I GET HOLD OF A SAVAGE (я захватываю дикаря)

FOR a year and a half I kept close watch upon the farther shore of the island as well as upon that nearest to my castle (в течение полутора лет я держал постоянное наблюдение за дальним берегом острова, равно как и за тем /берегом, который был/ ближайшим к замку). But not a single savage came near (но ни один дикарь не приблизился = не появился; single — один; единственный; одиночный).

 

One morning in June, however (однако одним июньским утром), I had a great surprise (я получил большое удивление = случилось неожиданное для меня).

I was just starting out from my castle (я как раз выходил из моего замка) when I saw five canoes lying high and dry on the beach not a mile away (когда увидел пять каноэ, лежащих вытащенными на берег: «высоко и сухими» на берегу не более мили вдалеке = на расстоянии не более мили; high and dry — выброшенный, вытащенный на берег /о судне/). There was not a man near them (не было ни одного человека рядом с ними). The people who had come in them were perhaps asleep among the trees (люди, которые прибыли на них, возможно, спали между деревьями).

The number of canoes was greater (число каноэ было больше) than I had ever counted upon seeing (чем я когда-либо рассчитывал увидеть). For there were always four or six savages in each canoe (потому что в каждом каноэ всегда было четыре или шесть дикарей; always — всегда, неизменно), and there must now be between twenty and thirty men somewhere on the shore (и /значит/ должно быть между двадцатью и тридцатью мужчин где-то на берегу).

I did not know what to think of it (я не знал, что думать об этом). I did not feel brave enough to attack so many (я не чувствовал себя достаточно смелым, чтобы напасть на столь многих).

So I stayed in my castle (поэтому я остался в замке) and made ready to defend myself (и приготовился защищаться: «защищать себя»).

" There is little hope of getting a savage this time (мало надежды заполучить дикаря в этот раз), " I thought to myself (подумал я про себя).

I waited a long while (я ждал долго), but heard no unusual sound (но не услышал никаких необычных звуков). I grew tired of waiting (я устал: «стал уставшим» от ожидания = мне надоело ждать; to grow — становиться; tired — усталый, уставший; потерявший интерес, пресытившийся), and made up my mind to see what was going on (и решил посмотреть, что происходило).

So, with the help of my ladder (итак, с помощью лестницы), I climbed up to my lookout on the top of the rock (я взобрался на мою смотровую площадку на вершине скалы). I put my spyglass to my eyes (я приставил подзорную трубу к глазам) and looked down upon the beach (и посмотрел вниз на берег).

Surely enough (и действительно: «достаточно несомненно»; surely — конечно, непременно; несомненно)! there they were (они там были). I saw no fewer than thirty naked savages dancing around a fire (я увидел не менее тридцати обнаженных дикарей, танцующих вокруг огня; to dance — танцевать). I saw that they were broiling meat upon the coals (я видел, что они варили мясо на углях), but I could not tell what kind of meat it was (но я не мог различить, что это было за мясо).

As I watched I saw some of the dancers run to a boat and drag two miserable prisoners from it (когда я /так/ наблюдал, я увидел, как несколько танцоров побежали к лодке и притащили с нее двух несчастных пленников). They must have been in the boat all the time (должно быть, они были в лодке все это время), but as they were lying down I did not see them (но так как они лежали, я не видел их).

All the dancers now crowded around the poor prisoners (все танцоры столпились теперь вокруг несчастных пленников). They knocked one of them down with a club (они сбили одного с ног дубинкой), and then fell upon him with their knives (и затем набросились на него с ножами). I supposed they were going to cut him up for their horrid feast (я предположил, что они собирались разрезать его для своего страшного пира; to cut up — разрубать, разрезать на куски).

For a few moments they seemed to forget the other prisoner (на несколько мгновений они, казалось, забыли о другом пленнике), for they left him standing alone at one side (так как оставили его одного, стоящим в стороне).

