kept on the lookout for them all the time.
My flock of goats had now grown to be very large, and I needed another field. I wished to put some of them in a hidden spot where the savages, if they did come, would not find them.
I had already a small flock in one such spot, as I have told you. But now I wished to have another.
In looking for the right kind of place, I went all over the island. I even went far out on a rocky point beyond the place where I kept my canoe.
As I was standing on a rock and looking out to sea, I thought I saw a boat in the distance. I was only a little speck on the water, and it seemed to rise and fall with the waves. It could not be a rock.
I looked at it till my eyes could look no more. I had saved a spyglass out of the ship; but, as luck would have it, I had left it at home. How I wished for it then!
Whether I really saw a boat or not, I do not know. But as I walked back along the shore, I made up my mind never to go out again without my spyglass.
I walked slowly along, thinking of what I had seen. All at once I came upon that which made my heart stand still.
On the sandy, sloping beach of a pleasant little harbor I saw not only one footprint, but hundreds of them.
I stood still, afraid to move.
But the footprints were not all. The beach at one place was covered with bones and bits of flesh, as in a slaughter house. Some of the bones were quite fresh; some had been charred with fire.
"Here the savages have been holding a feast," I said to myself.
A little farther on I saw that a pit had been dug in the sand, and here they had had their fire. The ashes were still warm.
I wondered what kind of a feast these wild men had been having. There were savages on the mainland who were said to kill and eat the captives whom they took in war. Cannibals, they were called.
Could this have been a feast of cannibals? And were these the bones and flesh of human beings?
I trembled as I thought of it.
I turned and ran from the place as fast as I could.
I ran until I could go no farther. My breath came fast. I sank down upon the ground.
When I had rested a little while, I looked around and found that I was not very far from my castle. All around me was peaceful and still. I was surely safe from harm.
With tears in my eyes I knelt down and gave thanks to God. I thanked him that he had kept me alive and safe through so many years. I thanked him that I had been cast on the side of the island which was never visited by savages. I thanked him for all the comforts and blessings that were mine.
Then I arose and went home to my castle.
As I sat before my door that evening, I thought the whole matter over, and felt much easier in my mind.
I had been on the island eighteen years before I saw the first footprint. I had been there twenty-three years before I saw any other signs of savages. It was likely that many more years would pass before any harm should come to me.
With these thoughts I lay down in my hammock and slept without fear.
But it was a long time before I went again to the farther shore of the island. I did not even go to look after my canoe.
The days went quietly by. I kept quite close to my castle, and busied myself with my goats and my grain.
I was always on my guard, and never stepped out of doors without first looking around me.
I MAKE A SURPRISING DISCOVERY ( совершаю удивительное открытие )
ONCE every week I went into the woods to see the flock of goats that I had hidden there (один раз каждую неделю я ходил в лес посмотреть на стадо коз, которое я спрятал там).
I always carried my gun (всегда носил = имел при себе ружье), but since my last great fright (с последнего моего большого страха = с тех пор, как я сильно был напуган) I did not dare to fire it off (не осмеливался выстрелить из него). I was afraid even to drive a nail (боялся даже забить гвоздь) or chop a stick of wood (срубить ветку дерева), lest some savages might be near enough to hear the sound (так как дикари могли быть достаточно близко, чтобы услышать звук).
I was afraid to build a fire at my castle (боялся развести огонь у моего замка), lest the smoke should be seen (так как дым мог быть увиден).
At last I carried some of my pots and kettles to my hidden field in the woods (в конце концов я принес несколько чайников на мое спрятанное поле в лесу). I could do my cooking there much more safely than at my castle (я мог заниматься готовкой там намного в больше безопасности, чем в замке).
Hardly had I put things in order there when I found something that made me very glad (едва я разложил вещи в порядке там, как обнаружил нечто, что сделало меня очень радостным). What do you suppose it was (что, вы полагаете, это было)?
It was a cave — a real cave (настоящая пещера). The door into it was through a little hollow place at the bottom of a great rock (дверь в нее была через маленькую дыру: «полое место» у подножия большой скалы). It was so well hidden that no one could have found it even by looking for it (она была так хорошо спрятана, что никто не мог бы найти ее, даже ища ее).
Shall I tell you how I came upon it (должен ли я сказать вам, как как я наткнулся на нее)?
I was afraid to make a smoke near my house (я боялся разводить дым около моего дома), and yet I could not live without cooking meat (но все же не мог жить, не готовя еды). I tried all kinds of dry wood (я испытал все виды сухой древесины), and yet there was always some smoke (но все же всегда был какой-то дым). Then I thought I would try charcoal (древесный уголь). But I must first make the charcoal.
I found a place in the darkest part of the woods (в самой темной части леса) where the smoke would hardly rise to the tops of the trees (где бы дым едва поднялся бы до макушек деревьев). There I built my charcoal pit (яму для древесного угля).
This was done in the following way (это было сделано следующим способом):
First, I cleared off a round space about ten feet in diameter (сначала я расчистил круглое пространство около десяти футов в диаметре). Here I dug out the earth (выкопал землю) till I made a pit about a foot deep (пока не сделал яму около фута глубиной). Then I cut a cord or more of wood (нарубил корд или больше дров; корд – 128 кубических футов) and piled it up in this space (уложил его на этом пространстве). I piled it up until it was almost as high as my shoulders (я укладывал его, пока оно не было почти таким высоким, как мои плечи = на уровне моих плеч). I covered it a foot deep with earth and turf (накрыл слоем земли и дерна высотой в фут), leaving a small open place at the bottom (оставив маленькое открытое место у основания).
When this was done, I set fire to the wood through the hole in the bottom (поджег древесину через отверстие у основания). It burned slowly (горело медленно). The wood became charcoal (древесина стала древесным углем).
