Red Axes of the Border

(Красные топоры границы)

Conan did not plunge deeply into the forest (Конан не погрузился глубоко в лес). A few hundred yards from the river, he altered his slanting course and ran parallel with it (/в/ нескольких сотнях ярдов от реки он поменял свой наклонный курс и побежал параллельно ему). Balthus recognized a grim determination not to be hunted away from the river which they must cross if they were to warn the men in the fort (Балтус распознал мрачную решимость не быть отогнанным = не уходить от реки, которую они должны пересечь, если им предстояло предупредить людей в форте). Behind them rose more loudly the yells of the forest men (позади них поднялись громче крики лесных людей). Balthus believed the Picts had reached the glade where the bodies of the slain men lay (Балтус полагал, /что/ пикты добрались до поляны, где лежали тела убитых людей). Then further yells seemed to indicate that the savages were streaming into the woods in pursuit (дальнейшие крики, казалось, указывают, что дикари устремились в лес в погоню). They had left a trail any Pict could follow (они оставили след, /по которому/ мог пойти любой пикт).

plunge [plAnG], parallel ['pxrqlel], pursuit [pq'sju:t]

Conan did not plunge deeply into the forest. A few hundred yards from the river, he altered his slanting course and ran parallel with it. Balthus recognized a grim determination not to be hunted away from the river which they must cross if they were to warn the men in the fort. Behind them rose more loudly the yells of the forest men. Balthus believed the Picts had reached the glade where the bodies of the slain men lay. Then further yells seemed to indicate that the savages were streaming into the woods in pursuit. They had left a trail any Pict could follow.

Conan increased his speed (Конан увеличил свою скорость), and Balthus grimly set his teeth and kept on his heels, though he felt he might collapse any time (а Балтус мрачно стиснул /свои/ зубы и последовал за ним, хотя он чувствовал, /что/ он может свалиться /в/ любой момент). It seemed centuries since he had eaten last (это казалось веками = казалось века прошли, с тех пор как он ел последний раз). He kept going more by an effort of will than anything else (он продолжал двигаться усилием воли — более, чем чем-либо еще = только усилие воли заставляло его двигаться). His blood was pounding so furiously in his ear-drums that he was not aware when the yells died out behind them (его кровь стучала так бешено в его барабанных перепонках, что он не заметил, когда затихли вопли позади них).

speed [spi:d], collapse [kq'lxps], else [els]

Conan increased his speed, and Balthus grimly set his teeth and kept on his heels, though he felt he might collapse any time. It seemed centuries since he had eaten last. He kept going more by an effort of will than anything else. His blood was pounding so furiously in his ear-drums that he was not aware when the yells died out behind them.

Conan halted suddenly (Конан неожиданно остановился)... Balthus leaned against a tree and panted (Балтус оперся о дерево и тяжело дышал).

"They've quit!" grunted the Cimmerian, scowling (они прекратили /погоню/! — пробормотал киммериец, хмуря брови).

"Sneaking — up — on — us!" gasped Balthus (подкрадываются не-за-мет-но к нам! — задыхался = выпалил, задыхаясь, Балтус).

Conan shook his head (Конан покачал /своей/ головой).

Conan halted suddenly... Balthus leaned against a tree and panted.

"They've quit!" grunted the Cimmerian, scowling.

"Sneaking — up — on — us!" gasped Balthus.

Conan shook his head.

"A short chase like this they'd yell every step of the way (/при/ такой короткой погоне они бы кричали на каждом шагу пути). No (нет). They've gone back (они вернулись). I thought I heard somebody yelling behind them a few seconds before the noise began to get dimmer (я слышал, /как/ кто-то крикнул позади них за несколько секунд до того, как шум начал становиться слабее = стал слабеть). They've been recalled (их позвали назад). And that's good for us, but damned bad for the men in the fort (и это хорошо для нас, но ужасно плохо для людей в форте). It means the warriors are being summoned out of the woods for the attack (это значит, /что/ воины вызываются = воинов вызывают из лесов для атаки). Those men we ran into were warners from a tribe down the river (те люди, /на которых/ мы наткнулись, были вестниками из племени ниже по реке). They were undoubtedly headed for Gwawela to join in the assault on the fort (они несомненно направлялись к Гвавеле, /чтобы/ присоединиться к атаке на форт). Damn it, we're farther away than ever, now (проклятие, мы сейчас дальше, чем /были/ когда-либо). We've got to get across the river (мы имеем = нам нужно перебраться через реку)."

warnor ['wO:nq], assault [q'sO:lt], undoubtedly [An'dautIdlI]

"A short chase like this they'd yell every step of the way. No. They've gone back. I thought I heard somebody yelling behind them a few seconds before the noise began to get dimmer. They've been recalled. And that's good for us, but damned bad for the men in the fort. It means the warriors are being summoned out of the woods for the attack. Those men we ran into were warnors from a tribe down the river. They were undoubtedly headed for Gwawela to join in the assault on the fort. Damn it, we're farther away than ever, now. We've got to get across the river."