All at once he made a break for liberty (неожиданно он сделал попытку убежать: «сделал рывок к свободе»). You never saw a hound run so fast (вы никогда не видели, чтобы гончая бежала так быстро). He ran along the sandy beach (он бежал вдоль песчаного берега), right toward my castle (прямо к моему замку). I was dreadfully frightened (я был ужасно напуган). I thought that now my dream was coming true (я подумал, что мой сон сбывался: «становился правдивым»; true — правдивый, достоверный), and that he would surely hide in my grove (и что он непременно спрячется в моей роще).

But would the other part of the dream come true (но сбудется ли другая часть сна)? Would the other savages lose sight of him (потеряют ли другие = остальные дикари его из виду), and running another way, not come near the castle (и, убегая по другому пути, не придут близко к моему замку)? I feared not (я опасался, что нет = что этого не произойдет).

However, I stayed in my lookout and watched to see what would happen (тем не менее, я оставался на смотровой площадке и наблюдал, чтобы увидеть, что произойдет).

I saw, to my joy (я увидел, к моей радости), that only three of the savage followed him (что только трое из дикарей последовали за ним). He ran so fast that he gained ground on them (он бежал так быстро, что оторвался от них: «выиграл землю»). If he could hold out for ten or fifteen minutes (если он продержится десять-пятнадцать минут), he would get away from them all (он сможет убежать от них всех; to get away — уходить; отправляться; удирать; выбираться).

Between the savages and my castle there was the little river (между дикарями и моим замком была маленькая река) where I had first landed with my raft (в которой я в самом начале пристал со своим плотом). If the poor fellow could not swim across this stream, he would surely be taken (если бы бедняга не сможет переплыть этот поток, он точно будет схвачен). I watched to see what he would do (я наблюдал, что же он будет делать).

To my surprise the river did not hinder him at all (к моему удивлению, река не остановила его вовсе; to hinder — задерживать, затруднять, мешать, препятствовать). The tide was up (был прилив: «поток был вверх»), but he plunged in (но он нырнул) and with twenty or thirty strokes was across (и двадцатью-тридцатью гребками переплыл; across — поперек, на ту сторону). I had never seen a finer swimmer (я никогда не видел лучшего пловца).

When his pursuers reached the stream (когда его преследователи достигли потока; to pursue — преследовать), he was already far away (он был уже далеко). Two of them jumped in and swam across (двое из них прыгнули в /воду/ и переплыли /речку/). The other one stood still a minute (другой = третий постоял с минуту на месте; to stand still — стоять на месте) and then turned softly back (а затем повернул тихонько назад). It was lucky for him that he could not swim (для него было удачей: «удачно» то, что он не мог плавать).

" Now, " thought I to myself, " now is the time to get me a savage (теперь время добыть себе дикаря)! "

In another moment I was down in my castle (через мгновение я был /уже/ внизу, в замке). I picked up my two guns (я подхватил два ружья). I was over the wall in less time than it takes me to tell about it (я был на стене за меньше время, чем мне требуется, чтобы об этом сказать). Never once did I think of fear (ни разу я не подумал о страхе).

I ran swiftly down the hill toward the sea (я быстро сбежал вниз по холму к морю). In another minute I was between the poor captive and his pursuers (в следующую минуту я был между бедным пленником и его преследователями).

" Hello, there (эй, ты: «эй, там»)! Come back (вернись: «приди назад»)! I will help you (я помогу тебе), " I cried (крикнул я).

Of course he did not understand a word (конечно же, он не понял ни слова). But he heard me and looked back (но он услышал меня и оглянулся: «посмотрел назад»). I beckoned to him with my hand (я махнул ему рукой; to beckon — манить, кивать; делать знак /рукой, пальцем/), and this he understood better (и это он понял лучше).

There was no time for waiting (не было времени ждать), however (однако). The two savages that followed were close upon me (двое дикарей, которые последовали /за ним/, были близко ко мне).

