Английский язык с Джеком Лондоном. В далекой стране (рассказы)

THE LEAGUE OF THE OLD MEN (Лига стариков)

At the Barracks a man was being tried for his life (в казармах судили человека ради его жизни = ставкой была его жизнь). He was an old man (он был старик), a native from the Whitefish River (абориген с реки Белая Рыба[1]), which empties into the Yukon below Lake Le Barge (которая впадает в Юкон ниже озера Ле Барж; to empty — опорожнять; впадать /о реке/; empty — пустой). All Dawson was wrought up over the affair (весь Доусон был возбужден этим делом; to work up — возбуждать, вызывать), and likewise the Yukon-dwellers for a thousand miles up and down (а также жители Юкона на тысячу миль выше и ниже /по течению/). It has been the custom of the land-robbing and sea-robbing Anglo-Saxon to give the law to conquered peoples (традицией грабящего землю и море англо-сакса было и есть дать закон завоеванным народам), and ofttimes this law is harsh (и часто этот закон суров). But in the case of Imber the law for once seemed inadequate and weak (но в деле Имбера закон в кои-то веки показался недостаточным = недостаточно суровым и слабым). In the mathematical nature of things (в математической природе вещей = по математической логике), equity did not reside in the punishment to be accorded him (наказанию, которое он должен был получить, не была присуща справедливость; equity — справедливость; беспристрастность, объективность; правосудие на основе права справедливости;[2] to reside in — быть присущим, свойственным, неотъемлемым /чему-либо/; to accord — соответствовать; предоставлять). The punishment was a foregone conclusion (наказание было заранее известным решением; foregone conclusion — предрешенный вывод, заранее известное решение), there could be no doubt of that (в этом не могло быть сомнения); and though it was capital (и хотя это был смертный приговор; capital — тяжкий, караемый смертью), Imber had but one life (у Имбера была лишь одна жизнь), while the tale against him was one of scores (в то время как счет против него был один из множества = исчислялся многими /жизнями/; tale — рассказ; счет; scores — множество).

conquer ['kONkq], equity ['ekwItI], punishment ['pAnISmqnt]

At the Barracks a man was being tried for his life. He was an old man, a native from the Whitefish River, which empties into the Yukon below Lake Le Barge. All Dawson was wrought up over the affair, and likewise the Yukon-dwellers for a thousand miles up and down. It has been the custom of the land-robbing and sea-robbing Anglo-Saxon to give the law to conquered peoples, and ofttimes this law is harsh. But in the case of Imber the law for once seemed inadequate and weak. In the mathematical nature of things, equity did not reside in the punishment to be accorded him. The punishment was a foregone conclusion, there could be no doubt of that; and though it was capital, Imber had but one life, while the tale against him was one of scores.

In fact, the blood of so many was upon his hands (на самом деле, на его руках была кровь столь многих) that the killings attributed to him did not permit of precise enumeration (что убийства, приписываемые ему, не позволяли точно установить количество; to permit — позволять, давать возможность; enumeration — подсчёт, установление количества). Smoking a pipe by the trailside or lounging around the stove (покуривая трубку на обочине или слоняясь вокруг печки), men made rough estimates of the numbers (люди делали грубые прикидки количества /жертв/; to make estimate — оценивать; estimate — оценка; rough estimate — грубая оценка) that had perished at his hand (которые погибли от его руки). They had been whites (они были белыми), all of them (все они), these poor murdered people (эти бедные убитые люди), and they had been slain singly, in pairs, and in parties (и их убивали поодиночке, парами и группами; to slay — убивать, уничтожать, лишать жизни). And so purposeless and wanton had been these killings (и настолько бессмысленными и беспричинными были эти убийства; purpose — намерение, цель; замысел; wanton — распутный; беспричинный), that they had long been a mystery to the mounted police (что они давно были загадкой для конной полиции; to mount — подниматься; садиться на лошадь), even in the time of the captains (даже в эпоху вожаков[3]), and later, when the creeks realized (и позднее, когда стали получать выручку с рек;[4] creek — бухта; речушка; ручей; to realize — выручить /сумму/; получить /такую-то сумму за что-либо/), and a governor came from the Dominion to make the land pay for its prosperity (и из Доминиона приехал губернатор, чтобы заставить область платить за свое процветание). But more mysterious still was the coming of Imber to Dawson to give himself up (но более таинственным все-таки был приезд Имбера в Доусон, чтобы сдаться). It was in the late spring (/это было/ в конце весны), when the Yukon was growling and writhing under its ice (когда Юкон рокотал и корчился подо льдом; to growl — рычать; рокотать), that the old Indian climbed painfully up the bank from the river trail and stood blinking on the main street (старый индеец с трудом/мучениями взобрался на берег с тропы вдоль реки и стоял, щурясь, на главной улице).

precise [prI'saIz], police [pq'lJs], mysterious [mIs'tIqrIqs]

In fact, the blood of so many was upon his hands that the killings attributed to him did not permit of precise enumeration. Smoking a pipe by the trailside or lounging around the stove, men made rough estimates of the numbers that had perished at his hand. They had been whites, all of them, these poor murdered people, and they had been slain singly, in pairs, and in parties. And so purposeless and wanton had been these killings, that they had long been a mystery to the mounted police, even in the time of the captains, and later, when the creeks realized, and a governor came from the Dominion to make the land pay for its prosperity. But more mysterious still was the coming of Imber to Dawson to give himself up. It was in the late spring, when the Yukon was growling and writhing under its ice, that the old Indian climbed painfully up the bank from the river trail and stood blinking on the main street.

Men who had witnessed his advent (люди, которые видели его прибытие; to witness — видеть, быть свидетелем /чего-либо/; свидетельствовать, давать показания), noted that he was weak and tottery (отмечали, что он был слабым и трясущимся; to note — упоминать, отмечать; указывать; to totter — идти неверной, дрожащей походкой; трястись), and that he staggered over to a heap of cabin-logs and sat down (и что он, шатаясь, подошел к груде бревен от хижины и сел; to stagger — шататься, идти шатаясь). He sat there a full day (он просидел там целый: «полный» день; to sit — сидеть), staring straight before him at the unceasing tide of white men that flooded past (уставившись прямо перед собой на непрерывный поток белых людей, которые /потоком/ шли мимо; to cease — переставать; прекращать; tide — прилив и отлив; поток; to flood — поступить в изобилии, хлынуть потоком; нахлынуть; flood — поток). Many a head jerked curiously to the side to meet his stare (многие головы с любопытством дергались = резко отклонялись в сторону, чтобы встретиться с его пристальным взглядом; to jerk — двигаться резкими толчками; дергаться, биться /в конвульсиях/), and more than one remark was dropped anent the old Siwash with so strange a look upon his face (и более чем одно замечание = и не одно замечание было сделано по поводу старого сиваша с таким странным взглядом на лице; to drop a remark — сделать: «обронить» замечание, высказаться; anent — о, по поводу, относительно). No end of men remembered afterward (множество людей вспоминало впоследствии; no end of — много, масса, очень много, множество, бесконечно много) that they had been struck by his extraordinary figure (что они были поражены его удивительной внешностью; to strike — ударяться; поражать; figure — фигура /физический облик человека/; внешний вид; облик, образ), and forever afterward prided themselves upon their swift discernment of the unusual (и всегда впоследствии гордились своим быстрым распознаванием необычного = своим умением быстро распознать необычное).

straight [streIt], extraordinary [Iks'trLdnrI], figure ['fIgq]

Men who had witnessed his advent, noted that he was weak and tottery, and that he staggered over to a heap of cabin-logs and sat down. He sat there a full day, staring straight before him at the unceasing tide of white men that flooded past. Many a head jerked curiously to the side to meet his stare, and more than one remark was dropped anent the old Siwash with so strange a look upon his face. No end of men remembered afterward that they had been struck by his extraordinary figure, and forever afterward prided themselves upon their swift discernment of the unusual.

But it remained for Dickensen, Little Dickensen, to be the hero of the occasion (но Дикенсену, Малышу Дикенсену, осталось = суждено было оказаться героем этого события; to remain — оставаться, пребывать). Little Dickensen had come into the land with great dreams and a pocketful of cash (Малыш Дикенсен пришел в этот край с возвышенными мечтами и полным карманом денег; cash — /наличные/ деньги); but with the cash the dreams vanished (но с деньгами улетучились /и/ мечты; to vanish — исчезать, пропадать), and to earn his passage back to the States (и чтобы заработать на свой проезд обратно в Штаты) he had accepted a clerical position with the brokerage firm of Holbrook and Mason (он согласился на конторскую должность в брокерской фирме Холбрука и Мейсона; to accept a post/a position — дать согласие занять должность; to accept — принимать; соглашаться). Across the street from the office of Holbrook and Mason was the heap of cabin-logs upon which Imber sat (через дорогу от конторы Холбрука и Мейсона была = лежала груда бревен, на которой сидел Имбер). Dickensen looked out of the window at him before he went to lunch (Дикенсен посмотрел на него из окна, прежде чем идти на обед); and when he came back from lunch (а когда он вернулся с обеда) he looked out of the window (он выглянул в окошко), and the old Siwash was still there (и старый сиваш все еще был там).

hero ['hIqrqu], occasion [q'keIZqn], earn [Wn]

But it remained for Dickensen, Little Dickensen, to be the hero of the occasion. Little Dickensen had come into the land with great dreams and a pocketful of cash; but with the cash the dreams vanished, and to earn his passage back to the States he had accepted a clerical position with the brokerage firm of Holbrook and Mason. Across the street from the office of Holbrook and Mason was the heap of cabin-logs upon which Imber sat. Dickensen looked out of the window at him before he went to lunch; and when he came back from lunch he looked out of the window, and the old Siwash was still there.

Dickensen continued to look out of the window (Дикенсен продолжал смотреть в окно), and he, too, forever afterward prided himself upon his swiftness of discernment (и он тоже впоследствии всегда гордился своей стремительной проницательностью). He was a romantic little chap (он был романтичным пареньком), and he likened the immobile old heathen to the genius of the Siwash race (и он уподобил неподвижного старого дикаря духу сивашского племени; to liken — уподоблять; сравнивать; приравнивать), gazing calm-eyed upon the hosts of the invading Saxon (разглядывающего спокойным взглядом воинство англосаксонских оккупантов; host — толпа; масса, куча; воинство, войско; to invade — вторгаться; захватывать, оккупировать; Saxon — сакс, англосакс; англичанин /в отличие от ирландца или валлийца/). The hours swept along (проносились часы; to sweep along — увлекать; нестись, мчаться, проноситься), but Imber did not vary his posture (но Имбер не изменял своего положения), did not by a hair's-breadth move a muscle (не двинул и на волосок мускулом); and Dickensen remembered the man (и Дикенсен вспомнил мужчину) who once sat upright on a sled in the main street (который однажды сидел прямо на санях на центральной улице) where men passed to and fro (где = по которой туда и сюда сновали люди; to and fro — взад и вперед; туда и сюда). They thought the man was resting (они думали, что мужчина отдыхает), but later, when they touched him (но позже, когда они коснулись его), they found him stiff and cold (они обнаружили, что он застывший и холодный), frozen to death in the midst of the busy street (замерзший насмерть посреди оживленной улицы). To undouble him, that he might fit into a coffin (для того чтобы разогнуть его, чтобы он поместился в гробу), they had been forced to lug him to a fire and thaw him out a bit (они были вынуждены = пришлось оттащить его к костру и немного разморозить его). Dickensen shivered at the recollection (Дикенсен содрогнулся при этом воспоминании).

heathen ['hJDqn], genius ['GJnIqs], muscle [mAsl]

Dickensen continued to look out of the window, and he, too, forever afterward prided himself upon his swiftness of discernment. He was a romantic little chap, and he likened the immobile old heathen to the genius of the Siwash race, gazing calm-eyed upon the hosts of the invading Saxon. The hours swept along, but Imber did not vary his posture, did not by a hair's-breadth move a muscle; and Dickensen remembered the man who once sat upright on a sled in the main street where men passed to and fro. They thought the man was resting, but later, when they touched him, they found him stiff and cold, frozen to death in the midst of the busy street. To undouble him, that he might fit into a coffin, they had been forced to lug him to a fire and thaw him out a bit. Dickensen shivered at the recollection.

Later on, Dickensen went out on the sidewalk to smoke a cigar and cool off (позднее Дикенсен вышел на тротуар выкурить сигару и прохладиться); and a little later Emily Travis happened along (а немного позже случайно зашла Эмили Тревис; to happen along — случайно зайти). Emily Travis was dainty and delicate and rare (Эмили Тревис была изящной, утонченной и необыкновенной; rare — редкий; исключительный, необычный), and whether in London or Klondike she gowned herself as befitted the daughter of a millionnaire mining engineer (и будь то в Лондоне, будь то на Клондайке она одевалась, как подобает дочери горного инженера-миллионера). Little Dickensen deposited his cigar on an outside window ledge (Малыш Дикенсен положил сигару на внешний выступ окна) where he could find it again (где он мог ее снова найти), and lifted his hat (и приподнял шляпу).

sidewalk ['saIdwLk], daughter ['dLtq], engineer ["enGI'nIq]

Later on, Dickensen went out on the sidewalk to smoke a cigar and cool off; and a little later Emily Travis happened along. Emily Travis was dainty and delicate and rare, and whether in London or Klondike she gowned herself as befitted the daughter of a millionnaire mining engineer. Little Dickensen deposited his cigar on an outside window ledge where he could find it again, and lifted his hat.

