The Night Skulkers 2 страница

стоять). With a choking cry the black stumbled headlong (с давящимся криком

черный рухнул головой вперед), and Conan braced his feet and dragged out his

sword as his victim fell (а Конан напряг /свои/ ноги и вытащил свой меч, когда

его жертва упала = при падении жертвы).

half [hRf], length [leNT], sword [sO:d]

"Black dog of Hell!" Conan drove his sword between the dusky shoulders with

such vengeful fury that the broad blade stood out half its length from the black

breast. With a choking cry the black stumbled headlong, and Conan braced his feet

and dragged out his sword as his victim fell.

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Only the breeze disturbed the leaves (только бриз тревожил листья). Conan

shook his head as a lion shakes its mane (Конан тряхнул /своей/ головой, как

лев трясет своей гривой) and growled his unsatiated blood lust (и зарычал от

неутоленной жажды крови). But no more shapes slunk from the shadows, and

before the huts the starlit road stretched empty (однако из теней больше не

крались фигуры, и перед хижинами освещенная звездами дорога тянулась

пустая = тянулась пустая, освещенная звездами дорога; to slink — красться).

He whirled at the quick patter of feet behind him (он обернулся при быстром

топоте ног позади него), but it was only the girl, rushing to throw herself on him

and clasp his neck in a desperate grasp (но это была лишь девушка, несшаяся,

/чтобы/ броситься на него и сжать его шею в отчаянных объятиях), frantic

from terror of the abominable fate she had just escaped (неистовых от ужаса

/перед/ гнусной участью, которой она только что избежала).

"Easy, girl," he grunted (полегче, девушка, — проворчал он). "You're all

right (с тобой все в порядке). How did they catch you (как они тебя поймали)?"

lion ['laIqn], girl [gq:l], throw [Trqu]

Only the breeze disturbed the leaves. Conan shook his head as a lion shakes its

mane and growled his unsatiated blood lust. But no more shapes slunk from the

shadows, and before the huts the starlit road stretched empty. He whirled at the

quick patter of feet behind him, but it was only the girl, rushing to throw herself on

him and clasp his neck in a desperate grasp, frantic from terror of the abominable

fate she had just escaped.

"Easy, girl," he grunted. "You're all right. How did they catch you?"

She sobbed something unintelligible (она прорыдала что-то неразборчивое).

He forgot all about Aram Baksh as he scrutinized her by the light of the stars (он

забыл все об Араме Бахше, когда он рассмотрел ее при свете звезд). She was

white, though a very definite brunette (она была белая, хотя ярко выраженная

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брюнетка), obviously one of Zamboula's many mixed breeds (очевидно одна из

многих смешанных рас Замбулы). She was tall, with a slender, supple form, as

he was in a good position to observe (она была высокая, со стройными гибкими

формами, так как он был в удобном положении для наблюдения). Admiration

burned in his fierce eyes as he looked down on her splendid bosom and her lithe

limbs (восхищение загорелось в его страстных глазах, когда он посмотрел

сверху на ее роскошную грудь и ее гибкие конечности = руки), which still

quivered from fright and exertion (которые еще дрожали от страха и

напряжения / усилия). He passed an arm around her flexible waist and said,

reassuringly: "Stop shaking, wench; you're safe enough (он просунул руку вокруг

ее гибкой талии = он обнял ее рукой за талию и сказал обнадеживающе:

перестань трястись, девушка, ты в достаточной безопасности)."

though [Dqu], observe [qb'zq:v], waist [weIst]

She sobbed something unintelligible. He forgot all about Aram Baksh as he

scrutinized her by the light of the stars. She was white, though a very definite

brunette, obviously one of Zamboula's many mixed breeds. She was tall, with a

slender, supple form, as he was in a good position to observe. Admiration burned

in his fierce eyes as he looked down on her splendid bosom and her lithe limbs,

which still quivered from fright and exertion. He passed an arm around her flexible

waist and said, reassuringly: "Stop shaking, wench; you're safe enough."

His touch seemed to restore her shaken sanity (его касание, казалось,

восстановил ее потрясенный рассудок). She tossed back her thick, glossy locks

and cast a fearful glance over her shoulder (она отбросила назад ее густые

блестящие пряди и бросила испуганный взгляд через его плечо), while she

pressed closer to the Cimmerian as if seeking security in the contact (в то время

как она прижалась ближе к киммерийцу, как будто ища безопасности в

соприкосновении).