I rushed upon the foremost one (я бросился на переднего; to rush — бросаться, мчаться, устремляться; foremost — передний, передовой, находящийся впереди других) and knocked him down with my gun (и сбил его с ног ружьем). I did not want to shoot (я не хотел стрелять), lest the other savages would hear the noise and come to his rescue (чтобы другие дикари не услышали шум и не пришли ему на помощь).

The second pursuer came (второй преследователь приблизился), running and panting (бегом и задыхаясь), only a little way behind (лишь немного отстав; behind — сзади, позади). When he saw me (когда он увидел меня), he stopped as if he were frightened (он остановился, как будто был напуган). I ran toward him (я побежал к нему), with my gun to my shoulder (с ружьем на плече).

As I came nearer (когда я приблизился: «подошел ближе»), I saw that he had a bow and arrow (я увидел, что у него были лук и стрела) and was taking aim at me (и что он целился в меня: «брал цель»). What could I do but shoot (что я мог сделать, кроме как выстрелить)? He fell to the ground and never moved again (он упал на землю и никогда не пошевелился опять = и больше не шевелился).

I now looked around to see what had become of the poor captive (я осмотрелся, чтобы увидеть, что стало с бедным пленником). I saw him standing still and gazing at me (я увидел егостоящим неподвижно и глазеющим/уставившимся на меня; to gaze — пристально глядеть; вглядываться; уставиться). The noise of my gun had frightened him so (шум моего ружья так испугал его) that he did not know what to do (что он не знал, что делать).

I called to him (я окликнул его): " Come here (иди сюда), my good fellow (приятель: «мой добрый товарищ»), I will not hurt you (я не обижу тебя; to hurt — причинить боль, ранить; обидеть)."

But of course he did not understand (конечно, он не понял). Then I motioned to him with signs (тогда я показал ему знаками; to motion — приглашать жестом, показывать жестом /что нужно или можно сделать/). He came a little way and then stopped (он подошел немного и затем остановился). He came a little farther (он подошел немного дальше) and stopped again (и вновь остановился). He was trembling like a leaf (он дрожал как лист).

No doubt (без сомнения) he was afraid that he would be killed as his two pursuers had been (он боялся, что будет убит, как были убиты два его преследователя).

I spoke kindly to him (я заговорил с ним доброжелательно) and made signs that I would not hurt him (и сделал знаки = знаками показал, что не причиню ему вреда). He came nearer and nearer (он подходил все ближе), trembling (дрожа), and kneeling down at almost every step (и чуть не вставая на колени почти при каждом шаге; to kneel down — преклонять колени, вставать на колени).

I smiled (я улыбнулся); I looked as pleasant as I could (я смотрел так мягко/любезно, как мог); I made still other signs (я еще делал другие знаки = продолжал делать знаки; still — до сих пор, /все/ еще, по-прежнему).

He came quite close to me (он подошел довольно близко ко мне). He laid his head upon the ground (он положил голову на землю; to lay — класть). He took hold of my foot and set it on his neck (он схватил мою ногу и поставил себе на шею). This was his way of saying that he would be my slave forever (это был способ сказать, что он будет моим рабом навсегда).

I took hold of his hand and lifted him up (я взял его руку и поднял его). I spoke kindly to him (я говорил с ним мягко).

Thus I at last got hold of a savage, as I had so long desired (таким образом я захватил дикаря, как я так долго хотел).

 

attack [q'txk], unusual ['An'ju: Zuql], dance [dQ: ns], miserable ['mIz(q)r(q)bl], prisoner ['prIznq], horrid ['hOrId], once [wAns], break ['breIk], liberty ['lIbqtI], fellow ['felqu], plunge [plAnG], pursuer [pq'sju: q], understood [" Andq'stu: d], foremost ['fO: mqust], pant [pQ: nt], poor ['puq], captive ['kxptIv], forever [fq'revq], desire [dI'zaIq]

 

I GET HOLD OF A SAVAGE

 

FOR a year and a half I kept close watch upon the farther shore of the island as well as upon that nearest to my castle. But not a single savage came near. One morning in June, however, I had a great surprise.