They chatted for ten minutes or so (они болтали минут десять или около того), when Emily Travis, glancing past Dickensen's shoulder (когда Эмили Тревис, взглянув через плечо Дикенсена), gave a startled little scream (издала испуганный короткий крик). Dickensen turned about to see (Дикенсен обернулся посмотреть), and was startled, too (и тоже испугался). Imber had crossed the street and was standing there (Имбер перешел улицу и стоял там), a gaunt and hungry-looking shadow (мрачный призрак с голодным видом), his gaze riveted upon the girl (а его пристальный взор был устремлен на девушку; to rivet — приковывать, устремлять /взор/).

"What do you want (чего тебе надо)?" Little Dickensen demanded, tremulously plucky (спросил Малыш Дикенсен отважно /но/ с дрожью /в голосе/; tremulously — дрожа, с дрожью; робко, боязливо; pluck — смелость, отвага).

startle [stRtl], gaunt [gLnt], rivet ['rIvIt]

They chatted for ten minutes or so, when Emily Travis, glancing past Dickensen's shoulder, gave a startled little scream. Dickensen turned about to see, and was startled, too. Imber had crossed the street and was standing there, a gaunt and hungry-looking shadow, his gaze riveted upon the girl.

"What do you want?" Little Dickensen demanded, tremulously plucky.

Imber grunted and stalked up to Emily Travis (Имбер проворчал /что-то/ и подошел к Эмили Тревис; to stalk — шествовать, гордо выступать; вышагивать). He looked her over (он тщательно осмотрел ее; to look over — тщательно осматривать, изучать), keenly and carefully (острым и внимательным взглядом; keen — проницательный, острый /ум, взгляд/), every square inch of her (каждый квадратный дюйм ее /тела/). Especially did he appear interested in her silky brown hair (особенно, казалось, он заинтересовался ее шелковистыми каштановыми волосами), and in the color of her cheek (и румянцем ее щек), faintly sprayed and soft (слегка окрашенных /румянцем/ и нежных), like the downy bloom of a butterfly wing (словно мягкий пух крыла бабочки; down — пух, пушок; bloom — цвет; пушок /на плодах/). He walked around her (он обошел ее вокруг), surveying her with the calculating eye of a man (оценивая ее расчетливым глазом человека) who studies the lines upon which a horse or a boat is builded (который изучает линии, на которых основывается = которые составляют телосложение лошади или по которым строится лодка; line — линия, контур; чертеж; черта, штрих; to build — строить, создавать; основываться, полагаться, базироваться, составлять; build — внешний вид, форма, стиль, конструкция; телосложение /как у человека, так и у животных/). In the course of his circuit the pink shell of her ear came between his eye and the westering sun (в ходе его обхода = во время его обхода розовая раковина ее уха попала между его глазом и заходящим солнцем), and he stopped to contemplate its rosy transparency (и он остановился, чтобы рассмотреть ее = эту розовую прозрачность). Then he returned to her face and looked long and intently into her blue eyes (затем он вернулся к ее лицу и смотрел долго и пристально в ее голубые глаза). He grunted and laid a hand on her arm midway between the shoulder and elbow (он заворчал и положил ладонь на ее руку между плечом и локтем). With his other hand he lifted her forearm and doubled it back (другой рукой он поднял ее предплечье и согнул его назад = согнул ее руку в локте). Disgust and wonder showed in his face (отвращение и удивление появились на его лице), and he dropped her arm with a contemptuous grunt (и он выпустил ее руку с презрительным мычанием; contempt — презрение). Then he muttered a few guttural syllables (затем он пробормотал несколько гортанных слогов), turned his back upon her (отвернулся к ней спиной), and addressed himself to Dickensen (и обратился к Дикенсену).

square ['skwFq], course [kLs], circuit ['sWkIt], contemptuous [kqn'temptjuqs]

Imber grunted and stalked up to Emily Travis. He looked her over, keenly and carefully, every square inch of her. Especially did he appear interested in her silky brown hair, and in the color of her cheek, faintly sprayed and soft, like the downy bloom of a butterfly wing. He walked around her, surveying her with the calculating eye of a man who studies the lines upon which a horse or a boat is builded. In the course of his circuit the pink shell of her ear came between his eye and the westering sun, and he stopped to contemplate its rosy transparency. Then he returned to her face and looked long and intently into her blue eyes. He grunted and laid a hand on her arm midway between the shoulder and elbow. With his other hand he lifted her forearm and doubled it back. Disgust and wonder showed in his face, and he dropped her arm with a contemptuous grunt. Then he muttered a few guttural syllables, turned his back upon her, and addressed himself to Dickensen.

Dickensen could not understand his speech (Дикенсен не мог понять его речь), and Emily Travis laughed (и Эмили Тревис засмеялась). Imber turned from one to the other, frowning (Имбер, нахмурясь, поворачивался от одного к другому), but both shook their heads (но оба покачали отрицательно головами; to shake — трясти; качать /головой/). He was about to go away (он уже собрался уходить; to be about to — намереваться), when she called out (когда она крикнула):

"Oh, Jimmy (эй, Джимми)! Come here (иди сюда)!"

Jimmy came from the other side of the street (Джимми подошел с другой стороны улицы). He was a big, hulking Indian clad in approved white-man style (он был крупным, неуклюжим индейцем, одетым по принятому стилю белого человека; to hulk — выглядеть огромным, массивным; принимать большие размеры; hulk — большое неповоротливое судно; увалень; to approve — одобрять; официально признавать что-либо приемлемым), with an Eldorado king's sombrero on his head (с сомбреро /как у/ короля Эльдорадо на голове). He talked with Imber, haltingly, with throaty spasms (он заговорил с Имбером, запинаясь, с горловыми спазмами). Jimmy was a Sitkan (Джимми был ситха), possessed of no more than a passing knowledge of the interior dialects (владевшим не более чем поверхностным знанием внутренних диалектов = диалектов внутренних районов; interior — внутренний; расположенный в глубине /страны, континента, острова и т. п./, удаленный от побережья).

frown [fraun], halting ['hLltIN], possess [pq'zes]

Dickensen could not understand his speech, and Emily Travis laughed. Imber turned from one to the other, frowning, but both shook their heads. He was about to go away, when she called out:

"Oh, Jimmy! Come here!"

Jimmy came from the other side of the street. He was a big, hulking Indian clad in approved white-man style, with an Eldorado king's sombrero on his head. He talked with Imber, haltingly, with throaty spasms. Jimmy was a Sitkan, possessed of no more than a passing knowledge of the interior dialects.

"Him Whitefish man (он человек из /племени/ Белой Рыбы)," he said to Emily Travis. "Me savve um talk no very much (моя не очень понимает его разговор; to savvy — понимать, постигать, соображать). Him want to look see chief white man (его хотеть видеть главного белого человека)."

"The Governor," suggested Dickensen (губернатора, — подсказал Дикенсен).

Jimmy talked some more with the Whitefish man (Джимми поговорил еще немного с человеком племени Белой Рыбы), and his face went grave and puzzled (и его лицо помрачнело и стало озадаченным).

"I t'ink um want Cap'n Alexander (я думать, ему нужен капитан Александер)," he explained (пояснил он). "Him say um kill white man, white woman, white boy (его говорить, он убивать белого мужчину, белую женщину, белого мальчика), plenty kill um white people (его убивать кучу белых людей). Him want to die (его хотеть умирать[5])."

chief [CJf], governor ['gAvqnq], want [wOnt]

"Him Whitefish man," he said to Emily Travis. "Me savve um talk no very much. Him want to look see chief white man."

"The Governor," suggested Dickensen.

Jimmy talked some more with the Whitefish man, and his face went grave and puzzled.

"I t'ink um want Cap'n Alexander," he explained. "Him say um kill white man, white woman, white boy, plenty kill um white people. Him want to die."

"Insane, I guess (ненормальный, я полагаю)," said Dickensen.

"What you call dat (что вы называть так)?" queried Jimmy (осведомился Джимми; to query — спрашивать; осведомляться; выяснять, уточнять).

Dickensen thrust a finger figuratively inside his head and imparted a rotary motion thereto (Дикенсен образно = как будто запихнул палец в голову = приложил палец к голове и придал ему вращательное движение; thereto — к тому, к этому).

"Mebbe so, mebbe so (может быть /так/, может быть /так/)," said Jimmy, returning to Imber (поворачиваясь обратно к Имберу), who still demanded the chief man of the white men (который все еще требовал главного человека белых /людей/).

guess [ges], query ['kwIqrI], figuratively ['fIgjurqtIvlI]

"Insane, I guess," said Dickensen.

"What you call dat?" queried Jimmy.

Dickensen thrust a finger figuratively inside his head and imparted a rotary motion thereto.

"Mebbe so, mebbe so," said Jimmy, returning to Imber, who still demanded the chief man of the white men.

A mounted policeman (unmounted for Klondike service) joined the group (один конный полицейский /пеший для несения службы в Клондайке/ присоединился к группе) and heard Imber's wish repeated (и услышал повтор желания Имбера). He was a stalwart young fellow, broad-shouldered, deep-chested (он был крепким молодым парнем, широкоплечим, с широкой = могучей грудью; deep — глубокий; широкий), legs cleanly built and stretched wide apart (с широко расставленными ногами безупречного строения = с ладно скроенными ногами, которые он широко расставил; clean — хорошо сложенный, привлекательный, стройный /о человеке/; wide apart — на большом расстоянии; с большими интервалами), and tall though Imber was (и, несмотря на высокий рост Имбера), he towered above him by half a head (он возвышался над ним на полголовы). His eyes were cool, and gray, and steady (его глаза были спокойными, серыми и твердыми), and he carried himself with the peculiar confidence of power that is bred of blood and tradition (и он держался с особой властной уверенностью, порожденной происхождением и традицией; to carry oneself — держаться, вести себя; to breed — порождать, вызывать; blood — кровь; происхождение, род). His splendid masculinity was emphasized by his excessive boyishness (его производящая впечатление мужественность подчеркивалась чрезмерным мальчишеством; splendid — роскошный; производящий впечатление; to emphasize — придавать особое значение; подчёркивать), — he was a mere lad (он был совсем мальчик; mere — всего лишь; совершенный), — and his smooth cheek promised a blush as willingly as the cheek of a maid (а его гладкие щеки сулили румянец с той же готовностью = а на его гладких щеках румянец был готов вспыхнуть так же охотно, как на щеках девушки; to promise — сулить, предвещать).

mounted ['mauntId], group [grHp], steady ['stedI], peculiar [pI'kjHlIq]

A mounted policeman (unmounted for Klondike service) joined the group and heard Imber's wish repeated. He was a stalwart young fellow, broad-shouldered, deep-chested, legs cleanly built and stretched wide apart, and tall though Imber was, he towered above him by half a head. His eyes were cool, and gray, and steady, and he carried himself with the peculiar confidence of power that is bred of blood and tradition. His splendid masculinity was emphasized by his excessive boyishness, — he was a mere lad, — and his smooth cheek promised a blush as willingly as the cheek of a maid.

Imber was drawn to him at once (Имбера сразу повлекло к нему; to draw — тянуть, влечь, привлекать, притягивать). The fire leaped into his eyes at sight of a sabre slash that scarred his cheek (огонь взметнулся в его глазах при виде сабельной раны, которая рассекала его щеку = щеку полицейского; to leap — прыгать, скакать; сильно биться, колотиться; to scar — оставлять шрам; царапать, ранить). He ran a withered hand down the young fellow's leg and caressed the swelling thew (он провел морщинистой рукой по ноге молодого парня и погладил вздымающиеся мускулы). He smote the broad chest with his knuckles (он похлопал костяшками пальцев его широкую грудь; to smite — ударять, бить; хлопать; шлепать), and pressed and prodded the thick muscle-pads (и надавил и потыкал толстые подушечки мускулов;[6] to prod — колоть, тыкать) that covered the shoulders like a cuirass (которые, как кираса, покрывали /его/ плечи). The group had been added to by curious passers-by (к группе добавились любопытные прохожие) — husky miners, mountaineers, and frontiersmen (крепкие горняки, горцы и жители пограничья), sons of the long-legged and broad-shouldered generations (сыновья длинноногих и широкоплечих поколений). Imber glanced from one to another (Имбер переводил взгляд с одного на другого), then he spoke aloud in the Whitefish tongue (потом он громко заговорил на языке племени Белой Рыбы).

sabre ['seIbq], knuckle [nAkl], cuirass [kwI'rxs]

Imber was drawn to him at once. The fire leaped into his eyes at sight of a sabre slash that scarred his cheek. He ran a withered hand down the young fellow's leg and caressed the swelling thew. He smote the broad chest with his knuckles, and pressed and prodded the thick muscle-pads that covered the shoulders like a cuirass. The group had been added to by curious passers-by — husky miners, mountaineers, and frontiersmen, sons of the long-legged and broad-shouldered generations. Imber glanced from one to another, then he spoke aloud in the Whitefish tongue.