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"They caught me in the streets," she muttered, shuddering (они поймали меня

на улице, — тихо сказала она, содрогнувшись). "Lying in wait, beneath a dark

arch — black men, like great, hulking apes (лежащие = поджидающие в засаде,

под темной аркой — черные люди = негры, как огромные массивные

обезьяны)! Set have mercy on me (пощади меня Сет¹; to have mercy on —

щадить, жалеть кого-л.; mercy — пощада, милосердие)! I shall dream of it

(мне будет сниться это)!"

"What were you doing out on the streets this time of night (что ты делала

снаружи на улице /в/ это время ночи = ночное время)?" he inquired, fascinated

by the satiny feel of her sleek skin under his questing fingers (спросил он,

очарованный атласным ощущением /от прикосновения к/ ее гладкой коже

под его ищущими пальцами).

She raked back her hair and stared blankly up into his face (она расчесала

назад /рукой/ /свои/ волосы = провела рукой по волосам, отбрасывая их назад

и посмотрела ему прямо в лицо). She did not seem aware of his caresses (она,

казалось, не замечала его ласк).

touch [tAC], sanity ['sxnItI], closer [klqusq]

His touch seemed to restore her shaken sanity. She tossed back her thick, glossy

locks and cast a fearful glance over her shoulder, while she pressed closer to the

Cimmerian as if seeking security in the contact.

"They caught me in the streets," she muttered, shuddering. "Lying in wait,

beneath a dark arch — black men, like great, hulking apes! Set have mercy on me!

I shall dream of it!"

"What were you doing out on the streets this time of night?" he inquired,

fascinated by the satiny feel of her sleek skin under his questing fingers.

She raked back her hair and stared blankly up into his face. She did not seem

aware of his caresses.

1 Сет — стигийский бог в виде огромного змея со всеми прочими атрибутами нечисти.

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"My lover," she said (мой любовник, — сказала она; to say — сказать). "My

lover drove me into the streets (мой любовник выгнал меня на улицу; to drive —

гнать). He went mad and tried to kill me (он сошел с ума и пытался убить

меня; to go mad — сойти с ума). As I fled from him I was seized by those beasts

(когда я убежала от него, я была схвачена теми тварями; to flee — бежать,

спасаться бегством)."

"Beauty like yours might drive a man mad (/такая/ красота, как твоя могла бы

свести мужчину с ума)," quoth Conan, running his fingers experimentally

through the glossy tresses (промолвил Конан, пробегая /своими/ пальцами в

порядке опыта по блестящим распущенным волосам; quoth — промолвил,

сказал — употребляется в 1-м и 3-м лице прош. вр. с постпозитивным

субъектом).

She shook her head, like one emerging from a daze (она тряхнула /своей/

головой, как человек, отходящий от изумления). She no longer trembled, and

her voice was steady (она больше не дрожала, а ее голос был ровным).

"It was the spite of a priest — of Totrasmek, the high priest of Hanuman, who

desires me for himself — the dog (это была озлобленность жреца —

Тотрасмека, верховного жреца Ханумана, который желает меня для себя —

собака)!"

"No need to curse him for that," grinned Conan (нет нужды проклинать его за

это, — ухмыльнулся Конан). "The old hyena has better taste than I thought

(старая гиена имеет = у старой гиены вкус лучше, чем я думал)."

She ignored the bluff compliment (она проигнорировала грубоватый

комплимент; to ignore — игнорировать, пренебрегать, не придавать

значения). She was regaining her poise swiftly (она быстро восстанавливала

/свое/ самообладание).

said [sed], beast [bi:st], taste [teIst]

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"My lover," she said. "My lover drove me into the streets. He went mad and

tried to kill me. As I fled from him I was seized by those beasts."

"Beauty like yours might drive a man mad," quoth Conan, running his fingers

experimentally through the glossy tresses.

She shook her head, like one emerging from a daze. She no longer trembled,

and her voice was steady.

"It was the spite of a priest — of Totrasmek, the high priest of Hanuman, who

desires me for himself — the dog!"

"No need to curse him for that," grinned Conan. "The old hyena has better taste

than I thought."

She ignored the bluff compliment. She was regaining her poise swiftly.

"My lover is a — a young Turanian soldier (мой любовник — молодой

туранский солдат). To spite me, Totrasmek gave him a drug that drove him mad

(/чтобы/ досадить мне, Тотрасмек дал ему снадобье, которое свело его с ума).

Tonight he snatched up a sword and came at me to slay me in his madness

(сегодня вечером он схватил меч и набросился на меня, чтобы убить меня в

своем безумии), but I fled from him into the streets (но я убежала от него на

улицу). The Negroes seized me and brought me to this — what was that (негры

схватили меня и привели меня к этому — что это было; to bring —

приносить, приводить)?"

