Incident [`InsId(q)nt] shrieking [`SrJkIn]

We found the truant for them half a mile further down, held by some rushes, and we brought it back to them. I bet they did not give that boat another chance for a week.

I shall never forget the picture of those two men walking up and down the bank with a tow-line, looking for their boat.

One sees a good many funny incidents up the river in connection with towing. One of the most common is the sight of a couple of towers, walking briskly along, deep in an animated discussion, while the man in the boat, a hundred yards behind them, is vainly shrieking to them to stop, and making frantic signs of distress with a scull. Something has gone wrong; the rudder has come off, or the boat-hook has slipped overboard, or his hat has dropped into the water and is floating rapidly down stream.

He calls to them to stop, quite gently and politely at first (он просит их остановиться, сначала довольно кротко и вежливо).

"Hi! stop a minute, will you (эй, постойте минутку)?" he shouts cheerily (кричит он весело). "I've dropped my hat over-board (я уронил шляпу за борт)."

Then (потом): "Hi! Tom — Dick! can't you hear (не слышите)?" not quite so affably this time (не совсем любезно на этот раз).

Then: "Hi! Confound you, you dunder-headed idiots (черт вас возьми, пустоголовые идиоты; to confound — мешать; запутывать; проклинать: confound it! — к черту! будь оно проклято!; dunderhead — глупая башка, болван)! Hi! stop! Oh you — (ах вы…)!"

After that he springs up, and dances about (затем он вскакивает и прыгает по лодке; to dance — плясать, танцевать; скакать, прыгать), and roars himself red in the face (и орет до покраснения лица), and curses everything he knows (и ругает все и вся: «все, что знает»). And the small boys on the bank stop and jeer at him (и маленькие мальчики на берегу останавливаются и насмехаются над ним), and pitch stones at him as he is pulled along past them (и бросают в него камнями, когда его тянут /на лодке/ мимо них), at the rate of four miles an hour, and can't get out (со скоростью четырех миль в час, и /он/ не может выйти).

affably [`xfqblI] confound [kqn`faund]

He calls to them to stop, quite gently and politely at first.

"Hi! stop a minute, will you?" he shouts cheerily. "I've dropped my hat over-board."

Then: "Hi! Tom — Dick! can't you hear?" not quite so affably this time.

Then: "Hi! Confound you, you dunder-headed idiots! Hi! stop! Oh you — !"

After that he springs up, and dances about, and roars himself red in the face, and curses everything he knows. And the small boys on the bank stop and jeer at him, and pitch stones at him as he is pulled along past them, at the rate of four miles an hour, and can't get out.

Much of this sort of trouble would be saved (значительной части подобных неприятностей можно было бы избежать; to save — спасать; беречь, экономить; избавлять) if those who are towing would keep remembering that they are towing (если бы те, кто тянет /лодку/, продолжали помнить = не забывали, что они тянут), and give a pretty frequent look round to see how their man is getting on (и почаще оглядывались бы, чтобы посмотреть, как там их человек = спутник; to get on — делать успехи, преуспевать). It is best to let one person tow (самое лучшее — чтобы тянул один человек: «позволить тянуть одному»). When two are doing it, they get chattering, and forget (когда это делают двое, они начинают болтать и забывают), and the boat itself, offering, as it does, but little resistance (а сама лодка, оказывая, фактически, лишь небольшое сопротивление), is of no real service in reminding them of the fact (не особенно в состоянии напомнить им об их занятии/о действительности; of no use — бесполезный; of no effect — безрезультатный, бесполезный и т.д.; fact — факт, обстоятельство; событие; действительность).

As an example of how utterly oblivious a pair of towers can be to their work (как пример того, насколько совершенно невнимательными к своей работе может быть пара тянущих лодку; utterly — крайне, очень; oblivious — забывчивый, рассеянный; не обращающий внимания), George told us, later on in the evening (Джордж рассказал нам, позднее вечером), when we were discussing the subject after supper, of a very curious instance (когда мы обсуждали эту тему после ужина, об одном очень любопытном случае; instance — отдельный пример, случай).

frequent [`frJkwqnt] resistance [rI`zIstqns]

Much of this sort of trouble would be saved if those who are towing would keep remembering that they are towing, and give a pretty frequent look round to see how their man is getting on. It is best to let one person tow. When two are doing it, they get chattering, and forget, and the boat itself, offering, as it does, but little resistance, is of no real service in reminding them of the fact.

As an example of how utterly oblivious a pair of towers can be to their work, George told us, later on in the evening, when we were discussing the subject after supper, of a very curious instance.

He and three other men, so he said, were sculling a very heavily laden boat up from Maidenhead one evening (он и трое других, как он сказал, вели тяжело груженную лодку вверх /по реке/ из Мэйденхеда как-то вечером; to lade — грузить, нагружать), and a little above Cookham lock they noticed a fellow and a girl, walking along the towpath (и несколько выше Кукхэмского шлюза они заметили парня и девушку, шедших по дороге на берегу; towpath — пешеходная дорога на берегу реки, канала), both deep in an apparently interesting and absorbing conversation (оба поглощенные очевидно интересным и увлекательным разговором). They were carrying a boat-hook between them (они несли багор /между собой/), and, attached to the boat-hook was a tow-line (а к багру был привязан канат), which trailed behind them, its end in the water (который волочился за ними, а его конец был в воде = скрылся под водой). No boat was near, no boat was in sight (поблизости не было лодки, и никакой лодки не было в пределах видимости). There must have been a boat attached to that tow-line at some time or other, that was certain (лодка была привязана к этому канату когда-то: «в то или иное время», это было несомненно); but what had become of it, what ghastly fate had overtaken it (но что с ней случилось, какая ужасная участь постигла ее; to overtake-overtook-overtaken; to overtake — догнать, настигнуть; охватить, обрушиться внезапно), and those who had been left in it, was buried in mystery (и тех, кто был оставлен в ней, — было окутано тайной; to bury — хоронить; прятать, укрывать).