One day, while cutting wood for my charcoal pit (пока я рубил дерево для моей ямы для древесного угля), I happened to see a hollow place in the rock close by a tree I was chopping (мне случилось увидеть углубление в скале близко к дереву, которое я рубил).
It was half covered with brush (наполовину закрыто кустарником). I pushed this aside and looked in (отодвинул его в сторону и заглянул внутрь). I saw a little cave just large enough for me to creep into on my hands and knees (увидел маленькую пещеру, достаточно большую только /для того, чтобы/ я пробрался на руках и коленях = на четвереньках).
But, a little farther in (немного дальше вглубь), it was larger (она была больше). It was so high that I could stand upright (мог стоять выпрямившись), and it was so wide that two men could have walked in it side by side (и была такой широкой, что два человека могли идти в ней бок о бок).
It was a very dark place (темное место), and I stood still a moment till my eyes should become a little used to it (пока мои глаза немного не привыкли к ней).
All at once I saw something in the darkness that made me scramble out of that place much faster than I had come into it (вдруг я увидел что-то в темноте, что заставило меня выкарабкаться из этого места намного быстрее, чем я вошел туда; scramble — продираться , карабкаться).
What do you think it was? Two big shining eyes (блестящих глаза) that glowed like coals in the darkness (пылали, как угли в темноте). Whether they were the eyes of a man or of some fierce beast (были ли этот глаза человека или свирепого животного), I did not stop to see (я не остановился посмотреть = не стал дожидаться ясности).
I stood a little while by the mouth of the cave (постоял немного у входа в пещеру) and then I began to get over my fright (начал превозмогать страх).
What could there be in this cave that would do me harm (что могло быть в этой пещере, что могло причинить мне вред)? No man could live there in the darkness (ни один человек не мог жить там в темноте). As for any animal (что касается любого животного), I knew there was nothing fiercer on the island than one of my cats (я знал, что не было ничего более свирепого на острове, чем мои кошки).
So, with a blazing stick for a torch (со сверкающий факелом), I crept back into the cave (пробрался обратно в пещеру). But I had not gone three steps before I was frightened almost as much as before (но я не прошел трех шагов, как был напуган почти также сильно, как раньше).
I heard a loud sigh (громкий вздох), like that of a man in trouble (как /звук/ человека в беде). Then there were low moans (низкие стоны), and sounds as of some one trying to speak (звуки кого-то пытающегося говорить).
I stopped short (остановился как вкопанный). Cold chills ran down my back (холодок пробежал вниз по спине). My hair seemed to stand on end (казалось, волосы встали дыбом). But I would not allow myself to run out again (но я не позволил бы себе выбежать опять).
I pushed my little torch forward into the darkness (толкнул = протянул мой маленький факел вперед в темноту), as far as I could (так далеко, как я мог). The blaze lit up the cave (пламя осветило пещеру). And what do you suppose I saw then (и что вы полагаете, я увидел затем)?
Why, nothing but a shaggy old goat (да ничего, как только потрепанную старого козла) that I had missed from my flock for nearly a week past (которого недоставало моему стаду почти неделю уже = который пропал из стада почти неделю назад; to miss — обнаружить отсутствие /чего-л./).
He was stretched on the floor of the cave (он растянулся на полу пещеры), and too weak to rise up (слишком слаб, чтобы встать). He was a very old fellow (он был старым: «старым парнем»), and perhaps had gone in there to die (и, возможно, пришел сюда умирать).
I gave him some food and water (я дал ему еды и воды), and made him as comfortable as I could (и сделал ему так удобно, как мог). But he was too far gone to live long (но он был слишком стар, чтобы прожить долго).
I found that, although I could stand up in the cave, it was very small (я обнаружил, что, хотя я мог стоять в пещере, она была очень маленькой). It was only a hole in the rocks (была только дырой в скалах), and was neither round nor square (ни круглая, ни квадратная).
But at the end of this little chamber there seemed to be a passage that led farther in (но в концу этой маленькой комнаты, казалось, был проход, который вел дальше внутрь). This passage was very narrow and dark (узким и темным), and as my torch had burned out (поскольку мой факел выгорел), I did not try to follow it (не попытался последовать по нему).
I went back to my wood chopping (я вернулся к моей рубке леса).
caution ['ko:??n] quarrel ['kwor?l]
I MAKE A SURPRISING DISCOVERY
ONCE every week I went into the woods to see the flock of goats that I had hidden there. I always carried my gun, but since my last great fright I did not dare to fire it off. I was afraid even to drive a nail or chop a stick of wood, lest some savages might be near enough to hear the sound.
I was afraid to build a fire at my castle, lest the smoke should be seen.
At last I carried some of my pots and kettles to my hidden field in the woods. I could do my cooking there much more safely than at my castle.
Hardly had I put things in order there when I found something that made me very glad. What do you suppose it was?
It was a cave — a real cave. The door into it was through a little hollow place at the bottom of a great rock. It was so well hidden that no one could have found it even by looking for it.
Shall I tell you how I came upon it?
I was afraid to make a smoke near my house, and yet I could not live without cooking meat. I tried all kinds of dry wood, and yet there was always some smoke. Then I thought I would try charcoal. But I must first make the charcoal.
I found a place in the darkest part of the woods where the smoke would hardly rise to the tops of the trees. There I built my charcoal pit.
This was done in the following way:
First, I cleared off a round space about ten feet in diameter. Here I dug out the earth till I made a pit about a foot deep. Then I cut a cord or more of wood and piled it up in this space. I piled it up until it was almost as high as my shoulders. I covered it a foot deep with earth and turf, leaving a small open place at the bottom.