I was just starting out from my castle when I saw five canoes lying high and dry on the beach not a mile away. There was not a man near them. The people who had come in them were perhaps asleep among the trees.

The number of canoes was greater than I had ever counted upon seeing. For there were always four or six savages in each canoe, and there must now be between twenty and thirty men somewhere on the shore.

I did not know what to think of it. I did not feel brave enough to attack so many.

So I stayed in my castle and made ready to defend myself.

" There is little hope of getting a savage this time, " I thought to myself.

I waited a long while, but heard no unusual sound. I grew tired of waiting, and made up my mind to see what was going on.

So, with the help of my ladder, I climbed up to my lookout on the top of the rock. I put my spyglass to my eyes and looked down upon the beach.

Surely enough! there they were. I saw no fewer than thirty naked savages dancing around a fire. I saw that they were broiling meat upon the coals, but I could not tell what kind of meat it was.

As I watched I saw some of the dancers run to a boat and drag two miserable prisoners from it. They must have been in the boat all the time, but as they were lying down I did not see them.

All the dancers now crowded around the poor prisoners. They knocked one of them down with a club, and then fell upon him with their knives. I supposed they were going to cut him up for their horrid feast.

For a few moments they seemed to forget the other prisoner, for they left him standing alone at one side.

All at once he made a break for liberty. You never saw a hound run so fast. He ran along the sandy beach, right toward my castle. I was dreadfully frightened. I thought that now my dream was coming true, and that he would surely hide in my grove.

But would the other part of the dream come true? Would the other savages lose sight of him, and running another way, not come near the castle? I feared not.

However, I stayed in my lookout and watched to see what would happen.

I saw, to my joy, that only three of the savage followed him. He ran so fast that he gained ground on them. If he could hold out for ten or fifteen minutes, he would get away from them all.

Between the savages and my castle there was the little river where I had first landed with my raft. If the poor fellow could not swim across this stream, he would surely be taken. I watched to see what he would do.

To my surprise the river did not hinder him at all. The tide was up, but he plunged in and with twenty or thirty strokes was across. I had never seen a finer swimmer.

When his pursuers reached the stream, he was already far away. Two of them jumped in and swam across. The other one stood still a minute and then turned softly back. It was lucky for him that he could not swim.

" Now, " thought I to myself, " now is the time to get me a savage! "

In another moment I was down in my castle. I picked up my two guns. I was over the wall in less time than it takes me to tell about it. Never once did I think of fear.

I ran swiftly down the hill toward the sea. In another minute I was between the poor captive and his pursuers.

" Hello, there! Come back! I will help you, " I cried.

Of course he did not understand a word. But he heard me and looked back. I beckoned to him with my hand, and this he understood better.

There was no time for waiting, however. The two savages that followed were close upon me.

I rushed upon the foremost one and knocked him down with my gun. I did not want to shoot, lest the other savages would hear the noise and come to his rescue.

The second pursuer came, running and panting, only a little way behind. When he saw me, he stopped as if he were frightened. I ran toward him, with my gun to my shoulder.

As I came nearer, I saw that he had a bow and arrow and was taking aim at me. What could I do but shoot? He fell to the ground and never moved again.

I now looked around to see what had become of the poor captive. I saw him standing still and gazing at me. The noise of my gun had frightened him so that he did not know what to do.

I called to him: " Come here, my good fellow I will not hurt you."

But of course he did not understand. Then I motioned to him with signs. He came a little way and then stopped. He came a little farther and stopped again. He was trembling like a leaf.

No doubt he was afraid that he would be killed as his two pursuers had been.

I spoke kindly to him and made signs that I would not hurt him. He came nearer and nearer, trembling, and kneeling down at almost every step.

