The curse of the monolith 4 страница
touched [tAtSt], fast [fQ:st], effort ['efqt]
His hand touched the dagger, and in an instant he held the hilt fast. But, as he strained it away from the shaft, the rust-eaten blade broke with a sharp ping. Rolling his eyes downward, he saw that about two thirds of the blade, from the tapering point back, had broken off and lay flat against the stone. The remaining third still projected from the hilt. Since there was now less iron in the dagger for the shaft to attract, Conan was able, by a muscle-bulging effort, to tear the stump of the weapon away from the shaft.
A glance showed him that, although most of the blade was lost to him, the stump still had a couple of apparently sharp edges (взгляд показал ему, что хотя большая часть лезвия была потеряна для него, обломок все еще имел пару очевидно острых граней). With his muscles quivering from the effort of holding the implement away from the stone, he brought one of these edges up against the leathern thong that bound the two halves of the mail shirt together (/с/ мускулами, дрожащими от усилия, чтобы удержать инструмент /на расстоянии/ от камня, он поднес одну из этих граней к кожаному ремню, который связывал две половины кольчуги вместе). Carefully, he began to saw the tough rawhide with the rusty blade (осторожно он начал пилить жесткую сыромятную кожу ржавым лезвием; to begin — начинать(ся)).
lost [lOst], sharp [SQ:p], edges ['eGIz]
A glance showed him that, although most of the blade was lost to him, the stump still had a couple of apparently sharp edges. With his muscles quivering from the effort of holding the implement away from the stone, he brought one of these edges up against the leathern thong that bound the two halves of the mail shirt together. Carefully, he began to saw the tough rawhide with the rusty blade.
Every movement was agony (каждое движение было мукой). The torment of suspense grew unbearable (муки от неизвестности стали невыносимыми). His hand, bent into an uncomfortable, twisted position, ached and grew numb (его кисть, изогнутая в неудобном скрюченном положении, болела и стала онемевшей = онемела). The ancient blade was notched, thin, and brittle; a hasty motion might break it, leaving him helpless (старинный клинок был зазубренный, тонкий и хрупкий, поспешное движение могло сломать его, оставляя = оставив его (Конана) беспомощным). Stroke after stroke he sawed up and down, with exquisite caution (взмах за взмахом, он пилил вверх и вниз с большой осторожностью). The scent of the creature grew stronger and the sucking sounds of its progress, louder (запах существа становился сильнее, а чмокающие звуки его передвижения — громче).
numb [nAm], sawed [sO:d], creature ['kri:tSq]
Every movement was agony. The torment of suspense grew unbearable. His hand, bent into an uncomfortable, twisted position, ached and grew numb. The ancient blade was notched, thin, and brittle; a hasty motion might break it, leaving him helpless. Stroke after stroke he sawed up and down, with exquisite caution. The scent of the creature grew stronger and the sucking sounds of its progress, louder.
Then Conan felt the thong snap (потом Конан почувствовал треск ремня). The next instant, he hurled his full strength against the magnetic force that imprisoned him (/в/ следующее мгновение он швырнул его полную силу = всю свою силу против магнитной силы, которая пленила его). The thong unraveled through the loopholes in the mail shirt, until one whole side of the shirt was open (ремень распутался через отверстия в кольчуге, пока одна целая сторона кольчуги = одна сторона кольчуги целиком /не/ раскрылась). His shoulder and half an arm came out through the opening (его плечо и половина руки вышли через отверстие).
next [nekst], against [q'genst], shoulder [Squldq]
Then Conan felt the thong snap. The next instant, he hurled his full strength against the magnetic force that imprisoned him. The thong unraveled through the loopholes in the mail shirt, until one whole side of the shirt was open. His shoulder and half an arm came out through the opening.