When this was done, I set fire to the wood through the hole in the bottom. It burned slowly. The wood became charcoal.
One day, while cutting wood for my charcoal pit, I happened to see a hollow place in the rock close by a tree I was chopping.
It was half covered with brush. I pushed this aside and looked in. I saw a little cave just large enough for me to creep into on my hands and knees.
But, a little farther in, it was larger. It was so high that I could stand upright, and it was so wide that two men could have walked in it side by side.
It was a very dark place, and I stood still a moment till my eyes should become a little used to it.
All at once I saw something in the darkness that made me scramble out of that place much faster than I had come into it.
What do you think it was? Two big shining eyes that glowed like coals in the darkness. Whether they were the eyes of a man or of some fierce beast, I did not stop to see.
I stood a little while by the mouth of the cave and then I began to get over my fright.
What could there be in this cave that would do me harm? No man could live there in the darkness. As for any animal, I knew there was nothing fiercer on the island than one of my cats.
So, with a blazing stick for a torch, I crept back into the cave. But I had not gone three steps before I was frightened almost as much as before.
I heard a loud sigh, like that of a man in trouble. Then there were low moans, and sounds as of some one trying to speak.
I stopped short. Cold chills ran down my back. My hair seemed to stand on end. But I would not allow myself to run out again.
I pushed my little torch forward into the darkness, as far as I could. The blaze lit up the cave. And what do you suppose I saw then?
Why, nothing but a shaggy old goat that I had missed from my flock for nearly a week past.
He was stretched on the floor of the cave, and too weak to rise up. He was a very old fellow, and perhaps had gone in there to die.
I gave him some food and water, and made him as comfortable as I could. But he was too far gone to live long.
I found that, although I could stand up in the cave, it was very small. It was only a hole in the rocks, and was neither round nor square.
But at the end of this little chamber there seemed to be a passage that led farther in. This passage was very narrow and dark, and as my torch had burned out, I did not try to follow it.
I went back to my wood chopping.
I EXPLORE MY CAVE FURTHER ( я исследую мою пещеру дальше )
THE next day I brought out with me six big candles (на следующий день в вынес с собой шесть больших свечей).
For you must know that I was a candle maker (так как вы должны знать, что я был создателем свечей = делал свечи) as well as a baker (равно как и пекарем). Indeed, I made very good candles of goats' tallow, using some bits of old ropes for the wicks (в самом деле, я делал очень хорошие свечи из сала коз, использую куски веревки для фитилей).
As I have just said, I took six candles with me, for I had made up my mind to learn more about the cave I had found (как я только что сказал, я взял шесть свечей собой, так как я решил узнать больше о пещере, которую я нашел).
I lit two of the candles (зажег две свечи; to light — зажигать), and went in (зашел внутрь). The poor old goat was dead (бедная старая коза была мертва), and it was no easy work to dig a hole right there and bury him (было не легкой работой выкопать дыры прямо там и похоронить ее).
After this unpleasant task was done (после того как это неприятное задание было сделано), I went into the back part of the cave (я пошел в заднюю часть пещеры). The flame of the candles lighted up the darkness (пламя свечей осветило темноту), and I could see quite plainly (мог видеть довольно сносно).
The narrow passage of which I have told you was no less than thirty feet long (узкий проход, о котором я рассказал вам, был не меньше 30 футов длиной). In one place it was so low that I had to creep through on all fours (в одном месте он был таким низким, что мне пришлось ползти на четырех = на четвереньках).
But no sooner was I through this low place than I found myself in a splendid chamber (но как только я прошел это низкое место, я обнаружил себя великолепной комнате). It was large enough to shelter a hundred men (она была достаточно большой, чтобы укрыть 100 человек).
Indeed, it seemed like the great hall of some old English castle (в самом деле, она казалось /похожей/ на большой холл старого английского замка). I had never seen anything so grand (я никогда не видел ничего такого величественного).
The roof was at least twenty feet high (крыша была, по крайне мере, 20 футов высотой). The light from my two candles shone upon the walls and made it look as though covered with thousand of bright stars (свет моих двух свечей освещал стены и заставлял их выглядеть, как будто они покрыты тысячей ярких звезд).
Whether these were diamonds (были ли это бриллианты), or gold (золото), or some other precious things (ценные вещи = ценности), I did not know, and in fact I never learned (и на самом деле никогда и не узнал).
The floor was dry and level (пол был сухим и ровным). It was covered with white sand (был покрыт белым песком), which was very clean (который был очень чистым).
I was delighted (рад, в восторге). No better or safer storehouse could I have wished (лучшего или более безопасного склада я не мог и желать).
When I had looked at the room on every side and found that it was really the end of the cave (когда я осмотрел комнаты с каждой стороны и обнаружил, что это действительно был конец пещеры), I went out and hurried back to my castle (вышел и поспешил обратно в замок).
I found that I still had about sixty pounds of powder (все еще имел почти 60 фунтов пороха). This was the first thing that I carried to my new cavern (это было первое, что я принес в мою новую пещеру). I took thither also the lead (взял туда также свинец) that I had for making bullets (который я имел для изготовления пуль) and small shot (и маленькой дроби).
I felt now like one of the wonderful elves that you read about (чувствовал себя, как один из тех прекрасных эльфов, о которых вы читаете). They live, as you know, in rocks and in caves where none can get at them (они живут, как вы знаете, в скалах и пещерах, где никто не может достать их = добраться до них); and they have hidden treasures of gold and precious stones (спрятанные сокровища золота и ценных камней).
What if a hundred savages should hunt me (что если 100 дикарей погонятся за мной; to hunt — охотиться, травить , гнать)? They could not come near me here (они не смогут приблизиться ко мне здесь). I was safe from all foes (был в безопасности от всех врагов).