Whatever the accident may have been, however (какое бы несчастье ни случилось, тем не менее), it had in no way disturbed the young lady and gentleman, who were towing (оно никоим образом не беспокоило барышню и молодого джентльмена, которые тянули /лодку/). They had the boat-hook and they had the line (у них были багор и веревка), and that seemed to be all that they thought necessary to their work (и это, казалось, все, что они считают необходимым для своей работы = все, что им нужно).

accident [`xksId(q)nt] necessary [`nesIs(q)rI]

He and three other men, so he said, were sculling a very heavily laden boat up from Maidenhead one evening, and a little above Cookham lock they noticed a fellow and a girl, walking along the towpath, both deep in an apparently interesting and absorbing conversation. They were carrying a boat-hook between them, and, attached to the boat-hook was a tow-line, which trailed behind them, its end in the water. No boat was near, no boat was in sight. There must have been a boat attached to that tow-line at some time or other, that was certain; but what had become of it, what ghastly fate had overtaken it, and those who had been left in it, was buried in mystery.

Whatever the accident may have been, however, it had in no way disturbed the young lady and gentleman, who were towing. They had the boat-hook and they had the line, and that seemed to be all that they thought necessary to their work.

George was about to call out and wake them up (Джордж собирался крикнуть и разбудить их; to be about to do something — собираться, намереваться сделать что-либо), but, at that moment, a bright idea flashed across him, and he didn't (но в ту минуту великолепная идея/мысль промелькнула у него в голове, и он не стал /кричать/). He got the hitcher instead, and reached over (он взял багор вместо этого, протянул его), and drew in the end of the tow-line (и втянул /в лодку/ конец каната); and they made a loop in it, and put it over their mast (и они сделали на нем петлю, и накинули на свою мачту), and then they tidied up the sculls (а потом подобрали весла; to tidy — убирать; приводить в порядок), and went and sat down in the stern, and lit their pipes (и сели на корме, и зажгли трубки; to light).

And that young man and young woman towed those four hulking chaps and a heavy boat up to Marlow (и молодой человек c девушкой тянули тех четырех увесистых парней и тяжелую лодку до Марлоу; hulking — громадный, массивный; неповоротливый, неуклюжий).

George said he never saw so much thoughtful sadness concentrated into one glance before (Гаррис сказал, он никогда прежде не видел столько задумчивой печали, сосредоточенной в одном взгляде), as when, at the lock, that young couple grasped the idea (как когда у шлюза эта молодая пара схватила идею = поняла) that, for the last two miles, they had been towing the wrong boat (что последние две мили они тянули не ту лодку). George fancied that, if it had not been for the restraining influence of the sweet woman at his side (Джордж предположил, что, если бы не сдерживающее влияние милой женщины на него /юношу/; side — сторона, бок; позиция, точка зрения), the young man might have given way to violent language (молодой человек поддался бы резким словам = не удержался бы от брани).

concentrated [`kOns(q)ntreItId] wrong [rON] influence [`Influqns]

George was about to call out and wake them up, but, at that moment, a bright idea flashed across him, and he didn't. He got the hitcher instead, and reached over, and drew in the end of the tow-line; and they made a loop in it, and put it over their mast, and then they tidied up the sculls, and went and sat down in the stern, and lit their pipes.

And that young man and young woman towed those four hulking chaps and a heavy boat up to Marlow.

George said he never saw so much thoughtful sadness concentrated into one glance before, as when, at the lock, that young couple grasped the idea that, for the last two miles, they had been towing the wrong boat. George fancied that, if it had not been for the restraining influence of the sweet woman at his side, the young man might have given way to violent language.

The maiden was the first to recover from her surprise (первой оправилась от удивления девушка), and, when she did, she clasped her hands, and said, wildly (и после этого: «когда сделала это», ломая руки, сказала взволнованно; to clasp — прикреплять; сдавливать; to clasp /one's own/ hands — ломать руки в отчаянии):

"Oh, Henry, then where is auntie (о, Генри, а где же тетушка)?"

"Did they ever recover the old lady (нашли: «вернули» ли они пожилую даму)?" asked Harris.

George replied he did not know (Джордж ответил, что не знает).

Another example of the dangerous want of sympathy between tower and towed (другой пример опасного отсутствия взаимного понимания между буксирующим и буксируемым) was witnessed by George and myself once up near Walton (наблюдался однажды Джорджем и мной около Уолтона). It was where the tow-path shelves gently down into the water (это было /там/, где дорога отлого спускается к воде), and we were camping on the opposite bank, noticing things in general (а мы расположились лагерем на противоположном берегу, замечая вещи вообще = глядя на воду, на реку). By-and-by a small boat came in sight (вскоре показалась маленькая лодка), towed through the water at a tremendous pace by a powerful barge horse (которую тянула по воде с потрясающей скоростью могучая баржевая лошадь), on which sat a very small boy (на которой сидел очень маленький мальчик). Scattered about the boat, in dreamy and reposeful attitudes, lay five fellows (рассредоточенные = развалившись, на лодке в мечтательной и спокойной позе лежали пять человек), the man who was steering having a particularly restful appearance (у человека, который правил рулем, был особенно безмятежный вид; restful — безмятежный, спокойный, тихий).

auntie [`RntI] sympathy [`sImpqTI]

The maiden was the first to recover from her surprise, and, when she did, she clasped her hands, and said, wildly:

"Oh, Henry, then where is auntie?"

"Did they ever recover the old lady?" asked Harris.

George replied he did not know.