Turning east he hurried through the thickets with no attempt at concealment (повернув на восток, он поспешил через заросли без попытки = не пытаясь, скрываться). Balthus followed him, for the first time feeling the sting of lacerations on his breast and shoulder where the Pict's savage teeth had scored him (Балтус последовал за ним, в первый раз почувствовав острую боль на /его/ груди и плече, где свирепые зубы пикта оставили глубокие следы /на нем/). He was pushing through the thick bushes that hinged the bank when Conan pulled him back (он пробивался сквозь густые кусты, которые нависали над берегом, когда Конан потащил его назад). Then he heard a rhythmic splashing (затем он услышал ритмичный плеск), and peering through the leaves (и, глядя сквозь листья; to peer — вглядываться, вперять взгляд), saw a dugout canoe coming up the river (увидел каноэ-долбленку, идущую вверх по реке; to dig — копать, рыть), its single occupant paddling hard against the current (ее единственный обитатель упорно греб против течения). He was a strongly built Pict with a white heron feather (он был крепкосложенным пиктом с белым пером цапли) thrust in a copper band (вставленным в медную ленту) that confined his square-cut mane (которая охватывала его прямоугольно постриженную гриву).

rhythmic ['rIDmIk], current ['kArqnt], heron ['herqn]

Turning east he hurried through the thickets with no attempt at concealment. Balthus followed him, for the first time feeling the sting of lacerations on his breast and shoulder where the Pict's savage teeth had scored him. He was pushing through the thick bushes that hinged the bank when Conan pulled him back. Then he heard a rhythmic splashing, and peering through the leaves, saw a dugout canoe coming up the river, its single occupant paddling hard against the current. He was a strongly built Pict with a white heron feather thrust in a copper band that confined his square-cut mane.

"That's a Gwawela man," muttered Conan (это человек из Гвавелы, — пробормотал Конан). "Emissary from Zogar (эмиссар от Зогара). White plume shows that (белое перо указывает на это). He's carried a peace talk to the tribes down the river (он нес слово о мире племенам в низовьях реки) and now he's trying to get back and take a hand in the slaughter (а сейчас он пытается вернуться и принять участие в бойне; to take a hand in — участвовать, принять участие)."

emissary ['emIsqrI], peace [pi:s], hand [hxnd]

"That's a Gwawela man," muttered Conan. "Emissary from Zogar. White plume shows that. He's carried a peace talk to the tribes down the river and now he's trying to get back and take a hand in the slaughter."

The lone ambassador was now almost even with their hiding-place, and suddenly Balthus almost jumped out of his skin (одинокий посол /был/ теперь почти поравнялся с их укрытием, и вдруг Балтус чуть не выпрыгнул из своей кожи). At his very ear had sounded the harsh gutturals of a Pict (у самого его уха раздались резкие гортанные звуки пикта). Then he realized that Conan had called to the paddler in his own tongue (затем он понял, что Конан позвал гребца на его собственном = родном языке). The man started, scanned the bushes and called back something (человек дернулся, осмотрел кусты и ответил что-то), then cast a startled glance across the river (затем бросил испуганный взгляд за реку), bent low and sent the canoe shooting in toward the western bank (низко наклонился и направил каноэ быстро = стрелой к западному берегу). Not understanding, Balthus saw Conan take from his hand the bow he had picked up in the glade, and notch an arrow (не понимая, Балтус увидел, /как/ Конан взял из его руки лук, /который/ он подобрал на поляне и наложил стрелу; notch — выемка, метка, зарубка; to notch — /зд./ ставить стрелу на тетиву).

ambassador [xm'bxsqdq], paddler ['pxdlq], startled ['stRtld]

The lone ambassador was now almost even with their hiding-place, and suddenly Balthus almost jumped out of his skin. At his very ear had sounded the harsh gutturals of a Pict. Then he realized that Conan had called to the paddler in his own tongue. The man started, scanned the bushes and called back something, then cast a startled glance across the river, bent low and sent the canoe shooting in toward the western bank. Not understanding, Balthus saw Conan take from his hand the bow he had picked up in the glade, and notch an arrow.

The Pict had run his canoe in close to the shore, and staring up into the bushes, called out something (пикт подогнал /свое/ каноэ близко к берегу и вглядываясь в кусты, выкрикнул что-то). His answer came in the twang of the bow-string (его ответ пришел в звоне тетивы = ему ответил звон тетивы), the streaking flight of the arrow (стремительный полет стрелы) that sank to the feathers in his broad breast (которая погрузилась в перья на его широкой груди). With a choking gasp he slumped sidewise and rolled into the shallow water (с задыхающимся дыханием = хрипом он упал вбок и скатился в мелкую воду = в мелководье). In an instant Conan was down the bank and wading into the water to grasp the drifting canoe (черег миг Конан был вниз берега = спустился на берег и вошел в воду, /чтобы/ схватить дрейфующее каноэ). Balthus stumbled after him and somewhat dazedly crawled into the canoe (Балтус заковылял за ним и как-то обалдело заполз в каноэ; to daze — изумить; ошеломить, удивить, поразить). Conan scrambled in, seized the paddle (Конан вскарабкался вовнутрь, схватил весло) and sent the craft shooting toward the eastern shore (и направил суденышко стрелой к восточному берегу). Balthus noted with envious admiration the play of the great muscles beneath the sun-burnt skin (Балтус заметил с завистливым восхищением перекатывание огромных мускулов под загорелой кожей). The Cimmerian seemed an iron man, who never knew fatigue (киммериец казался железным человеком, который никогда /не/ знал усталости).

shallow ['Sxlqu], craft [krRft], fatigue [fq'ti:g]

The Pict had run his canoe in close to the shore, and staring up into the bushes, called out something. His answer came in the twang of the bow-string, the streaking flight of the arrow that sank to the feathers in his broad breast. With a choking gasp he slumped sidewise and rolled into the shallow water. In an instant Conan was down the bank and wading into the water to grasp the drifting canoe. Balthus stumbled after him and somewhat dazedly crawled into the canoe. Conan scrambled in, seized the paddle and sent the craft shooting toward the eastern shore. Balthus noted with envious admiration the play of the great muscles beneath the sun‑burnt skin. The Cimmerian seemed an iron man, who never knew fatigue.