Conan had already moved (Конан уже двигался). Soundlessly as a shadow he

drew her behind the nearest hut (бесшумно, как тень, он затащил ее за

ближайшую хижину), beneath the straggling palms (под растущие

беспорядочно пальмы). They stood in tense stillness (они стояли в

напряженной тишине), while the low muttering both had heard grew louder until

voices were distinguishable (в то время как низкое бормотание, /которое/ оба

услышали, становилось громче, пока не были = стали различимы голоса). A

group of Negroes, some nine or ten, were coming along the road from the direction

of the city (группа негров, около девяти-десяти, шли по дороге от

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направления города = от города). The girl clutched Conan's arm and he felt the

terrified quivering of her supple body against his (девушка схватила руку

Конана, и он почувствовал испуганную дрожь ее гибкого тела

/прижавшегося/ к нему).

drew [dru:], both [bquT], already [O:l'redI]

"My lover is a — a young Turanian soldier. To spite me, Totrasmek gave him a

drug that drove him mad. Tonight he snatched up a sword and came at me to slay

me in his madness, but I fled from him into the streets. The Negroes seized me and

brought me to this — what was that? "

Conan had already moved. Soundlessly as a shadow he drew her behind the

nearest hut, beneath the straggling palms. They stood in tense stillness, while the

low muttering both had heard grew louder until voices were distinguishable. A

group of Negroes, some nine or ten, were coming along the road from the direction

of the city. The girl clutched Conan's arm and he felt the terrified quivering of her

supple body against his.

Now they could understand the gutturals of the black men (теперь они могли

понять гортанные звуки черных).

"Our brothers are already assembled at the pit," said one (наши братья уже

собрались у ямы, — сказал один). "We have had no luck (нам не повезло: «мы

имели никакой удачи»). I hope they have enough for us (я надеюсь, они имеют

достаточно для нас = у них хватит для нас)."

"Aram promised us a man," muttered another, and Conan mentally promised

Aram something (Арам обещал нам мужчину, — проворчал другой, и Конан

мысленно пообещал Араму кое-что).

"Aram keeps his word," grunted yet another (Арам держит свое слово, —

пробурчал еще один). "Many a man we have taken from his tavern (много

людей мы взяли из его таверны). But we pay him well (но мы платим ему

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хорошо). I myself have given him ten bales of silk I stole from my master (я сам

дал ему десять тюков шелка, /которые/ я украл у моего хозяина). It was good

silk, by Set (это был хороший шелк, /клянусь/ Сетом)!"

luck [lAk], could [kVd], word [wq:d]

Now they could understand the gutturals of the black men.

"Our brothers are already assembled at the pit," said one. "We have had no luck.

I hope they have enough for us."

"Aram promised us a man," muttered another, and Conan mentally promised

Aram something.

"Aram keeps his word," grunted yet another. "Many a man we have taken from

his tavern. But we pay him well. I myself have given him ten bales of silk I stole

from my master. It was good silk, by Set!"

The blacks shuffled past (черные прошаркали мимо), bare splay feet scuffing

up the dust (поднимая пыль босыми косолапыми ногами), and their voices

dwindled down the road (и их голоса замирали дальше по дороге; to dwindle —

сокращаться, уменьшаться, убывать, истощаться).

"Well for us those corpses are lying behind these huts," muttered Conan

(хорошо для нас, /что/ те трупы лежат за этими хижинами, — пробормотал

Конан). "If they look in Aram's death room they'll find another (если они

заглянут в комнату смерти Арама, они найдут еще одного). Let's begone

(давай убираться; begone — прочь!, убирайся!)."

"Yes, let us hasten!" begged the girl, almost hysterical again (да, давай

поспешим! — умоляла девушка, почти в истерике снова). "My lover is

wandering somewhere in the streets alone (мой любовник бродит где-то по

улицам один). The Negroes may take him (негры могут взять его)."

"A devil of a custom this is (хорошенький обычай /это/)!" growled Conan, as

he led the way toward the city (взревел Конан, когда он возглавил путь к

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городу), paralleling the road but keeping behind the huts and straggling trees (идя

параллельно дороге, но держась за хижинами и беспорядочно растущими

деревьями; to straggle — быть беспорядочно разбросанным). "Why don't the

citizens clean out these black dogs (почему горожане не устранят этих черных

собак)?"

past [pRst], find [faInd], room [ru:m]

The blacks shuffled past, bare splay feet scuffing up the dust, and their voices

dwindled down the road.

"Well for us those corpses are lying behind these huts," muttered Conan. "If

they look in Aram's death room they'll find another. Let's begone."