Then he felt a light blow on the head (потом он почувствовал легкий удар по голове). The stench became overpowering, and his unseen assailant from above pushed this way and that against his helmet (вонь стала непреодолимой, а его невидимый противник сверху толкался тут и там о его шлем). Conan knew that a jellylike tendril had reached his helmet and was groping over its surface, seeking flesh (Конан знал, что желеобразный усик достиг шлема и ощупывал его поверхность, ища = в поисках мяса). Any instant, the corrosive stuff would seep down over his face (/в/ любое мгновение едкое вещество просочится вниз на его лицо)…
blow [blqu], became [bI'keIm], stuff [stAf]
Then he felt a light blow on the head. The stench became overpowering, and his unseen assailant from above pushed this way and that against his helmet. Conan knew that a jellylike tendril had reached his helmet and was groping over its surface, seeking flesh. Any instant, the corrosive stuff would seep down over his face…
Frantically, he pulled his arm out of the sleeve of the unlaced side of the mail shirt (неистово он потянул свою руку из рукава расшнурованной стороны кольчуги). With his free hand, he unbuckled his sword belt and the chin strap of his helmet (свободной рукой он расстегнул ремень меча и ремешок на подбородке его шлема). Then he tore himself loose altogether from the deadly constriction of the mail, leaving his tulwar and his armor flattened against the stone (затем он оторвался /свободный/ полностью от смертельного захвата кольчуги, оставляя свой тульвар и /свои/ доспехи разглаженными на камне; to tear — рвать).
tore [tO:], loose [lu:s], armor ['Q:mq]
Frantically, he pulled his arm out of the sleeve of the unlaced side of the mail shirt. With his free hand, he unbuckled his sword belt and the chin strap of his helmet. Then he tore himself loose altogether from the deadly constriction of the mail, leaving his tulwar and his armor flattened against the stone.
He staggered free of the column and stood for an instant on trembling legs (он шатался свободный от колонны и стоял какое-то мгновение на дрожащих ногах). The moonlit world swam before his eyes (освещенный луной мир поплыл перед его глазами).
Glancing back, he saw that the jelly-beast had now engulfed his helmet (посмотрев назад, он увидел, что студенистая тварь уже поглотила его шлем). Baffled in its quest for flesh (сбитая с толку в своих поисках плоти), it was sending more pseudopods down and outward, wavering and questing in the watery light (она выбрасывала ложноножки вниз и наружу, колыхаясь и ища = ведя поиск/занимаясь поисками в бледном свете).
beast [bi:st], quest [kwest], pseudopod ['sju:dqupOd]
He staggered free of the column and stood for an instant on trembling legs. The moonlit world swam before his eyes.
Glancing back, he saw that the jelly-beast had now engulfed his helmet. Baffled in its quest for flesh, it was sending more pseudopods down and outward, wavering and questing in the watery light.
Down the slope, the demoniac piping continued (внизу склона продолжалась демоническая игра /на флейте/). Feng sat cross-legged on the grass of the slope, tweedling away on his flute (Фэн сидел скрестив ноги на траве склона, наигрывая на своей флейте) as if absorbed in some inhuman ecstasy (как будто погруженный в какой-то нечеловеческий экстаз).
Conan ripped off and threw away the gag (Конан выругался и выбросил кляп). He pounced like a striking leopard (он прыгнул, как атакующий леопард). He came down upon the little duke; the pair rolled down the rest of the slope in a tangle of silken robe and thrashing limbs (он набросился на маленького князя, пара покатилась вниз /по/ остальной /части/ склона в клубке шелкового одеяния и молотящих конечностей). A blow to the side of the head subdued Feng’s struggles (удар в бок головы = боковой удар в голову подавил борьбу = сопротивление Фэна). Conan groped into the Khitan’s wide sleeves and tore out the ivory cylinder containing the documents (Конан щупал в широкие рукава = нащупал в широких рукавах кхитайца и вырвал цилиндр из слоновой кости, содержащий документы; to tear — рвать(ся), разрывать(ся), срывать, отрывать(ся)).
piping ['paIpIN], grass [grQ:s], flute [flu:t]
Down the slope, the demoniac piping continued. Feng sat cross-legged on the grass of the slope, tweedling away on his flute as if absorbed in some inhuman ecstasy.
Conan ripped off and threw away the gag. He pounced like a striking leopard. He came down upon the little duke; the pair rolled down the rest of the slope in a tangle of silken robe and thrashing limbs. A blow to the side of the head subdued Feng’s struggles. Conan groped into the Khitan’s wide sleeves and tore out the ivory cylinder containing the documents.
Then Conan lurched back up the hill, dragging Feng after him (затем Конан, шатаясь, вернулся на холм, таща Фэна за собой; to lurch — идти шатаясь). As he reached the level section around the base of the monolith, he heaved Feng into the air over his head (когда он достиг горизонтального участка вокруг основания монолита, он поднял Фэна в воздух над головой). Seeing what was happening to him, the duke uttered one high, thin scream as Conan hurled him at the shaft (видя = увидев, что происходило = происходит с ним, князь издал один высокий тонкий вопль, когда Конан швырнул его на столб). The Khitan struck the column with a thud and slid unconscious to the ground at its base (кхитаец ударился о колонну с /глухим/ стуком и соскользнул без сознания на землю у его основания).
air [Fq], duke [dju:k], utter ['Atq]
Then Conan lurched back up the hill, dragging Feng after him. As he reached the level section around the base of the monolith, he heaved Feng into the air over his head. Seeing what was happening to him, the duke uttered one high, thin scream as Conan hurled him at the shaft. The Khitan struck the column with a thud and slid unconscious to the ground at its base.