"What did you say to the Pict?" asked Balthus (что ты сказал пикту? — спросил Балтус).

"Told him to pull into shore (велел ему подплыть к берегу); said there was a white forest runner on the bank who was trying to get a shot at him (сказал, /что/ на берегу /есть/ белый лазутчик, который пытается подстрелить его; to get a shot at — выстрелить в, стрельнуть по)."

"That doesn't seem fair," Balthus objected (это, кажется, нечестно, — неодобрительно заметил Балтус; to object — возражать, не одобрять, сказать неодобрительно). "He thought a friend was speaking to him (он думал, друг разговаривает с ним). You mimicked a Pict perfectly — (ты скопировал пикта в совершенстве)"

fair [fFq], friend [frend], perfectly ['pq:fqktlI]

"What did you say to the Pict?" asked Balthus.

"Told him to pull into shore; said there was a white forest runner on the bank who was trying to get a shot at him."

"That doesn't seem fair," Balthus objected. "He thought a friend was speaking to him. You mimicked a Pict perfectly —"

"We needed his boat," grunted Conan, not pausing in his exertions (мы нуждались в его лодке, — пробурчал Конан, не прекращая своих усилий = грести). "Only way to lure him to the bank (единственный способ заманить его к берегу). Which is worse — to betray a Pict who'd enjoy skinning us both alive (что хуже — обмануть пикта, который был бы рад содрать с нас обоих шкуру живьем), or betray the men across the river whose lives depend on our getting over (или предать людей за рекой, чьи жизни зависят от нашей переправы = от того, сможем ли мы переправиться; to skin — сдирать шкуру)?"

Balthus mulled over this delicate ethical question for a moment (Балтус задумался над этим деликатным этическим вопросом на секунду), then shrugged his shoulders and asked: "How far are we from the fort (потом пожал /своими/ плечами и спросил: как далеко мы от форта)?"

Conan pointed to a creek which flowed into Black River from the east, a few hundred yards below them (Конан показал на речушку, которая впадала в Черную реку с востока, в нескольких сотнях ярдов ниже их /по течению/).

exertion [Ig'zq:Sn], betray [bI'treI], depend [dI'pend]

We needed his boat," grunted Conan, not pausing in his exertions. "Only way to lure him to the bank. Which is worse — to betray a Pict who'd enjoy skinning us both alive, or betray the men across the river whose lives depend on our getting over?"

Balthus mulled over this delicate ethical question for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders and asked: "How far are we from the fort?"

Conan pointed to a creek which flowed into Black River from the east, a few hundred yards below them.

"That's South Creek; it's ten miles from its mouth to the fort (это Южный приток, это десять миль от его устья до форта = от его устья до форта десять миль). It's the southern boundary of Conajohara (это южная граница Конаджохары). Marshes miles wide south of it (болота шириной /в/ мили южнее ее). No danger of a raid from across them (никакой опасности налета из-за них). Nine miles above the fort North Creek forms the other boundary (/в/ девяти милях выше форта Северный приток образует другую границу). Marshes beyond that, too (за ним тоже болота). That's why an attack must come from the west, across Black River (вот почему атака должна = нападения нужно ожидать придти с запада, через = из-за Черной реки). Conajohara's just like a spear, with a point nineteen miles wide, thrust into the Pictish wilderness (Конаджохара — как раз как копье с наконечником шириной в девятнадцать миль, вонзенным в пиктские пустоши)."

mouth [mauT], southern ['sADqn], wilderness ['wIldqnIs]

That's South Creek; it's ten miles from its mouth to the fort. It's the southern boundary of Conajohara. Marshes miles wide south of it. No danger of a raid from across them. Nine miles above the fort North Creek forms the other boundary. Marshes beyond that, too. That's why an attack must come from the west, across Black River. Conajohara's just like a spear, with a point nineteen miles wide, thrust into the Pictish wilderness."

"Why don't we keep to the canoe and make the trip by water (почему /бы/ нам не оставить /себе/ каноэ и не совершить путешествие по воде)?"

"Because, considering the current we've got to brace, and the bends in the river, we can go faster afoot (потому что, учитывая поток, /который/ нам нужно преодолевать, и излучины на реке, мы можем идти быстрее пешком). Besides, remember Gwawela is south of the fort; if the Picts are crossing the river we'd run right into them (кроме того, помни = не забывай, /что/ Гвавела южнее форта, если пикты пересекают реку, мы бы натолкнулись на них)."

"Why don't we keep to the canoe and make the trip by water?"

"Because, considering the current we've got to brace, and the bends in the river, we can go faster afoot. Besides, remember Gwawela is south of the fort; if the Picts are crossing the river we'd run right into them."

Dusk was gathering as they stepped upon the eastern bank (собирались = сгущались сумерки, когда они ступили на восточный берег). Without pause Conan pushed on northward, at a pace that made Balthus' sturdy legs ache (без остановки Конан двинулся на север в темпе, который заставил выносливые ноги Балтуса болеть = отдавался болью в выносливых ногах Балтуса).

"Valannus wanted a fort built at the mouths of North and South Creeks," grunted the Cimmerian (Валаннус хотел форт построенным = хотел, чтобы построили форт в устьях Северного и Южного притоков; to build — построить). "Then the river could be patrolled constantly (тогда бы реку можно было патрулировать постоянно). But the Government wouldn't do it (но правительство не захотело этого).

ache [eIk], want [wOnt], constantly ['kOnstqntlI]

Dusk was gathering as they stepped upon the eastern bank. Without pause Conan pushed on northward, at a pace that made Balthus' sturdy legs ache.