I smiled; I looked as pleasant as I could; I made still other signs.

He came quite close to me. He laid his head upon the ground. He took hold of my foot and set it on his neck. This was his way of saying that he would be my slave forever.

I took hold of his hand and lifted him up. I spoke kindly to him.

Thus I at last got hold of a savage, as I had so long desired.

 

I AM PLEASED WITH MY MAN FRIDAY (я доволен моим слугой Пятницей; man — человек; слуга)

 

THE savage spoke to me (дикарь заговорилсо мной; to speak — говорить). I could not understand his words (я не мог понять его слов), but they were very pleasant to hear (но они были приятными на слух/было приятно их слышать). For it had now been more than twenty-five years since I had heard the sound of a man's voice (так как было = прошло уже более двадцати пяти лет с того времени, когда я слышал звук человеческого голоса).

 

He pointed to the two savages (он указал на двух дикарей) who had been pursuing him (которые /ранее/ преследовали его). They were lying on the ground where they had fallen (они лежали на земле, там, где они упали). Both were quite dead (оба были совершенно мертвы).

He could not understand how I had killed the second savage (он не мог понять, как я убил второго дикаря) when he was so far away from me (когда он был так далеко от меня). He made signs that I should let him see whether his enemy was really dead or only pretending to be so (он делал знаки, что я должен дать ему посмотреть, действительно ли его враг был мертв или только притворялся быть таковым).

I told him, as well as I could (я сказал ему, насколько смог: «так хорошо, как я мог»), that he might go to him (что он может пойти к нему). He ran to the fallen savage and looked at him (он подбежал к упавшему дикарю и посмотрел на него). He turned him first on one side and then on the other (он перевернул его сначала на одну сторону, а затем на другую). He seemed very much puzzled (он казался очень озадаченным; puzzle — вопрос, ставящий в тупик; головоломка, загадка; to puzzle — приводить в затруднение, ставить в тупик; озадачивать).

Then he picked up the savage's bow and arrows (затем он подобрал лук и стрелы дикаря) and brought them to me (и принес их мне; to bring — приносить).

I turned to go back to my castle (я повернулся, чтобы идти обратно в замок) and beckoned him to follow me (и поманил его последовать за мной).

He stood quite still for a moment (он стоял совершенно неподвижно какое-то мгновение) and then pointed again to the bodies on the ground (а затем указал опять на тела на земле). By signs he asked me if he might bury them (знаками он спросил меня, мог ли похоронить их), lest the other savages should come up and find them there (чтобы другие дикари не смогли прийти и найти их там). I answered by signs (я ответил знаками) and gave him leave (и дал ему разрешение).

The work was quickly done (работа была быстро сделана). With a sharp stick (острой палкой) and his big hands (и своими большими руками; hand — кисть руки; ладонь) he soon dug two big holes in the sand (он вскоре вырыл две большие ямы в песке). He laid the bodies in them and covered them up (он положил в них тела и покрыл = засыпал их; to lay — класть). Then he smoothed the sand (затем он разровнял песок) and patted it down so (и прибил/утрамбовал его так; to pat — похлопывать; поглаживать; шлепать; бить, ударять /плоским или тупым предметом/) that no one could see that it had been touched (что никто не смог бы увидеть, что он был тронут = что здесь рыли).

Having thus put the two savages out of sight he turned to me again (убрав таким образом двоих дикарей из виду, он снова повернулся ко мне). I motioned him to follow me (я показал ему знаком следовать за мной). But on second thought (но, поразмыслив: «на второй мысли») I did not go back to the castle (я не пошел обратно в замок). I led him far into the woods (я отвел его далеко в лес; to lead — вести), to my new cave of which I have told you (к моей новой пещере, о которой я рассказывал вам).

Once inside of that cave (зайдя внутрь пещеры/оказавшись внутри пещеры; once — один раз; раз, разок; единожды, однажды), I felt safe (я почувствовал себя в безопасности).