I fitted the cave up with whatever was needed to make it comfortable (я оборудовал пещеру всем, что было необходимо, чтобы сделать ее удобной для жизни).
If the worst came to the worst (если бы случилось самое страшное; the worst — худшее), I meant to live there (я намеревался жить там). And yet I did not wish to be obliged to do this (но все же я не желал быть вынужденным делать это).
When everything was safe and snug (удобно, уютно), I laid some green branches over the entrance and went back to my castle (я уложил несколько зеленых веток над входом и пошел обратно в замок).
I was very glad when I sat down in my old kitchen again. For, after all, no other place was so much like home (так как, после всего = в конце концов, нет места лучше дома).
I had now been twenty-three years on this island (пробыл на острове 23 года). If it had not been for fear of savages (если бы не страх перед дикарями), I would have been the happiest man in the world (я был бы самым счастливым человеком в мире).
During all those years I had been very busy (в течение всех этих лет я был очень занят). I did not work all the time, as you know (я не работал все время, как вы знаете), but I amused myself in various ways (развлекал себя разными способами).
I spent much time with Poll, the parrot (проводил много времени с попугаем). He soon learned to talk so well that it was a pleasure to hear him (он вскоре научился говорить т ак хорошо, что было удовольствием слушать его).
My dog had been my best friend and companion (мой пес был моим лучшим другом и спутником, товарищем). He lived for sixteen years (прожил 16 лет), and then died of old age (затем умер из-за старости).
As for my cats, the woods were full of them (что касается моих кошек, леса были полны ими). All ran wild except the two that I kept in my castle (все стали дикими, за исключением двух, которых я держал в замке). These were good mousers and fine pets (ловцами мышей и хорошими любимцами /домашними животными/).
I had also several tame fowls (прирученных птиц). These I had caught near the seashore when they were young (этих я поймал у берега, когда они были молодыми). I cut their wing feathers short (обрезал их перья на крыльях коротко) and taught them to eat from my hand (научил их есть с моей руки).
I never knew what kind of birds they were (я так и не узнал, что это были за птицы), but they were large, almost as large as chickens (почти такими же крупными, как цыплята). They lived among the hedge trees in front of my castle (они жили среди деревьев живой изгороди перед моим замком).
They made their nests there (вили там гнезда) and kept me well supplied with eggs (держали меня хорошо обеспеченным яйцами = постоянно обеспечивали меня яйцами). I did not need to keep any other poultry (домашнюю птицу).
Thus I lived very pleasantly in my island home (таким образом я жил очень вольготно в моем островном доме). I would have been content to live there always if I could have felt safe from savages (я был бы согласен: «доволен» жить там всегда, если бы я мог чувствовать себя в безопасности от дикарей).
forward ['fo:w?d] moon ['mu:n] except [?k'sept]
I EXPLORE MY CAVE FURTHER
THE next day I brought out with me six big candles.
For you must know that I was a candle maker as well as a baker. Indeed, I made very good candles of goats' tallow, using some bits of old ropes for the wicks. As I have just said, I took six candles with me, for I had made up my mind to learn more about the cave I had found.
I lit two of the candles, and went in. The poor old goat was dead, and it was no easy work to dig a hole right there and bury him.
After this unpleasant task was done, I went into the back part of the cave. The flame of the candles lighted up the darkness, and I could see quite plainly.
The narrow passage of which I have told you was no less than thirty feet long. In one place it was so low that I had to creep through on all fours.
But no sooner was I through this low place than I found myself in a splendid chamber. It was large enough to shelter a hundred men.
Indeed, it seemed like the great hall of some old English castle. I had never seen anything so grand.
The roof was at least twenty feet high. The light from my two candles shone upon the walls and made it look as though covered with thousand of bright stars.
Whether these were diamonds, or gold, or some other precious things, I did not know, and in fact I never learned.
The floor was dry and level. It was covered with white sand, which was very clean.
I was delighted. No better or safer storehouse could I have wished.
When I had looked at the room on every side and found that it was really the end of the cave, I went out and hurried back to my castle.
I found that I still had about sixty pounds of powder. This was the first thing that I carried to my new cavern. I took thither also the lead that I had for making bullets and small shot.
I felt now like one of the wonderful elves that you read about. They live, as you know, in rocks and in caves where none can get at them; and they have hidden treasures of gold and precious stones.
What if a hundred savages should hunt me? They could not come near me here. I was safe from all foes.
I fitted the cave up with whatever was needed to make it comfortable.
If the worst came to the worst, I meant to live there. And yet I did not wish to be obliged to do this.
When everything was safe and snug, I laid some green branches over the entrance and went back to my castle.
I was very glad when I sat down in my old kitchen again. For, after all, no other place was so much like home.
I had now been twenty-three years on this island. If it had not been for fear of savages, I would have been the happiest man in the world.
During all those years I had been very busy. I did not work all the time, as you know, but I amused myself in various ways.
I spent much time with Poll, the parrot. He soon learned to talk so well that it was a pleasure to hear him.
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:t??] possess [p?'zes] message ['mes??]
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 бoльшим /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 [p?:si’vi?]
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)
WITH very great care I steered my canoe out to sea (с большой осторожностью я направил мое каноэ в море). I kept just within the edge of the current on my right hand (держался точно у края потока по правую руку). It carried me along at a great rate (он нес меня на большой скорости), but I did not lose control of the canoe (но я не терял управление каноэ).
In about two hours I came up to the wreck. It was a sad sight to look at (грустное зрелище).
The ship lay partly on her side (корабль частично лежал на боку), and was jammed fast between two great rocks (зажат крепко между двумя большими скалами).