"Valannus wanted a fort built at the mouths of North and South Creeks," grunted the Cimmerian. "Then the river could be patrolled constantly. But the Government wouldn't do it.

"Soft-bellied fools sitting on velvet cushions with naked girls offering them iced wine on their knees (толстопузые глупцы, сидящие на бархатных подушках с обнаженными девицами, предлагающими им охлажденное /льдом/ вино на /своих/ коленях; ice — лед). — I know the breed (я знаю эту породу). They can't see any farther than their palace wall (они не могут видеть дальше их дворцовой стены). Diplomacy — hell (дипломатия — ад = проклятие)! They'd fight Picts with theories of territorial expansion (они сражались бы с пиктами с помощью теорий территориальной экспансии). Valannus and men like him have to obey the orders of a set of damned fools (Валаннусу и людям, таким как он, приходится подчиняться приказам кучки треклятых дураков; set — круг людей, связанных своим статусом, общими интересами, привычками или занятием: группа, компания, шайка и т.п.). They'll never grab any more Pictish land, any more than they'll ever rebuild Venarium (они никогда /не/ захватят больше пиктской земли, /не/ больше, чем если = даже если /они/ когда-нибудь восстановят Венариум). The time may come when they'll see the barbarians swarming over the walls of the eastern cities (возможно, придет время, когда они увидят варваров, кишащих за стенами восточных городов)!"

velvet ['velvIt], cushion ['kASn], damned [dxmd]

"Soft-bellied fools sitting on velvet cushions with naked girls offering them iced wine on their knees. — I know the breed. They can't see any farther than their palace wall. Diplomacy — hell! They'd fight Picts with theories of territorial expansion. Valannus and men like him have to obey the orders of a set of damned fools. They'll never grab any more Pictish land, any more than they'll ever rebuild Venarium. The time may come when they'll see the barbarians swarming over the walls of the eastern cities!"

A week before, Balthus would have laughed at any such preposterous suggestion (неделей раньше Балтус посмеялся бы над любым таким абсурдным предположением). Now he made no reply (теперь он не ответил: «сделал никакого ответа»; to make — делать, изготовлять). He had seen the unconquerable ferocity of the men who dwelt beyond the frontiers (он /уже/ видел непобедимую ярость людей, которые жили за границей; to dwell — жить, проживать).

He shivered, casting glances at the sullen river, just visible through the bushes (он вздрогнул, бросая взгляды на медленную реку, как раз видимую сквозь кусты), at the arches of the trees which crowded close to its banks (на своды деревьев, которые теснились возле ее берегов). He kept remembering that the Picts might have crossed the river and be lying in ambush between them and the fort (он продолжал помнить = все еще помнил, что пикты, возможно, пересекли реку и лежат в засаде между ними и фортом). It was fast growing dark (/оно/ быстро становилось темно = быстро темнело).

preposterous [prI'pOstqrqs], unconquerable [An'kONkqrqbl], ferocity [fq'rOsItI]

A week before, Balthus would have laughed at any such preposterous suggestion. Now he made no reply. He had seen the unconquerable ferocity of the men who dwelt beyond the frontiers.

He shivered, casting glances at the sullen river, just visible through the bushes, at the arches of the trees which crowded close to its banks. He kept remembering that the Picts might have crossed the river and be lying in ambush between them and the fort. It was fast growing dark.

A slight sound ahead of them jumped his heart into his throat (легкий звук = шорох впереди них подбросил его сердце к его горлу = от легкого шороха у него подпрыгнуло сердце), and Conan's sword gleamed in the air (а меч Конана сверкнул в воздухе). He lowered it when a dog, a great, gaunt, scarred beast (он опустил его, когда собака, огромный сухопарый зверь в шрамах), slunk out of the bushes and stood staring at them (выскользнул из кустов и стоял, уставившись на них; to slink out — выскользнуть).

"That dog belonged to a settler who tried to build his cabin on the bank of the river a few miles south of the fort," grunted Conan (этот пес принадлежал поселенцу, который попытался построить свою хижину на берегу реки /в/ нескольких милях южнее форта, — проворчал Конан). "The Picts slipped over and killed him, of course, and burned his cabin (пикты переправились и убили его, конечно, и сожгли его хижину). We found him dead among the embers, and the dog lying senseless among three Picts he'd killed (мы нашли его мертвым среди углей и пса, лежащим без чувств между трех пиктов, /которых/ он убил). He was almost cut to pieces (он был почти разрезан на куски). We took him to the fort and dressed his wounds (мы отнесли его в форт и перевязали его раны), but after he recovered he took to the woods and turned wild (но после того как он оправился, он подался в лес и одичал; to turn wild — одичать). — What now, Slasher, are you hunting the men who killed your master (что теперь, Задира, ты охотишься на людей, которые убили твоего хозяина)?"

ember ['embq], senseless ['senslIs], master ['mRstq]

A slight sound ahead of them jumped his heart into his throat, and Conan's sword gleamed in the air. He lowered it when a dog, a great, gaunt, scarred beast, slunk out of the bushes and stood staring at them.

"That dog belonged to a settler who tried to build his cabin on the bank of the river a few miles south of the fort," grunted Conan. "The Picts slipped over and killed him, of course, and burned his cabin. We found him dead among the embers, and the dog lying senseless among three Picts he'd killed. He was almost cut to pieces. We took him to the fort and dressed his wounds, but after he recovered he took to the woods and turned wild. — What now, Slasher, are you hunting the men who killed your master?"