I gave the poor fellow some bread and a bunch of raisins to eat (я дал бедняге поесть хлеб и горсть изюма). I gave him also a drink of water from a jug (я дал ему также глоток воды = попить воды из кувшина), and he was so thirsty (и он так хотел пить; to be thirsty — испытывать жажду: «быть жаждущим»; thirst — жажда) from running (от бега = оттого, что бежал) that he came near drinking it all (что он чуть не выпил его /кувшин/ весь).

Then I showed him a place where I had put some rice straw (затем я показал ему место, где я положил рисовую солому) with a blanket over it (с одеялом на ней). It was quite a good bed (это была довольно хорошая постель), and I myself had sometimes slept upon it (и я сам иногда спал на ней).

He seemed to know (казалось, он понял) that I meant for him to lie down there and rest (что я указывал ему лечь здесь и отдохнуть; to mean — иметь в виду; думать, подразумевать). Soon he was fast asleep (вскоре он крепко спал: «был крепко спящим»).

He was a handsome fellow (он был красивый/стройный парень). He was tall but not too large (он был высоким, но не слишком большим).

His hair was long and black (его волосы были длинными и черными). His forehead was high and broad (его лоб был высоким и широким). His eyes were very bright (его глаза были яркими = ясными).

His face was round and plump (его лицо было круглым и полным; plump — полный; округлый, пухлый). His nose was well shaped (егонос был хорошей формы: «хорошо сформирован»). His lips were thin (его губы были тонкими). His teeth were white as ivory (его зубы были белыми как слоновая кость).

His skin was not black like that of an African (его кожа не была черной). It was not yellow like that of some Indians (она не была желтой, как кожа некоторых индейцев). But it was a kind of olive color (но она была оттенком оливкового цвета), very pleasant to look at (очень приятной на вид: «приятной, чтобы смотреть на нее»).

After he had been asleep about an hour he awoke (после того, как он проспал около часа, он проснулся; to awake — просыпаться) and came out of the cave where I was milking my goats (и вышел из пещеры туда, где я доил моих коз). He made signs to show that he was glad to see me (он сделал знаки, чтобы показать, что он рад видеть меня).

Then he laid his head flat down on the ground (затем он положил голову плоско вниз на землю = прижал к земле) and set my foot upon it (и поставил на нее мою ногу), as he had done before (как он сделал это прежде). This was his way of saying that he would do anything I wished (это был его способ сказать, что сделает все, что я пожелаю).

I understood him and told him by signs that I was well pleased with him (я понял его и сказал ему знаками, что я доволен им).

I spoke some simple words to him (я сказал ему несколько простых слов) and tried to teach him what they meant (и попробовал научить его = объяснить ему, что они обозначали; to mean — значить). He was quick to learn and soon began to try to talk to me (он быстро учился: «был быстр учиться» и скоро начал пытаться говорить со мной).

I named him FRIDAY (я назвал его Пятница), because it was on that day of the week that I had saved his life (потому что именно в этот день недели я спас его жизнь).

He soon learned to call me " Master" (он вскоре научился называть меня «хозяин»), and to say " yes" and " no" in the right way (и говорить «да» и «нет» правильно = и различать «да» и «нет»).

In the evening I gave him an earthen pot with some milk in it (вечером я дал ему глиняный горшок с молоком), and showed him how to sop his bread in the milk (и показал, как мочить хлеб в молоке). I also gave him a barley cake (я также дал ему ячменную лепешку), which he ate as though it was very good (которую он съел, как будто она была очень хороша).

All that night we stayed in the cave (всю эту ночь мы оставались в пещере). But early the next morning I led him back to my castle (но рано следующим утром я повел его назад в замок).

My first care was to learn whether the savages had left the island (первой моей заботой было выяснить, покинули ли дикари остров). I climbed to the top of the rock and looked around with my spyglass (я забрался на вершину скалы и осмотрелся при помощи подзорной трубы).

