mercenary ['mq:sInrI], harvest ['hQ:vIst], doubt [daut]
"It's nothing to me," the other retorted. "I'm a mercenary. I sell my sword to the highest bidder. I never planted wheat and never will, so long as there are other harvests to be reaped with the sword. But you Hyborians have expanded as far as you'll be allowed to expand. You've crossed the marches, burned a few villages, exterminated a few clans and pushed back the frontier to Black River; but I doubt if you'll even be able to hold what you've conquered, and you'll never push the frontier any further westward. Your idiotic king doesn't understand conditions here. He won't send you enough reinforcements, and there are not enough settlers to withstand the shock of a concerted attack from across the river."
"But the Picts are divided into small clans," persisted Balthus (но пикты /являются/ разделены на маленькие кланы, — упорствовал Балтус; to persist — настаивать). "They'll never unite (они никогда /не/ объединятся). We can whip any single clan (мы можем победить любой одиночный клан)."
"Or any three or four clans," admitted the slayer (или любые три или четыре клана, — согласился убийца). "But some day a man will rise and unite thirty or forty clans, just as was done among the Cimmerians, when the Gundermen tried to push the border northward, years ago (но однажды один человек возвысится и объединит тридцать или сорок = тридцать-сорок кланов, точно /так же/, как /это/ было сделано среди киммерийцев, когда гундеры попытались отодвинуть границу на север, годы = много лет назад). They tried to colonize the southern marches of Cimmeria: destroyed a few small clans, built a fort-town, Venarium — you've heard the tale (они попытались колонизовать южные рубежи Киммерии: уничтожили несколько небольших кланов, построили город-крепость, Венариум — ты слышал историю)."
unite [ju:'naIt], town [taun], tale [teIl]
"But the Picts are divided into small clans," persisted Balthus. "They'll never unite. We can whip any single clan."
"Or any three or four clans," admitted the slayer. "But some day a man will rise and unite thirty or forty clans, just as was done among the Cimmerians, when the Gundermen tried to push the border northward, years ago. They tried to colonize the southern marches of Cimmeria: destroyed a few small clans, built a fort-town, Venarium — you've heard the tale."
"So I have indeed," replied Balthus, wincing (так я /слышал/ действительно, — ответил Балтус, вздрагивая; to wince — вздрагивать, морщиться (от боли)). The memory of that red disaster was a black blot in the chronicles of a proud and warlike people (память о той кровавой беде = бойне была черным пятном в хрониках гордого и воинственного народа). "My uncle was at Venarium when the Cimmerians swarmed over the walls (мой дядя был в Венариуме, когда киммерийцы полезли через стены; swarm — рой, стая; to swarm — роиться; кишеть; лезть, карабкаться). He was one of the few who escaped that slaughter (он был одним из немногих, кто избежал этой бойни). I've heard him tell the tale, many a time (я слышал его рассказывать = как он рассказывал эту историю много раз). The barbarians swept out of the hills in a ravening horde, without warning, and stormed Venarium with such fury none could stand before them (варвары обрушились из холмов всепожирающей ордой без предупреждения и атаковали Венариум с такой яростью, /что/ никто /не/ мог выстоять перед ними). Men, women, and children were butchered (мужчин, женщин и детей безжалостно убивали: «были убиваемы»; to butcher — безжалостно убивать; butcher — мясник). Venarium was reduced to a mass of charred ruins, as it is to this day (Венариум был превращен в груду обуглившихся развалин, каким он является = остается до сего дня). The Aquilonians were driven back across the marches, and have never since tried to colonize the Cimmerian country (аквилонцы были отогнаны назад за рубежи, и никогда с тех пор /не/ пытались колонизовать киммерийскую страну). But you speak of Venarium familiarly (но ты говоришь о Венариуме не понаслышке). Perhaps you were there (возможно, ты был там)?"
proud [praud], fury ['fjuqrI], butcher ['bVCq]
"So I have indeed," replied Balthus, wincing. The memory of that red disaster was a black blot in the chronicles of a proud and warlike people. "My uncle was at Venarium when the Cimmerians swarmed over the walls. He was one of the few who escaped that slaughter. I've heard him tell the tale, many a time. The barbarians swept out of the hills in a ravening horde, without warning, and stormed Venarium with such fury none could stand before them. Men, women, and children were butchered. Venarium was reduced to a mass of charred ruins, as it is to this day. The Aquilonians were driven back across the marches, and have never since tried to colonize the Cimmerian country. But you speak of Venarium familiarly. Perhaps you were there?"