The massive head swung from side to side and the eyes glowed greenly (массивная голова закачалась из стороны в сторону, а глаза пылали зеленоватым). He did not growl or bark (он не рычал и не лаял). Silently as a phantom he slid in behind them (молча, как фантом, он скользнул за них).

"Let him come," muttered Conan (пусть идет /с нами/: «позволь ему идти», — пробормотал Конан; to come — приходить, идти вместе). "He can smell the devils before we can see them (он может учуять демонов раньше, чем мы можем увидеть их = чем мы увидим их)."

The massive head swung from side to side and the eyes glowed greenly. He did not growl or bark. Silently as a phantom he slid in behind them.

"Let him come," muttered Conan. "He can smell the devils before we can see them."

Balthus smiled and laid his hand caressingly on the dog's head (Балтус улыбнулся и положил /свою/ руку ласково на голову собаки). The lips involuntarily writhed back to display the gleaming fangs (губы невольно оттянулись, /чтобы/ показать сверкающие клыки); then the great beast bent his head sheepishly (потом огромный зверь наклонил /свою/ голову застенчиво / глуповато; sheep — овца), and his tail moved with jerky uncertainty (а его хвост задвигался с двигающейся толчками неуверенностью = задергался неуверенно толчками), as if the owner had almost forgotten the emotions of friendliness (как будто владелец /хвоста/ почти забыл чувства дружбы; to forget — забывать). Balthus mentally compared the great gaunt hard body with the fat sleek hounds (Балтус мысленно сравнил огромное сухопарое крепкое тело с толстыми гладкими охотничьими собаками) tumbling vociferously over one another in his father's kennel yard (кувыркающимися шумно друг через друга во дворе псарни его отца; kennel — собачья конура; псарня; yard — двор). He sighed (он вздохнул). The frontier was no less hard for beasts than for men (граница была не менее тяжелой для зверей, чем для людей). This dog had almost forgotten the meaning of kindness and friendliness (этот пес почти забыл значение доброты и дружелюбия).

involuntarily [In'vOlqntqrqlI], vociferously [vqu'sIferqslI], sigh [saI]

Balthus smiled and laid his hand caressingly on the dog's head. The lips involuntarily writhed back to display the gleaming fangs; then the great beast bent his head sheepishly, and his tail moved with jerky uncertainty, as if the owner had almost forgotten the emotions of friendliness. Balthus mentally compared the great gaunt hard body with the fat sleek hounds tumbling vociferously over one another in his father's kennel yard. He sighed. The frontier was no less hard for beasts than for men. This dog had almost forgotten the meaning of kindness and friendliness.

Slasher glided ahead, and Conan let him take the lead (Задира проскользнул вперед, и Конан позволил ему возглавлять шествие). The last tinge of dusk faded into stark darkness (последний оттенок сумерек растворился в полнейшей тьме). The miles fell away under their steady feet (мили исчезали под их крепкими ногами). Slasher seemed voiceless (Задира казался немым). Suddenly he halted, tense, ears lifted (вдруг он остановился, напряженный, уши подняты = торчком). An instant later the men heard it — a demoniac yelling up the river ahead of them, faint as a whisper (мгновение спустя люди услышали это — демонические крики вверх по реке впереди них, слабые, как шорох).

Conan swore like a madman (Конан ругался как сумасшедший[43]).

"They've attacked the fort (они напали на форт)! We're too late (мы опоздали: «мы слишком поздно»)! Come on (давай / вперед)!"

demoniac [dI'mqunIxk], swore [swO:], steady [stedI]

Slasher glided ahead, and Conan let him take the lead. The last tinge of dusk faded into stark darkness. The miles fell away under their steady feet. Slasher seemed voiceless. Suddenly he halted, tense, ears lifted. An instant later the men heard it — a demoniac yelling up the river ahead of them, faint as a whisper.

Conan swore like a madman.

"They've attacked the fort! We're too late! Come on!"

He increased his pace, trusting to the dog to smell out ambushes ahead (он ускорил шаг, доверяя собаке разнюхивать засады впереди). In a flood of tense excitement Balthus forgot his hunger and weariness (в потоке напряженного волнения Балтус забыл про голод и усталость). The yells grew louder as they advanced (крики стали громче, когда они продвинулись вперед), and above the devilish screaming they could hear the deep shouts of the soldiers (и над адскими воплями, они могли слышать низкие крики солдат; deep — глубокий). Just as Balthus began to fear they would run into the savages who seemed to be howling just ahead of them (как раз когда Балтус начал опасаться, /что/ они наткнутся на дикарей, которые, казалось, воют прямо перед ними), Conan swung away from the river in a wide semicircle that carried them to a low rise (Конан свернул от реки широким полукругом, который вел их к невысокой возвышенности) from which they could look over the forest (с которой они могли заглянуть за лес). They saw the fort, lighted with torches thrust over the parapets on long poles (они увидели форт, освещенный факелами, воткнутыми за парапетами на длинных шестах). These cast a flickering, uncertain light over the clearing (они отбрасывали мерцающий неясный свет через росчисть), and in that light they saw throngs of naked, painted figures along the fringe of the clearing (и в этом свете они увидели толпы голых раскрашенных фигур вдоль бахромы росчисти). The river swarmed with canoes (река кишела каноэ). The Picts had the fort completely surrounded (пикты полностью окружили форт).

flood [flAd], weariness ['wIqrInIs], fringe [frInG]

He increased his pace, trusting to the dog to smell out ambushes ahead. In a flood of tense excitement Balthus forgot his hunger and weariness. The yells grew louder as they advanced, and above the devilish screaming they could hear the deep shouts of the soldiers. Just as Balthus began to fear they would run into the savages who seemed to be howling just ahead of them, Conan swung away from the river in a wide semicircle that carried them to a low rise from which they could look over the forest. They saw the fort, lighted with torches thrust over the parapets on long poles. These cast a flickering, uncertain light over the clearing, and in that light they saw throngs of naked, painted figures along the fringe of the clearing. The river swarmed with canoes. The Picts had the fort completely surrounded.