The blow was merciful (удар был милостив), for the duke never felt the slimy touch of the haunter of the monolith as the glassy tentacles reached his face (ибо князь никогда = так и не почувствовал слизистого касания завсегдатая монолита, когда прозрачные щупальца достигли его лица). For a moment, Conan grimly watched (в течение минуты Конан мрачно наблюдал). Feng’s features blurred as the rippling jelly slid over them (черты Фэна расплылись, когда пульсирующий студень скользнул по ним). Then the flesh faded away, and the skull and teeth showed through in a ghastly grin (затем плоть исчезла, а череп и зубы проступили в жутком оскале). The abomination flushed pink as it fed (мерзость = мерзкая тварь окрасилась в розовый цвет/покраснела, когда она насытилась).
Conan strode back to camp on stiff legs (Конан зашагал назад в лагерь на негнущихся ногах). Behind him, like a giant’s torch, the monolith stood against the sky, wrapped in smoky, scarlet flames (за ним, как гигантский факел, монолит стоял на фоне неба, охваченный дымными алыми языками пламени).
stiff [stIf], torch [tO:tS], scarlet [skQ:lIt]
The blow was merciful, for the duke never felt the slimy touch of the haunter of the monolith as the glassy tentacles reached his face. For a moment, Conan grimly watched. Feng’s features blurred as the rippling jelly slid over them. Then the flesh faded away, and the skull and teeth showed through in a ghastly grin. The abomination flushed pink as it fed.
Conan strode back to camp on stiff legs. Behind him, like a giant’s torch., the monolith stood against the sky, wrapped in smoky, scarlet flames.
It had been the work of moments only to strike fire into dry tinder with his flint and steel (это было работой нескольких моментов = минутным делом высечь огонь в = поджечь сухой трут кремнем и огнивом). He had watched with grim satisfaction as the oily surface of the slime-monster ignited and blazed (он наблюдал с мрачным удовлетворением, когда маслянистая поверхность слизистого чудища зажглась и запылала) as it squirmed in voiceless agony (когда оно извивалось в безмолвной агонии). Let them both burn, he thought; the half-digested corpse of that treacherous dog and his loathsome pet! (позволь им обоим сгореть = пусть сгорят они оба, думал он, полупереваренный труп этого вероломного пса и его омерзительного любимца!)
fire ['faIq], tinder ['tIndq], burn [bq:n]
It had been the work of moments only to strike fire into dry tinder with his flint and steel. He had watched with grim satisfaction as the oily surface of the slime-monster ignited and blazed as it squirmed in voiceless agony. Let them both burn, he thought; the half-digested corpse of that treacherous dog and his loathsome pet!
As Conan neared the camp, he saw that the last of his warriors had not yet retired (когда Конан приблизился /к/ лагерю, он увидел, что последние из его воинов еще не легли спать; to retire — уходить, удаляться). Instead, several stood staring curiously at the distant firelight (вместо этого несколько стояли, вглядываясь с любопытством в далекий свет костра). As he appeared, they turned upon him, crying out: ‘Where have you been, Captain? What is that blaze? Where is the duke?’ (когда он появился, они повернулись к нему, восклицая: где ты был, капитан? что это /за/ огонь? где князь?)
distant ['dIstqnt], appeared [q'pIqd], upon [q'pOn]
As Conan neared the camp, he saw that the last of his warriors had not yet retired. Instead, several stood staring curiously at the distant firelight. As he appeared, they turned upon him, crying out: ‘Where have you been, Captain? What is that blaze? Where is the duke?’