"I was," grunted the other (я был = да, — проворчал другой). "I was one of the horde that swarmed over the walls (я был одним из орды, которая лезла через стены). I hadn't yet seen fifteen snows, but already my name was repeated about the council fires (я еще не видел пятнадцати снегов = зим, но уже мое имя было повторяемо = повторялось у костров совета; to see — видеть)."
Balthus involuntarily recoiled, staring (Балтус невольно отпрянул, широко раскрыв глаза; staring — с широко раскрытыми глазами). It seemed incredible that the man walking tranquilly at his side (это казалось невероятным, что человек, шедший спокойно возле него) should have been one of those screeching, blood-mad devils (должен был быть одним из тех визжащих кровожадных дьяволов) that poured over the walls of Venarium on that long-gone day to make her streets run crimson (которые хлынули через стены Венариума в тот давно прошедший день, /чтобы/ заставить ее = его улицы истекать кровью = залить кровью его улицы; to run — течь, струиться).
"Then you, too, are a barbarian!" he exclaimed involuntarily (тогда ты тоже /есть/ варвар! — он воскликнул невольно).
The other nodded, without taking offense (другой кивнул без обиды; to take offense — обижаться).
"I am Conan, a Cimmerian (я /есть/ Конан, киммериец)."
grunt [grAnt], yet [jet], council ['kaunsl]
"I was," grunted the other. "I was one of the horde that swarmed over the walls. I hadn't yet seen fifteen snows, but already my name was repeated about the council fires."
Balthus involuntarily recoiled, staring. It seemed incredible that the man walking tranquilly at his side should have been one of those screeching, blood-mad devils that poured over the walls of Venarium on that long-gone day to make her streets run crimson.
"Then you, too, are a barbarian!" he exclaimed involuntarily.
The other nodded, without taking offense.
"I am Conan, a Cimmerian."
"I've heard of you." Fresh interest quickened Balthus' gaze (я слышал о тебе, — сильный интерес оживил взгляд Балтуса). No wonder the Pict had fallen victim to his own sort of subtlety (не удивительно, /что/ пикт пал жертвой такой же ловкости, /как у него/: «его собственного типа ловкости»)! The Cimmerians were barbarians as ferocious as the Picts, and much more intelligent (киммерийцы были варварами, такими же свирепыми, как пикты, и гораздо более умными). Evidently Conan had spent much time among civilized men (очевидно Конан провел много времени среди цивилизованных людей; to spend — тратить; проводить (время)), though that contact had obviously not softened him, nor weakened any of his primitive instincts (хотя этот контакт очевидно ни размягчил его, ни ослабил какой-либо = ни один из его первобытных инстинктов). Balthus' apprehension turned to admiration as he marked the easy catlike stride, the effortless silence with which the Cimmerian moved along the trail (опасение Балтуса превратилось в восхищение, когда он заметил легкую кошачью поступь, естественную бесшумность, с которой киммериец двигался по тропинке; effort — усилие; effortless — не требующий усилий; легкий; естественный, непринужденный). The oiled links of his armor did not clink (смазанные маслом звенья его доспехов не звенели), and Balthus knew Conan could glide through the deepest thicket or most tangled copse as noiselessly as any naked Pict that ever lived (и Балтус знал, /что/ Конан может проскользнуть через самую густую чащу или самый запутанный подлесок так же бесшумно, как любой обнаженный пикт, который когда-либо жил).
you [ju:], wonder ['wAndq], intelligent [In'telIGqnt]
"I've heard of you." Fresh interest quickened Balthus' gaze. No wonder the Pict had fallen victim to his own sort of subtlety! The Cimmerians were barbarians as ferocious as the Picts, and much more intelligent. Evidently Conan had spent much time among civilized men, though that contact had obviously not softened him, nor weakened any of his primitive instincts. Balthus' apprehension turned to admiration as he marked the easy catlike stride, the effortless silence with which the Cimmerian moved along the trail. The oiled links of his armor did not clink, and Balthus knew Conan could glide through the deepest thicket or most tangled copse as noiselessly as any naked Pict that ever lived.
"You're not a Gunderman (ты не гундер)?" It was more assertion than question (это было более утверждение, нежели вопрос).