Another example of the dangerous want of sympathy between tower and towed was witnessed by George and myself once up near Walton. It was where the tow-path shelves gently down into the water, and we were camping on the opposite bank, noticing things in general. By-and-by a small boat came in sight, towed through the water at a tremendous pace by a powerful barge horse, on which sat a very small boy. Scattered about the boat, in dreamy and reposeful attitudes, lay five fellows, the man who was steering having a particularly restful appearance.

"I should like to see him pull the wrong line (хотел бы я увидеть, как он потянет не за ту веревку)," murmured George, as they passed (пробормотал Джордж, когда они проплывали мимо). And at that precise moment the man did it (и в этот точный момент = тут же человек сделал это), and the boat rushed up the bank with a noise (и лодка налетела на берег с /таким/ треском; noise — шум, гам, грохот, гудение; неприятный звук) like the ripping up of forty thousand linen sheets (будто /треск/ разрывания сорока тысяч льняных простыней). Two men, a hamper, and three oars immediately left the boat on the larboard side (два человека, корзина и три весла немедленно покинули лодку = вылетели с левого борта), and reclined on the bank (и развалились на берегу; to recline — ложиться или класть на спину, приклонять голову; лежать, развалившись), and one and a half moments afterwards, two other men disembarked from the starboard (и полторы секунды спустя двое других высадились с правого борта; to disembark — высаживать/ся/, сходить на берег), and sat down among boat-hooks and sails and carpet-bags and bottles (и приземлились среди багров, и парусов, и саквояжей, и бутылок; carpet — ковер; bag — сумка). The last man went on twenty yards further, and then got out on his head (последний человек проехал на двадцать ярдов дальше и затем вышел = вылетел головой /вперед/).

This seemed to sort of lighten the boat, and it went on much easier (это, казалось, отчасти облегчило лодку, и она продолжила /плыть/ намного легче), the small boy shouting at the top of his voice, and urging his steed into a gallop (маленький мальчик /при этом/ крикнул во весь голос и пустил коня галопом; to urge — подгонять, подстегивать, побуждать). The fellows sat up and stared at one another (приятели приподнялись и уставились друг на друга). It was some seconds before they realised what had happened to them (прошло несколько секунд, прежде чем они осознали, что с ними произошло), but, when they did, they began to shout lustily for the boy to stop (осознав, они начали яростно кричать мальчишке, чтобы он остановился; lustily — энергично, сильно). He, however, was too much occupied with the horse to hear them (он, однако, был слишком занят своей лошадью, чтобы услышать их), and we watched them, flying after him, until the distance hid them from view (и мы смотрели, как они мчатся за ним, пока расстояние не скрыло их из /нашего/ поля зрения; to hide).

precise [prI`saIs] disembarked [,dIsIm`bRkt] occupied [`OkjupaId]

"I should like to see him pull the wrong line," murmured George, as they passed. And at that precise moment the man did it, and the boat rushed up the bank with a noise like the ripping up of forty thousand linen sheets. Two men, a hamper, and three oars immediately left the boat on the larboard side, and reclined on the bank, and one and a half moments afterwards, two other men disembarked from the starboard, and sat down among boat-hooks and sails and carpet-bags and bottles. The last man went on twenty yards further, and then got out on his head.

This seemed to sort of lighten the boat, and it went on much easier, the small boy shouting at the top of his voice, and urging his steed into a gallop. The fellows sat up and stared at one another. It was some seconds before they realised what had happened to them, but, when they did, they began to shout lustily for the boy to stop. He, however, was too much occupied with the horse to hear them, and we watched them, flying after him, until the distance hid them from view.

I cannot say I was sorry at their mishap (не могу сказать, что я сожалел по поводу их несчастья). Indeed, I only wish that all the young fools (более того, я бы хотел, чтобы все молодые глупцы) who have their boats towed in this fashion — and plenty do (которые заставляют тянуть свои лодки таким образом — а так делают многие) — could meet with similar misfortunes (испытали подобные несчастья; to meet with — испытать, подвергнуться, встретиться с). Besides the risk they run themselves (помимо опасности, которой они подвергают себя), they become a danger and an annoyance to every other boat they pass (они становятся угрозой и помехой/раздражением для всех других лодок, мимо которых проходят). Going at the pace they do (идя с такой скоростью, с какой идут они), it is impossible for them to get out of anybody else's way (для них невозможно = они не могут уйти с чьего-либо пути), or for anybody else to get out of theirs (а другие не могут уйти с их пути). Their line gets hitched across your mast, and overturns you (их бечева цепляется за вашу мачту и опрокидывает вас), or it catches somebody in the boat, and either throws them into the water, or cuts their face open (или задевает кого-нибудь в лодке и либо сбрасывает их в воду, либо рассекает им лицо; to catch — ловить; зацепить/ся/, задеть; ударить). The best plan is to stand your ground (лучший способ действий = лучше всего проявить твердость: «стоять на вашей почве = позиции»), and be prepared to keep them off with the butt-end of a mast (и быть готовым держать их подальше нижним концом мачты; butt-end — толстый конец, торец, нижний конец; to keep off — не подпускать, держать в отдалении).

mishap [`mIshxp] either [`aIDq]

I cannot say I was sorry at their mishap. Indeed, I only wish that all the young fools who have their boats towed in this fashion — and plenty do — could meet with similar misfortunes. Besides the risk they run themselves, they become a danger and an annoyance to every other boat they pass. Going at the pace they do, it is impossible for them to get out of anybody else's way, or for anybody else to get out of theirs. Their line gets hitched across your mast, and overturns you, or it catches somebody in the boat, and either throws them into the water, or cuts their face open. The best plan is to stand your ground, and be prepared to keep them off with the butt-end of a mast.