"Yes, let us hasten!" begged the girl, almost hysterical again. "My lover is

wandering somewhere in the streets alone. The Negroes may take him."

"A devil of a custom this is!" growled Conan, as he led the way toward the city,

paralleling the road but keeping behind the huts and straggling trees. "Why don't

the citizens clean out these black dogs?"

"They are valuable slaves," murmured the girl (они ценные рабы; value —

стоимость, ценность). "There are so many of them that might revolt if they

were denied the flesh for which they lust (есть так много их них, которые,

возможно, восстали, если бы им отказали в мясе, которого они сильно

желают). The people of Zamboula know they skulk the streets at night (люди

Замбулы знаю, /что/ они крадутся по улицам ночами), and all are careful to

remain within locked doors (и все осторожны, /чтобы/ оставаться = и

остаются за запертыми дверями), except when something unforseen happens,

as it did to me (за исключением /того/, когда случается нечто непредвиденное,

как это делало = случилось со мной). The blacks prey on anything they can

catch, but they seldom catch anybody but strangers (черные охотятся на все,

/что/ они могут поймать, но они редко ловят кого-нибудь кроме иноземцев).

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The people of Zamboula are not concerned with the strangers that pass through the

city (людям Замбулы нет дела до чужеземцев, которые проезжают через

город; to be concerned with — беспокоиться о чем-л., быть озабоченными

чем-л.).

valuable ['vxljuqbl], careful ['kFqfVl], skulk [skAlk]

"They are valuable slaves," murmured the girl. "There are so many of them that

might revolt if they were denied the flesh for which they lust. The people of

Zamboula know they skulk the streets at night, and all are careful to remain within

locked doors, except when something unforseen happens, as it did to me. The

blacks prey on anything they can catch, but they seldom catch anybody but

strangers. The people of Zamboula are not concerned with the strangers that pass

through the city.

"Such men as Aram Baksh sell these strangers to the blacks (такие люди, как

Арам Бахш, продают чужеземцев черным). He would not dare attempt such a

thing with a citizen (он бы не осмелился попробовать /сотворить/ такую вещь

= такое с горожанином)."

Conan spat in disgust (Конан сплюнул в отвращении; to spit), and a moment

later led his companion out into the road which was becoming a street (а секунду

спустя вывел свою спутницу на дорогу, которая становилась улицей), with

still, unlighted houses on each side (с тихими неосвещенными домами на

каждой стороне = по обеим сторонам). Slinking in the shadows was not

congenial to his nature (красться в тени было неподобающим его натуре).

"Where did you want to go?" he asked (куда ты хотела идти? — спросил он).

The girl did not seem to object to his arm around her waist (девушка, казалась, не

возражает его руке вокруг ее талии = чтобы его рука обнимала ее за талию).

would [wVd], citizen ['sItIzn], congenial [kqn'Gi:njql]

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"Such men as Aram Baksh sell these strangers to the blacks. He would not dare

attempt such a thing with a citizen."

Conan spat in disgust, and a moment later led his companion out into the road

which was becoming a street, with still, unlighted houses on each side. Slinking in

the shadows was not congenial to his nature.

"Where did you want to go?" he asked. The girl did not seem to object to his

arm around her waist.

"To my house, to rouse my servants," she answered (в мой дом, поднять моих

слуг, — ответила она). "To bid them search for my lover (приказать им

разыскать моего любовника). I do not wish the city — the priests — anyone —

to know of his madness (я не желаю, /чтобы/ город — жрецы — кто-либо —

знал о его безумстве). He — he is a young officer with a promising future (он

молодой офицер с многообещающим будущим; to promise — обещать).

Perhaps we can drive this madness from him if we can find him (возможно, мы

сможем вывести это сумасшествие из него, если /мы/ сможем найти его)."

"If we find him?" rumbled Conan (если мы найдем его? — прогремел

Конан). "What makes you think I want to spend the night scouring the streets for a

lunatic (что заставляет тебя думать = с чего ты взяла, /что/ я хочу провести

ночь, обыскивая улицы ради лунатика)?"

servant ['sq:vqnt], answer [Rnsq], search [sq:C]

"To my house, to rouse my servants," she answered. "To bid them search for

my lover. I do not wish the city — the priests — anyone — to know of his

madness. He — he is a young officer with a promising future. Perhaps we can

drive this madness from him if we can find him."

"If we find him?" rumbled Conan. "What makes you think I want to spend the

night scouring the streets for a lunatic?"