Balthus shook his head (Балтус отрицательно покачал /его/ головой; to shake one’s head — покачать головой (отрицательно) [31]). "I'm from the Tauran (я из Таурана)."
"I've seen good woodsmen from the Tauran (я видел хороших лесовиков[32] из Таурана). But the Bossonians have sheltered you Aquilonians from the outer wilderness for too many centuries (но боссонцы защищают вас, аквилонцев, от внешней дикой местности уже слишком много веков; shelter — приют, кров; пристанище; to shelter — защищать, спасать, укрывать). You need hardening (вам надо закалиться)."
question ['kwesCn], outer ['autq], many ['menI]
"You're not a Gunderman?" It was more assertion than question.
Balthus shook his head. "I'm from the Tauran."
"I've seen good woodsmen from the Tauran. But the Bossonians have sheltered you Aquilonians from the outer wilderness for too many centuries. You need hardening."
That was true (это было правдой); the Bossonian marches, with their fortiied villages filled with determined bowmen, had long served Aquilonia as a buffer against the outlying barbarians (Боссонская марка с их укрепленными поселками, заполненными решительными лучниками, давно служила Аквилонии как буфер = буферная территория от внешних варваров). Now among the settlers beyond Thunder River here was growing up a breed of forest men capable of meeting the barbarians at their own game, but their numbers were still scanty (теперь среди поселенцев за Громовой рекой здесь подрастала порода лесных людей, способных сойтись = помериться силой с варварами в их собственной игре / хитрости; to meet — схватиться, сойтись в схватке с, драться на дуэли с). Most of the frontiersmen were like Balthus — more of the settler than the woodsman type (большинство пограничников = жителей фронтира были, как Балтус — больше от поселенца, чем тип лесовика).
That was true; the Bossonian marches, with their fortiied villages filled with determined bowmen, had long served Aquilonia as a buffer against the outlying barbarians. Now among the settlers beyond Thunder River here was growing up a breed of forest men capable of meeting the barbarians at their own game, but their numbers were still scanty. Most of the frontiersmen were like Balthus — more of the settler than the woodsman type.
The sun had not set, but it was no longer in sight, hidden as it was behind the dense forest wall (солнце не село, но его уже не было видно: «оно было не дольше в видимости», так как оно было скрыто за плотной стеной леса; прилагательное + as it is / was — хотя, так как). The shadows were lengthening, deepening back in the woods as the companions strode on down the trail (тени были удлиняющимися = удлинялись, темнея сзади в лесу, когда спутники пошли дальше по тропе; to stride — шагать).
The sun had not set, but it was no longer in sight, hidden as it was behind the dense forest wall. The shadows were lengthening, deepening back in the woods as the companions strode on down the trail.
"It will be dark before we reach the fort," commented Conan casually; then: "Listen (/это/ будет темно = стемнеет до того, как мы доберемся до форта, — заметил Конан мимоходом, потом: слушай!)!"
He stopped short, half crouching, sword ready, transformed into a savage figure of suspicion and menace, poised to spring and rend (он остановился резко, полупригнувшись, меч готов = обнажив меч, преобразился в дикую фигуру = дикаря /преисполненного/ подозрения и угрозы, готового броситься и рвать (на куски); to stop short — резко остановиться, to rend — раздирать, рвать, дробить, расщеплять). Balthus had heard it too — a wild scream that broke at its highest note (Балтус услышал это тоже — дикий крик, который оборвался на /его/ самой высокой ноте; to break — ломать, нарушать, прерывать (ся)). It was the cry of a man in dire fear or agony (это был крик человека в крайнем ужасе или агонии).
listen [lIsn], suspicion [sqs'pISn], wild [waIld]
"It will be dark before we reach the fort," commented Conan casually; then: "Listen!"
He stopped short, half crouching, sword ready, transformed into a savage figure of suspicion and menace, poised to spring and rend. Balthus had heard it too — a wild scream that broke at its highest note. It was the cry of a man in dire fear or agony.