"What did he say (что он сказал)?" asked Dickensen.

"Him say um all the same one man, dat p'liceman (его говорить, все равно, он один мужчина — этот полицейский; all the same — тем не менее; всё равно)," Jimmy interpreted (перевел Джимми).

Little Dickensen was little (Малыш Диккенсен был маленьким), and what of Miss Travis, he felt sorry for having asked the question (и из-за мисс Тревис он пожалел, что задал этот вопрос; sorry — огорченный, сожалеющий, полный сожаления). The policeman was sorry for him and stepped into the breach (полицейскому стало жаль его, и он пришел на помощь; to step into the breach — выручить из беды, придти на помощь; breach — брешь, пролом). "I fancy there may be something in his story (я полагаю, вероятно, есть что-то в его истории). I'll take him up to the captain for examination (я отведу его к капитану на допрос/для освидетельствования; examination — освидетельствование /свойств, качеств, состояния и т. п. какого-либо объекта/; допрос /особ. свидетеля или обвиняемого/; протокол допроса). Tell him to come along with me, Jimmy (скажи ему, Джим, чтобы он шел со мной)."

interpret [In'tWprIt], breach [brJC], captain ['kxptIn]

"What did he say?" asked Dickensen.

"Him say um all the same one man, dat p'liceman," Jimmy interpreted.

Little Dickensen was little, and what of Miss Travis, he felt sorry for having asked the question. The policeman was sorry for him and stepped into the breach. "I fancy there may be something in his story. I'll take him up to the captain for examination. Tell him to come along with me, Jimmy."

Jimmy indulged in more throaty spasms (Джимми позволил себе еще несколько горловых спазмов; to indulge — потакать; удовлетворять свои желания, не отказывать себе /в чем-либо), and Imber grunted and looked satisfied (а Имбер хрюкнул и выглядел удовлетворенным).

"But ask him what he said, Jimmy (однако спроси его, что он сказал, Джимми), and what he meant when he took hold of my arm (и чего он хотел, когда он схватил меня за руку; to mean — намереваться, иметь в виду; думать, подразумевать; to take hold of — хватать, схватить)."

So spoke Emily Travis (так сказала Эмили Тревис), and Jimmy put the question and received the answer (а Джимми задал вопрос и получил ответ).

"Him say you no afraid (его говорит, твоя не бояться)," said Jimmy.

Emily Travis looked pleased (Эмили Тревис казалась довольной).

indulge [In'dAlG], meant [ment], pleased [plJzd]

Jimmy indulged in more throaty spasms, and Imber grunted and looked satisfied.

"But ask him what he said, Jimmy, and what he meant when he took hold of my arm."

So spoke Emily Travis, and Jimmy put the question and received the answer.

"Him say you no afraid," said Jimmy.

Emily Travis looked pleased.

"Him say you no skookum, no strong (его говорить, ты не «скукум», не сильная), all the same very soft like little baby (а очень слабая, как младенец; all the same — тем не менее, все-таки; soft — мягкий; слабый; нежный). Him break you (его сломать тебя), in um two hands, to little pieces (двумя руками на маленькие кусочки). Him t'ink much funny, very strange (его думать, очень смешно, очень странно), how you can be mother of men so big, so strong (как ты можешь быть матерью мужчин таких больших, таких сильных), like dat p'liceman (как этот полицейский)."

Emily Travis kept her eyes up and unfaltering (Эмили Тревис не опустила решительного взгляда: «держала глаза вверх и решительными»; to falter — спотыкаться; действовать нерешительно), but her cheeks were sprayed with scarlet (но ее щеки покрылись алым румянцем; to spray — брызгать, распылять; обрызгивать, опрыскивать, опылять). Little Dickensen blushed and was quite embarrassed (Малыш Дикенсен вспыхнул и совершенно смутился). The policeman's face blazed with his boy's blood (лицо полицейского запылало от мальчишеской ярости).

"Come along, you (эй ты, двигай)," he said gruffly (сказал он грубо), setting his shoulder to the crowd and forcing a way (направляя плечо на толпу и прокладывая путь; to force a way — прокладывать дорогу).

Thus it was that Imber found his way to the Barracks (таким образом Имбер нашел дорогу к Казармам), where he made full and voluntary confession (где он сделал полное и добровольное признание), and from the precincts of which he never emerged (и за пределы которых он /уже/ никогда не вышел; to emerge — появляться; выходить).

break [break], piece [pJs], emerge [I'mWG]

"Him say you no skookum, no strong, all the same very soft like little baby. Him break you, in um two hands, to little pieces. Him t'ink much funny, very strange, how you can be mother of men so big, so strong, like dat p'liceman."

Emily Travis kept her eyes up and unfaltering, but her cheeks were sprayed with scarlet. Little Dickensen blushed and was quite embarrassed. The policeman's face blazed with his boy's blood.

"Come along, you," he said gruffly, setting his shoulder to the crowd and forcing a way.

Thus it was that Imber found his way to the Barracks, where he made full and voluntary confession, and from the precincts of which he never emerged.

Imber looked very tired (Имбер выглядел очень усталым). The fatigue of hopelessness and age was in his face (утомление от безнадежности и возраста было /написано/ у него на лице). His shoulders drooped depressingly (его плечи подавленно поникли), and his eyes were lack-lustre (а его глаза были тусклыми и безжизненными; lack-lustre eyes — тусклые, безжизненные глаза; lack — отсутствие; lustre — блеск). His mop of hair should have been white (его космы /волос/ должны были бы быть белыми = седыми), but sun and weatherbeat had burned and bitten it so (но солнце и непогода выжгли и вытравили их так; to burn — жечь, обжигать; гореть; to bite — кусать; травить, разъедать) that it hung limp and lifeless and colorless (что они свисали вяло, безжизненно и бледно). He took no interest in what went on around him (его не интересовало, что происходит вокруг него; to take interest in smth. — интересоваться чем-либо; to go on — происходить). The courtroom was jammed with the men of the creeks and trails (зал суда был забит людьми с /золотоносных/ рек и охотничьих троп), and there was an ominous note in the rumble and grumble of their low-pitched voices (и был = слышался угрожающий тон в гуле и ропоте низких голосов), which came to his ears like the growl of the sea from deep caverns (который доносился до его ушей, как рокот моря из глубоких пещер).

fatigue [fq'tJg], ominous ['OmInqs], cavern ['kxvqn]

Imber looked very tired. The fatigue of hopelessness and age was in his face. His shoulders drooped depressingly, and his eyes were lack-lustre. His mop of hair should have been white, but sun and weatherbeat had burned and bitten it so that it hung limp and lifeless and colorless. He took no interest in what went on around him. The courtroom was jammed with the men of the creeks and trails, and there was an ominous note in the rumble and grumble of their low-pitched voices, which came to his ears like the growl of the sea from deep caverns.

He sat close by a window (он сидел возле окна), and his apathetic eyes rested now and again on the dreary scene without (и его безразличный взгляд останавливался то и дело на унылом пейзаже за окном; without — вне, снаружи; наружу; на улице). The sky was overcast (небо было затянуто тучами; overcast — затянутый облаками; мрачный, хмурый), and a gray drizzle was falling (и падал = шел унылый мелкий дождь). It was flood-time on the Yukon (это было время разлива на Юконе). The ice was gone (лед ушел), and the river was up in the town (а река поднялась до города). Back and forth on the main street, in canoes and poling-boats (взад и вперед по центральной улице в каноэ и лодках с шестами), passed the people that never rested (проплывали люди, которые никогда не отдыхали). Often he saw these boats turn aside from the street and enter the flooded square (часто он видел, как эти лодки поворачивают в сторону от улицы и вплывают на затопленную площадь) that marked the Barracks' parade-ground (которая очерчивала границы плаца /возле/ Казарм; to mark — отмечать, обозначать, размечать; очерчивать границы). Sometimes they disappeared beneath him (иногда они исчезали под ним), and he heard them jar against the house-logs and their occupants scramble in through the window (и он слышал, как от них дрожат бревна здания, а их пассажиры пробираются через окно; to jar against — вызывать дрожание, дребезжание). After that came the slush of water against men's legs (после этого доносилось хлюпанье воды о ноги людей) as they waded across the lower room and mounted the stairs (когда они проходили вброд через нижнее помещение и поднимались по лестнице). Then they appeared in the doorway (потом они появлялись в дверях), with doffed hats and dripping sea-boots (со снятыми шляпами и в мокрых морских сапогах), and added themselves to the waiting crowd (и присоединялись к ждущей толпе).

apathetic ["xpq'TetIk], flood [flAd], crowd [kraud]

He sat close by a window, and his apathetic eyes rested now and again on the dreary scene without. The sky was overcast, and a gray drizzle was falling. It was flood-time on the Yukon. The ice was gone, and the river was up in the town. Back and forth on the main street, in canoes and poling-boats, passed the people that never rested. Often he saw these boats turn aside from the street and enter the flooded square that marked the Barracks' parade-ground. Sometimes they disappeared beneath him, and he heard them jar against the house-logs and their occupants scramble in through the window. After that came the slush of water against men's legs as they waded across the lower room and mounted the stairs. Then they appeared in the doorway, with doffed hats and dripping sea-boots, and added themselves to the waiting crowd.

And while they centred their looks on him (и в то время, как они сосредотачивали свои взгляды на нем), and in grim anticipation enjoyed the penalty he was to pay (и в мрачном ожидании наслаждались наказанием = предвкушали наказание, которым ему суждено расплатиться; to enjoy — любить /что-либо/, получать удовольствие /от чего-либо/; наслаждаться; to pay a penalty — расплачиваться), Imber looked at them (Имбер глядел на них), and mused on their ways, and on their Law (и размышлял об их привычках и их Законе; to muse on smth. — погружаться в размышления; задумываться /о чем-либо/) that never slept (который никогда не спал; to sleep), but went on unceasing (но непрерывно действовал), in good times and bad (в хорошие времена и плохие), in flood and famine (в половодье и в голод), through trouble and terror and death (во время бед, ужаса и смерти), and which would go on unceasing (и который будет действовать непрестанно), it seemed to him (казалось ему), to the end of time (до конца времен). A man rapped sharply on a table (какой-то мужчина резко постучал по столу), and the conversation droned away into silence (и разговоры постепенно затихли /обратившись/ в тишину; to drone — гудеть, жужжать; бубнить, монотонно говорить; drone — трутень). Imber looked at the man (Имбер посмотрел на мужчину). He seemed one in authority (он казался человеком, облеченным властью), yet Imber divined the square-browed man (однако Имбер угадал, что человек с массивным лбом; square — квадратный; массивный; brow — бровь; лоб, чело; выражение лица) who sat by a desk farther back (который сидел за столом дальше позади) to be the one chief over them all and over the man who had rapped (единственный начальник над ними всеми и над человеком, который постучал). Another man by the same table uprose and began to read aloud from many fine sheets of paper (еще один мужчина за тем же столом встал и начал зачитывать вслух множество тонких листов бумаги; to uprise — подниматься, вставать). At the top of each sheet he cleared his throat (в верху = в начале каждого листа он прочищал горло = откашливался), at the bottom moistened his fingers (в низу = в конце слюнявил пальцы). Imber did not understand his speech (Имбер не понимал его выступления), but the others did (а остальные понимали), and he knew that it made them angry (и он сознавал, что оно вызывало у них гнев; to make smb. angry — рассердить, разгневать кого-либо). Sometimes it made them very angry (иногда оно вызывало у них сильный гнев), and once a man cursed him (а один раз один мужчина проклял/обругал его; to curse — ругаться; проклинать), in single syllables, stinging and tense (раздельно по слогам, жалящим и напряженным), till a man at the table rapped him to silence (пока мужчина за столом, постучав, не призвал его к тишине: «постучал его к тишине»).

famine ['fxmIn], authority [L'TOrItI], syllable ['sIlqbl]

And while they centred their looks on him, and in grim anticipation enjoyed the penalty he was to pay, Imber looked at them, and mused on their ways, and on their Law that never slept, but went on unceasing, in good times and bad, in flood and famine, through trouble and terror and death, and which would go on unceasing, it seemed to him, to the end of time. A man rapped sharply on a table, and the conversation droned away into silence. Imber looked at the man. He seemed one in authority, yet Imber divined the square-browed man who sat by a desk farther back to be the one chief over them all and over the man who had rapped. Another man by the same table uprose and began to read aloud from many fine sheets of paper. At the top of each sheet he cleared his throat, at the bottom moistened his fingers. Imber did not understand his speech, but the others did, and he knew that it made them angry. Sometimes it made them very angry, and once a man cursed him, in single syllables, stinging and tense, till a man at the table rapped him to silence.

For an interminable period the man read (мужчина читал бесконечное время = бесконечно долго). His monotonous, sing-song utterance lured Imber to dreaming (его монотонная, однообразная манера речи завлекла Имбера в мир грез; utterance — выражение в словах; манера говорить; to utter — издавать звук; произносить; излагать, выражать словами; to lure — завлекать, соблазнять; to dream — мечтать, грезить; быть в сонном состоянии), and he was dreaming deeply when the man ceased (и он глубоко дремал, когда мужчина закончил; to cease — переставать /делать что-либо/, прекращать/ся/). A voice spoke to him in his own Whitefish tongue (с ним на его собственном языке /племени/ Белой Рыбы заговорил голос), and he roused up (и он проснулся; to rouse up — пробуждаться, просыпаться), without surprise, to look upon the face of his sister's son (чтобы без удивления посмотреть на лицо сына его сестры), a young man who had wandered away years agone to make his dwelling with the whites (молодого человека, который ушел годы назад, чтобы жить с белыми).