She looked like a Spanish ship (выглядело, как испанское судно). She had been badly broken by the waves (сильно поломано волнами), and everything on her decks had been swept away (все с палуб было смыто /в море/).
As I came close to her, a dog looked over her side and barked at me (пес выглянул через борт: «сторону, бок» и залаял на меня). When I called him he jumped into the sea and swam out to the canoe (когда я позвал его, он прыгнул в море и приплыл к каноэ).
I lifted him on board (поднял его на борт), and found that he was almost dead with hunger and thirst (почти мертв от голода и жажды).
I gave him a barley cake (дал ячменную лепешку), and he devoured it like a half-starved wolf (сожрал это, как полуголодный волк). I then gave him a little water, but not too much lest he should harm himself (но не очень много, чтобы он не повредил себе = чтобы ему не стало плохо). He drank (пил), and then looked up as if asking for more (посмотрел вверх, как бы прося еще).
After this I went on board. A sad sight met my eyes. For in the cookroom I saw two sailors who had been drowned (утонувшими), with their arms fast around each other (с руками крепко вокруг друг друга = крепко обнявшись).
I suppose (я предполагаю) that when the ship struck (когда корабль ударился = сел на мель) the waves dashed all over her (волны хлынули через него) and the men had no way of escape (не имели никакого пути спасения). Those who were not swept overboard (кого не смыло за борт) were drowned between decks (утонули между палубами).
Besides the dog there was no other live thing on board (кроме собаки, не было никого другого живого существа на борту).
I found some chests that had belonged to the sailors (нашел несколько ящиков, которые принадлежали морякам). With much labor I got two of them into the canoe without stopping to look inside of them (с большим трудом я затащил два из них на каноэ, не прекращая смотреть внутрь их).
Besides these chests (кроме этих ящиков), I took a fire shovel and tongs (лопату для огня = камина и щипцы), which I needed very much (которые мне были очень нужны). I found, also, two little brass kettles (латунных чайника), a gridiron (рашпер /решетка для поджаривания мяса/), and a large copper pot (медный горшок).
The tide was now setting in toward the island again (прилив направлялся к острову опять). So, with the few goods I had found and the poor dog, I started for home (отправился домой).
By keeping on the outside of the eddying current (держась снаружи крутящегося потока) I had no trouble in bringing the canoe safe to land (я не имел трудностей привести каноэ безопасно к суше). The sun was almost down when I anchored her in a little inlet just off the point of rocks (когда я поставил его на якорь в маленькой бухте как раз за скалами).
I was so tired (таким уставшим) that I could do nothing more that day. So, after eating my supper (съев ужин), of which I gave the dog a good share (из которого я дал собаке хорошую долю), I lay down in the canoe and went to sleep (лег в каноэ и заснул).
I slept very soundly (крепко), and did not wake until morning (не просыпался до утра).
In looking over my goods (осматривая товары), I made up my mind to store them in my new cave in the woods (я решил хранить, складировать их в моей новой пещере в лесу). For that was much nearer than my home castle.
When I opened the chests I found several things that I was very glad to get.
In one I found two jars of very good sweetmeats (конфет, леденцов). They were so well corked (закупорены) that the salt water had not harmed them (чтобы соленая вода не повредила им). There were two other jars of the same kind; but they were open at the top, and the water had spoiled the sweetmeats (было два других кувшина того же вида; но они были открыты сверху /у крышек/, и вода испортила конфеты).
In the other chest there were some good shirts (рубашки), which I needed very much. There were also about a dozen and a half of white linen handkerchiefs (около дюжины с половиной белых льняных платков). I was very glad to find these, for they would be pleasant to wipe my face with on a hot day (было бы приятно вытереть лицо таким /платком/ в жаркий день).
In a secret drawer of the first chest (в потайном ящичке первого ящика) I found three bags of Spanish money (три мешочка испанских денег). I counted eleven hundred pieces of silver (я насчитал одиннадцать сотен монет серебра).
At the bottom of one of the bags there were six Spanish gold pieces, each worth about fifteen dollars (на дне одной сумки было шесть испанских золотых монет, каждая стоимостью примерно 15 долларов). These were wrapped up in a piece of paper (завернуты в кусок бумаги).
At the bottom of the other bag there were some small bars of gold (слитки золота). I suppose there was at least a pound of these yellow pieces (я предполагаю, там был по крайней мере фунт этих желтых слитков).
After all, I got very little by this voyage (получил очень мало от этого путешествия). I had no use for the money (не мог использовать деньги). It was worth no more to me than the dust under my feet (они обладали для меня не большей ценностью, чем пыль под моими ногами). I would have given it all for a pair of good shoes or some stockings for my feet (я бы отдал это все за пару хороших туфель или хороших чулок для моих ног).
After I had carried everything to my cave I took the canoe back to her old harbor on the farther side of the island (заводь на дальней стороне острова). Then I returned to my castle, where I found everything in good order (в хорошем порядке).
And now I began to live easily again. I was as watchful as before (осторожным, как и раньше), and never went from my castle without looking carefully around.
I seldom went to the other side of the island (редко ходил на другую сторону острова). When I visited my cave in the woods, or went to see my goats, I took good care to be well armed (заботился, чтобы быть хорошо вооруженным).
breakfast ['brekf?st] mountain ['maunt?n]
I MAKE ANOTHER VOYAGE
WITH very great care I steered my canoe out to sea. I kept just within the edge of the current on my right hand. It carried me along at a great rate, but I did not lose control of the canoe. In about two hours I came up to the wreck. It was a sad sight to look at.
The ship lay partly on her side, and was jammed fast between two great rocks.
She looked like a Spanish ship. She had been badly broken by the waves, and everything on her decks had been swept away.