Of all experiences in connection with towing (из всех переживаний, связанных с буксированием; in connection with — в связи с), the most exciting is being towed by girls (самое захватывающее — когда вас тянут девушки). It is a sensation that nobody ought to miss (это ощущение, которое никто не должен пропустить = все должны испытать). It takes three girls to tow always (всегда требуются три девушки, чтобы тянуть /лодку/); two hold the rope, and the other one runs round and round, and giggles (две тянут веревку, а третья бегает вокруг и хихикает). They generally begin by getting themselves tied up (они обычно начинают с того, что связывают себя). They get the line round their legs, and have to sit down on the path and undo each other (веревка обматывается вокруг их ног, и им приходится садиться на дорогу и развязывать друг друга), and then they twist it round their necks, and are nearly strangled (а потом они оборачивают ее вокруг шеи и чуть не задыхаются; to strangle — задушить, удавить; задыхаться). They fix it straight, however, at last, and start off at a run (однако дело у них налаживается наконец, и они отправляются в путь бегом; to get straight — налаживать), pulling the boat along at quite a dangerous pace (таща лодку с довольно опасной скоростью). At the end of a hundred yards they are naturally breathless, and suddenly stop (в конце сотни ярдов = через сотню ярдов они, естественно, выдыхаются и внезапно останавливаются; breathless — запыхавшийся; задыхающийся), and all sit down on the grass and laugh (и садятся все на траву, и смеются), and your boat drifts out to mid-stream and turns round (а ваша лодка выходит на середину реки и /начинает/ поворачиваться), before you know what has happened, or can get hold of a scull (прежде чем вы поймете, что произошло или сможете схватиться за весло). Then they stand up, and are surprised (потом они встают и удивляются).

"Oh, look (посмотрите)!" they say; "he's gone right out into the middle (он выехал точно на середину)."

breathless [`breTlIs] laugh [lRf]

Of all experiences in connection with towing, the most exciting is being towed by girls. It is a sensation that nobody ought to miss. It takes three girls to tow always; two hold the rope, and the other one runs round and round, and giggles. They generally begin by getting themselves tied up. They get the line round their legs, and have to sit down on the path and undo each other, and then they twist it round their necks, and are nearly strangled. They fix it straight, however, at last, and start off at a run, pulling the boat along at quite a dangerous pace. At the end of a hundred yards they are naturally breathless, and suddenly stop, and all sit down on the grass and laugh, and your boat drifts out to mid-stream and turns round, before you know what has happened, or can get hold of a scull. Then they stand up, and are surprised.

"Oh, look!" they say; "he's gone right out into the middle."

They pull on pretty steadily for a bit, after this (они тянут довольно равномерно какое-то время после этого), and then it all at once occurs to one of them that she will pin up her frock (а потом вдруг одной из них приходит в голову /мысль/ подколоть платье; all at once — вдруг, внезапно; to pin — прикалывать, прикреплять), and they ease up for the purpose, and the boat runs aground (и они замедляют ход с этой целью, и лодка садится на мель).

You jump up, and push it off (вы вскакиваете и сталкиваете ее /с мели/), and you shout to them not to stop (и кричите им, чтобы не останавливались).

"Yes. What's the matter (что случилось/в чем дело)?" they shout back (кричат они в ответ).

"Don't stop," you roar (орете вы).

"Don't what (не делать чего)?"

"Don't stop — go on — go on (не останавливайтесь — продолжайте /идти/)!"

They pull on pretty steadily for a bit, after this, and then it all at once occurs to one of them that she will pin up her frock, and they ease up for the purpose, and the boat runs aground.

You jump up, and push it off, and you shout to them not to stop.

"Yes. What's the matter?" they shout back.

"Don't stop," you roar.

"Don't what?"

"Don't stop — go on — go on!"

"Go back, Emily, and see what it is they want (вернись, Эмили, узнай, что им нужно)," says one; and Emily comes back, and asks what it is (и Эмили возвращается и спрашивает, в чем дело).

"What do you want (что вам нужно)?" she says; "anything happened (что-нибудь случилось)?"

"No," you reply (отвечаете вы), "it's all right (все в порядке); only go on, you know — don't stop (только идите дальше — не останавливайтесь)."

"Why not (почему)?"

"Why, we can't steer, if you keep stopping (ну, мы не сможем править, если вы будете останавливаться). You must keep some way on the boat (вы должны продолжать тянуть лодку; to keep a way — держаться избранного пути)."

"Go back, Emily, and see what it is they want," says one; and Emily comes back, and asks what it is.

"What do you want?" she says; "anything happened?"

"No," you reply, "it's all right; only go on, you know — don't stop."

"Why not?"

"Why, we can't steer, if you keep stopping. You must keep some way on the boat."

"Keep some what (продолжать что)?"

"Some way — you must keep the boat moving (тянуть — вы должны держать лодку в движении)."

"Oh, all right, I'll tell `em (хорошо, я им скажу). Are we doing it all right (мы хорошо это делаем)?"

"Oh, yes, very nicely, indeed, only don't stop (да, очень хорошо, в самом деле, только не останавливайтесь)."

"It doesn't seem difficult at all (это не выглядит трудным вообще = совсем просто, оказывается). I thought it was so hard (я думала, это тяжело)."

"Oh, no, it's simple enough (довольно просто). You want to keep on steady at it, that's all (вам нужно продолжать равномерно тянуть, вот и все)."

"I see (понимаю). Give me out my red shawl, it's under the cushion (достаньте мне мою красную шаль, она под подушкой; to give out — раздавать; выдавать; выделять)."

"Keep some what?"

"Some way — you must keep the boat moving."

"Oh, all right, I'll tell `em. Are we doing it all right?"

"Oh, yes, very nicely, indeed, only don't stop."

"It doesn't seem difficult at all. I thought it was so hard."