‘Ho, you gaping oafs!’ he roared as he strode into the firelight (эй, вы, зевающие олухи! — он проревел, когда вошел в свет костра; to stride — шагать (большими шагами)). ‘Wake the boys and saddle up to run for it (будите парней и седлайте коней, чтобы мчаться изо всех сил). TheJaga headhunters caught us, and they’ll be here any time (джага — охотники за головами — заманили нас, и они будут здесь в любой момент). They got the duke, but I broke free (они схватили князя, но я освободился; to break free — освободиться). Khusro! Mulai! Hop to it, if you do not want your heads hung up in their devil-devil huts! (Кхусро! Мулай! Пошевеливайтесь, если вы не хотите, /чтобы/ ваши головы висели в их нечистых: «дьявольских» хижинах!) And I hope to Crom you’ve left me some of that wine!’ (и я надеюсь на Крома, /что/ вы оставили мне немного того вина!)
caught [kO:t], hope [houp], some [sAm]
‘Ho, you gaping oafs!’ he roared as he strode into the firelight. ‘Wake the boys and saddle up to run for it. TheJaga headhunters caught us, and they’ll be here any time. They got the duke, but I broke free. Khusro! Mulai! Hop to it, if you do not want your heads hung up in their devil-devil huts! And I hope to Crom you’ve left me some of that wine!’
THE CASTLE OF TERROR
(Замок ужаса)
Burning Eyes
(Горящие глаза)
Beyond the trackless deserts of Stygia lay the vast grasslands of Kush (за непроходимыми пустынями Стигии лежали огромные луга Куша; to lie — лежать). For over a hundred leagues, there was naught but endless stretches of thick grass (на протяжении более сотни лиг /не/ было ничего, кроме бесконечных просторов густой травы). Here and there a solitary tree rose to break the gently rolling monotony of the veldt (тут и там одинокое дерево поднималось, чтобы разрушить мерно волнующуюся монотонность степи): spiny acacias, sword-leaved dragon trees (колючие акации, драконники с мечевидными листьями), emerald-spired lobelias, and thick-fingered, poisonous spurges (изумрудные заостренные лобелии и густо-пальчатый ядовитый молочай; poison — яд). Now and then a rare stream cut a shallow dell across the prairie (время от времени редкий ручей прорезал мелкую лощину через прерию), giving rise to a narrow gallery forest along its banks (давая начало узкому припойменному леску вдоль его берегов; to give rise — давать начало, вызывать). Herds of zebra, antelope, buffalo, and other denizens of the savanna drifted athwart the veldt, grazing as they went (стада зебр, антилоп, буйволов и других обитателей саванны проносились через степь, пасясь по мере того, как они проходили = по ходу).
desert [dezqt], vast [vQ:st], hundred [hAndrqd]
Beyond the trackless deserts of Stygia lay the vast grasslands of Kush. For over a hundred leagues, there was naught but endless stretches of thick grass. Here and there a solitary tree rose to break the gently rolling monotony of the veldt: spiny acacias, sword-leaved dragon trees, emerald-spired lobelias, and thick-fingered, poisonous spurges. Now and then a rare stream cut a shallow dell across the prairie, giving rise to a narrow gallery forest along its banks. Herds of zebra, antelope, buffalo, and other denizens of the savanna drifted athwart the veldt, grazing as they went.
The grasses whispered and nodded in the wandering winds beneath skies of deep cobalt (травы шелестели и качались на бродячих ветрах под небесами /из/ темно-кобальтовой сини) in which a fierce tropical sun blazed blindingly (в которой неистовое тропическое солнце пылало слепяще). Now and then clouds boiled up (иногда облака закипали); a brief thunderstorm roared and blazed with catastrophic fury (короткая гроза разражалась и сверкала от гибельного гнева), only to die and clear as quickly as it had arisen (только /для того чтобы/ умереть и рассеяться так /же/ быстро, как она вспыхнула; to arise — возникать, появляться, происходить).
fierce [fIqs], clouds [klaudz], brief [bri:f]
The grasses whispered and nodded in the wandering winds beneath skies of deep cobalt in which a fierce tropical sun blazed blindingly. Now and then clouds boiled up; a brief thunderstorm roared and blazed with catastrophic fury, only to die and clear as quickly as it had arisen.