Conan was off in an instant, racing down the trail (Конан сорвался в мгновение, бросившись по тропинке), each stride widening the distance between him and his straining companion (/с/ каждым шагом увеличивая расстояние между ним и его напрягающим силы попутчиком; to be off — начинать движение, уходить; to strain — напрягаться, напрягать силы). Balthus puffed a curse (Балтус выдохнул проклятие). Among the settlements of the Tauran he was accounted a good runner (среди селений Таурана он был считаем = считался хорошим бегуном), but Conan was leaving him behind with maddening ease (но Конан опережал его с раздражающей легкостью; to leave behind — опережать, обгонять). Then Balthus forgot his exasperation as his ears were outraged by the most frightful cry he had ever heard (затем Балтус забыл /о/ своем раздражении, когда его уши были подвергнуты насилию = в его уши ворвался / по его ушам ударил самый жуткий крик, который он когда-либо слышал). It was not human, this one; it was a demoniacal caterwauling of hideous triumph that seemed to exult over fallen humanity and find echo in black gulfs beyond human ken (/он/ этот крик был нечеловеческим, это было демоническое пронзительное завывание омерзительного триумфа, которое, казалось, ликует над падшим человечеством и находит отражение = отдается эхом в черных безднах за пределами человеческого познания; one — заместитель существительного во избежание повтора; ken — кругозор; предел познаний, круг знаний).
each [i:C], companion [kq'mpxnjqn], humanity [hju:'mxnItI]
Conan was off in an instant, racing down the trail, each stride widening the distance between him and his straining companion. Balthus puffed a curse. Among the settlements of the Tauran he was accounted a good runner, but Conan was leaving him behind with maddening ease. Then Balthus forgot his exasperation as his ears were outraged by the most frightful cry he had ever heard. It was not human, this one; it was a demoniacal caterwauling of hideous triumph that seemed to exult over fallen humanity and find echo in black gulfs beyond human ken.
Balthus faltered in his stride, and clammy sweat beaded his flesh (Балтус споткнулся на /его/ бегу, и липкий пот украсил капельками его тело = выступил на его теле). But Conan did not hesitate; he darted around a bend in the trail and disappeared (но Конан не колебался, он метнулся за поворот на тропе и исчез), and Balthus, panicky at finding himself alone with that awful scream still shuddering through the forest in grisly echoes, put on an extra burst of speed and plunged after him (а Балтус, в панике /от того, что/ оказался один с этим страшным криком, все еще вздрагивающим по лесу ужасающим эхом, прибавил дополнительным рывком скорости и ринулся за ним; to put on — добавить, прибавить).
stride [straId], clammy [klxmI], sweat [swet]
Balthus faltered in his stride, and clammy sweat beaded his flesh. But Conan did not hesitate; he darted around a bend in the trail and disappeared, and Balthus, panicky at finding himself alone with that awful scream still shuddering through the forest in grisly echoes, put on an extra burst of speed and plunged after him.
The Aquilonian slid to a stumbling halt, almost colliding with the Cimmerian who stood in the trail over a crumpled body (аквилонец перешел в спотыкающуюся остановку = резко остановился, почти = чуть не столкнувшись с киммерийцем, который стоял на тропе над измятым телом). But Conan was not looking at the corpse which lay there in the crimson-soaked dust (но Конан не смотрел на труп, который лежал там в пропитанной кровью пыли; to soak — пропитывать). He was glaring into the deep woods on either side of the trail (он вглядывался в густой лес на каждой стороне = по обеим сторонам тропинки).
halt [hO:lt], stood [stu:d], corpse [kO:ps]
The Aquilonian slid to a stumbling halt, almost colliding with the Cimmerian who stood in the trail over a crumpled body. But Conan was not looking at the corpse which lay there in the crimson-soaked dust. He was glaring into the deep woods on either side of the trail.
Balthus muttered a horrified oath (Балтус пробормотал испуганное ругательство). It was the body of a man which lay there in the trail (это было тело мужчины, которое лежало там на тропинке = там на тропинке лежало тело мужчины), a short, fat man (невысокого полного мужчины), clad in the gilt-worked boots and (despite the heat) the ermine-trimmed tunic of a wealthy merchant (одетого в позолоченные сапоги и (несмотря на жару) в отороченную горностаем тунику зажиточного купца). His fat, pale face was set in a stare of frozen horror (его полное бледное лицо было застывшим = застыло во взгляде = в выражении крайнего ужаса); his thick throat had been slashed from ear to ear as if by a razor-sharp blade (его толстое горло было разрезано от уха до уха, как будто острым, как бритва, клинком). The short sword still in its scabbard seemed to indicate that he had been struck down without a chance to fight for his life (короткий меч все еще в /его/ ножнах, казалось, указывал /на то/, что его убили без = не дав шанса, сражаться за свою жизнь).
boot [bu:t], razor ['reIzq], indicate ['IndIkeIt]
Balthus muttered a horrified oath. It was the body of a man which lay there in the trail, a short, fat man, clad in the gilt-worked boots and (despite the heat) the ermine-trimmed tunic of a wealthy merchant. His fat, pale face was set in a stare of frozen horror; his thick throat had been slashed from ear to ear as if by a razor-sharp blade. The short sword still in its scabbard seemed to indicate that he had been struck down without a chance to fight for his life.