"Oh, no, it's simple enough. You want to keep on steady at it, that's all."

"I see. Give me out my red shawl, it's under the cushion."

You find the shawl, and hand it out (вы находите шаль и отдаете/передаете ее), and by this time another one has come back and thinks she will have hers too (к этому времени другая /девушка/ вернулась и думает, что возьмет свою тоже), and they take Mary's on chance, and Mary does not want it (и они берут шаль Мэри на /всякий/ случай, а Мэри она не нужна), so they bring it back and have a pocket-comb instead (поэтому они приносят ее назад и берут вместо нее /карманный/ гребень). It is about twenty minutes before they get off again (проходит около двадцати минут, прежде чем они снова трогаются с места), and, at the next corner, they see a cow, and you have to leave the boat to chivy the cow out of their way (и на следующем повороте они видят корову, и вам приходится вылезти из лодки, чтобы прогнать корову с их пути; to chivy — мучить, досаждать; преследовать; убегать).

There is never a dull moment in the boat while girls are towing it (никогда нет скучного момента в лодке = не приходится скучать в лодке, пока ее тянут девушки).

George got the line right after a while (Джордж наладил канат через некоторое время), and towed us steadily on to Penton Hook (и тянул нас непрерывно = не останавливаясь, до Пентон-Хука). There we discussed the important question of camping (там мы обсудили важный вопрос о ночевке; to camp — располагаться лагерем). We had decided to sleep on board that night (мы решили спать на борту этой ночью), and we had either to lay up just about there, or go on past Staines (и нам нужно было либо остаться примерно здесь, либо пройти за Стэйнс; to lay up — возводить, сооружать; ставить судно на прикол). It seemed early to think about shutting up then, however, with the sun still in the heavens (казалось, было рано думать о том, чтобы укладываться тогда, когда солнце все еще в небесах = светит; to shut up — закрывать, запирать), and we settled to push straight on for Runnymead, three and a half miles further (и мы решили двигаться прямо до Раннимида, еще три с половиной мили; further — дальнейший, дополнительный, дальше), a quiet wooded part of the river, and where there is good shelter (тихой лесистой части реки, где /можно найти/ хороший приют; shelter — приют, кров; пристанище, убежище).

comb [kqum] chivy [`CIvI] cow [kau]

You find the shawl, and hand it out, and by this time another one has come back and thinks she will have hers too, and they take Mary's on chance, and Mary does not want it, so they bring it back and have a pocket-comb instead. It is about twenty minutes before they get off again, and, at the next corner, they see a cow, and you have to leave the boat to chivy the cow out of their way.

There is never a dull moment in the boat while girls are towing it.

George got the line right after a while, and towed us steadily on to Penton Hook. There we discussed the important question of camping. We had decided to sleep on board that night, and we had either to lay up just about there, or go on past Staines. It seemed early to think about shutting up then, however, with the sun still in the heavens, and we settled to push straight on for Runnymead, three and a half miles further, a quiet wooded part of the river, and where there is good shelter.

We all wished, however, afterward that we had stopped at Penton Hook (мы все жалели впоследствии, однако, что не остановились: «желали, чтобы остановились» у Пентон-Хука). Three or four miles up stream is a trifle, early in the morning (три или четыре мили вверх по течению — пустяк, /если это происходит/ рано утром), but it is a weary pull at the end of a long day (но это утомительное напряжение = дело в конце длинного дня). You take no interest in the scenery during these last few miles (вас не интересует пейзаж во время этих последних нескольких миль). You do not chat and laugh (вы не болтаете и не смеетесь). Every half-mile you cover seems like two (каждая полумиля, что вы покрываете, кажется двумя). You can hardly believe you are only where you are (вы едва можете поверить, что находитесь лишь там, где находитесь), and you are convinced that the map must be wrong (вы убеждены, что карта врет: «должна быть неверной»); and, when you have trudged along for what seems to you at least ten miles (и, когда вы протащились, как вам кажется, по крайней мере десять миль), and still the lock is not in sight (и все еще не видно шлюза), you begin to seriously fear that somebody must have sneaked it, and run off with it (вы начинаете серьезно опасаться, что кто-то, должно быть, стащил его и удрал вместе с ним).

I remember being terribly upset once up the river (in a figurative sense, I mean) (помню, как меня ужасно расстроило/перевернуло однажды на реке /я имею в виду, в переносном смысле/; to upset — /например, о лодке/ опрокидывать, переворачивать; расстраивать, огорчать). I was out with a young lady (я был с одной барышней) — cousin on my mother's side (кузиной по материнской линии) — and we were pulling down to Goring (и мы гребли вниз по течению к Горингу). It was rather late, and we were anxious to get in (было довольно поздно, и мы торопились домой; anxious — беспокоящийся, тревожный; сильно желающий; to get in — входить; прибывать) — at least she was anxious to get in (по крайней мере, ей хотелось вернуться). It was half-past six when we reached Benson's lock (была половина седьмого, когда мы добрались до Бенсонского шлюза), and dusk was drawing on (и сумерки приближались), and she began to get excited then (и она начала волноваться: «становиться взволнованной» тогда). She said she must be in to supper (сказала, что должна быть дома к ужину). I said it was a thing I felt I wanted to be in at, too (я сказал, что это вещь, к которой я хочу быть дома тоже = тоже хочу домой к ужину); and I drew out a map I had with me to see exactly how far it was (и я вытащил карту, которая была при мне, чтобы посмотреть точно, насколько далеко дом). I saw it was just a mile and a half to the next lock — Wallingford (я увидел, что до следующего шлюза всего лишь полторы мили — /до/ Уоллингфордского) — and five on from there to Cleeve (и пять /миль/ оттуда до Клива).

scenery [`sJnqrI] cousin [`kAz(q)n]

We all wished, however, afterward that we had stopped at Penton Hook. Three or four miles up stream is a trifle, early in the morning, but it is a weary pull at the end of a long day. You take no interest in the scenery during these last few miles. You do not chat and laugh. Every half-mile you cover seems like two. You can hardly believe you are only where you are, and you are convinced that the map must be wrong; and, when you have trudged along for what seems to you at least ten miles, and still the lock is not in sight, you begin to seriously fear that somebody must have sneaked it, and run off with it.