An incessant hail of arrows rained against the stockade from the woods and the river (непрерывный град стрел обрушился на укрепление из леса и с реки). The deep twanging of the bowstrings rose above the howling (низкое треньканье тетивы луков поднялось над воем). Yelling like wolves (завывая как волки), several hundred naked warriors with axes in their hands (несколько сотен голых воинов с топорами в /их/ руках) ran from under the trees and raced toward the eastern gate (выбежали из-под деревьев и бросились к восточным воротам). They were within a hundred and fifty yards of their objective (они были в пределах ста пятидесяти ярдов от своей цели) when a withering blast of arrows from the wall littered the ground with corpses (когда смертоносный поток стрел со стены усеял землю трупами) and sent the survivors fleeing back to the trees (и отправил выживших /убегающими/ назад к деревьям). The men in the canoes rushed their boats toward the river-wall (люди в каноэ бросили свои лодки к стене, выходящей на реку,), and were met by another shower of clothyard shafts (и были встречены еще одним градом стрел) and a volley from the small ballistae mounted on towers on that side of the stockade (и залпом из небольших баллист, установленных на башнях по ту сторону частокола). Stones and logs whirled through the air and splintered and sank half a dozen canoes (камни и бревна пронеслись в воздухе и раздробили и потопили полдюжины каноэ), killing their occupants, and the other boats drew back out of range (убивая их пассажиров, а остальные лодки отошли за пределы досягаемости; out of range — вне досягаемости). A deep roar of triumph rose from the walls of the fort, answered by bestial howling from all quarters (низкий триумфальный рев поднялся со стен форта, /на который/ ответил звериный вой со всех сторон).

incessant [In'sesnt], survivor [sq'vaIvq], triumph ['traIqmf]

An incessant hail of arrows rained against the stockade from the woods and the river. The deep twanging of the bowstrings rose above the howling. Yelling like wolves, several hundred naked warriors with axes in their hands ran from under the trees and raced toward the eastern gate. They were within a hundred and fifty yards of their objective when a withering blast of arrows from the wall littered the ground with corpses and sent the survivors fleeing back to the trees. The men in the canoes rushed their boats toward the river-wall, and were met by another shower of clothyard shafts and a volley from the small ballistae mounted on towers on that side of the stockade. Stones and logs whirled through the air and splintered and sank half a dozen canoes, killing their occupants, and the other boats drew back out of range. A deep roar of triumph rose from the walls of the fort, answered by bestial howling from all quarters.

"Shall we try to break through?" asked Balthus, trembling with eagerness (мы попробуем прорваться? — спросил Балтус, дрожа с = от нетерпения).

Conan shook his head (Конан покачал /своей/ головой). He stood with his arms folded, his head slightly bent (он стоял, скрестив руки на груди, слегка склонив голову: «с его руками скрещенными, его голова слегка склоненная»), a somber and brooding figure (мрачная и погруженная в размышления фигура).

"The fort's doomed (форт обречен; to doom — обрекать, приговаривать[44]). The Picts are blood-mad, and won't stop until they're all killed (пикты кровожадны, и не остановятся, пока /они/ все /не/ будут убиты). And there are too many of them for the men in the fort to kill (а их слишком много: «там есть слишком много из них» для людей в форте, /чтобы/ убить). We couldn't break through, and if we did, we could do nothing but die with Valannus (мы не смогли бы прорваться, а если бы /мы/ /и/ сделали = прорвались, /то мы не/ смогли бы сделать ничего, кроме /как/ умереть с Валаннусом)."

eagerness ['i:gqnIs], figure ['fIgq], with [wID]

"Shall we try to break through?" asked Balthus, trembling with eagerness.

Conan shook his head. He stood with his arms folded, his head slightly bent, a somber and brooding figure.

"The fort's doomed. The Picts are blood-mad, and won't stop until they're all killed. And there are too many of them for the men in the fort to kill. We couldn't break through, and if we did, we could do nothing but die with Valannus."

"There's nothing we can do but save our own hides, then (значит, мы ничего не можем сделать: «там есть ничего мы можем сделать», кроме как спасти наши собственные шкуры)?"

"Yes. We've got to warn the settlers (да = нет, можем. Мы должны предупредить поселенцев; to warn — предостеречь). Do you know why the Picts are not trying to burn the fort with fire-arrows (/ты/ знаешь, почему пикты не пытаются поджечь форт горящими стрелами)? Because they don't want a flame that might warn the people to the east (потому что они не хотят пламени = им не нужен огонь, который мог бы предупредить людей на востоке). They plan to stamp out the fort, and then sweep east before anyone knows of its fall (они планируют уничтожить форт, а потом обрушиться на восток, пока никто /не/ знает о его падении). They may cross Thunder River and take Velitrium before the people know what's happened (они могут пересечь Громовую реку и взять Велитриум, прежде чем люди узнают = поймут, что случилось). At least they'll destroy every living thing between the fort and Thunder River (по меньшей мере, они уничтожат все живое: «каждую живую вещь» между фортом и Громовой рекой).

burn [bq:n], fall [fO:l], destroy [dI'strOI]

"There's nothing we can do but save our own hides, then?"

