Артур Дойл - Английский с А. Конан Дойлем. Пиратские истории / A. Conan Doyle. Tales of Pirates

Right ahead was the opening of the palisades leading to the town of Kingston. Not more than a quarter of a mile off was a small sloop working out against the very slight wind. The British ensign was at her peak, and her rigging was all decorated. On her deck could be seen a dense crowd of people cheering and waving their hats, and the gleam of scarlet told that there were officers of the garrison among them.

In an instant, with the quick perception of a man of action(в одно мгновенье с проницательностью человека, /привыкшего/ действовать быстро; perception – осмысление, понимание; проницательность ) , Craddock saw through it all(Крэддок понял все; to see through – видеть насквозь ) . Sharkey, with that diabolical cunning and audacity(Шарки с дьявольской хитростью и дерзостью) which were among his main characteristics(которые были одними из главных черт его характера) , was simulating the part which Craddock would himself have played(играл: «имитировал» роль, которую должен был исполнить сам Крэддок) , had he come back victorious(вернись он назад с победой) . It was in his honour that the salutes were firing and the flags flying(это в его честь гремели: «стреляли» салюты и развевались флаги).

In an instant, with the quick perception of a man of action, Craddock saw through it all. Sharkey, with that diabolical cunning and audacity which were among his main characteristics, was simulating the part which Craddock would himself have played, had he come back victorious. It was in his honour that the salutes were firing and the flags flying.

It was to welcome him that this ship with the Governor, the commandant, and the chiefs of the island was approaching(приближался корабль с губернатором, комендантом и первыми лицами острова /на борту/, чтобы приветствовать его , /Крэддока/; chief – глава, правитель ) . In another ten minutes they would all be under the guns of the Happy Delivery(еще десять минут и они будут в пределах досягаемости пушек «Счастливого избавления») , and Sharkey would have won the greatest stake(и Шарки выиграет самую крупную ставку; to win ) that ever a pirate played for yet(какую когда-либо до этого разыгрывал любой из пиратов).

“Bring him forward,” cried the pirate captain(выведите его вперед, – крикнул пиратский капитан) , as Craddock appeared between the carpenter and the quartermaster(когда Крэддок /в сопровождении/ плотника и интенданта появился /на палубе/) . “Keep the ports closed, but clear away the port guns(орудийные порты держать прикрытыми, откатите пушки с левого борта) , and stand by for a broadside(и будьте готовы к бортовому залпу; to stand by – быть наготове ) . Another two cable lengths and we have them(еще два кабельтовых, и мы их достанем; length – длина; расстояние ) .”

It was to welcome him that this ship with the Governor, the commandant, and the chiefs of the island was approaching. In another ten minutes they would all be under the guns of the Happy Delivery, and Sharkey would have won the greatest stake that ever a pirate played for yet.

“Bring him forward,” cried the pirate captain, as Craddock appeared between the carpenter and the quartermaster. “Keep the ports closed, but clear away the port guns, and stand by for a broadside. Another two cable lengths and we have them.”

“They are edging away,” said the boatswain(они отворачивают, – сказал боцман; to edge away – медленно пятиться /от кого-л./ ) . “I think they smell us(мне думается, они нас унюхали; to smell – чувствовать запах, обонять ) .”

“That’s soon set right,” said Sharkey(это мы быстро поправим, – сказал Шарки; to set right – чинить, ремонтировать ) , turning his filmy eyes upon Craddock(переводя взгляд своих подернутых пленкой глаз на Крэддока) . “Stand there, you – right there, where they can recognise you(встань здесь, эй, ты, вот здесь, где они смогут тебя узнать) , with your hand on the guy(/возьмись/ рукою за брас; guy – пугало, чучело; брас /снасть бегучего такелажа, посредством которой ворочают реи/ ) , and wave your hat to them(и помаши им шляпой) . Quick, or your brains will be over your coat(быстро, иначе твои мозги окажутся на твоем камзоле) . Put an inch of your knife into him, Ned(воткни в него на дюйм свой нож, Нэд) . Now, will you wave your hat(ну, а теперь ты помашешь шляпой) ? Try him again, then(ну-ка, попробуй еще) . Hey, shoot him! stop him(эй стреляйте в него! остановите его) !”

“They are edging away,” said the boatswain. “I think they smell us.”

“That’s soon set right,” said Sharkey, turning his filmy eyes upon Craddock. “Stand there, you – right there, where they can recognise you, with your hand on the guy, and wave your hat to them. Quick, or your brains will be over your coat. Put an inch of your knife into him, Ned. Now, will you wave your hat? Try him again, then. Hey, shoot him! stop him!”

But it was too late(но было слишком поздно) . Relying upon the manacles(понадеявшись на «ручные» кандалы; to rely – полагаться; надеяться ) , the quartermaster had taken his hands for a moment off Craddock’s arm(интендант на мгновение выпустил руку Крэддока из своих; to take off – снимать, отпускать ) . In that instant he had flung off the carpenter(в тот же миг тот отшвырнул плотника; to fling ) and, amid a spatter of pistol bullets(и под градом пистолетных пуль; amid – между, среди; spatter – брызганье, обрызгивание; капелька /грязи, дождя/ ) , had sprung the bulwarks and was swimming for his life(перепрыгнул через фальшборт и поплыл изо всех сил: «ради своей жизни»; to spring ) . He had been hit and hit again(в него попали, еще и еще раз) , but it takes many pistols to kill a resolute and powerful man(но нужно много пистолетных /пуль/, чтобы убить решительного и сильного человека) who has his mind set upon doing something before he dies(который задумал что-что сделать, прежде чем умрет; to set one’s mind upon – сосредоточить помыслы на ).

But it was too late. Relying upon the manacles, the quartermaster had taken his hands for a moment off Craddock’s arm. In that instant he had flung off the carpenter and, amid a spatter of pistol bullets, had sprung the bulwarks and was swimming for his life. He had been hit and hit again, but it takes many pistols to kill a resolute and powerful man who has his mind set upon doing something before he dies.

He was a strong swimmer(он был хорошим: «сильным» пловцом) , and, in spite of the red trail which he left in the water behind him(и несмотря на красный след, который он оставлял на воде позади; to leave ) , he was rapidly increasing his distance from the pirate(он быстро увеличивал расстояние между собой и пиратским /барком/).

“Give me a musket!” cried Sharkey, with a savage oath(дайте мне мушкет! – закричал Шарки, изрыгая проклятия; savage – дикий; свирепый; oath – клятва, присяга; ругательство ).

He was a famous shot(он был знаменитым стрелком; shot – выстрел; стрелок ) , and his iron nerves never failed him in an emergency(и его железные нервы никогда не подводили его в экстренных случаях) . The dark head appearing on the crest of a roller(темная голова, то появлявшаяся на гребне буруна; roller – цилиндр, ролик; бурун, волна ) , and then swooping down on the other side(то снова устремлявшаяся вниз с другой его стороны) , was already half-way to the sloop(находилась уже на полпути к шлюпу).

He was a strong swimmer, and, in spite of the red trail which he left in the water behind him, he was rapidly increasing his distance from the pirate.