Across this limitless waste, as the day died, a lone, silent figure trudged (через эти безграничные просторы, когда умер день = на исходе дня одинокая безмолвная фигура устало тащилась; to trudge — устало тащиться, идти с трудом). It was a young giant, strongly built (это был молодой гигант/великан, крепко сложенный), with gliding thews that swelled under a sun-bronzed hide scored with the white traces of old wounds (с перекатывающимися мускулами, которые раздувались под бронзовой от солнца кожей, изборожденной белыми следами от старых ран; to score — делать зарубки, метить, оставлять глубокие следы). Deep of chest and broad of shoulder and long of limb was he; his scanty costume of loinclout and sandals revealed his magnificent physique (/с/ мощной грудью и широкими плечами и длинными конечностями был он, его скудное одеяние из набедренной повязки и сандалий раскрывало = не скрывало его великолепного телосложения). His chest, shoulders, and back were burnt nearly as black as the natives of this land (его грудь, плечи и спина были загоревшими почти так же дочерна, как у аборигенов этой земли).
thews [Tju:z], broad [brO:d], scanty ['skxntI]
Across this limitless waste, as the day died, a lone, silent figure trudged. It was a young giant, strongly built, with gliding thews that swelled under a sun-bronzed hide scored with the white traces of old wounds. Deep of chest and broad of shoulder and long of limb was he; his scanty costume of loinclout and sandals revealed his magnificent physique. His chest, shoulders, and back were burnt nearly as black as the natives of this land.
The tangled locks of an unkempt mane of coarse black hair framed a grim, impassive face (спутанные пряди всклокоченной гривы грубых волос обрамляли мрачное, бесстрастное лицо). Beneath scowling black brows, fierce eyes of burning blue roamed restlessly from side to side (под нахмуренными черными бровями живые глаза, горящие синим, рыскали неустанно из стороны в сторону) as he marched with a limber, tireless stride across the level lands (когда он шагал быстрым неутомимым шагом через плоские земли = равнины). His wary gaze pierced the thick, shadowy grasses on either side, reddened by the angry crimson of sunset (его настороженный взгляд пронизывал густые тенистые травы, покрасневшие от грозного малинового цвета заката). Soon night would come swiftly across Kush (скоро ночь наступит быстро над Кушем); under the gloom of its world-shadowing wings, danger and death would prowl the waste (под сумраком ее затеняющих мир крыльев опасность и смерть будут рыскать /по/ просторам/пустоши).
coarse [kO:s], hair [hFq], level [levl]
The tangled locks of an unkempt mane of coarse black hair framed a grim, impassive face. Beneath scowling black brows, fierce eyes of burning blue roamed restlessly from side to side as he marched with a limber, tireless stride across the level lands. His wary gaze pierced the thick, shadowy grasses on either side, reddened by the angry crimson of sunset. Soon night would come swiftly across Kush; under the gloom of its world-shadowing wings, danger and death would prowl the waste.
Yet the lone traveler, Conan of Cunmeria, was not afraid (но одинокий путник, Конан из Киммерии, не боялся; to be afraid — бояться, быть боящимся). A barbarian of barbarians, bred on the bleak hills of distant Cunmeria, the iron endurance and fierce vitality of the wild were his (варвар из варваров, воспитанный на холодных холмах далекой Киммерии, железная выносливость и неистовая живучесть дикаря был /присущи/ ему; wild — дебри, дикая местность, свободное / естественное состояние (человека)), granting him survival where civilized men, though more learned, more courteous, and more sophisticated than he, would miserably have perished (даруя ему выживание /там/, где цивилизованные люди, хотя более ученые, более учтивые и более искушенные, чем он, презренно погибли бы). Although the wanderer had gone afoot for eight days, with no food save the game he had slain with the great Bamula hunting bow slung across his back (хотя странник шел пешком /уже/ восемь дней без /никакой/ пищи за исключением дичи, /которую/ он убил с = из большого бамульского охотничьего лука, переброшенного через плечо за /его/ спину), the mighty barbarian had nowhere nearly approached the limits of his strength (мощный варвар нисколько не приблизился /к/ пределам его силы; to sling — вешать через плечо).
eight [eIt], nearly ['nIqlI], mighty ['maItI]
Yet the lone traveler, Conan of Cunmeria, was not afraid. A barbarian of barbarians, bred on the bleak hills of distant Cunmeria, the iron endurance and fierce vitality of the wild were his, granting him survival where civilized men, though more learned, more courteous, and more sophisticated than he, would miserably have perished. Although the wanderer had gone afoot for eight days, with no food save the game he had slain with the great Bamula hunting bow slung across his back, the mighty barbarian had nowhere nearly approached the limits of his strength.
