For the life of me, I could not think what it might be.

At last I came right down upon the borders of the clearing. The western end was already steeped in moonshine; the rest, and the block-house itself, still lay in a black shadow, chequered with long, silvery streaks of light. On the other side of the house an immense fire had burned itself into clear embers and shed a steady, red reverberation, contrasted strongly with the mellow paleness of the moon. There was not a soul stirring, nor a sound beside the noises of the breeze.

1. I stopped, with much wonder in my heart (я остановился, очень удивленный: «со значительным удивлением в сердце»), and perhaps a little terror also (и, быть может, к тому же немного напуганный). It had not been our way to build great fires (это не было нашей привычкой — разводить большие костры); we were, indeed, by the captain's orders, somewhat niggardly of firewood (мы были, благодаря приказаниям капитана, несколько скупы на дрова); and I began to fear that something had gone wrong while I was absent (и я начал опасаться, не случилось ли чего-нибудь плохого, пока я отсутствовал; to go wrong — испортиться, выйти из строя, сбиться с правильного пути).

2. I stole round by the eastern end (я прокрался к восточному краю), keeping close in shadow (прячась в тени: «держась скрытно в тени»), and at a convenient place, where the darkness was thickest, crossed the palisade (и в удобном месте, там, где темнота была самой густой, перелез через частокол).

3. To make assurance surer (для большей вероятности: «чтобы сделать уверенность надежнее»), I got upon my hands and knees, and crawled, without a sound (я опустился на четвереньки и пополз беззвучно), towards the corner of the house (к углу дома). As I drew nearer, my heart was suddenly and greatly lightened (когда я приблизился, мое сердце внезапно и сильно облегчилось = я вздохнул свободно). It is not a pleasant noise in itself (это неприятный звук сам по себе), and I have often complained of it at other times (и я часто жаловался на него в иные времена); but just then it was like music to hear my friends snoring together so loud and peaceful in their sleep (но именно тогда было музыкой для моих ушей слышать, как мои друзья храпят дружно так громко и мирно в своем сне; to snore — храпеть). The sea cry of the watch, that beautiful 'All's well (/даже/ морской крик караульного, это прекрасное «Все в порядке»),' never fell more reassuringly on my ear (никогда не звучало более успокоительно для моего уха; to reassure — заверять, уверять; успокаивать; утешать).

niggardly [`nIgqdlI] absent [`xbsqnt] convenient [kqn`vJnIqnt] reassuringly [rJq`SuqrINlI]

I stopped, with much wonder in my heart, and perhaps a little terror also. It had not been our way to build great fires; we were, indeed, by the captain's orders, somewhat niggardly of firewood; and I began to fear that something had gone wrong while I was absent.

I stole round by the eastern end, keeping close in shadow, and at a convenient place, where the darkness was thickest, crossed the palisade.

To make assurance surer, I got upon my hands and knees, and crawled, without a sound, towards the corner of the house. As I drew nearer, my heart was suddenly and greatly lightened. It is not a pleasant noise in itself, and I have often complained of it at other times; but just then it was like music to hear my friends snoring together so loud and peaceful in their sleep. The sea cry of the watch, that beautiful 'All's well,' never fell more reassuringly on my ear.

1. In the meantime, there was no doubt of one thing (тем временем, не было сомнения в одном); they kept an infamous bad watch (они поставили очень плохих часовых; infamous — имеющий дурную репутацию, скверный, позорный). If it had been Silver and his lads that were now creeping in on them (если бы сейчас Сильвер и его ребята подкрадывались к ним), not a soul would have seen daybreak (ни душа = ни один из них не увидел бы рассвета). That was what it was, thought I, to have the captain wounded (вот что значит, подумал я, «иметь капитана раненным» = когда капитан ранен); and again I blamed myself sharply for leaving them in that danger with so few to mount guard (и опять я упрекнул себя резко за то, что покинул их в такой опасности, когда некого поставить в караул; to mount guard — вступать в караул, стоять на посту; to mount guard — подниматься; залезать, взбираться /на что-л./; занимать /какое-л. место/).

2. By this time I had got to the door and stood up (к этому времени я добрался до двери и встал /там/). All was dark within, so that I could distinguish nothing by the eye (все было темно внутри, так что я ничего не мог различить). As for sounds, there was the steady drone of the snorers (что касается звуков, слышалось равномерное гудение храпящих), and a small occasional noise, a flickering or pecking (и тихий нерегулярный звук, колыхание крыльев или постукивание; to peck — клевать, долбить клювом) that I could in no way account for (который я никоим образом не мог объяснить).

3. With my arms before me I walked steadily in (/держа/ руки перед собой, я вошел размеренно внутрь). I should lie down in my own place (I thought, with a silent chuckle) (я лягу на свое место, подумал я с беззвучным смехом; chuckle — довольный смех, хихиканье, смех про себя) and enjoy their faces when they found me in the morning (и наслажусь = потешусь над их лицами, когда они обнаружат меня утром).

infamous [`Infqmqs] guard [gRd] distinguish [dIs`tINgwIS] occasional [q`keIZqnql]

In the meantime, there was no doubt of one thing; they kept an infamous bad watch. If it had been Silver and his lads that were now creeping in on them, not a soul would have seen daybreak. That was what it was, thought I, to have the captain wounded; and again I blamed myself sharply for leaving them in that danger with so few to mount guard.

By this time I had got to the door and stood up. All was dark within, so that I could distinguish nothing by the eye. As for sounds, there was the steady drone of the snorers, and a small occasional noise, a flickering or pecking that I could in no way account for.