"A Pict?" Balthus whispered, as he turned to peer into the deepening shadows of the forest (пикт? — прошептал Балтус, когда он обернулся, /чтобы/ всмотреться в густеющие тени леса).
Conan shook his head and straightened to scowl down at the dead man (Конан отрицательно покачал /своей/ головой и выпрямился, /чтобы/ посмотреть сердито /вниз/ на мертвого человека = мертвеца).
"A forest devil (лесной дух: «дьявол»). This is the fifth, by Crom (это /есть/ пятый, /клянусь/ Кромом)!"
"What do you mean (что ты имеешь в виду; to mean — иметь в виду, подразумевать)?"
"Did you ever hear of a Pictish wizard called Zogar Sag (ты когда-нибудь слышал о пиктском чародее, называемым = по имени Зогар Саг)?"
Balthus shook his head uneasily (Балтус покачал /своей/ головой беспокойно; easy — удобный; легкий; спокойный, хорошо себя чувствующий).
turn [tq:n], fifth [fIfT], scowl [skaul]
"A Pict?" Balthus whispered, as he turned to peer into the deepening shadows of the forest.
Conan shook his head and straightened to scowl down at the dead man.
"A forest devil. This is the fifth, by Crom!"
"What do you mean?"
"Did you ever hear of a Pictish wizard called Zogar Sag?"
Balthus shook his head uneasily.
"He dwells in Gwawela, the nearest village across the river (он живет в Гвавеле, ближайшем поселке за рекой). Three months ago he hid beside this road and stole a string of pack-mules from a pack-train bound for the fort — drugged their drivers, somehow (три месяца назад он спрятался возле этой дороги и украл караван вьючных мулов из вьючного обоза, направлявшегося в форт, отравил их погонщиков каким-то образом; to drug — отравить, опоить наркотиками / ядом). The mules belonged to this man (мулы принадлежали этому человеку)" — Conan casually indicated the corpse with his foot (Конан мимоходом показал на труп /своей/ ногой) — "Tiberias, a merchant of Velitrium (Тибериас, купец из Велитриума). They were loaded with ale-kegs, and old Zogar stopped to guzzle before he got across the river (они были нагружены бочонками с элем, и старый Зогар остановился, /чтобы/ напиться, прежде чем перебрался через реку; to get across — перебраться). A woodsman named Soractus trailed him, and led Valannus and three soldiers to where he lay dead drunk in a thicket (лесной житель по имени Сорактус выследил его и привел Валаннуса и трех солдат к /тому месту/, где он лежали мертвецки пьяный в кустарнике). At the importunities of Tiberias, Valannus threw Zogar Sag into a cell, which is the worst insult you can give a Pict (по настоянию Тибериаса, Валаннус бросил Зогара Сага в тюремную камеру, что является самым худшим оскорблением, которое ты можешь дать = нанести пикту; to throw — бросать). He managed to kill his guard and escape (он смог = ему удалось убить /его/ охрану и сбежать), and sent back word that he meant to kill Tiberias and the five men who captured him in a way that would make Aquilonians shudder for centuries to come (и /он/ отослал назад сообщение, что он собирается убить Тибериаса и пятерых людей, которые взяли его в плен, /таким/ способом, который заставит аквилонцев содрогаться = от которого аквилонцы будут содрогаться на протяжении грядущих столетий; to mean — намереваться; to capture — взять в плен).
village ['vIlIG], river ['rIvq], month [mAnT]
"He dwells in Gwawela, the nearest village across the river. Three months ago he hid beside this road and stole a string of pack-mules from a pack-train bound for the fort — drugged their drivers, somehow. The mules belonged to this man" — Conan casually indicated the corpse with his foot — "Tiberias, a merchant of Velitrium. They were loaded with ale-kegs, and old Zogar stopped to guzzle before he got across the river. A woodsman named Soractus trailed him, and led Valannus and three soldiers to where he lay dead drunk in a thicket. At the importunities of Tiberias, Valannus threw Zogar Sag into a cell, which is the worst insult you can give a Pict. He managed to kill his guard and escape, and sent back word that he meant to kill Tiberias and the five men who captured him in a way that would make Aquilonians shudder for centuries to come.