"Yes. We've got to warn the settlers. Do you know why the Picts are not trying to burn the fort with fire-arrows? Because they don't want a flame that might warn the people to the east. They plan to stamp out the fort, and then sweep east before anyone knows of its fall. They may cross Thunder River and take Velitrium before the people know what's happened. At least they'll destroy every living thing between the fort and Thunder River.

"We've failed to warn the fort (нам не удалось предупредить форт; to fail — не удаваться, не получаться, подводить), and I see now it would have done no good if we had succeeded и я вижу теперь, это ни принесло бы никакой пользы, если бы мы преуспели /в этом/; to do good — приносить пользу). The fort's too poorly manned (в форте слишком мало людей: «форт слишком бедно облюден»). A few more charges and the Picts will be over the walls and breaking down the gates (еще несколько атак, и пикты будут за стенами и разнесут ворота). But we can start the settlers toward Velitrium (но мы можем отправить поселенцев к Велитриуму). Come on (давай / шевелись)! We're outside the circle the Picts have thrown around the fort (мы снаружи кольца, /которое/ пикты раскинули вокруг форта). We'll keep clear of it (мы избежим его / будем держаться вне его; to keep clear of — остерегаться, избегать)."

see [si:], poorly ['puqlI], clear [klIq]

"We've failed to warn the fort, and I see now it would have done no good if we had succeeded. The fort's too poorly manned. A few more charges and the Picts will be over the walls and breaking down the gates. But we can start the settlers toward Velitrium. Come on! We're outside the circle the Picts have thrown around the fort. We'll keep clear of it."

They swung out in a wide arc (они повернули по широкой дуге), hearing the rising and falling of the volume of the yells, marking each charge and repulse (слыша подъем и падение громкости криков = как усиливаются и стихают крики, знаменуя каждую атаку и /ее/ отражение). The men in the fort were holding their own (люди в форте сдерживали свои); but the shrieks of the Picts did not diminish in savagery (но крики пиктов не становились тише по свирепости; to diminish — убывать, уменьшаться). They vibrated with a timbre that held assurance of ultimate victory (они вибрировали с тембром, который поддерживал уверенность в окончательной победе).

Before Balthus realized they were close to it, they broke into the road leading east (прежде чем Балтус понял, /что/ они вблизи нее, они вышли на дорогу, ведущую на восток).

arc [Rk], charge [CRG], assurance [q'Suqrqns]

They swung out in a wide arc, hearing the rising and falling of the volume of the yells, marking each charge and repulse. The men in the fort were holding their own; but the shrieks of the Picts did not diminish in savagery. They vibrated with a timbre that held assurance of ultimate victory.

Before Balthus realized they were close to it, they broke into the road leading east.

"Now run!" grunted Conan (теперь беги! — рыкнул Конан). Balthus set his teeth (Балтус стиснул /свои/ зубы). It was nineteen miles to Velitrium, a good five to Scalp Creek beyond which began the settlements (/это/ было девятнадцать миль до Велитриума, добрых пять до притока Скальп, за которым начинались поселения). It seemed to the Aquilonian that they had been fighting and running for centuries (/это/ казалось аквилонцу = аквилонцу казалось, что они сражаются и бегут уже века). But the nervous excitement that rioted through his blood stimulated him to herculean efforts (но нервное возбуждение, которое будоражило /его/ кровь, стимулировало его на титанические: «геркулесовские» усилия).

nervous ['nq:vqs], excitement [Ik'saItmqnt], riot ['raIqt]

"Now run!" grunted Conan. Balthus set his teeth. It was nineteen miles to Velitrium, a good five to Scalp Creek beyond which began the settlements. It seemed to the Aquilonian that they had been fighting and running for centuries. But the nervous excitement that rioted through his blood stimulated him to herculean efforts.

Slasher ran ahead of them, his head to the ground (Задира бежал впереди них: /его/ голова /опущена/ к земле), snarling low, the first sound they had heard from him (низкий рык — первый звук, /который/ они услышали от него).

"Picts ahead of us!" snarled Conan, dropping to one knee and scanning the ground in the starlight (пикты перед нами! — прорычал Конан, припадая на одно колено и рассматривая землю в звездном свете). He shook his head, baffled (он покачал /своей/ головой[45] озадаченно). "I can't tell how many (я не могу сказать сколько). Probably only a small party (возможно, лишь маленький отряд). Some that couldn't wait to take the fort (несколько, которые не могли дождаться взятия форта). They've gone ahead to butcher the settlers in their beds (они ушли вперед, /чтобы/ убивать поселенцев в /их/ постелях)! Come on (вперед)!"

ahead [q'hed], scan [skxn], small [smO:l]

Slasher ran ahead of them, his head to the ground, snarling low, the first sound they had heard from him.

"Picts ahead of us!" snarled Conan, dropping to one knee and scanning the ground in the starlight. He shook his head, baffled. "I can't tell how many. Probably only a small party. Some that couldn't wait to take the fort. They've gone ahead to butcher the settlers in their beds! Come on!"