"Thou dost not remember me (ты не помнишь меня)," he said greeting (в качестве = вместо приветствия сказал он; by way of — в виде, в качестве).

"Nay (нет, /помню/)," Imber answered (ответил Имбер). "Thou art Howkan who went away (ты Хаукан, который ушел). Thy mother be dead (твоя мать умерла)."

"She was an old woman (она была старая женщина)," said Howkan.

But Imber did not hear (но Имбер не слышал), and Howkan, with hand upon his shoulder, roused him again (и Хаукан, /положив/ руку ему на плечо, разбудил его снова).

period ['pIqrIqd], [pI'rJqd], monotonous [mq'nOtnqs], surprise [sq'praIz]

For an interminable period the man read. His monotonous, sing-song utterance lured Imber to dreaming, and he was dreaming deeply when the man ceased. A voice spoke to him in his own Whitefish tongue, and he roused up, without surprise, to look upon the face of his sister's son, a young man who had wandered away years agone to make his dwelling with the whites.

"Thou dost not remember me," he said by way of greeting.

"Nay," Imber answered. "Thou art Howkan who went away. Thy mother be dead."

"She was an old woman," said Howkan.

But Imber did not hear, and Howkan, with hand upon his shoulder, roused him again.

"I shall speak to thee what the man has spoken (я расскажу тебе, что сказал тот человек), which is the tale of the troubles thou hast done (что является перечнем бед, которые ты натворил; tale — счет, подсчет; количество) and which thou hast told (и которые ты поведал), O fool (о глупец), to the Captain Alexander (капитану Александеру). And thou shalt understand and say (а ты должен понять и сказать) if it be true talk or talk not true (правда этот рассказ или неправда; talk — рассказ, история). It is so commanded (так требуется; to command — требовать)."

Howkan had fallen among the mission folk (Хаукан попал к миссионерам; to fall among — попасть в какое-либо /обыкн. дурное/ общество; folk — люди, определенная группа людей) and been taught by them to read and write (и они научили его читать и писать; to teach — учить, обучать). In his hands he held the many fine sheets (в руках он держал то множество тонких листов; to hold — держать) from which the man had read aloud (которые читал вслух мужчина), and which had been taken down by a clerk (и которые были исписаны клерком; to take down — записывать) when Imber first made confession (когда Имбер впервые сделал признание), through the mouth of Jimmy (устами Джимми), to Captain Alexander (капитану Александеру). Howkan began to read (Хаукан начал читать). Imber listened for a space (Имбер слушал некоторое время), when a wonderment rose up in his face and he broke in abruptly (когда на его лице появилось изумление, и он вдруг прервал /Хаукана/; to break in — вмешаться /в разговор и т. п./; прервать /разговор/).

true [trH], folk [fquk], clerk [klRk]

"I shall speak to thee what the man has spoken, which is the tale of the troubles thou hast done and which thou hast told, O fool, to the Captain Alexander. And thou shalt understand and say if it be true talk or talk not true. It is so commanded."

Howkan had fallen among the mission folk and been taught by them to read and write. In his hands he held the many fine sheets from which the man had read aloud, and which had been taken down by a clerk when Imber first made confession, through the mouth of Jimmy, to Captain Alexander. Howkan began to read. Imber listened for a space, when a wonderment rose up in his face and he broke in abruptly.

"That be my talk, Howkan (это мой рассказ, Хаукан). Yet from thy lips it comes (однако он слетает с твоих губ) when thy ears have not heard (хотя твои уши не слышали; when — хотя, несмотря на, тогда как)."

Howkan smirked with self-appreciation (Хаукан самодовольно ухмыльнулся; appreciation — оценка /любая оценка как выражение мнения о достоинствах чего-либо или кого-либо/; высокая или положительная оценка). His hair was parted in the middle (его волосы были разделены посредине = были расчесаны на пробор). "Nay, from the paper it comes, O Imber (нет, о Имбер, это исходит из бумаги). Never have my ears heard (мои уши никогда не слышали /это/). From the paper it comes, through my eyes, into my head, and out of my mouth to thee (это идет с бумаги через мои глаза в голову, а из уст к тебе). Thus it comes (так это получается; to come — происходить; получаться)."

"Thus it comes (так это получается)? It be there in the paper (это там на бумаге)?" Imber's voice sank in whisperful awe (голос Имбера понизился до благоговейного шепота) as he crackled the sheets 'twixt[7] thumb and finger and stared at the charactery scrawled thereon (когда он похрустел листами между большим пальцем и указательным и вгляделся в символы, наспех написанные на нем; finger — палец на руке; charactery — символика, система знаков, символов; to scrawl — писать наспех). "It be a great medicine, Howkan (это — великое колдовство, Хаукан), and thou art a worker of wonders (а ты чудотворец; to work wonders — делать, демонстрировать чудеса)."

appreciation [q" prJSI'eISqn], thumb [TAm], charactery ['kxrqktqrI]

"That be my talk, Howkan. Yet from thy lips it comes when thy ears have not heard."

Howkan smirked with self-appreciation. His hair was parted in the middle. "Nay, from the paper it comes, O Imber. Never have my ears heard. From the paper it comes, through my eyes, into my head, and out of my mouth to thee. Thus it comes."

"Thus it comes? It be there in the paper?" Imber's voice sank in whisperful awe as he crackled the sheets 'twixt thumb and finger and stared at the charactery scrawled thereon. "It be a great medicine, Howkan, and thou art a worker of wonders."

"It be nothing, it be nothing (это пустяки, мелочь; nothing — мелочи, пустяки)," the young man responded carelessly and pridefully (ответил молодой человек небрежно и с гордостью). He read at hazard from the document (он зачитал наугад из документа; at hazard — наугад, наудачу): "In that year, before the break of the ice, came an old man (в том году перед ледоходом, пришел один старик), and a boy who was lame of one foot (и мальчик, который хромал на одну ногу; to be lame in one leg — хромать на одну ногу). These also did I kill, and the old man made much noise — (этих = их я тоже убил, а старик делал много шума = очень кричал)"

"It be true (это правда)," Imber interrupted breathlessly (задыхаясь, перебил Имбер). "He made much noise and would not die for a long time (он сильно шумел и долго не хотел умирать). But how dost thou know, Howkan (но откуда ты знаешь, Хаукан)? The chief man of the white men told thee, mayhap (может, тебе рассказал начальник белых людей)? No one beheld me (никто не видел меня; to behold — увидеть, заметить), and him alone have I told (а рассказал я ему одному)." Howkan shook his head with impatience (Хаукан затряс головой от нетерпения). "Have I not told thee it be there in the paper, O fool (о глупец, разве не сказал я тебе, что это на бумаге)?"

hazard ['hxzqd], document ['dOkjumqnt], dost [dAst]

"It be nothing, it be nothing," the young man responded carelessly and pridefully. He read at hazard from the document: "In that year, before the break of the ice, came an old man, and a boy who was lame of one foot. These also did I kill, and the old man made much noise — "

"It be true," Imber interrupted breathlessly. "He made much noise and would not die for a long time. But how dost thou know, Howkan? The chief man of the white men told thee, mayhap? No one beheld me, and him alone have I told." Howkan shook his head with impatience. "Have I not told thee it be there in the paper, O fool?"

Imber stared hard at the ink-scrawled surface (Имбер уставился вплотную на исписанную чернилами поверхность). "As the hunter looks upon the snow and says (как охотник смотрит на снег и говорит), here but yesterday there passed a rabbit (только вчера здесь пробежал кролик); and here by the willow scrub (а здесь у низкорослой ивы; scrub — низкая поросль; низкорослая растительность) it stood and listened, and heard, and was afraid (он постоял и прислушался, /что-то/ услышал и испугался); and here it turned upon its trail (а здесь он вернулся по своему следу); and here it went with great swiftness, leaping wide (а здесь он передвигался с большой скоростью, большими прыжками: «прыгая широко»); and here, with greater swiftness and wider leapings, came a lynx (а здесь с большей скоростью и большими прыжками двигалась рысь); and here, where the claws cut deep into the snow (а здесь, где когти глубоко врезались в снег; to cut in — врезаться), the lynx made a very great leap (рысь совершила очень большой прыжок); and here it struck, with the rabbit under and rolling belly up (а здесь она атаковала, накрыла кролика и перевернулась брюхом кверху; to strike — атаковать); and here leads off the trail of the lynx alone (а тут начинается след одной лишь рыси; to lead off — начинать, открывать), and there is no more rabbit (и больше нет кролика), — as the hunter looks upon the markings of the snow (как охотник смотрит на разметку снега) and says thus and so and here (и говорит так-то и так-то, и вот то-то; thus and so — так-то и так-то), dost thou, too, look upon the paper (ты тоже смотришь на бумагу) and say thus and so and here be the things old Imber hath done (и говоришь так-то и так-то, и вот то, что сделал старый Имбер)?"

claw [klL], thus [DAs], hath [hxT]

Imber stared hard at the ink-scrawled surface. "As the hunter looks upon the snow and says, here but yesterday there passed a rabbit; and here by the willow scrub it stood and listened, and heard, and was afraid; and here it turned upon its trail; and here it went with great swiftness, leaping wide; and here, with greater swiftness and wider leapings, came a lynx; and here, where the claws cut deep into the snow, the lynx made a very great leap; and here it struck, with the rabbit under and rolling belly up; and here leads off the trail of the lynx alone, and there is no more rabbit, — as the hunter looks upon the markings of the snow and says thus and so and here, dost thou, too, look upon the paper and say thus and so and here be the things old Imber hath done?"

"Even so (именно так)," said Howkan. "And now do thou listen (а теперь послушай), and keep thy woman's tongue between thy teeth (и держи свой бабий язык за зубами) till thou art called upon for speech (пока тебе не дадут слово; to call upon — приглашать высказаться, предоставлять слово)."

Thereafter, and for a long time (после этого долгое время), Howkan read to him the confession (Хаукан читал ему признание), and Imber remained musing and silent (а Имбер оставался погруженным в задумчивость и безмолвным; to muse — погружаться в размышления; задумываться). At the end (в конце), he said:

"It be my talk, and true talk (это моя речь = мои слова, и правдивые слова), but I am grown old, Howkan (но я постарел, Хаукан), and forgotten things come back to me which were well for the head man there to know (и ко мне приходят на память забытые дела, которые желательно знать тому начальнику; to come back — вспоминаться, приходить на память; well — желательно, предпочтительно). First, there was the man who came over the Ice Mountains (прежде всего был мужчина, который пришел через Ледяные горы), with cunning traps made of iron (с хитроумными железными капканами), who sought the beaver of the Whitefish (который рыскал за бобрами Белой Рыбы; to seek — искать, разыскивать; рыскать в поисках). Him I slew (я убил его; to slay — убивать). And there were three men seeking gold on the Whitefish long ago (и давно были три человека, искавшие золото на реке Белой Рыбы). Them also I slew (их я тоже убил), and left them to the wolverines (и оставил их росомахам). And at the Five Fingers there was a man with a raft and much meat (а на /реке/ Пяти Пальцев был человек с плотом и большим количеством мяса)."

sought [sLt], slew [slH], wolverine ['wulvqrJn]

"Even so," said Howkan. "And now do thou listen, and keep thy woman's tongue between thy teeth till thou art called upon for speech."

Thereafter, and for a long time, Howkan read to him the confession, and Imber remained musing and silent. At the end, he said:

"It be my talk, and true talk, but I am grown old, Howkan, and forgotten things come back to me which were well for the head man there to know. First, there was the man who came over the Ice Mountains, with cunning traps made of iron, who sought the beaver of the Whitefish. Him I slew. And there were three men seeking gold on the Whitefish long ago. Them also I slew, and left them to the wolverines. And at the Five Fingers there was a man with a raft and much meat."

At the moments when Imber paused to remember (в те моменты, когда Имбер делал паузу, чтобы вспомнить), Howkan translated and a clerk reduced to writing (Хаукан переводил, а секретарь сокращал для записи; to reduce — сокращать). The courtroom listened stolidly to each unadorned little tragedy (зал суда бесстрастно выслушивал каждую неприкрашенную маленькую трагедию), till Imber told of a red-haired man whose eyes were crossed (пока Имбер не рассказал о рыжеволосом человеке, у которого были косые глаза) and whom he had killed with a remarkably long shot (и которого он убил выстрелом с необыкновенно далекого расстояния; shot — выстрел; дальность /выстрела/).