I saw the place where the savages had been (я увидел место, где побывали дикари). I saw where they had built their fire (я увидел, где они разводили костер). But they were not there (но их там не было). I could see no sign of them or of their canoes (я не смог разглядеть никаких признаков их или их каноэ). It was plain that they had left the place (было ясно, что они покинули это место; to leave — оставлять, покидать).

I gave my man Friday one of my guns to carry (я дал моему слуге Пятнице нести одно из моих ружей). In his right hand he held my sword (в правой руке он держал мою шпагу), and on his back were his bow and arrows (а на его спине были его лук и стрелы = а на спине он нес лук и стрелы).

I carried two guns myself (я сам нес два ружья). And thus armed (и /будучи/ так вооруженными) we went boldly down to the beach (мы отважно спустились к берегу).

The sand was red with blood (песок был красным от крови), and bones and bits of flesh were scattered all around (а кости и куски мяса были разбросаны везде вокруг). These I caused Friday to gather up and bury (я приказал Пятнице собрать их и похоронить).

We stayed on the beach for some time (мы оставались на берегунекоторое время), but could find nothing more (но ничего больше не могли найти).

Friday gave me to understand (Пятница дал мне понять) that there had been three other prisoners in the boats with him (что в лодках вместе с ним было три других пленника = еще три пленника). I had no doubt (у меня не было никаких сомнений) that the savages had killed and eaten them all (что дикари убили и съели всех их).

The next day I made a tent for Friday to stay in (на следующий день я сделал навес для Пятницы, чтобы /он мог/ оставаться там = жить; to stay — останавливаться, жить; оставаться /где-л./, задержаться /где-л./). It was just inside of my castle wall (он был точно/как раз внутри моей стены замка = сразу за стеной замка) and in front of the door into my own sleeping room (и перед дверью /ведущей/ в мою собственную спальню).

As he had no clothes (поскольку у него не было одежды) I set to work to make him a suit (я принялся за работу, чтобы сделать ему костюм). I gave him some linen trousers (я дал ему льняные штаны) which had belonged to one of our sailors (которые принадлежали одному из наших моряков), and which I had not worn because they were too small (и которые я не носил, потому что они были слишком малы; to wear — носить /одежду, обувь/).

Then I made him a little jacket of goatskin (затем я сделал ему курточку из козьей шкуры), and from the skin of a rabbit (а из кожи кролика) I fashioned a very good cap (я сшил ему очень хорошую шапку; fashion — форма, очертания; покрой /об одежде/; to fashion — придавать форму; создавать) that fitted his head quite well (которая подходила к его голове вполне хорошо).

You should have seen him when he was clothed (вам стоило бы посмотреть на него, когда он был так одет). He was very proud, but oh, so awkward (он был очень горд, но, Боже мой, столь неуклюж)!

He went around with a broad smile on his face (он расхаживал: «ходил вокруг» с широкой улыбкой на лице). He tried to do everything that was pleasing to me (он старался делать все, что было мне приятно).

And indeed I was much delighted with him (и в самом деле, я был очень рад ему/доволен им). For no man ever had a more faithful servant (потому что ни у кого не было более преданного слуги; faith — вера; доверие).

 

Friday ['fraIdeI, 'fraIdI], pursue [pq'sju: ], dead [ded], really ['rI(q)lI], pretend [prI'tend], body ['bOdI], forehead ['fOrId], nose ['nquz], teeth [ti: T], ivory ['aIv(q)rI], olive ['OlIv], color ['kAlq], quick [kwIk], talk [tO: k], blood [blAd], bury ['berI], linen ['lInIn], trousers ['trauzqz], because [bI'kO: z], faithful ['feITf(q)l]

 

I AM PLEASED WITH MY MAN FRIDAY

 

THE savage spoke to me. I could not understand his words, but they were very pleasant to hear. For it had now been more than twenty-five years since I had heard the sound of a man's voice. He pointed to the two savages who had been pursuing him. They were lying on the ground where they had fallen. Both were quite dead.