As I came close to her, a dog looked over her side and barked at me. When I called him he jumped into the sea and swam out to the canoe.
I lifted him on board, and found that he was almost dead with hunger and thirst.
I gave him a barley cake, and he devoured it like a half-starved wolf. I then gave him a little water, but not too much lest he should harm himself. He drank, and then looked up as if asking for more.
After this I went on board. A sad sight met my eyes. For in the cookroom I saw two sailors who had been drowned, with their arms fast around each other.
I suppose that when the ship struck the waves dashed all over her and the men had no way of escape. Those who were not swept overboard were drowned between decks.
Besides the dog there was no other live thing on board.
I found some chests that had belonged to the sailors. With much labor I got two of them into the canoe without stopping to look inside of them.
Besides these chests, I took a fire shovel and tongs, which I needed very much. I found, also, two little brass kettles, a gridiron, and a large copper pot.
The tide was now setting in toward the island again. So, with the few goods I had found and the poor dog, I started for home.
By keeping on the outside of the eddying current I had no trouble in bringing the canoe safe to land. The sun was almost down when I anchored her in a little inlet just off the point of rocks.
I was so tired that I could do nothing more that day. So, after eating my supper, of which I gave the dog a good share, I lay down in the canoe and went to sleep.
I slept very soundly, and did not wake until morning.
In looking over my goods, I made up my mind to store them in my new cave in the woods. For that was much nearer than my home castle.
When I opened the chests I found several things that I was very glad to get.
In one I found two jars of very good sweetmeats. They were so well corked that the salt water had not harmed them. There were two other jars of the same kind; but they were open at the top, and the water had spoiled the sweetmeats.
In the other chest there were some good shirts, which I needed very much. There were also about a dozen and a half of white linen handkerchiefs. I was very glad to find these, for they would be pleasant to wipe my face with on a hot day.
In a secret drawer of the first chest I found three bags of Spanish money. I counted eleven hundred pieces of silver.
At the bottom of one of the bags there were six Spanish gold pieces, each worth about fifteen dollars. These were wrapped up in a piece of paper.
At the bottom of the other bag there were some small bars of gold. I suppose there was at least a pound of these yellow pieces.
After all, I got very little by this voyage. I had no use for the money. It was worth no more to me than the dust under my feet. I would have given it all for a pair of good shoes or some stockings for my feet.
After I had carried everything to my cave I took the canoe back to her old harbor on the farther side of the island. Then I returned to my castle, where I found everything in good order.
And now I began to live easily again. I was as watchful as before, and never went from my castle without looking carefully around.
I seldom went to the other side of the island. When I visited my cave in the woods, or went to see my goats, I took good care to be well armed.
I HAVE A QUEER DREAM ( я вижу странный сон )
TWO years passed without any alarms (без тревог; alarm — / боевая / тревога), and I was beginning to think that nothing would ever again happen to disturb the quiet of my life (что ничто никогда не случится опять, что могло бы нарушить спокойствие моей жизни).
One night in the rainy season of March I could not sleep. I lay for hours in my hammock and was not able to close my eyes (лежал часами в гамаке и не мог сомкнуть глаз).
I was thinking, thinking, thinking.
I thought of all that had ever happened to me both before and after my shipwreck (что случилось со мной до и после кораблекрушения).
I thought of my first happy years on the island (о первых счастливых годах на острове).
I thought of the fear and care that I had lived in ever since I saw the first footprint in the sand (думал о страхе и заботах, в которых я жил постоянно с того времени, как я увидел первый отпечаток ноги в песке).
Then I thought of my great desire to see my native land once more (большом желании увидеть мою родную землю еще раз), and to have friends and companions with whom I could talk.
These thoughts brought to mind the savages of whom I had so great a dread (эти мысли вызвали в уме дикарей, которых я столь боялся), and I began to ask myself a thousand questions about them.
How far off was the coast from which they came (как далеко был берег, с которого они приплывали)?
Why did they come to my island from so great a distance (с такого большого расстояния)?
What kind of boats did they have?
With such thoughts as these I lay awake until far in the night (лежал, бодрствуя, допоздна в ночи). My pulse beat fast (пульс бил часто), my breath came hard (дыхания было тяжелым), my nerves were unstrung (нервы были ослабленными, ненатянутыми = расшатанными).
At last (наконец), worn out by my very restlessness (измученный самим моим беспокойством), I fell asleep (погрузился в сон).
The same thoughts must have followed me into my dreams (должно быть, преследовали меня в снах: «последовали за мной в сновидения»), but they took a different form (приняли иную форму).
I dreamed that I was sitting on the seashore with my gun on my lap (на коленях) and my umbrella by my side (зонтиком возле меня).
I was thinking, thinking, thinking. I had never been so sad and lonely (никогда не был столь грустным и одиноким).
I was thinking of the home I was never to see again (который я не увижу никогда), and of the friends who perhaps had forgotten me (которые, возможно, забыли меня).
Suddenly, as I lifted my eyes (вдруг, когда я поднял глаза), I thought I saw two canoes coming toward the island. I ran and hid myself in a grove by the shore (побежал и спрятался в леске у берега).
There were eleven savages in the canoes (одиннадцать дикарей в лодках), and they had with them another savage whom they were going to kill and eat (с ними был другой дикарь, которого они собирались убить и съесть).
But I thought in my sleep that this savage suddenly sprang up and ran for his life (но я подумал во сне, что этот дикарь вдруг вскочил и побежал /спасая/ свою жизнь).
I thought that he came running to the little grove, to hide himself in it (я думал, что он прибежал в маленький лесок, чтобы спрятаться в нем).
Seeing him alone (видя его одного), I arose and met him (встал и встретил его). I smiled kindly (улыбнулся по-доброму, ласково), and tried to make him know that I was his friend (попытался дать ему понять, что я был его другом).