"Hell (черт; hell — ад)," said a man in the forefront of the onlookers (сказал один мужчина в переднем ряду зрителей). He said it soulfully and sorrowfully (он сказал это эмоционально и горестно; soul — душа; сердце; sorrow — горе, печаль, скорбь). He was red-haired (он был рыжим). "Hell (черт)," he repeated (повторил он). "That was my brother Bill (это был мой брат Билл)." And at regular intervals throughout the session (и с регулярными интервалами на протяжении всего заседания), his solemn «Hell» was heard in the courtroom (его торжественное «черт» слышалось в зале суда; to hear — слышать, услышать); nor did his comrades check him (его не сдерживали ни его товарищи), nor did the man at the table rap him to order (ни человек за столом не стучал, /чтобы призвать/ его к порядку).

pause [pLz], translate [trxns'leIt], courtroom ['kLtrHm]

At the moments when Imber paused to remember, Howkan translated and a clerk reduced to writing. The courtroom listened stolidly to each unadorned little tragedy, till Imber told of a red-haired man whose eyes were crossed and whom he had killed with a remarkably long shot.

"Hell," said a man in the forefront of the onlookers. He said it soulfully and sorrowfully. He was red-haired. "Hell," he repeated. "That was my brother Bill." And at regular intervals throughout the session, his solemn «Hell» was heard in the courtroom; nor did his comrades check him, nor did the man at the table rap him to order.

Imber's head drooped once more (голова Имбера поникла снова), and his eyes went dull (а его глаза потускнели), as though a film rose up and covered them from the world (словно поднялась пелена и закрыла их от мира; to rise /up/ — подниматься). And he dreamed as only age can dream upon the colossal futility of youth (и он задремал, как может дремать лишь старость /и грезить/ об изумительной несерьезности юности; to dream — видеть сон о; мечтать, грезить о; colossal — грандиозный; изумительный, потрясающий; futility — тщетность, бесполезность; пустота, несерьезность).

Later, Howkan roused him again, saying (позже Хаукан снова разбудил его, сказав): "Stand up, O Imber (встань, о Имбер). It be commanded that thou tallest (требуется, чтобы ты сказал) why you did these troubles (почему ты совершил эти злодеяния; trouble — беспокойство; беда, горе), and slew these people (и убил этих людей), and at the end journeyed here seeking the Law (а в конце пришел сюда в поисках Правосудия)."

droop [drHp], youth [jHT], trouble [trAbl]

Imber's head drooped once more, and his eyes went dull, as though a film rose up and covered them from the world. And he dreamed as only age can dream upon the colossal futility of youth.

Later, Howkan roused him again, saying: "Stand up, O Imber. It be commanded that thou tellest why you did these troubles, and slew these people, and at the end journeyed here seeking the Law."

Imber rose feebly to his feet and swayed back and forth (Имбер немощно встал на ноги и зашатался взад и вперед = и стоял шатаясь). He began to speak in a low and faintly rumbling voice (он начал говорить тихим и слегка урчащим голосом; low — низкий; тихий; to rumble — громыхать, грохотать, греметь; урчать), but Howkan interrupted him (но Хаукан перебил его).

"This old man, he is damn crazy (этот старик, он совсем свихнулся; damn — усилительная частица)," he said in English to the square-browed man (сказал он по-английски человеку с массивным лбом). "His talk is foolish and like that of a child (его слова безрассудны и похожи на детский лепет)."

"We will hear his talk which is like that of a child (мы хотим услышать его слова, которые похожи на детский лепет)," said the square-browed man (сказал лобастый человек). "And we will hear it (и мы услышим их), word for word (слово в слово), as he speaks it (когда он скажет их). Do you understand (тебе понятно)?"

damn [dxm], child [CaIld], word [wWd]

Imber rose feebly to his feet and swayed back and forth. He began to speak in a low and faintly rumbling voice, but Howkan interrupted him.

"This old man, he is damn crazy," he said in English to the square-browed man. "His talk is foolish and like that of a child."

"We will hear his talk which is like that of a child," said the square-browed man. "And we will hear it, word for word, as he speaks it. Do you understand?"

Howkan understood (Хаукан понял), and Imber's eyes flashed (а глаза Имбера сверкнули), for he had witnessed the play between his sister's son and the man in authority (ибо он понял сцену между сыном его сестры и человеком власти; to witness — видеть, быть свидетелем; play — представление; игра, ход игры; спектакль, пьеса). And then began the story (а потом начался рассказ), the epic of a bronze patriot which might well itself be wrought into bronze for the generations unborn (эпопея бронзового патриота, которую саму по себе можно было бы вполне отлить в бронзе для грядущих поколений; to work — выделывать, вытесывать, выковывать, придавать определенную форму /камню, металлу или другому твердому веществу/; unborn — /еще/ не рожденный; будущий, грядущий). The crowd fell strangely silent (толпа необычно затихла), and the square-browed judge leaned head on hand (а судья с массивным лбом подпер рукой подбородок: «оперся головой на руку») and pondered his soul and the soul of his race (и задумался о его душе и душе его расы). Only was heard the deep tones of Imber (была слышен лишь низкий звук /голоса/ Имбера), rhythmically alternating with the shrill voice of the interpreter (равномерно перемежающийся визгливым голосом переводчика), and now and again (и время от времени), like the bell of the Lord (словно колоколом Господним), the wondering and meditative «Hell» of the red-haired man (удивленным и задумчивым «черт» рыжеволосого мужчины).

wrought [rLt], judge [GAG], interpreter [In'tWprItq]

Howkan understood, and Imber's eyes flashed, for he had witnessed the play between his sister's son and the man in authority. And then began the story, the epic of a bronze patriot which might well itself be wrought into bronze for the generations unborn. The crowd fell strangely silent, and the square-browed judge leaned head on hand and pondered his soul and the soul of his race. Only was heard the deep tones of Imber, rhythmically alternating with the shrill voice of the interpreter, and now and again, like the bell of the Lord, the wondering and meditative «Hell» of the red-haired man.

"I am Imber of the Whitefish people (я Имбер из народа Белой Рыбы)." So ran the interpretation of Howkan (так зазвучал перевод Хаукана; to run — гласить /о документе, тексте и т. п./; быть выраженным /определенным способом/), whose inherent barbarism gripped hold of him (врожденное дикарство которого охватило его; to grip hold of — схватиться, ухватиться), and who lost his mission culture and veneered civilization (и который потерял свою миссионерскую культуру и внешний налет цивилизации) as he caught the savage ring and rhythm of old Imber's tale (когда он уловил дикое звучание и ритм рассказа старого Имбера; to catch — ловить, улавливать /слова, смысл и т. п./). "My father was Otsbaok, a strong man (моим отцом был Отсбаок, сильный человек). The land was warm with sunshine and gladness when I was a boy (земля была теплой от солнечного света и счастья, когда я был мальчиком). The people did not hunger after strange things (люди не жаждали необычных вещей), nor hearken to new voices (и не прислушивались к новым мнениям; voice — голос; мнение), and the ways of their fathers were their ways (и обычаи их отцов были их обычаями). The women found favor in the eyes of the young men (женщины находили интерес в глазах молодых мужчин), and the young men looked upon them with content (а молодые мужчины смотрели на них с удовольствием). Babes hung at the breasts of the women (младенцы висели на груди женщин), and they were heavy-hipped with increase of the tribe (и их бедра были тяжелы от прибавления племени). Men were men in those days (мужчины были мужчинами в те дни). In peace and plenty (в мире и изобилии), and in war and famine (и в войне и голоде), they were men (они были мужчинами).

inherent [In'hIqrqnt], rhythm [rIDm], increase (существительное) ['InkrJs]

"I am Imber of the Whitefish people." So ran the interpretation of Howkan, whose inherent barbarism gripped hold of him, and who lost his mission culture and veneered civilization as he caught the savage ring and rhythm of old Imber's tale. "My father was Otsbaok, a strong man. The land was warm with sunshine and gladness when I was a boy. The people did not hunger after strange things, nor hearken to new voices, and the ways of their fathers were their ways. The women found favor in the eyes of the young men, and the young men looked upon them with content. Babes hung at the breasts of the women, and they were heavy-hipped with increase of the tribe. Men were men in those days. In peace and plenty, and in war and famine, they were men.

"At that time there was more fish in the water than now (в то время в воде было больше рыбы, чем сейчас), and more meat in the forest (а в лесу больше мяса). Our dogs were wolves (наши собаки были волками), warm with thick hides and hard to the frost and storm (которым было тепло от толстых шкур = в толстых шкурах, и они были стойкими к морозу и буре). And as with our dogs so with us (и как с нашими собаками, так было и с нами), for we were likewise hard to the frost and storm (ибо мы тоже были стойкими к морозу и буре). And when the Pellys came into our land (и когда в нашу землю пришли пелли) we slew them and were slain (мы убивали их, а они убивали нас: «и /мы/ были убиваемы»). For we were men, we Whitefish (ибо мы были мужчины, мы — Белые Рыбы), and our fathers and our fathers' fathers had fought against the Pellys and determined the bounds of the land (и наши отцы, и отцы наших отцов сражались с пелли и установили границы /нашей/ страны; to fight — сражаться).

warm [wLm], fought [fLt], determine [dI'tWmIn]

"At that time there was more fish in the water than now, and more meat in the forest. Our dogs were wolves, warm with thick hides and hard to the frost and storm. And as with our dogs so with us, for we were likewise hard to the frost and storm. And when the Pellys came into our land we slew them and were slain. For we were men, we Whitefish, and our fathers and our fathers' fathers had fought against the Pellys and determined the bounds of the land.

"As I say (как я говорю), with our dogs, so with us (как наши собаки, так и мы). And one day came the first white man (и однажды пришел первый белый человек). He dragged himself (он притащился), so, on hand and knee, in the snow (вот так, на четвереньках, в снегу; on hand and knee — ползком; hand — рука /кисть/; knee — колено). And his skin was stretched tight (а его кожа была туго натянута), and his bones were sharp beneath (а под ней были острые кости = выпирали кости). Never was such a man (никогда не было такого человека), we thought (думали мы), and we wondered of what strange tribe he was, and of its land (и задавались вопросом, из какого чужого племени он родом и из какой земли; to wonder — интересоваться, желать знать). And he was weak, most weak (а он был слаб, очень слаб), like a little child (как маленький ребенок), so that we gave him a place by the fire (так что мы дали ему место у костра), and warm furs to lie upon (и теплые меха, чтобы лежать на них), and we gave him food (и мы давали ему еду = кормили его) as little children are given food (как кормят маленьких детей: «как маленьким детям дается еда»).

tight [taIt], beneath [bI'nJT], wonder ['wAndq]

"As I say, with our dogs, so with us. And one day came the first white man. He dragged himself, so, on hand and knee, in the snow. And his skin was stretched tight, and his bones were sharp beneath. Never was such a man, we thought, and we wondered of what strange tribe he was, and of its land. And he was weak, most weak, like a little child, so that we gave him a place by the fire, and warm furs to lie upon, and we gave him food as little children are given food.

"And with him was a dog (а с ним была собака), large as three of our dogs (большая, как три наших собаки), and very weak (и очень слабая). The hair of this dog was short, and not warm (шерсть этой собаки была короткая и не теплая = не грела), and the tail was frozen so that the end fell off (а хвост так замерз, что кончик отвалился; to fall off — отпадать, отваливаться). And this strange dog we fed (и эту необычную собаку мы кормили; to feed — кормить), and bedded by the fire (и выделили /ей/ место у огня; to bed — выделять кому-либо место для ночлега; стлать подстилку /для лошади или другого животного/), and fought from it our dogs (и защищали ее от наших собак; to fight — защищать, оказывать поддержку, отстаивать), which else would have killed him (которые бы иначе убили ее). And what of the moose meat and the sun-dried salmon (и благодаря лосиному мясу и вяленой лососине), the man and dog took strength to themselves (человек и пес набрались сил); and what of the strength they became big and unafraid (а благодаря силе они стали важными и смелыми). And the man spoke loud words and laughed at the old men and young men (и мужчина стал говорить развязные слова и смеяться над стариками и молодыми мужчинами; loud — громкий, шумный; развязный, вульгарный), and looked boldly upon the maidens (и посматривать дерзко на девиц). And the dog fought with our dogs (а пес дрался с нашими собаками), and for all of his short hair and softness slew three of them in one day (и, несмотря на свою короткую шерсть и изнеженность, убил троих из них за один день; soft — изнеженный).

strange [streInG], strength [streNT], young [jAN]

"And with him was a dog, large as three of our dogs, and very weak. The hair of this dog was short, and not warm, and the tail was frozen so that the end fell off. And this strange dog we fed, and bedded by the fire, and fought from it our dogs, which else would have killed him. And what of the moose meat and the sun-dried salmon, the man and dog took strength to themselves; and what of the strength they became big and unafraid. And the man spoke loud words and laughed at the old men and young men, and looked boldly upon the maidens. And the dog fought with our dogs, and for all of his short hair and softness slew three of them in one day.