He could not understand how I had killed the second savage when he was so far away from me. He made signs that I should let him see whether his enemy was really dead or only pretending to be so.

I told him, as well as I could, that he might go to him. He ran to the fallen savage and looked at him. He turned him first on one side and then on the other. He seemed very much puzzled.

Then he picked up the savage's bow and arrows and brought them to me.

I turned to go back to my castle and beckoned him to follow me.

He stood quite still for a moment and then pointed again to the bodies on the ground. By signs he asked me if he might bury them, lest the other savages should come up and find them there. I answered by signs and gave him leave.

The work was quickly done. With a sharp stick and his big hands he soon dug two big holes in the sand. He laid the bodies in them and covered them up. Then he smoothed the sand and patted it down so that no one could see that it had been touched.

Having thus put the two savages out of sight he turned to me again. I motioned him to follow me. But on second thought I did not go back to the castle. I led him far into the woods, to my new cave of which I have told you.

Once inside of that cave, I felt safe.

I gave the poor fellow some bread and a bunch of raisins to eat. I gave him also a drink of water from a jug, and he was so thirsty from running that he came near drinking it all.

Then I showed him a place where I had put some rice straw with a blanket over it. It was quite a good bed, and I myself had sometimes slept upon it.

He seemed to know that I meant for him to lie down there and rest. Soon he was fast asleep.

He was a handsome fellow. He was tall but not too large.

His hair was long and black. His forehead was high and broad. His eyes were very bright.

His face was round and plump. His nose was well shaped. His lips were thin. His teeth were white as ivory.

His skin was not black like that of an African. It was not yellow like that of some Indians. But it was a kind of olive color, very pleasant to look at.

After he had been asleep about an hour he awoke and came out of the cave where I was milking my goats. He made signs to show that he was glad to see me.

Then he laid his head flat down on the ground and set my foot upon it, as he had done before. This was his way of saying that he would do anything I wished.

I understood him and told him by signs that I was well pleased with him.

I spoke some simple words to him and tried to teach him what they meant. He was quick to learn and soon began to try to talk to me.

I named him FRIDAY, because it was on that day of the week that I had saved his life.

He soon learned to call me " Master, " and to say " yes" and " no" in the right way.

In the evening I gave him an earthen pot with some milk in it, and showed him how to sop his bread in the milk. I also gave him a barley cake, which he ate as though it was very good.

All that night we stayed in the cave. But early the next morning I led him back to my castle.

My first care was to learn whether the savages had left the island. I climbed to the top of the rock and looked around with my spyglass.

I saw the place where the savages had been. I saw where they had built their fire. But they were not there. I could see no sign of them or of their canoes. It was plain that they had left the place.

I gave my man Friday one of my guns to carry. In his right hand he held my sword, and on his back were his bow and arrows.

I carried two guns myself. And thus armed we went boldly down to the beach.

The sand was red with blood, and bones and bits of flesh were scattered all around. These I caused Friday to gather up and bury.

We stayed on the beach for some time, but could find nothing more.

Friday gave me to understand that there had been three other prisoners in the boats with him. I had no doubt that the savages had killed and eaten them all.

The next day I made a tent for Friday to stay in. It was just inside of my castle wall and in front of the door into my own sleeping room.

As he had no clothes I set to work to make him a suit. I gave him some linen trousers which had belonged to one of our sailors, and which I had not worn because they were too small.

Then I made him a little jacket of goatskin, and from the skin of a rabbit I fashioned a very good cap that fitted his head quite well.

You should have seen him when he was clothed. He was very proud, but oh, so awkward!

He went around with a broad smile on his face. He tried to do everything that was pleasing to me.

And indeed I was much delighted with him. For no man ever had a more faithful servant.

 

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