He threw himself on the ground at my feet (бросился на землю у моих ног; to throw). He seemed to be asking my help (казалось, просил помощи).
I showed him my ladder (лестницу) and made him go up over the wall (и заставил его перелезть стену).
Then I led him into my castle (затем я провел его в замок), and he became my servant (стал слугой).
I thought in my sleep, that I cried aloud for joy (воскликнул громко от радости) and said: "Now I shall escape from this place (убегу из этого места). For this savage will be my pilot (лоцманом). He will guide me to the mainland (проведет меня к материку). He will tell where to go and what to do. He will help me find my own people (найти «моих собственных людей» = соотечественников)."
This thought filled my mind with great joy (эта мысль наполнила мой разум, мою душу большой радостью) and while I was still rejoicing I awoke (когда я еще радовался, я проснулся).
What a disappointment it was to find that it was only a dream (каким разочарованием было обнаружить, что это был только сон)!
For several days I felt very sad (грустно). I was almost ready to give up hope (был почти готов отказаться от надежды).
Then I remembered my dream (вспомнил мой сон); and I said to myself: "If I could only get hold of a savage (если бы я только смог захватить дикаря) and teach him to love me (научить его любить меня), things might turn out just that way (все могло бы обернуться именно так). He must be one of their prisoners (пленников) and I must save him from being eaten (я должен уберечь его от того, чтобы его не съели: «от того, чтобы быть съеденным»); for then it will be easy to win his friendship (будет легко выиграть = получить его дружбу)."
This thought so fixed itself in my mind (так засела у меня в голове) that I could not get rid of it (не мог избавиться от нее). Waking or sleeping (бодрствуя или во сне), I seemed to be always planning to get hold of a savage.
At last I set myself about it in earnest (наконец я настроился на это всерьез; in earnest — всерьез). Almost every day (почти каждый день) I went out with my gun to see if some of these wild men had not again landed on my island.
queer [kwi?]
I HAVE A QUEER DREAM
TWO years passed without any alarms, and I was beginning to think that nothing would ever again happen to disturb the quiet of my life.
One night in the rainy season of March I could not sleep. I lay for hours in my hammock and was not able to close my eyes. I was thinking, thinking, thinking.
I thought of all that had ever happened to me both before and after my shipwreck.
I thought of my first happy years on the island.
I thought of the fear and care that I had lived in ever since I saw the first footprint in the sand.
Then I thought of my great desire to see my native land once more, and to have friends and companions with whom I could talk.
These thoughts brought to mind the savages of whom I had so great a dread, and I began to ask myself a thousand questions about them.
How far off was the coast from which they came?
Why did they come to my island from so great a distance?
What kind of boats did they have?
With such thoughts as these I lay awake until far in the night. My pulse beat fast, my breath came hard, my nerves were unstrung.
At last, worn out by my very restlessness, I fell asleep.
The same thoughts must have followed me into my dreams, but they took a different form.
I dreamed that I was sitting on the seashore with my gun on my lap and my umbrella by my side.
I was thinking, thinking, thinking. I had never been so sad and lonely.
I was thinking of the home I was never to see again, and of the friends who perhaps had forgotten me.
Suddenly, as I lifted my eyes, I thought I saw two canoes coming toward the island. I ran and hid myself in a grove by the shore.
There were eleven savages in the canoes, and they had with them another savage whom they were going to kill and eat.
But I thought in my sleep that this savage suddenly sprang up and ran for his life.
I thought that he came running to the little grove, to hide himself in it.
Seeing him alone, I arose and met him. I smiled kindly, and tried to make him know that I was his friend.
He threw himself on the ground at my feet. He seemed to be asking my help.
I showed him my ladder and made him go up over the wall.
Then I led him into my castle, and he became my servant.
I thought in my sleep, that I cried aloud for joy and said: "Now I shall escape from this place. For this savage will be my pilot. He will guide me to the mainland. He will tell where to go and what to do. He will help me find my own people."
This thought filled my mind with great joy and while I was still rejoicing I awoke.
What a disappointment it was to find that it was only a dream!
For several days I felt very sad. I was almost ready to give up hope.
Then I remembered my dream; and I said to myself: "If I could only get hold of a savage and teach him to love me, things might turn out just that way. He must be one of their prisoners and I must save him from being eaten; for then it will be easy to win his friendship."
This thought so fixed itself in my mind that I could not get rid of it. Waking or sleeping, I seemed to be always planning to get hold of a savage.
At last I set myself about it in earnest. Almost every day I went out with my gun to see if some of these wild men had not again landed on my island.
I GET HOLD OF A SAVAGE ( я захватываю дикаря ; to get hold of smth — схватить что - то )
FOR a year and a half I kept close watch upon the farther shore of the island as well as upon that nearest to my castle (в течение полутора лет я держал постоянное наблюдение за дальним берегом острова, равно как и за тем /берегом, который был/ ближайшим к моему замку). But not a single savage came near (но ни один дикарь не приблизился = не появился).
One morning in June, however (однако), I had a great surprise (я получил большое удивление = случилось неожиданное).
I was just starting out from my castle when I saw five canoes lying high and dry on the beach not a mile away (я как раз выходил из моего замка, когда я увидел несколько каноэ, лежащих высоко и сухими на берегу не более мили вдалеке = на расстоянии не более мили). There was not a man near them (не было ни одного человека рядом с ними). The people who had come in them were perhaps asleep among the trees (люди, которые прибыли на них, возможно, спали между деревьями).
The number of canoes was greater (больше) than I had ever counted upon seeing (чем я когда-либо насчитывал /из тех, что я/ видел). For there were always four or six savages in each canoe, and there must now be between twenty and thirty men somewhere on the shore (где-то на берегу).