"When we asked the man concerning his people (когда мы спросили человека о его народе), he said, 'I have many brothers (у меня много братьев), and laughed in a way that was not good (и засмеялся нехорошим смехом: «засмеялся образом, который был нехорош»). And when he was in his full strength (а когда он полностью набрался сил: «был в своей полной силе») he went away (он ушел), and with him went Noda (и с ним ушла Нода), daughter to the chief (дочь вождя). First, after that, was one of our bitches brought to pup (впервые после этого ощенилась одна из наших сук; to pup — ощениться). And never was there such a breed of dogs (и никогда не было такой породы собак), — big-headed, thick-jawed, and short-haired, and helpless (большеголовые, с сильными челюстями и короткой шерстью, и беспомощные). Well do I remember my father, Otsbaok, a strong man (я хорошо помню моего отца Отсбаока, сильного человека). His face was black with anger at such helplessness (его лицо потемнело от гнева при /виде/ такой беспомощности), and he took a stone, so, and so (и он взял камень, вот так и так), and there was no more helplessness (и больше не было беспомощности). And two summers after that came Noda back to us with a man-child in the hollow of her arm (а через два лета после этого к нам вернулась Нода с мальчиком на руках; hollow — выемка, впадина, ямка).

brother ['brADq], jaw [GL], anger ['xNgq]

"When we asked the man concerning his people, he said, `I have many brothers, and laughed in a way that was not good. And when he was in his full strength he went away, and with him went Noda, daughter to the chief. First, after that, was one of our bitches brought to pup. And never was there such a breed of dogs, — big-headed, thick-jawed, and short-haired, and helpless. Well do I remember my father, Otsbaok, a strong man. His face was black with anger at such helplessness, and he took a stone, so, and so, and there was no more helplessness. And two summers after that came Noda back to us with a man-child in the hollow of her arm.

"And that was the beginning (и это было начало). Came a second white man (пришел другой белый человек), with short-haired dogs (с короткошерстными собаками), which he left behind him when he went (которых он оставил, когда ушел). And with him went six of our strongest dogs (а с ним ушли шесть наших самых сильных псов), for which, in trade, he had given Koo-So-Tee, my mother's brother (за которых в обмен он дал Ку-Со-Ти, брату моей матери), a wonderful pistol that fired with great swiftness six times (замечательный пистолет, который стрелял шесть раз с удивительной быстротой). And Koo-So-Tee was very big, what of the pistol (и Ку-Со-Ти стал очень важным из-за пистолета), and laughed at our bows and arrows (и смеялся над нашими луками и стрелами). 'Woman's things, he called them («бабскими погремушками» называл он их; things — принадлежности, утварь), and went forth against the bald-face grizzly (и вышел против белоголового гризли; bald — лысый, плешивый; с белым пятном на лбу), with the pistol in his hand (с пистолетом в руке). Now it be known that it is not good to hunt the bald-face with a pistol (теперь известно, что не годится охотиться на «белоголового» с пистолетом), but how were we to know (но откуда нам было знать)? and how was Koo-So-Tee to know (и откуда было знать Ку-Со-Ти)?

bow [bqu], arrow ['xrqu], bald [bLld]

"And that was the beginning. Came a second white man, with short-haired dogs, which he left behind him when he went. And with him went six of our strongest dogs, for which, in trade, he had given Koo-So-Tee, my mother's brother, a wonderful pistol that fired with great swiftness six times. And Koo-So-Tee was very big, what of the pistol, and laughed at our bows and arrows. `Woman's things, he called them, and went forth against the bald-face grizzly, with the pistol in his hand. Now it be known that it is not good to hunt the bald-face with a pistol, but how were we to know? and how was Koo-So-Tee to know?

"So he went against the bald-face (и вот он вышел против белоголового /гризли/), very brave (очень храбрый), and fired the pistol with great swiftness six times (и выстрелил из пистолета шесть раз с удивительной быстротой); and the bald-face but grunted and broke in his breast like it were an egg (а белоголовый лишь заворчал и проломил ему грудь, как будто это было яйцо), and like honey from a bee's nest dripped the brains of Koo-So-Tee upon the ground (и, как мед из пчелиного гнезда, потекли мозги Ку-Со-Ти на землю). He was a good hunter (он был хороший охотник), and there was no one to bring meat to his squaw and children (а /теперь/ некому было принести мясо его скво и детям; squaw — скво, жена, супруга). And we were bitter (и нам стало горько), and we said, 'That which for the white men is well, is for us not well (то, что хорошо для белых людей, не годится для нас). And this be true (и это правда). There be many white men and fat (много белых людей, и /они/ толстые), but their ways have made us few and lean (но от их обычаев нас стало мало, и мы стали худыми).

breast [brest], honey ['hAnI], squaw [skwL]

"So he went against the bald-face, very brave, and fired the pistol with great swiftness six times; and the bald-face but grunted and broke in his breast like it were an egg, and like honey from a bee's nest dripped the brains of Koo-So-Tee upon the ground. He was a good hunter, and there was no one to bring meat to his squaw and children. And we were bitter, and we said, `That which for the white men is well, is for us not well. And this be true. There be many white men and fat, but their ways have made us few and lean.

"Came the third white man (пришел третий белый человек), with great wealth of all manner of wonderful foods and things (с огромным богатством из всякого рода замечательных яств и вещей). And twenty of our strongest dogs he took from us in trade (и двадцать наших сильнейших собак выменял он у нас; trade — торговля; сделка, обмен). Also, what of presents and great promises (к тому же, благодаря подаркам и большим обещаниям), ten of our young hunters did he take with him on a journey (увел он с собой десять наших молодых охотников в путь) which fared no man knew where (который лежал неизвестно куда: «никто не знал куда»). It is said they died in the snow of the Ice Mountains (говорят, они умерли в снегах Ледяных гор) where man has never been (где никогда не был человек), or in the Hills of Silence which are beyond the edge of the earth (или в Холмах Безмолвия, которые лежат за краем земли). Be that as it may (как бы там ни было), dogs and young hunters were seen never again by the Whitefish people (народ Белой Рыбы никогда больше не видел собак и молодых охотников).

wealth [welT], mountain ['mauntIn], beyond [bI'jOnd]

"Came the third white man, with great wealth of all manner of wonderful foods and things. And twenty of our strongest dogs he took from us in trade. Also, what of presents and great promises, ten of our young hunters did he take with him on a journey which fared no man knew where. It is said they died in the snow of the Ice Mountains where man has never been, or in the Hills of Silence which are beyond the edge of the earth. Be that as it may, dogs and young hunters were seen never again by the Whitefish people.

"And more white men came with the years (и еще приходили белые люди с каждым годом), and ever, with pay and presents (и всегда за плату и подарки), they led the young men away with them (они уводили молодых мужчин с собой). And sometimes the young men came back with strange tales of dangers and toils in the lands beyond the Pellys (и порой молодые мужчины возвращались с удивительными историями об опасностях и ловушках в краях за /землями/ пелли), and sometimes they did not come back (а порой они не возвращались). And we said: 'If they be unafraid of life (если они не боятся за /свою/ жизнь), these white men (эти белые люди), it is because they have many lives (это потому, что у них много жизней); but we be few by the Whitefish (но нас мало у /племени/ Белой Рыбы), and the young men shall go away no more (и молодые мужчины больше не будут уходить). But the young men did go away (но молодые мужчины все-таки уходили); and the young women went also (и молодые женщины уходили тоже); and we were very wroth (и мы очень разгневались; wroth — разгневанный).

year [jW], few [fjH], wroth [rquT]

"And more white men came with the years, and ever, with pay and presents, they led the young men away with them. And sometimes the young men came back with strange tales of dangers and toils in the lands beyond the Pellys, and sometimes they did not come back. And we said: 'If they be unafraid of life, these white men, it is because they have many lives; but we be few by the Whitefish, and the young men shall go away no more. But the young men did go away; and the young women went also; and we were very wroth.

"It be true, we ate flour, and salt pork, and drank tea (правда, мы ели муку, соленую свинину = солонину и пили чай) which was a great delight (что было большим наслаждением); only, when we could not get tea (однако, когда мы не могли достать чаю), it was very bad (было очень плохо) and we became short of speech and quick of anger (и мы становились немногословными и вспыльчивыми). So we grew to hunger for the things the white men brought in trade (так мы стали жаждать те вещи, что привозили на обмен белые люди; trade — торговля; сделка; обмен). Trade! trade (обмен, торговля)! all the time was it trade (все время была торговля)! One winter we sold our meat for clocks that would not go (однажды зимой мы продали наше мясо в обмен на часы, которые не ходили), and watches with broken guts (на карманные часы со сломанными внутренностями), and files worn smooth (и сточенные напильники; worn — стертый, изношенный, старый, сносившийся; to wear — носить; изнашивать; smooth — гладкий), and pistols without cartridges and worthless (и пистолеты без патронов и /потому/ бесполезные). And then came famine, and we were without meat (а потом пришел голод, а мы оказались без мяса), and two score died ere the break of spring (и сорок человек умерло до начала весны; score — два десятка).

flour ['flauq], salt [sLlt], smooth [smHD]

"It be true, we ate flour, and salt pork, and drank tea which was a great delight; only, when we could not get tea, it was very bad and we became short of speech and quick of anger. So we grew to hunger for the things the white men brought in trade. Trade! trade! all the time was it trade! One winter we sold our meat for clocks that would not go, and watches with broken guts, and files worn smooth, and pistols without cartridges and worthless. And then came famine, and we were without meat, and two score died ere the break of spring.

"`Now are we grown weak (вот мы ослабели), we said; `and the Pellys will fall upon us (и пелли нападут на нас), and our bounds be overthrown (и наши рубежи будут отброшены; to overthrow — бросать слишком далеко; побеждать; уничтожать). But as it fared with us (но как жилось у нас), so had it fared with the Pellys (так жилось и у пелли), and they were too weak to come against us (и они были слишком слабы, чтобы пойти на нас).

"My father, Otsbaok, a strong man, was now old and very wise (мой отец, Отсбаок, сильный человек, был теперь стар и очень мудр). And he spoke to the chief, saying (и он заговорил с вождем, сказав): 'Behold, our dogs be worthless (смотри, наши собаки ничего не стоят). No longer are they thick-furred and strong (у них нет больше густого меха и силы), and they die in the frost and harness (и они умирают в мороз и в упряжи). Let us go into the village and kill them (давай пойдем в поселок и убьем их), saving only the wolf ones (за исключением лишь волчьих /отпрысков/), and these let us tie out in the night (а их будем отвязывать ночью) that they may mate with the wild wolves of the forest (чтобы они могли спариваться с дикими волками леса). Thus shall we have dogs warm and strong again (так у нас снова будут сильные собаки с теплой шерстью).

worthless ['wWTlIs], harness ['hRnIs], wild [waIld]

"`Now are we grown weak, we said; `and the Pellys will fall upon us, and our bounds be overthrown. But as it fared with us, so had it fared with the Pellys, and they were too weak to come against us.

"My father, Otsbaok, a strong man, was now old and very wise. And he spoke to the chief, saying: `Behold, our dogs be worthless. No longer are they thick-furred and strong, and they die in the frost and harness. Let us go into the village and kill them, saving only the wolf ones, and these let us tie out in the night that they may mate with the wild wolves of the forest. Thus shall we have dogs warm and strong again.

"And his word was harkened to (и к его слову прислушались), and we Whitefish became known for our dogs (и мы, Белые Рыбы, стали известны благодаря нашим собакам), which were the best in the land (которые были лучшими в краю). But known we were not for ourselves (но известны мы стали не благодаря самим себе). The best of our young men and women had gone away with the white men to wander on trail and river to far places (лучшие из наших молодых мужчин и женщин уже ушли с белыми людьми странствовать по тропам и реке в далекие места). And the young women came back old and broken (и молодые женщины вернулись старыми и ослабленными; broken — оскверненный; ослабленный, подорванный /о здоровье/; сломленный, сокрушенный), as Noda had come (как пришла Нода), or they came not at all (или не пришли совсем). And the young men came back to sit by our fires for a time (а молодые мужчины возвращались, чтобы некоторое время посидеть у наших костров), full of ill speech and rough ways (преисполненные дурных речей и грубых манер), drinking evil drinks and gambling through long nights and days (пьющие пагубные напитки и играющие в азартные игры дни и ночи напролет; to gamble — играть в азартные игры), with a great unrest always in their hearts (с сильным беспокойством в сердцах), till the call of the white men came to them (пока зов белых людей не доходил до них) and they went away again to the unknown places (и они снова не уходили в неведомые места). And they were without honor and respect (и они были без чести и почтения), jeering the old-time customs and laughing in the faces of chief and shamans (глумились над старинными обычаями и смеялись в лицо вождю и шаманам; to jeer — насмехаться, глумиться, высмеивать).

wander ['wOndq], rough [rAf], evil [Jvl]

"And his word was harkened to, and we Whitefish became known for our dogs, which were the best in the land. But known we were not for ourselves. The best of our young men and women had gone away with the white men to wander on trail and river to far places. And the young women came back old and broken, as Noda had come, or they came not at all. And the young men came back to sit by our fires for a time, full of ill speech and rough ways, drinking evil drinks and gambling through long nights and days, with a great unrest always in their hearts, till the call of the white men came to them and they went away again to the unknown places. And they were without honor and respect, jeering the old-time customs and laughing in the faces of chief and shamans.

