contortions [kən`tɔ:ʃnz] assured [ə`ʃuəd] forfeit [`fɔ:fɪt] vengeance [`venʤəns]
Ben Gunn was on deck alone, and, as soon as we came on board, he began, with wonderful contortions, to make us a confession. Silver was gone. The maroon had connived at his escape in a shore boat some hours ago, and he now assured us he had only done so to preserve our lives, which would certainly have been forfeit if “that man with the one leg had stayed aboard.” But this was not all. The sea-cook had not gone empty handed. He had cut through a bulkhead unobserved, and had removed one of the sacks of coin, worth, perhaps, three or four hundred guineas, to help him on his further wanderings.
I think we were all pleased to be so cheaply quit of him. Well, to make a long story short, we got a few hands on board, made a good cruise home, and the Hispaniola reached Bristol just as Mr. Blandly was beginning to think of fitting out her consort. Five men only of those who had sailed returned with her. “Drink and the devil had done for the rest,” with a vengeance; although, to be sure, we were not quite in so bad a case as that other ship they sang about:
“With one man of her crew alive (с одним человеком из экипажа живым),
What put to sea with seventy-five (/вернулась шхуна/, которая вышла в море с семьюдесятью пятью).”
All of us had an ample share of the treasure (каждый из нас получил обильную долю сокровищ; ample — обширный; богатый, изобильный, обильный), and used it wisely or foolishly, according to our natures (и использовал ее разумно или глупо, в соответствии с натурой). Captain Smollett is now retired from the sea (капитан Смоллетт теперь оставил море = морскую службу; to retire — оставлять /должность/, уходить в отставку). Gray not only saved his money (Грей не только сберег деньги), but, being suddenly smit with the desire to rise (но, охваченный внезапным желанием приобрести вес /в обществе/; to smite — ударять, поражать, охватывать), also studied his profession (также изучил свою профессию = мореходное дело); and he is now mate and part owner of a fine full-rigged ship (теперь он помощник капитана и совладелец: «частичный владелец» отличного полностью оснащенного судна); married besides, and the father of a family (/он/ женился, кроме того, и /ныне/ является отцом семейства). As for Ben Gunn, he got a thousand pound — which he spent or lost in three weeks (что касается Бена Ганна, он получил тысячу фунтов, которые потратил или потерял за три недели), or, to be more exact, in nineteen days (или, более точно, за девятнадцать дней), for he was back begging on the twentieth (потому что он вернулся просить милостыню на двадцатый). Then he was given a lodge to keep (затем ему вверили сторожку у ворот = дали место привратника), exactly as he had feared upon the island (точно так, как он опасался на острове); and he still lives, a great favourite (он живет до сих пор, /будучи/ большим любимцем), though something of a butt, with the country boys (хотя иногда и /служит/ мишенью = объектом шуток для деревенских мальчишек), and a notable singer in church on Sundays and saints’ days (и /он/ прекрасный певец в церкви по воскресеньям и праздничным дням; notable — заметный, достопримечательный, именитый; saint — святой, праведник).
wisely [`waɪzlɪ] desire [dɪ`zaɪə] notable [`nəutəbl] church [tʃə:tʃ]
“With one man of her crew alive,
What put to sea with seventy-five.”
All of us had an ample share of the treasure, and used it wisely or foolishly, according to our natures. Captain Smollett is now retired from the sea. Gray not only saved his money, but, being suddenly smit with the desire to rise, also studied his profession; and he is now mate and part owner of a fine full-rigged ship; married besides, and the father of a family. As for Ben Gunn, he got a thousand pound — which he spent or lost in three weeks, or, to be more exact, in nineteen days, for he was back begging on the twentieth. Then he was given a lodge to keep, exactly as he had feared upon the island; and he still lives, a great favourite, though something of a butt, with the country boys, and a notable singer in church on Sundays and saints’ days.
Of Silver we have heard no more (о Сильвере мы больше не слышали). That formidable seafaring man with one leg has at last gone clean out of my life (этот страшный моряк с одной ногой наконец-то совершенно ушел из моей жизни); but I daresay he met his old negress (но полагаю, он встретил свою старую негритянку), and perhaps still lives in comfort with her and Captain Flint (и, возможно, все еще живет /где-нибудь/ спокойно с ней и Капитаном Флинтом). It is to be hoped so, I suppose (стоит надеяться на это, полагаю), for his chances of comfort in another world are very small (потому что его шансы на удобство = на хорошую жизнь в потустороннем мире очень малы).
The bar silver and the arms still lie, for all that I know (серебро в слитках и оружие все еще лежат, насколько мне известно), where Flint buried them (/там же/, где Флинт зарыл их); and certainly they shall lie there for me (и конечно, пусть там лежат, считаю я). Oxen and wain-ropes would not bring me back again to that accursed island (быки и веревки телеги = упряжь не вернули бы меня = меня ничем не заманить снова на этот проклятый остров); and the worst dreams that ever I have (и самые плохие сны, которые когда-либо у меня были) are when I hear the surf booming about its coasts (это когда я слышу, как прибой грохочет о его берега), or start upright in bed, with the sharp voice of Captain Flint still ringing in my ears (или вскакиваю в кровати от резкого голоса Капитана Флинта, до сих пор звучащего в моих ушах; upright — вертикально, прямо): “Pieces of eight (пиастры)! pieces of eight (пиастры)!”
formidable [`fɔ:mɪdəbl] comfort [`kʌmfət] accursed [ə`kə:sɪd]
Of Silver we have heard no more. That formidable seafaring man with one leg has at last gone clean out of my life; but I daresay he met his old negress, and perhaps still lives in comfort with her and Captain Flint. It is to be hoped so, I suppose, for his chances of comfort in another world are very small.
The bar silver and the arms still lie, for all that I know, where Flint buried them; and certainly they shall lie there for me. Oxen and wain-ropes would not bring me back again to that accursed island; and the worst dreams that ever I have are when I hear the surf booming about its coasts, or start upright in bed, with the sharp voice of Captain Flint still ringing in my ears: “Pieces of eight! pieces of eight!”