"Well, Soractus and the soldiers are dead (ну, Сорактус и солдаты мертвы). Soractus was killed on the river, the soldiers in the very shadow of the fort (Сорактус был убит на реке, солдаты в самой тени форта = прямо у форта). And now Tiberias is dead (а теперь Тибериас мертв). No Pict killed any of them (ни один пикт /не/ убил кого-либо = никого из них). Each victim — except Tiberias, as you see — lacked his head — which no doubt is now ornamenting the altar of Zogar Sag's particular god (каждая жертва — за исключением Тибериаса, как ты видишь — была без головы: «не хватало /своей/ головы» — которая, несомненно, сейчас украшает алтарь особого бога Зогара Сага; to lack — не хватать, недоставать)."
very ['verI], victim ['vIktIm], altar ['O:ltq]
"Well, Soractus and the soldiers are dead. Soractus was killed on the river, the soldiers in the very shadow of the fort. And now Tiberias is dead. No Pict killed any of them. Each victim — except Tiberias, as you see — lacked his head — which no doubt is now ornamenting the altar of Zogar Sag's particular god."
"How do you know they weren't killed by the Picts?" demanded Balthus (как = откуда ты знаешь, что они не были убиты пиктами? — спросил Балтус).
Conan pointed to the corpse of the merchant (Конан показал на труп купца).
"You think that was done with a knife or a sword (ты думаешь, /что/ это было сделано ножом или мечом; to do — делать)? Look closer and you'll see that only a talon could have made a gash like that (посмотри поближе и /ты/ увидишь, что только коготь мог сделать глубокую рану как эта = такую глубокую рану). The flesh is ripped, not cut (плоть разорвана, не разрезана)."
"Perhaps a panther —" began Balthus, without conviction (может, пантера, — начал Балтус без уверенности: «без убежденности»).
Conan shook his head impatiently (Конан нетерпеливо /отрицательно/ покачал /своей/ головой).
demand [dI'mQ:nd], merchant ['mq:Cqnt], knife [naIf]
"How do you know they weren't killed by the Picts?" demanded Balthus.
Conan pointed to the corpse of the merchant.
"You think that was done with a knife or a sword? Look closer and you'll see that only a talon could have made a gash like that. The flesh is ripped, not cut."
"Perhaps a panther —" began Balthus, without conviction.
Conan shook his head impatiently.
"A man from the Tauran couldn't mistake the mark of a panther's claws (человек из Турана не мог бы ошибиться /в/ следах от когтей пантеры). No. It's a forest devil summoned by Zogar Sag to carry out his revenge (нет. это лесной дух, вызванный Зогаром Сагом, /чтобы/ исполнить его месть). Tiberias was a fool to start for Velitrium alone, and so close to dusk (Тибериас был глупцом, отправляться = что отправился в Велитриум один, и так близко к сумеркам). But each one of the victims seemed to be smitten with madness just before doom overtook him (но каждая из жертв, казалось, была охвачена безумием как раз перед тем, как рок нагнал ее; to smite — охватить, поразить; to overtake — нагнать). Look here; the signs are plain enough (послушай: «смотри сюда», признаки довольно очевидны). Tiberias came riding along the trail on his mule (Тибериас ехал по тропе верхом на своем муле), maybe with a bundle of choice otter pelts behind his saddle to sell in Velitrium (возможно, со связкой отборных шкурок выдр за седлом, /чтобы/ продать = для продажи в Велитриуме), and the thing sprang on him from behind that bush (и тварь прыгнула на него из-за того куста; choice — отборный, высшего качества). See where the branches are crushed down (видишь, где ветки придавлены).
claw [klO:], revenge [rI'venG], doom [du:m]
"A man from the Tauran couldn't mistake the mark of a panther's claws. No. It's a forest devil summoned by Zogar Sag to carry out his revenge. Tiberias was a fool to start for Velitrium alone, and so close to dusk. But each one of the victims seemed to be smitten with madness just before doom overtook him. Look here; the signs are plain enough. Tiberias came riding along the trail on his mule, maybe with a bundle of choice otter pelts behind his saddle to sell in Velitrium, and the thing sprang on him from behind that bush. See where the branches are crushed down.