I remember being terribly upset once up the river (in a figurative sense, I mean). I was out with a young lady — cousin on my mother's side — and we were pulling down to Goring. It was rather late, and we were anxious to get in — at least she was anxious to get in. It was half-past six when we reached Benson's lock, and dusk was drawing on, and she began to get excited then. She said she must be in to supper. I said it was a thing I felt I wanted to be in at, too; and I drew out a map I had with me to see exactly how far it was. I saw it was just a mile and a half to the next lock — Wallingford — and five on from there to Cleeve.

"Oh, it's all right!" I said. "We'll be through the next lock before seven (мы пройдем следующий шлюз до семи), and then there is only one more (а потом останется еще только один);" and I settled down and pulled steadily away (и я уселся и налег на весла; to pull away — грести без остановки; steady — устойчивый; прочный, твердый; равномерный, ровный).

We passed the bridge, and soon after that I asked if she saw the lock (мы миновали мост и вскоре после этого я спросил, видит ли она шлюз). She said no, she did not see any lock (она сказала, что нет, не видит никакого шлюза); and I said, "Oh!" and pulled on (и продолжал грести). Another five minutes went by, and then I asked her to look again (прошло еще пять минут, и я попросил ее посмотреть снова).

"No," she said; "I can't see any signs of a lock (не вижу никаких признаков шлюза)."

"You — you are sure you know a lock, when you do see one (ты… ты уверена, что узнаешь, шлюз, когда увидишь его)?" I asked hesitatingly, not wishing to offend her (спросил я нерешительно, не желая обидеть ее).

hesitatingly [`hezIteItINlI] offend [q`fend]

"Oh, it's all right!" I said. "We'll be through the next lock before seven, and then there is only one more;" and I settled down and pulled steadily away.

We passed the bridge, and soon after that I asked if she saw the lock. She said no, she did not see any lock; and I said, "Oh!" and pulled on. Another five minutes went by, and then I asked her to look again.

"No," she said; "I can't see any signs of a lock."

"You — you are sure you know a lock, when you do see one?" I asked hesitatingly, not wishing to offend her.

The question did offend her, however (вопрос действительно обидел ее), and she suggested that I had better look for myself (и она высказала мысль, что мне лучше самому посмотреть); so I laid down the sculls, and took a view (так что я положил весла и осмотрелся). The river stretched out straight before us in the twilight for about a mile (река тянулась перед нами в сумерках примерно на милю); not a ghost of a lock was to be seen (не было видно ничего похожего на шлюз; ghost — привидение, призрак; тень, отдаленное напоминание о чем-либо).

"You don't think we have lost our way, do you (ты ведь не думаешь, что мы заблудились, да; to lose one`s way — заблудиться, потерять путь)?" asked my companion (спросила моя спутница).

I did not see how that was possible (я не представлял, как такое возможно); though, as I suggested, we might have somehow got into the weir stream, and be making for the falls (хотя, как я предположил, мы могли каким-то образом попасть в боковое русло и /теперь/ направляемся к водопаду; weir — плотина, запруда, дамба).

This idea did not comfort her in the least, and she began to cry (эта мысль нисколько не утешила ее, и она начала плакать). She said we should both be drowned (она сказала, что мы оба утонем), and that it was a judgment on her for coming out with me (и что это наказание ей за то, что она отправилась со мной; judgment — приговор, решение суда; наказание, кара).

twilight [`twaIlaIt] drowned [draund]

The question did offend her, however, and she suggested that I had better look for myself; so I laid down the sculls, and took a view. The river stretched out straight before us in the twilight for about a mile; not a ghost of a lock was to be seen.

"You don't think we have lost our way, do you?" asked my companion.

I did not see how that was possible; though, as I suggested, we might have somehow got into the weir stream, and be making for the falls.

This idea did not comfort her in the least, and she began to cry. She said we should both be drowned, and that it was a judgment on her for coming out with me.

It seemed an excessive punishment, I thought (я посчитал это чрезмерно /строгим/ наказанием); but my cousin thought not, and hoped it would all soon be over (но моя кузина так не считала, и надеялась, что все скоро кончится).

I tried to reassure her, and to make light of the whole affair (я попытался успокоить ее и доказать, что дело не так плохо; to make light of — относиться несерьезно, небрежно к чему-либо, не придавать значения; преуменьшать). I said that the fact evidently was that I was not rowing as fast as I fancied I was (я сказал, дело, очевидно, в том, что я не гребу так быстро, как мне кажется), but that we should soon reach the lock now (что мы теперь скоро доберемся до шлюза); and I pulled on for another mile (и прогреб еще милю).

Then I began to get nervous myself (потом я сам начал нервничать). I looked again at the map (я снова посмотрел на карту). There was Wallingford lock, clearly marked, a mile and a half below Benson's (на ней был Уоллингфордский шлюз, ясно отмеченный, в полутора милях ниже Бенсонского). It was a good, reliable map (это была хорошая, надежная карта); and, besides, I recollected the lock myself (и, кроме того, я сам помнил этот шлюз; to recollect — вспоминать, припоминать; помнить). I had been through it twice (я проходил его дважды). Where were we (где мы находимся)? What had happened to us (что с нами случилось)? I began to think it must be all a dream (я начал думать, что все это, должно быть, сон), and that I was really asleep in bed (что я на самом деле сплю в постели), and should wake up in a minute, and be told it was past ten (и проснусь через минуту, и мне скажут, что /уже/ одиннадцатый час: «после десяти»).

excessive [Ik`sesIv] reliable [rI`laIqbl]

It seemed an excessive punishment, I thought; but my cousin thought not, and hoped it would all soon be over.