I did not know what to think of it. I did not feel brave enough to attack so many (не чувствовал себя достаточно смелым, чтобы напасть на столь многих).
So I stayed in my castle and made ready to defend myself (защищаться).
"There is little hope of getting a savage this time," I thought to myself.
I waited a long while (долго), but heard no unusual sound (необычных звуков). I grew tired of waiting (устал от ожидания), and made up my mind to see what was going on (решил посмотреть, что происходило).
So, with the help of my ladder (с помощью лестницы), I climbed up to my lookout on the top of the rock. I put my spyglass to my eyes and looked down upon the beach.
Surely enough! there they were (и точно: «определенно достаточно» — они там были). I saw no fewer than thirty naked savages dancing around a fire (не меньше тридцати обнаженных дикарей, танцующих вокруг огня). I saw that they were broiling meat upon the coals (варили мясо на углях), but I could not tell what kind of meat it was (не мог различить, какое мясо это было).
As I watched I saw some of the dancers run to a boat and drag two miserable prisoners from it (я увидел как несколько танцоров побежали к лодке и притащили двух несчастных пленников с нее). They must have been in the boat all the time (должно быть, они были в лодке все это время), but as they were lying down I did not see them (но, так как они лежали, я не видел их).
All the dancers now crowded around the poor prisoners (столпились вокруг пленников). They knocked one of them down with a club (сбили одного с ног дубинкой), and then fell upon him with their knives (напали на него с ножами). I supposed they were going to cut him up for their horrid feast (я предположил, что они собирались разрезать его для своего страшного пира).
For a few moments they seemed to forget the other prisoner (казалось, забыли о другом пленнике), for they left him standing alone at one side (оставили его одного стоящим в стороне).
All at once he made a break for liberty (сделал попытку, рывок к свободе). You never saw a hound run so fast (никогда не видели, чтобы гончая бежала так быстро). He ran along the sandy beach (вдоль песчаного пляжа), right toward my castle (прямо к моему замку). I was dreadfully frightened (до смерти напуган). I thought that now my dream was coming true (мой сон сбывался; true — правдивый , достоверный), and that he would surely hide in my grove.
But would the other part of the dream come true? Would the other savages lose sight of him (потеряют его из виду), and running another way, not come near the castle (и, убегая по другому пути, не придут близко к моему замку) ? I feared not (я опасался, что нет).
However, I stayed in my lookout and watched to see what would happen (тем не менее, я оставался на смотровой площадке и смотрел, что произойдет).
I saw, to my joy, that only three of the savage followed him (последовали за ним). He ran so fast that he gained ground on them (он бежал так быстро, что оторвался от них: «выиграл землю»). If he could hold out for ten or fifteen minutes (если он продержится десять-пятнадцать минут), he would get away from them all (он оторвется от них всех).
Between the savages and my castle there was the little river (маленькая река) where I had first landed with my raft. If the poor fellow could not swim across this stream, he would surely be taken (если бы бедняга не сможет переплыть этот поток, он точно будет схвачен). I watched to see what he would do.
To my surprise the river did not hinder him at all (не остановила его вовсе). The tide was up, but he plunged in (прыгнул, нырнул) and with twenty or thirty strokes was across (и 20-30 гребками переплыл; across — поперек , на ту сторону). I had never seen a finer swimmer (лучшего пловца).
When his pursuers reached the stream (когда его преследователи достигли потока), he was already far away. Two of them jumped in and swam across (двое из них прыгнули в /воду/ и переплыли /его/). The other one stood still a minute and then turned softly back (повернул тихонько назад). It was lucky for him that he could not swim (удачей для него было то, что он не мог плавать).
"Now," thought I to myself, "now is the time to get me a savage (получить себе дикаря)!"
In another moment I was down in my castle. I picked up my two guns (подхватил два ружья). I was over the wall in less time than it takes me to tell about it (я был на стене за меньше время, чем мне требуется об этом сказать). Never once did I think of fear (ни разу я не думал о страхе).
I ran swiftly down the hill toward the sea (я быстро сбежал вниз по холму к реке). In another minute I was between the poor captive and his pursuers (в следующую минуту я был между бедным пленником и его преследователями).
"Hello, there! Come back! I will help you," I cried.
Of course he did not understand a word (не понял и слова). But he heard me and looked back (оглянулся). I beckoned to him with my hand (махнул ему рукой; to beckon — манить, кивать; делать знак /рукой, пальцем/), and this he understood better (это он понял лучше).
There was no time for waiting (не было времени ждать), however (однако). The two savages that followed were close upon me (были близко ко мне).
I rushed upon the foremost one (поспешил к переднему) and knocked him down with my gun (сбил его с ног ружьем). I did not want to shoot (стрелять), lest the other savages would hear the noise and come to his rescue (чтобы другие дикари не услышали шум и не пришли на помощь).
The second pursuer came, running and panting (задыхаясь), only a little way behind (лишь немного отставая). When he saw me, he stopped as if he were frightened (как будто был напуган). I ran toward him, with my gun to my shoulder (с ружьем на плече).
As I came nearer, I saw that he had a bow and arrow (лук и стрелу) and was taking aim at me (целился в меня: «брал цель»). What could I do but shoot (что я мог сделать, кроме как выстрелить)? He fell to the ground and never moved again (упал на землю и никогда не пошевелился опять = и больше не шевелился).
I now looked around to see what had become of the poor captive (осмотрелся, чтобы увидеть, что стало с бедным пленником). I saw him standing still and gazing at me (глазеющим, уставившимся на меня). The noise of my gun had frightened him so (шум ружья так испугал его) that he did not know what to do.