"As I say (как я говорю), we were become a weak breed (мы стали слабым племенем), we Whitefish (мы, /народ/ Белой Рыбы). We sold our warm skins and furs for tobacco and whiskey and thin cotton things (мы продавали наши теплые шкуры и мех за табак, виски и тонкие хлопчатобумажные вещи) that left us shivering in the cold (которые оставляли нас дрожащими = в которых мы дрожали на холоде). And the coughing sickness came upon us (и болезнь с кашлем напала на нас; to come upon — лечь бременем на чьи-либо плечи, охватывать кого-либо, случаться с кем-либо; нападать), and men and women coughed and sweated through the long nights (и мужчины и женщины кашляли и потели долгие ночи напролет), and the hunters on trail spat blood upon the snow (а охотники на охотничьей тропе отхаркивали кровь на снег; to spit — плевать/ся/; брызгать слюной; выплевывать, отхаркивать). And now one, and now another (и то у одного, то у другого), bled swiftly from the mouth and died (стремительно шла изо рта = горлом кровь/быстро истекали кровью через рот, и /они/ умирали; to bleed — кровоточить; истекать кровью). And the women bore few children (а женщины рожали мало детей), and those they bore were weak and given to sickness (а те, которых они рожали, были слабыми и подверженными болезням; given to smth. — склонный, подверженный /чему-либо/). And other sicknesses came to us from the white men (и другие болезни пришли к нам от белых людей), the like of which we had never known and could not understand (подобных которым мы никогда не знали и не могли понять). Smallpox, likewise measles (оспа, а также корь), have I heard these sicknesses named (я слышал названия этих болезней), and we died of them as die the salmon in the still eddies (и мы умирали от них, как умирают лососи в тихих омутах) when in the fall their eggs are spawned (когда осенью окончен нерест икры: «их яйца отметаны»; to spawn — нереститься, метать икру) and there is no longer need for them to live (и нет им больше нужды жить).

shiver [SIvq], measles [mJzlz], spawn [spLn]

"As I say, we were become a weak breed, we Whitefish. We sold our warm skins and furs for tobacco and whiskey and thin cotton things that left us shivering in the cold. And the coughing sickness came upon us, and men and women coughed and sweated through the long nights, and the hunters on trail spat blood upon the snow. And now one, and now another, bled swiftly from the mouth and died. And the women bore few children, and those they bore were weak and given to sickness. And other sicknesses came to us from the white men, the like of which we had never known and could not understand. Smallpox, likewise measles, have I heard these sicknesses named, and we died of them as die the salmon in the still eddies when in the fall their eggs are spawned and there is no longer need for them to live.

"And yet, and here be the strangeness of it (и, тем не менее, есть в этом неестественность), the white men come as the breath of death (белые люди приходят, как дыхание смерти); all their ways lead to death (все их обычаи/пути ведут к смерти), their nostrils are filled with it (их ноздри заполнены ею); and yet they do not die (и однако они не умирают). Theirs the whiskey, and tobacco, and short-haired dogs (/все это/ их — виски, табак и короткошерстные собаки); theirs the many sicknesses, the smallpox and measles, the coughing and mouth-bleeding (их = от них — то множество болезней, оспа и корь, кашель и кровотечение изо рта); theirs the white skin, and softness to the frost and storm (их = у них — белая кожа и изнеженность = незащищенность перед морозом и бурей); and theirs the pistols that shoot six times very swift and are worthless (и это их пистолеты, который стреляют шесть раз очень быстро и /в то же время/ никудышны). And yet they grow fat on their many ills, and prosper (и однако они жиреют при их многочисленных болезнях и процветают), and lay a heavy hand over all the world and tread mightily upon its peoples (и налагают тяжелую длань на весь мир, и мощно попирают его народы; to lay one’s hands on — завладеть чем-либо, прибрать к рукам что-либо; to tread — топтать, наступать; подавлять, давить). And their women, too, are soft as little babes (и их женщины тоже нежны, как маленькие дети), most breakable and never broken (очень хрупки, а никогда не ломаются), the mothers of men (матери мужчин). And out of all this softness, and sickness, and weakness (и из всей этой изнеженности, болезненности и слабости), come strength, and power, and authority (возникают сила, мощь и власть). They be gods, or devils (они боги или демоны), as the case may be (в зависимости от обстоятельств; case — случай; обстоятельство; дело). I do not know (я не знаю). What do I know (что я знаю), I, old Imber of the Whitefish (я, старый Имбер из /племени/ Белой Рыбы)? Only do I know (единственное, что я знаю) that they are past understanding (это то, что они за пределами понимания), these white men (эти белые люди), far-wanderers and fighters over the earth that they be (странники далеко = за тридевять земель и воители по всей земле, /которыми они являются/).

cough [kOf], tread [tred], devil [devl]

"And yet, and here be the strangeness of it, the white men come as the breath of death; all their ways lead to death, their nostrils are filled with it; and yet they do not die. Theirs the whiskey, and tobacco, and short-haired dogs; theirs the many sicknesses, the smallpox and measles, the coughing and mouth-bleeding; theirs the white skin, and softness to the frost and storm; and theirs the pistols that shoot six times very swift and are worthless. And yet they grow fat on their many ills, and prosper, and lay a heavy hand over all the world and tread mightily upon its peoples. And their women, too, are soft as little babes, most breakable and never broken, the mothers of men. And out of all this softness, and sickness, and weakness, come strength, and power, and authority. They be gods, or devils, as the case may be. I do not know. What do I know, I, old Imber of the Whitefish? Only do I know that they are past understanding, these white men, far-wanderers and fighters over the earth that they be.

"As I say, the meat in the forest became less and less (как я говорил, мяса в лесу становилось меньше и меньше). It be true, the white man's gun is most excellent and kills a long way off (правда, ружье белого человека превосходное и убивает издалека); but of what worth the gun (но какой толк от ружья; worth — цена, стоимость, ценность), when there is no meat to kill (когда нет мяса = дичи, чтобы убить)? When I was a boy on the Whitefish there was moose on every hill (когда я был мальчиком, на Белой Рыбе на каждом холме были лоси), and each year came the caribou uncountable (и каждый год приходили бесчисленные карибу). But now the hunter may take the trail ten days and not one moose gladden his eyes (а теперь охотник может охотиться десять дней, и ни один лось не порадует его глаз; trail — охота, преследование животного), while the caribou uncountable come no more at all (в то время, как несчетные карибу не приходят больше совсем). Small worth the gun, I say, killing a long way off (по-моему: «я говорю», невелика ценность ружья, убивающего с большого расстояния), when there be nothing to kill (когда нечего убить).

excellent ['eksqlqnt], caribou ['kxrIbH], uncountable ["An'kauntqbl]

"As I say, the meat in the forest became less and less. It be true, the white man's gun is most excellent and kills a long way off; but of what worth the gun, when there is no meat to kill? When I was a boy on the Whitefish there was moose on every hill, and each year came the caribou uncountable. But now the hunter may take the trail ten days and not one moose gladden his eyes, while the caribou uncountable come no more at all. Small worth the gun, I say, killing a long way off, when there be nothing to kill.

"And I, Imber, pondered upon these things (и я, Имбер, размышлял над этими фактами), watching the while the Whitefish, and the Pellys, and all the tribes of the land (наблюдая за тем, как тем временем Белая Рыба и пелли, и все племена края), perishing as perished the meat of the forest (гибнут, как погибла дичь в лесу). Long I pondered (долго я размышлял). I talked with the shamans and the old men who were wise (я беседовал с шаманами и стариками, которые были мудры = мудрыми стариками). I went apart that the sounds of the village might not disturb me (я уходил в отдаление, чтобы звуки поселка не мешали мне; apart — в стороне, в отдалении; в сторону), and I ate no meat (и я не ел мяса; to eat — есть, кушать) so that my belly should not press upon me and make me slow of eye and ear (так чтобы мой живот не давил на меня и не притупил мне взор и слух). I sat long and sleepless in the forest (я сидел долго без сна в лесу), wide-eyed for the sign (широко раскрытыми глазами /ловя/ знак), my ears patient and keen for the word that was to come (мои уши = мой слух был терпелив и остр, чтобы уловить слово, которое раздастся). And I wandered alone in the blackness of night to the river bank (и я прохаживался в одиночестве во мраке ночи к берегу реки), where was wind-moaning and sobbing of water (где стонал ветер и всхлипывала вода), and where I sought wisdom from the ghosts of old shamans in the trees and dead and gone (и где на деревьях = среди деревьев я искал мудрость у духов прежних шаманов, мертвых и исчезнувших; gone — умерший, ушедший /из жизни/; пропавший).

perish ['perIS], disturb [dIs'tWb], sign [saIn], ghost [gqust]

"And I, Imber, pondered upon these things, watching the while the Whitefish, and the Pellys, and all the tribes of the land, perishing as perished the meat of the forest. Long I pondered. I talked with the shamans and the old men who were wise. I went apart that the sounds of the village might not disturb me, and I ate no meat so that my belly should not press upon me and make me slow of eye and ear. I sat long and sleepless in the forest, wide-eyed for the sign, my ears patient and keen for the word that was to come. And I wandered alone in the blackness of night to the river bank, where was wind-moaning and sobbing of water, and where I sought wisdom from the ghosts of old shamans in the trees and dead and gone.

"And in the end, as in a vision (и, в конце концов, словно в видении), came to me the short-haired and detestable dogs (мне вспомнились короткошерстные и отвратительные собаки; to detest — ненавидеть, питать отвращение), and the way seemed plain (и способ показался простым). By the wisdom of Otsbaok (благодаря мудрости Отсбаока), my father and a strong man (моего отца и сильного человека), had the blood of our own wolf-dogs been kept clean (сохранилась чистой кровь наших собственных волкодавов), wherefore had they remained warm of hide and strong in the harness (вследствие чего у них осталась теплая шкура, и они остались выносливыми в упряжке; strong — крепкий, выносливый). So I returned to my village and made oration to the men (и вот я вернулся в поселок и обратился с речью к мужчинам). 'This be a tribe, these white men (эти белые люди, это — племя), I said. 'A very large tribe (очень большое племя), and doubtless there is no longer meat in their land (и, несомненно, в их краях нет больше мяса), and they are come among us to make a new land for themselves (и они пришли к нам, чтобы сделать себе новую страну). But they weaken us (но они ослабляют нас), and we die (и мы умираем). They are a very hungry folk (они очень алчный народ). Already has our meat gone from us (уже наше мясо ушло от нас), and it were well (и было бы правильно; well — справедливо, верно, правильно), if we would live (если мы хотим жить), that we deal by them as we have dealt by their dogs (чтобы мы поступили с ними так, как мы поступили с их собаками; to deal — обходиться, поступать; вести себя как-либо по отношению к кому-либо).

vision [vIZn], doubtless ['dautlIs], folk [fquk]

"And in the end, as in a vision, came to me the short-haired and detestable dogs, and the way seemed plain. By the wisdom of Otsbaok, my father and a strong man, had the blood of our own wolf-dogs been kept clean, wherefore had they remained warm of hide and strong in the harness. So I returned to my village and made oration to the men. `This be a tribe, these white men, I said. `A very large tribe, and doubtless there is no longer meat in their land, and they are come among us to make a new land for themselves. But they weaken us, and we die. They are a very hungry folk. Already has our meat gone from us, and it were well, if we would live, that we deal by them as we have dealt by their dogs.

"And further oration I made, counselling fight (и я произнес дальнейшую речь = и я продолжил речь, советуя воевать). And the men of the Whitefish listened (а мужчины Белой Рыбы слушали), and some said one thing (и одни сказали одно), and some another (а другие другое), and some spoke of other and worthless things (а некоторые говорили о других и ничтожных делах), and no man made brave talk of deeds and war (и ни один мужчина не высказался отважно о подвигах и войне). But while the young men were weak as water and afraid (но тогда как молодые мужчины были хилыми и трусливыми; weak as water — слабенький, хилый; малодушный), I watched that the old men sat silent (я наблюдал за тем, что старики сидят молча), and that in their eyes fires came and went (и что в их глазах появлялись и исчезали огоньки; to come and go — приходить и уходить; появляться и исчезать). And later, when the village slept and no one knew (и позже, когда селение заснуло, и никто не знал), I drew the old men away into the forest and made more talk (я увел стариков в лес и говорил еще). And now we were agreed (и теперь мы сошлись во взглядах; to agree — соглашаться; сходиться во взглядах), and we remembered the good young days (и мы вспомнили добрые дни юности), and the free land, and the times of plenty, and the gladness and sunshine (и свободную землю, и времена изобилия, и счастье, и солнечный свет); and we called ourselves brothers (и мы назвали друг друга братьями), and swore great secrecy, and a mighty oath (и поклялись /держать все/ в великой тайне и дали могучую клятву; to swear — клясться, присягать; to swear an oath — давать клятву) to cleanse the land of the evil breed that had come upon it (очистить землю от злого племени, которое пришло на нее). It be plain we were fools (понятно, мы были глупцами), but how were we to know (но откуда нам было знать), we old men of the Whitefish (нам, старикам Белой Рыбы)?

swore [swL], oath [quT], cleanse [klenz]

"And further oration I made, counselling fight. And the men of the Whitefish listened, and some said one thing, and some another, and some spoke of other and worthless things, and no man made brave talk of deeds and war. But while the young men were weak as water and afraid, I watched that the old men sat silent, and that in their eyes fires came and went. And later, when the village slept and no one knew, I drew the old men away into the forest and made more talk. And now we were agreed, and we remembered the good young days, and the free land, and the times of plenty, and the gladness and sunshine; and we called ourselves brothers, and swore great secrecy, and a mighty oath to cleanse the land of the evil breed that had come upon it. It be plain we were fools, but how were we to know, we old men of the Whitefish?