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She cast a quick glance into his face, and properly interpreted the gleam in his

blue eyes (она бросила быстрый взгляд на его лицо и надлежащим образом

истолковала огонь в его голубых глазах; to cast — бросать). Any woman

could have known that he would follow her wherever she led — for a while, at

least (любая женщина могла бы узнать, что он будет следовать за ней, куда

бы она ни повела — по крайней мере, некоторое время; to lead — вести). But

being a woman, she concealed her knowledge of that fact (но будучи женщиной,

она скрыла /ее/ знание этого факта).

"Please," she began with a hint of tears in her voice, "I have no one else to ask

for help — you have been kind — (пожалуйста, — начала она с намеком слез =

со слезами в /ее/ голосе, — я имею никого больше, /чтобы/ попросить о

помощи = мне некого больше просить о помощи — ты был добр)"

"All right!" he grunted (хорошо! — пробурчал он). "All right (хорошо)!

What's the young reprobate's name (какое есть имя = как зовут молодого

шельмеца; reprobate — негодяй, подлец, распутник)?"

glance [glRns], interpret [In'tq:prIt], tear [tIq]

She cast a quick glance into his face, and properly interpreted the gleam in his

blue eyes. Any woman could have known that he would follow her wherever she

led — for a while, at least. But being a woman, she concealed her knowledge of

that fact.

"Please," she began with a hint of tears in her voice, "I have no one else to ask

for help — you have been kind —"

"All right!" he grunted. "All right! What's the young reprobate's name?"

"Why — Alafdhal (ну, Алафдал). I am Zabibi, a dancing-girl (я Забиби,

танцовщица). I have danced often before the satrap, Jungir Khan, and his mistress

Nafertari, and before all the lords and royal ladies of Zamboula (я танцевала

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часто перед сатрапом Джунгир Ханом и его госпожой Нафертари, и перед

всеми властителями и дамами королевской крови Замбулы). Totrasmek

desired me and, because I repulsed him, he made me the innocent tool of his

vengeance against Alafdhal (Тотрасмек возжелал меня, и так как я оттолкнула

его, он сделал меня невинным орудием его мести Алафдалу). I asked a love

potion of Totrasmek, not suspecting the depth of his guile and hate (я попросила

любовный напиток у Тотрасмека, не подозревая о глубине его коварства и

ненависти). He gave me a drug to mix with my lover's wine (он дал мне

снадобье, /чтобы/ подмешать его к вину моего любовника), and he swore that

when Alafdhal drank it, he would love me even more madly than ever and grant

my every wish (и он поклялся, что когда Алафдал выпьет его, он полюбит

меня еще более безумно, чем когда-либо и удовлетворит мое каждое

желание). I mixed the drug secretly with my lover's wine (я тайно подмешала

снадобье к вину моего любовника). But having drunk, my lover went raving

mad and things came about as I have told you (но выпив, мой любовник впал в

бредовое безумие, и дела произошли = все произошло /так/, как я рассказала

тебе). Curse Totrasmek, the hybrid snake — ahhh (будь проклят Тотрасмек,

помесь змеи — аххх)!"

often [Ofn], because [bI'kOz], grant [grRnt]

"Why — Alafdhal. I am Zabibi, a dancing-girl. I have danced often before the

satrap, Jungir Khan, and his mistress Nafertari, and before all the lords and royal

ladies of Zamboula. Totrasmek desired me and, because I repulsed him, he made

me the innocent tool of his vengeance against Alafdhal. I asked a love potion of

Totrasmek, not suspecting the depth of his guile and hate. He gave me a drug to

mix with my lover's wine, and he swore that when Alafdhal drank it, he would love

me even more madly than ever and grant my every wish. I mixed the drug secretly

with my lover's wine. But having drunk, my lover went raving mad and things

came about as I have told you. Curse Totrasmek, the hybrid snake — ahhh!"

Мультиязыковой проект Ильи Франка www.franklang.ru

She caught his arm convulsively and both stopped short (она судорожно

поймала его руку, и оба резко остановились). They had come into a district of

shops and stalls, all deserted and unlighted (они вошли в район лавок и ларьков,

совершенно пустой и неосвещенный = темный; all — весь, совсем,

совершенно), for the hour was late (потому что час был поздний). They were

passing an alley, and in its mouth a man was standing, motionless and silent (они

проходили через аллею, а в ее входе = в начале ее стоял мужчина,

неподвижный и безмолвный). His head was lowered (его голова была

опущена), but Conan caught the weird gleam of eery eyes regarding them

unblinkingly (но Конан заметил странный блеск жутких глаз,

разглядывающих их, не мигая). His skin crawled, not with fear of the sword in

the man's hand (у него по коже побежали мурашки не от страха перед мечом в

руке мужчины), but because of the uncanny suggestion of his posture and silence

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