Long had Conan been accustomed to the Spartan life of the wilderness (давно Конан привык к спартанской жизни /в/ дикой местности; to be accustomed to — привыкнуть к). Although he had tasted the languid luxuries of civilized life in half the walled, glittering cities of the world, he missed them not (хотя он попробовал безжизненных наслаждений цивилизованной жизни в половине обнесенных стенами блистающих городах мира, он не скучал по ним: «скучал их не»). He plodded on toward the distant horizon, now obscured by a murky purple haze (он брел дальше к далекому горизонту, теперь затемненному мрачным багровым туманом).
tasted ['teIstId], languid ['lxNgwId], horizon [hq'raIzn]
Long had Conan been accustomed to the Spartan life of the wilderness. Although he had tasted the languid luxuries of civilized life in half the walled, glittering cities of the world, he missed them not. He plodded on toward the distant horizon, now obscured by a murky purple haze.
Behind him laythe dense jungles of the black lands beyond Kush (за ним лежали густые джунгли черных земель за Кушем), where fantastic orchids blazed amid foliage of somber dark green (где фантастические орхидеи пламенели среди листвы мрачного темно-зеленого /цвета/), where fierce black tribes hacked a precarious living out of the smothering bush (где свирепые черные племена довольствовались опасной жизнью /среди/ удушливых кустарников), and where the silence of the dank, shadowed jungle pathways was broken only by the coughing snarl of the hunting leopard (и где тишина влажных тенистых тропинок в джунглях нарушалась лишь кашляющим рычанием охотящегося леопарда), the grunt of the wild pig, the brassy trumpeting of the elephant (хрюканьем дикой свиньи, грубым / металлическим ревом слона), or the sudden scream of an angered ape (или неожиданным воплем разгневанной /человекообразной/ обезьяны; to hack — рубить, сносить, принимать, одобрять, тесать, подрезать). For over a year, Conan had dwelt there as the war chief of the powerful Bamula tribe (/для/ более года Конан прожил там, как военный вождь могущественного бамульского племени). At length the crafty black priests, jealous of his rise to power (наконец, хитроумные черные жрецы ревнивые от = к его возвышению к власти) and resentful of his undisguised contempt for their bloodthirsty gods and their cruel, sanguinary rites (и негодующие на его неприкрытое презрение к их кровожадным божкам и их жестоким кровавым ритуалам), had poisoned the minds of the Bamula warriors against their white-skinned leader (отравили умы бамульских воинов /и настроили их/ против их белокожего предводителя).
length [leNT], crafty [krQ:ftI], jealous ['Gelqs]
Behind him laythe dense jungles of the black lands beyond Kush, where fantastic orchids blazed amid foliage of somber dark green, where fierce black tribes hacked a precarious living out of the smothering bush, and where the silence of the dank, shadowed jungle pathways was broken only by the coughing snarl of the hunting leopard, the grunt of the wild pig, the brassy trumpeting of the elephant, or the sudden scream of an angered ape. For over a year, Conan had dwelt there as the war chief of the powerful Bamula tribe. At length the crafty black priests, jealous of his rise to power and resentful of his undisguised contempt for their bloodthirsty gods and their cruel, sanguinary rites, had poisoned the minds of the Bamula warriors against their white-skinned leader.
It had come about in this wise (это произошло таким образом; to come about — происходить, случаться). A time of long, unbroken drought had come upon the tribes of the jungle (время долгой непрерывной засухи навалилось на племена джунглей; to come upon — напасть на, навалиться на). With the shrinking of the rivers and the drying up of the water holes had come red, roaring war (с пересыханием рек и высыханием водяных скважин пришла кровавая, яростная война), as the ebon tribes locked in desperate battle to secure the few remaining sources of the precious fluid (когда черные: «эбеновые» племена сцепились в отчаянной битве, чтобы защитить немногие оставшиеся запасы драгоценной жидкости). Villages went up in flame; whole clans had been slaughtered and left to rot (поселки сгорали в пламени, целые кланы были убиты и оставлены на вымирание; to rot — гнить, разлагаться; деградировать). Then, in the wake of drought, famine, and war, had come plague to sweep the land (затем после засухи, голода и войны пришла чума, чтобы вымести землю = пронестись / пройтись метлой по земле; to sweep — сметать, смывать, "смахивать", сбрасывать интенсивным движением, нестись, мчаться, проноситься; in the wake of — на поводу у, в кильватере, впоследствии).
drought [draut], war [wO:], famine ['fxmIn]
It had come about in this wise. A time of long, unbroken drought had come upon the tribes of the jungle. With the shrinking of the rivers and the drying up of the water holes had come red, roaring war, as the ebon tribes locked in desperate battle to secure the few remaining sources of the precious fluid. Villages went up in flame; whole clans had been slaughtered and left to rot. Then, in the wake of drought, famine, and war, had come plague to sweep the land.