"And to hearten the others (и чтобы воодушевить остальных), I did the first deed (я совершил первый подвиг). I kept guard upon the Yukon (я караулил на Юконе; to keep — держать; хранить; защищать, охранять; guard — охрана, защита; караул, конвой, охрана) till the first canoe came down (пока по реке не пришло первое каноэ). In it were two white men (в нем было два белых человека), and when I stood upright upon the bank and raised my hand (и когда я встал прямо на берегу и поднял руку) they changed their course and drove in to me (они изменили курс и направились ко мне; to drive in — въехать). And as the man in the bow lifted his head, so (и когда мужчина на носу поднял голову, вот так), that he might know wherefore I wanted him (чтобы узнать, чего я хочу от него), my arrow sang through the air straight to his throat (моя стрела просвистела в воздухе прямо ему в горло; to sing — свистеть /о пуле, снаряде во время полета/), and he knew (и он узнал). The second man, who held paddle in the stern (второй мужчина, который держал весло на корме), had his rifle half to his shoulder (/уже/ имел = держал свое ружье на полпути к плечу) when the first of my three spear-casts smote him (когда первый из моих трех дротиков/метательных копий сразил его; to smite — поразить, сразить /напр., мечом/; поразить, убить, уничтожить).

"'These be the first (эти — первые), I said, when the old men had gathered to me (когда старики собрались ко мне = возле меня). 'Later we will bind together all the old men of all the tribes (позже мы объединим всех стариков всех племен; to bind together — объединять/ся/), and after that the young men who remain strong (а после этого молодых людей, которые останутся сильными), and the work will become easy (и дело станет легким; work — работа, труд; занятие, дело).

guard [gRd], bow [bau], straight [streIt]

"And to hearten the others, I did the first deed. I kept guard upon the Yukon till the first canoe came down. In it were two white men, and when I stood upright upon the bank and raised my hand they changed their course and drove in to me. And as the man in the bow lifted his head, so, that he might know wherefore I wanted him, my arrow sang through the air straight to his throat, and he knew. The second man, who held paddle in the stern, had his rifle half to his shoulder when the first of my three spear-casts smote him.

"`These be the first, I said, when the old men had gathered to me. `Later we will bind together all the old men of all the tribes, and after that the young men who remain strong, and the work will become easy.

"And then the two dead white men we cast into the river (а потом двух мертвых белых людей мы швырнули в реку; to cast — бросать, кидать, швырять). And of the canoe (а из каноэ), which was a very good canoe (которое было очень хорошим каноэ), we made a fire (мы устроили костер), and a fire, also, of the things within the canoe (а также костер из вещей в каноэ). But first we looked at the things (но сначала мы посмотрели на эти вещи), and they were pouches of leather which we cut open with our knives (и это были кожаные сумки, которые мы разрезали нашими ножами; to cut — резать, разрезать; open — открытый). And inside these pouches were many papers (а внутри этих сумок было много бумаг), like that from which thou has read, O Howkan (как та, с которой ты читал, о Хаукан), with markings on them (с пометками на них) which we marvelled at and could not understand (которым мы удивились и не могли понять). Now, I am become wise (теперь я поумнел; wise — мудрый, умудренный; знающий, компетентный, осведомленный, сведущий), and I know them for the speech of men as thou hast told me (и знаю, что они для разговора людей, как ты рассказал мне)."

canoe [kq'nH], leather ['leDq], pouch [pauC]

"And then the two dead white men we cast into the river. And of the canoe, which was a very good canoe, we made a fire, and a fire, also, of the things within the canoe. But first we looked at the things, and they were pouches of leather which we cut open with our knives. And inside these pouches were many papers, like that from which thou has read, O Howkan, with markings on them which we marvelled at and could not understand. Now, I am become wise, and I know them for the speech of men as thou hast told me."

A whisper and buzz went around the courtroom (шепот и гудение пронеслись по залу суда) when Howkan finished interpreting the affair of the canoe (когда Хаукан закончил переводить дело с каноэ), and one man's voice spoke up (и громко и отчетливо проговорил голос одного мужчины; to speak up — говорить громко и отчетливо): "That was the lost 91 mail (это была пропавшая почта 91 года), Peter James and Delaney bringing it in and last spoken at Le Barge by Matthews going out (ее доставляли Питер Джеймс и Дилени, и в последний раз с ними говорил, отплывая, Мэттьюс в Ле-Барж; to bring in — вводить, вносить, приносить)." The clerk scratched steadily away (секретарь монотонно проскрипел пером дальше; to scratch — чиркать, черкать; нацарапать, набрасывать /письмо, рисунок/; скрипеть /о пере/), and another paragraph was added to the history of the North (и еще один параграф добавился к истории Севера).

affair [q'feq], steadily ['stedIlI], paragraph ['pxrqgrRf]

A whisper and buzz went around the courtroom when Howkan finished interpreting the affair of the canoe, and one man's voice spoke up: "That was the lost 91 mail, Peter James and Delaney bringing it in and last spoken at Le Barge by Matthews going out." The clerk scratched steadily away, and another paragraph was added to the history of the North.

"There be little more (есть еще мало = осталось уже мало)," Imber went on slowly (неспешно продолжал Имбер). "It be there on the paper, the things we did (это там на бумаге, то, что мы совершили). We were old men (мы были стариками), and we did not understand (и мы не понимали). Even I, Imber, do not now understand (даже я, Имбер, не понимаю сейчас). Secretly we slew (тайно мы убивали), and continued to slay (и продолжали убивать), for with our years we were crafty (ибо благодаря нашим годам мы были хитроумны) and we had learned the swiftness of going without haste (и мы научились стремительности уходить без спешки = уходить стремительно, но без спешки). When white men came among us with black looks and rough words (когда белые люди пришли к нам со злыми взглядами и грубыми словами; black — злой, сердитый), and took away six of the young men with irons binding them helpless (и увели шестерых молодых мужчин в кандалах, сковавших их /и сделавших их/ беспомощными; to bind — лишать свободы, заковывать в кандалы, сажать в тюрьму, брать в плен), we knew we must slay wider and farther (мы поняли, что мы должны убивать в большем отдалении: «шире и дальше /от поселка/»). And one by one we old men departed up river and down to the unknown lands (и один за другим мы, старики, отправились вверх по реке и вниз по реке в неизвестные земли). It was a brave thing (это был смелый поступок). Old we were, and unafraid (хоть мы и были стары и бесстрашны), but the fear of far places is a terrible fear to men who are old (но боязнь перед далекими местами — это ужасная боязнь для людей = тех, кто стар).

secretly ['sJkrItlI], rough [rAf], fear [fIq]

"There be little more," Imber went on slowly. "It be there on the paper, the things we did. We were old men, and we did not understand. Even I, Imber, do not now understand. Secretly we slew, and continued to slay, for with our years we were crafty and we had learned the swiftness of going without haste. When white men came among us with black looks and rough words, and took away six of the young men with irons binding them helpless, we knew we must slay wider and farther. And one by one we old men departed up river and down to the unknown lands. It was a brave thing. Old we were, and unafraid, but the fear of far places is a terrible fear to men who are old.

"So we slew, without haste and craftily (так мы и убивали, без спешки и коварно; craft — ремесло; ловкость; хитрость). On the Chilcoot and in the Delta we slew, from the passes to the sea (мы убивали на Чилкуте и в Дельте, от перевалов до моря), wherever the white men camped or broke their trails (где бы ни становились лагерем или ни прокладывали свои тропы белые люди; to break a trail — проложить тропу). It be true, they died (правда, они умирали), but it was without worth (но это было без толку; worth — цена, стоимость, ценность). Ever did they come over the mountains (все время они шли через горы), ever did they grow and grow (все время они росли и множились; to grow — расти, увеличиваться), while we, being old, became less and less (тогда как нас, которые были старыми = стариков, становилось меньше и меньше). I remember, by the Caribou Crossing, the camp of a white man (я помню у переправы Карибу лагерь одного белого человека). He was a very little white man (он был очень маленький белый человек), and three of the old men came upon him in his sleep (и трое стариков напали на него во сне). And the next day I came upon the four of them (а на следующий день я наткнулся на них четверых). The white man alone still breathed (лишь белый человек еще дышал), and there was breath in him to curse me once and well before he died (и в нем хватило дыхания, чтобы проклясть/обругать меня один раз и хорошенько, прежде чем он умер; well — хорошо, со знанием дела).

breathe [brJD], breath [breT], once [wAns]

"So we slew, without haste and craftily. On the Chilcoot and in the Delta we slew, from the passes to the sea, wherever the white men camped or broke their trails. It be true, they died, but it was without worth. Ever did they come over the mountains, ever did they grow and grow, while we, being old, became less and less. I remember, by the Caribou Crossing, the camp of a white man. He was a very little white man, and three of the old men came upon him in his sleep. And the next day I came upon the four of them. The white man alone still breathed, and there was breath in him to curse me once and well before he died.

"And so it went, now one old man, and now another (и так это пошло, то один старик, а то другой). Sometimes the word reached us long after of how they died (иногда до нас доходила весть о том, как они погибли, долгое время спустя; word — известие, сообщение), and sometimes it did not reach us (а порой она не доходила до нас). And the old men of the other tribes were weak and afraid (а старики других племен были слабы и трусливы), and would not join with us (и не хотели присоединяться к нам). As I say, one by one, till I alone was left (как я говорю, один за одним, пока не остался я один). I am Imber, of the Whitefish people (я Имбер из народа Белой Рыбы). My father was Otsbaok, a strong man (мой отец был Отсбаок, сильный человек). There are no Whitefish now (теперь нет Белой Рыбы). Of the old men I am the last (из стариков я последний). The young men and young women are gone away (молодые мужчины и молодые женщины ушли), some to live with the Pellys, some with the Salmons (некоторые жить с пелли, некоторые с Лососями), and more with the white men (а /еще/ больше — с белыми людьми). I am very old, and very tired (я очень стар и очень устал), and it being vain fighting the Law (и напрасно бороться с Законом), as thou sayest, Howkan (как говорил ты, Хаукан), I am come seeking the Law (я пришел искать Закон/Правосудие)."

reach [rJC], other ['ADq], fight [faIt]

"And so it went, now one old man, and now another. Sometimes the word reached us long after of how they died, and sometimes it did not reach us. And the old men of the other tribes were weak and afraid, and would not join with us. As I say, one by one, till I alone was left. I am Imber, of the Whitefish people. My father was Otsbaok, a strong man. There are no Whitefish now. Of the old men I am the last. The young men and young women are gone away, some to live with the Pellys, some with the Salmons, and more with the white men. I am very old, and very tired, and it being vain fighting the Law, as thou sayest, Howkan, I am come seeking the Law."

"O Imber, thou art indeed a fool (о Имбер, ты действительно глупец)," said Howkan. But Imber was dreaming (но Имбер грезил). The square-browed judge likewise dreamed (лобастый судья тоже грезил), and all his race rose up before him in a mighty phantasmagoria (и вся его раса встала = предстала пред ним в могущественной фантасмагории) — his steel-shod, mail-clad race, the lawgiver and world-maker among the families of men (его защищенная сталью и одетая в броню раса, законодатель и творец империи среди племен людей; to shoe — защищать, обшивать; to clothe — одевать; world — народ, нация; мир, царство). He saw it dawn red-flickering across the dark forests and sullen seas (он видел, как она зачиналась мерцающая красным огоньком по темным лесам и грозным морям); he saw it blaze, bloody and red, to full and triumphant noon (он видел, как она блистала, кроваво-красная, становясь ярким и торжествующим полднем); and down the shaded slope he saw the blood-red sands dropping into night (и он видел, как вниз по затененному склону падают в ночь кроваво-красные пески). And through it all he observed the Law (и сквозь все это он наблюдал Закон), pitiless and potent (безжалостный и могучий), ever unswerving and ever ordaining (всегда непоколебимый и всегда предписывающий; to swerve — отклоняться от прямого пути), greater than the motes of men (громаднее соринок-людей; mote — пылинка, соринка) who fulfilled it or were crushed by it (которые исполняли его или были сокрушены им), even as it was greater than he (и хотя он = Закон был больше него), his heart speaking for softness (его сердце выступало за снисхождение; to speak — произносить речь, выступать /на собрании/; softness — мягкость; доброта; снисходительность; терпимость).

triumphant [traI'Amfqnt], observe [qb'zWv], ordain [L'deIn]

"O Imber, thou art indeed a fool," said Howkan. But Imber was dreaming. The square-browed judge likewise dreamed, and all his race rose up before him in a mighty phantasmagoria — his steel-shod, mail-clad race, the lawgiver and world-maker among the families of men. He saw it dawn red-flickering across the dark forests and sullen seas; he saw it blaze, bloody and red, to full and triumphant noon; and down the shaded slope he saw the blood-red sands dropping into night. And through it all he observed the Law, pitiless and potent, ever unswerving and ever ordaining, greater than the motes of men who fulfilled it or were crushed by it, even as it was greater than he, his heart speaking for softness.