Ahead of them presently they saw a small blaze through the trees, and, heard a wild and ferocious chanting (перед ними = собой теперь они увидели маленькое пламя среди деревьев и услышали дикое и свирепое пение). The trail bent there, and leaving it, they cut across the bend, through the thickets (тропа там сворачивала, и сойдя с нее, они срезали изгиб через заросли). A few moments later they were looking on a hideous sight (несколько секунд спустя они смотрели на отвратительное зрелище). An ox-wain stood in the road (телега, запряженная быками, стояла на дороге) piled with meager household furnishings (нагруженная скудной домашней утварью); it was burning (она горела); the oxen lay near with their throats cut (быки лежали рядом с перерезанным горлом; an ox — бык, вол, oxen —— быки, волы). A man and a woman lay in the road, stripped and mutilated (мужчина и женщина лежали на дороге, раздетые и изуродованные). Five Picts were dancing about them with fantastic leaps and bounds (пять пиктов плясали вокруг них с причудливыми прыжками и скачками), waving bloody axes; one of them brandished the woman's red-smeared gown (размахивая окровавленными топорами, один из них выставлял женское платье, испачканное красным).

chanting [CRntIN], household ['haushquld], gown [gaun]

Ahead of them presently they saw a small blaze through the trees, and, heard a wild and ferocious chanting. The trail bent there, and leaving it, they cut across the bend, through the thickets. A few moments later they were looking on a hideous sight. An ox-wain stood in the road piled with meager household furnishings; it was burning; the oxen lay near with their throats cut. A man and a woman lay in the road, stripped and mutilated. Five Picts were dancing about them with fantastic leaps and bounds, waving bloody axes; one of them brandished the woman's red‑smeared gown.

At the sight a red haze swam before Balthus (при виде /этого/ красный туман поплыл перед /глазами/ Балтуса). Lifting his bow he lined the prancing figure, black against the fire, and loosed (подняв /свой/ лук, он навел /его/ на скачущую фигуру, черную на фоне огня, и отпустил тетиву). The slayer leaped convulsively and fell dead with the arrow through his heart (убийца подпрыгнул конвульсивно и упал мертвый, со стрелой в сердце). Then the two white men and the dog were upon the startled survivors (затем двое белых мужчин и пес набросились на пораженных уцелевших). Conan was animated merely by his fighting spirit and an old, old racial hate (Конан был воодушевлен своим бойцовским духом и старой-старой расовой ненавистью), but Balthus was afire with wrath (а Балтус был охвачен огнем гнева: «был зажжен гневом / был в огне от гнева»; afire — охваченный огнем).

prancing [prRnsIN], racial ['reSql], wrath [rOT]

At the sight a red haze swam before Balthus. Lifting his bow he lined the prancing figure, black against the fire, and loosed. The slayer leaped convulsively and fell dead with the arrow through his heart. Then the two white men and the dog were upon the startled survivors. Conan was animated merely by his fighting spirit and an old, old racial hate, but Balthus was afire with wrath.

He met the first Pict to oppose him with a ferocious swipe (он встретил первого пикта, /который/ выступил против него, жестоким сильным ударом; swipe — сильный удар) that split the painted skull (который расколол раскрашенный череп), and sprang over his failing body to grapple with the others (и перепрыгнул его падающее: «слабеющее» тело, /чтобы/ схватиться с остальными). But Conan had already killed one of the two he had chosen, and the leap of the Aquilonian was a second late (но Конан уже убил одного из двух, /которых/ он выбрал, и прыжок аквилонца на секунду опоздал). The warrior was down with the long sword through him even as Balthus' ax was lifted (воин упал /пронзенный/ длинным мечом, как раз когда был поднят топор Балтуса). Turning toward the remaining Pict, Balthus saw Slasher rise from his victim, his great jaws dripping blood (обернувшись к оставшемуся пикту, Балтус увидел, /как/ Задира поднялся от своей жертвы, /а/ /из/ его огромных челюстей стекала кровь).

He met the first Pict to oppose him with a ferocious swipe that split the painted skull, and sprang over his failing body to grapple with the others. But Conan had already killed one of the two he had chosen, and the leap of the Aquilonian was a second late. The warrior was down with the long sword through him even as Balthus' ax was lifted. Turning toward the remaining Pict, Balthus saw Slasher rise from his victim, his great jaws dripping blood.

Balthus said nothing as he looked down at the pitiful forms in the road beside the burning wain (Балтус /не/ сказал ничего, когда /он/ посмотрел вниз на жалкие фигуры на дороге возле горящей повозки). Both were young, the woman little more than a girl (оба были молоды, женщина — почти девочка: «чуть больше, чем девочка»). By some whim of chance the Picts had left her face unmarred, and even in the agonies of an awful death it was beautiful (по какой-то прихоти судьбы пикты оставили ее лицо нетронутым, и даже в муках ужасной смерти оно было прекрасно). But her soft young body had been hideously slashed with many knives (но ее нежное молодое тело было страшно исполосовано множеством ножей) — a mist clouded Balthus' eyes and he swallowed chokingly (дымка затуманила глаза Балтуса, и он сглотнул, задыхаясь = пытаясь избавиться от комка в горле[46]). The tragedy momentarily overcame him (трагедия на минуту переполнила его). He felt like falling upon the ground and weeping and biting the earth (ему захотелось упасть на землю и рыдать, и грызть землю; to feel like V-ing — хотеться сделать что-л.).

unmarred [An'mRd], beside [bI'saId], swallow ['swOlqu]

Balthus said nothing as he looked down at the pitiful forms in the road beside the burning wain. Both were young, the woman little more than a girl. By some whim of chance the Picts had left her face unmarred, and even in the agonies of an awful death it was beautiful. But her soft young body had been hideously slashed with many knives — a mist clouded Balthus' eyes and he swallowed chokingly. The tragedy momentarily overcame him. He felt like falling upon the ground and weeping and biting the earth.