I tried to reassure her, and to make light of the whole affair. I said that the fact evidently was that I was not rowing as fast as I fancied I was, but that we should soon reach the lock now; and I pulled on for another mile.

Then I began to get nervous myself. I looked again at the map. There was Wallingford lock, clearly marked, a mile and a half below Benson's. It was a good, reliable map; and, besides, I recollected the lock myself. I had been through it twice. Where were we? What had happened to us? I began to think it must be all a dream, and that I was really asleep in bed, and should wake up in a minute, and be told it was past ten.

I asked my cousin if she thought it could be a dream (я спросил мою кузину, не думает ли она, что это сон), and she replied that she was just about to ask me the same question (она ответила, что как раз собиралась задать мне тот же вопрос); and then we both wondered if we were both asleep (потом мы оба задались вопросом, уж не спим ли мы), and if so, who was the real one that was dreaming (и если так, кто же действительно видит сон), and who was the one that was only a dream (а кто — только сон); it got quite interesting (это стало довольно занимательно).

I still went on pulling, however, and still no lock came in sight (я по-прежнему продолжал грести, и все же никакой шлюз не появлялся), and the river grew more and more gloomy and mysterious under the gathering shadows of night (а река становилась все более мрачной и таинственной под сгущающимися тенями ночи; to grow; to gather — собирать/ся/, скапливать/ся/), and things seemed to be getting weird and uncanny (и предметы, казалось, становились причудливыми и загадочными; weird — потусторонний, сверхъестественный; непонятный, причудливый). I thought of hobgoblins and banshees, and will-o'-the-wisps (я подумал о леших, и о привидениях, и о блуждающих огоньках; hobgoblin — домовой; чертенок; леший; дух-проказник; banshee — привидение-плакальщица, дух, стоны которого предвещают смерть), and those wicked girls who sit up all night on rocks (и о тех злых/гибельных девушках, которые сидят всю ночь на скалах), and lure people into whirl-pools and things (и заманивают людей в водовороты, и тому подобном); and I wished I had been a better man, and knew more hymns (я жалел, что не вел себя лучше: «хотел бы, чтобы я был более хорошим», и знал больше псалмов = молитв); and in the middle of these reflections I heard the blessed strains of "He's got `em on (посреди этих размышлений я услышал благословенные звуки /песни/ «Он их надел»; strain — тон /речи/; напев, мелодия; стихи)," played, badly, on a concertina, and knew that we were saved (исполняемой на гармонике, и я знал, что мы спасены; concertina — концертина /гармоника шестиугольной формы/).

weird [wIqd] banshee [bxn`SJ]

I asked my cousin if she thought it could be a dream, and she replied that she was just about to ask me the same question; and then we both wondered if we were both asleep, and if so, who was the real one that was dreaming, and who was the one that was only a dream; it got quite interesting.

I still went on pulling, however, and still no lock came in sight, and the river grew more and more gloomy and mysterious under the gathering shadows of night, and things seemed to be getting weird and uncanny. I thought of hobgoblins and banshees, and will-o'-the-wisps, and those wicked girls who sit up all night on rocks, and lure people into whirl-pools and things; and I wished I had been a better man, and knew more hymns; and in the middle of these reflections I heard the blessed strains of "He's got `em on," played, badly, on a concertina, and knew that we were saved.

I do not admire the tones of a concertina, as a rule (я не восхищаюсь звуками гармоники, как правило); but, oh! how beautiful the music seemed to us both then (но насколько прекрасной показалась тогда эта музыка нам обоим) — far, far more beautiful than the voice of Orpheus or the lute of Apollo (намного, намного прекрасней, чем голос Орфея или лютня Аполлона), or anything of that sort could have sounded (или чем что-нибудь подобное могло звучать). Heavenly melody, in our then state of mind (небесная мелодия, при нашем тогдашнем состоянии духа), would only have still further harrowed us (лишь еще больше расстроила бы нас; to harrow — мучить, терзать). A soul-moving harmony, correctly performed (благозвучную мелодию, правильно исполненную; soul — душа; moving — движущий/ся/, перемещающий/ся/; волнующий, трогательный; harmony — гармония, созвучие, благозвучие), we should have taken as a spirit-warning, and have given up all hope (мы бы сочли предостережением духов = из потустороннего мира и оставили бы всякую надежду). But about the strains of "He's got `em on," jerked spasmodically (но в звуках /песни/ «Он их надел», вылетавших отрывисто/нестройно; to jerk — резко толкать, дергаться; говорить отрывисто), and with involuntary variations (и с непроизвольными вариациями), out of a wheezy accordion (из хриплой гармоники), there was something singularly human and reassuring (было что-то необыкновенно человеческое и утешительное).

The sweet sounds drew nearer (сладкие звуки приближались), and soon the boat from which they were worked lay alongside us (и скоро лодка, из которой они доносились, стояла рядом с нами; alongside — около, возле, борт о борт).

It contained a party of provincial `Arrys and `Arriets, out for a moonlight sail (она содержала компанию = в ней находилась компания местных кавалеров и барышень, выехавших на прогулку под луной; provincial — провинциальный; местный; `Arry — имя Harry в произношении кокни /просторечие средних и низших слоев населения Лондона/; веселый и не очень воспитанный парень; moonlight —лунный свет). (There was not any moon, but that was not their fault) (луны не было, но это не их вина). I never saw more attractive, lovable people in all my life (я никогда за всю свою жизнь не видел более привлекательных и милых людей). I hailed them, and asked if they could tell me the way to Wallingford lock (я поприветствовал/окликнул их и спросил, не могут ли они указать мне дорогу к Уоллингфордскому шлюзу); and I explained that I had been looking for it for the last two hours (и объяснил, что ищу его последние два часа).

Orpheus [`LfjHs] involuntary [In`vOlqnt(q)rI]

I do not admire the tones of a concertina, as a rule; but, oh! how beautiful the music seemed to us both then — far, far more beautiful than the voice of Orpheus or the lute of Apollo, or anything of that sort could have sounded. Heavenly melody, in our then state of mind, would only have still further harrowed us. A soul-moving harmony, correctly performed, we should have taken as a spirit-warning, and have given up all hope. But about the strains of "He's got `em on," jerked spasmodically, and with involuntary variations, out of a wheezy accordion, there was something singularly human and reassuring.

The sweet sounds drew nearer, and soon the boat from which they were worked lay alongside us.

It contained a party of provincial `Arrys and `Arriets, out for a moonlight sail. (There was not any moon, but that was not their fault). I never saw more attractive, lovable people in all my life. I hailed them, and asked if they could tell me the way to Wallingford lock; and I explained that I had been looking for it for the last two hours.

"Wallingford lock!" they answered (ответили они). "Lor' love you, sir, that's been done away with for over a year (Господь с вами: «Господь любит вас», сэр, с ним разделались больше года назад; Lor` = Lord; to do away with — покончить с, уничтожить). There ain't no Wallingford lock now, sir (больше нет Уоллингфордского шлюза, сэр). You're close to Cleeve now (вы теперь недалеко от Клива). Blow me tight if `ere ain't a gentleman been looking for Wallingford lock, Bill (да чтоб меня разорвало, Билл, если этот джентльмен не ищет Уоллингфордский шлюз; `ere = here)!"

I had never thought of that (я об этом не думал). I wanted to fall upon all their necks and bless them (я хотел броситься им всем на шею и благословить их); but the stream was running too strong just there to allow of this (но течение было там слишком сильным, чтобы допустить это = не позволяло этого), so I had to content myself with mere cold-sounding words of gratitude (поэтому мне пришлось довольствоваться только холодными: «холодно звучащими» словами благодарности).

We thanked them over and over again (мы благодарили их снова и снова), and we said it was a lovely night, and we wished them a pleasant trip (сказали, что /сегодня/ чудесная ночь, и пожелали им приятной прогулки), and, I think, I invited them all to come and spend a week with me (и, кажется, я пригласил их всех прийти провести неделю со мной = в гости на неделю), and my cousin said her mother would be so pleased to see them (а моя кузина сказала, ее мама будет очень рада их видеть). And we sang the soldiers' chorus out of Faust, and got home in time for supper, after all (и мы запели хор солдат из Фауста и попали домой вовремя к ужину, в конце концов;).

gratitude [`grxtItjHd] soldier [`squlGq] chorus [`kLrqs]

"Wallingford lock!" they answered. "Lor' love you, sir, that's been done away with for over a year. There ain't no Wallingford lock now, sir. You're close to Cleeve now. Blow me tight if `ere ain't a gentleman been looking for Wallingford lock, Bill!"

I had never thought of that. I wanted to fall upon all their necks and bless them; but the stream was running too strong just there to allow of this, so I had to content myself with mere cold-sounding words of gratitude.

We thanked them over and over again, and we said it was a lovely night, and we wished them a pleasant trip, and, I think, I invited them all to come and spend a week with me, and my cousin said her mother would be so pleased to see them. And we sang the soldiers' chorus out of Faust, and got home in time for supper, after all.

CHAPTER X (глава десятая)

Our first night (наша первая ночь). — Under canvas (под брезентом). — An appeal for help (просьба о помощи; appeal — призыв; просьба, мольба). — Contrariness of tea-kettles, how to overcome (упрямство чайника, как /его/ преодолеть; to overcome — побороть, преодолеть). — Supper (ужин). — How to feel virtuous (как почувствовать себя добродетельным). — Wanted! A comfortably-appointed, well-drained desert island (требуется уютно обставленный, хорошо осушенный необитаемый остров; to appoint — назначать, определять /время, место/; устраивать, обставлять; desert — заброшенный; необитаемый, безлюдный), neighbourhood of South Pacific Ocean preferred (предпочтительно в южной части Тихого океана; neighbourhood — близость, соседство, сопредельность). — Funny thing that happened to George's father (забавная вещь, случившаяся с отцом Джорджа). — A restless night (беспокойная ночь; restless — беспокойный, тревожный).

Our first night. — Under canvas. — An appeal for help. — Contrariness of tea-kettles, how to overcome. — Supper. — How to feel virtuous. — Wanted! A comfortably-appointed, well-drained desert island, neighbourhood of South Pacific Ocean preferred. — Funny thing that happened to George's father. — A restless night.

HARRIS and I began to think that Bell Weir lock must have been done away with after the same manner (мы с Гаррисом начали думать, что с Бель-Уирским шлюзом, должно быть, разделались таким же образом). George had towed us up to Staines, and we had taken the boat from there (Джордж дотянул нас до Стэйнса, и мы /с Гаррисом/ повели лодку оттуда), and it seemed that we were dragging fifty tons after us, and were walking forty miles (и казалось, что мы тянем за собой пятьдесят тонн, и идем /уже/ сорок миль). It was half-past seven when we were through, and we all got in (было полвосьмого, когда мы закончили /тянуть/ и все влезли /в лодку/), and sculled up close to the left bank, looking out for a spot to haul up in (и пошли на веслах около левого берега, высматривая место, чтобы высадиться; to haul up — поднимать; останавливаться).