Текст книги "Английский с А. Конан Дойлем. Пиратские истории / A. Conan Doyle. Tales of Pirates"

The return journey was less difficult (обратное путешествие было менее трудным), as they had already blazed a path for themselves (поскольку они предварительно отмечали свой путь зарубками на деревьях; to blaze – делать отметки на деревьях).

 No doubt their occupants were away at the hunt and would return in the evening, so Craddock and his men lay in ambush in the brushwood around them. But no one came, and another night was spent in the forest. Nothing more could be done, and it seemed to Craddock that after the two days’ absence it was time that he returned to his ship once more.

The return journey was less difficult, as they had already blazed a path for themselves.

Before evening they found themselves once more at the Bay of Palms (прежде чем /наступил/ вечер, они снова оказались в Пальмовой бухте), and saw their ship riding at anchor where they had left her (и увидели свой корабль, стоящий на якоре там же, где они его оставили). Their boat and oars had been hauled up among the bushes (/перед началом похода/ они выволокли свою лодку с веслами /на берег и оставили/ в кустах), so they launched it and pulled out to the barque (так что они спустили ее на воду и направились к барку; to launch – бросать с силой, метать; спускать судно на воду; to pull out – отправляться, отходить /о поезде, пароходе/).

“No luck, then!” cried Joshua Hird, the mate (выходит, не судьба! – крикнул помощник капитана Джошуа Хирд; luck – везенье, удача), looking down with a pale face from the poop (/стоя/ на полуюте с бледным лицом и глядя вниз /на них/).

“His camp was empty, but he may come down to us yet (его лагерь пуст, но он еще может прийти к нам = попасться нам),” said Craddock, with his hand on the ladder (сказал Крэддок, /хватаясь/ рукою за трап).

 Before evening they found themselves once more at the Bay of Palms, and saw their ship riding at anchor where they had left her. Their boat and oars had been hauled up among the bushes, so they launched it and pulled out to the barque.

“No luck, then!” cried Joshua Hird, the mate, looking down with a pale face from the poop.

“His camp was empty, but he may come down to us yet,” said Craddock, with his hand on the ladder.

Somebody upon deck began to laugh (кто-то на палубе засмеялся: «начал смеяться»). “I think,” said the mate, “that these men had better stay in the boat (я думаю, – сказал помощник, – что этим людям лучше остаться в лодке).”

“Why so (почему так)?”

“If you will come aboard, sir, you will understand it (если вы подниметесь на борт, сэр, то поймете это).” He spoke in a curious hesitating fashion (он говорил как-то странно и нерешительно; to speak; to hesitate – колебаться, не решаться; fashion – форма, очертания; манера поведения).

The blood flushed to Craddock’s gaunt face (кровь прилила к суровому лицу Крэддока).

“How is this, Master Hird?” he cried, springing up the side (что такое, мастер Хирд? – воскликнул он, запрыгивая на борт). “What mean you by giving orders to my boat’s crew (как вы смеете отдавать приказы моей шлюпочной команде; to mean – намереваться, иметь в виду; значить, означать)?”

 Somebody upon deck began to laugh. “I think,” said the mate, “that these men had better stay in the boat.”

“Why so?”

“If you will come aboard, sir, you will understand it.” He spoke in a curious hesitating fashion.

The blood flushed to Craddock’s gaunt face.

“How is this, Master Hird?” he cried, springing up the side. “What mean you by giving orders to my boat’s crew?”

But as he passed over the bulwarks (но, когда он перелезал через фальшборт), with one foot upon the deck and one knee upon the rail (одной ногой /уже стоя/ на палубе, а коленом /другой еще касаясь/ планшира), a tow-bearded man, whom he had never before observed aboard his vessel (матрос с /похожей на/ паклю бородой, которого он никогда прежде не видал: «не наблюдал» на борту судна; tow – кудель, очес; пакля), grabbed suddenly at his pistol (вдруг завладел его пистолетом; to grab – хватать; захватывать, присваивать). Craddock clutched at the fellow’s wrist (Крэддок ухватил парня за запястье), but at the same instant his mate snatched the cutlass from his side (но в тот же миг его товарищ = другой матрос выдернул у него /висевшую/ на боку саблю; to snatch – хватать; cutlass – абордажная сабля; кортик).

“What roguery is this?” shouted Craddock looking furiously around him (что за шутки? – в ярости заорал Крэддок, оглядываясь вокруг; roguery – мошенничество; шалости; rogue – негодяй, мерзавец, жулик, мошенник).

 But as he passed over the bulwarks, with one foot upon the deck and one knee upon the rail, a tow-bearded man, whom he had never before observed aboard his vessel, grabbed suddenly at his pistol. Craddock clutched at the fellow’s wrist, but at the same instant his mate snatched the cutlass from his side.

“What roguery is this?” shouted Craddock looking furiously around him.

But the crew stood in little knots about the deck (но команда, стоявшая на палубе небольшими группами; to stand), laughing and whispering amongst themselves (ухмылялась и перешептывалась между собой) without showing any desire to go to his assistance (не выказывая никакого = ни малейшего желания прийти к нему на помощь). Even in that hurried glance Craddock noticed (даже при таком беглом взгляде Крэддок заметил; hurried – быстрый, поспешный) that they were dressed in the most singular manner (что одеты они были в весьма необычной манере; singular – исключительный, необыкновенный), with long riding-coats, full-skirted velvet gowns and coloured ribands at their knees (в долгополых куртках для верховой езды, богато украшенных бархатных кафтанах и с цветными лентами у колен; full – полный, целый; богатый, изобилующий; to skirt – окружать, окаймлять), more like men of fashion than seamen (больше походя на светских модников, чем на моряков). As he looked at their grotesque figures (глядя на их нелепые фигуры) he struck his brow with his clenched fist (он, стиснув кулак, ударил себя по лбу; to strike; brow – бровь; лоб, чело /поэт./) to be sure that he was awake (чтобы убедиться, что это не сон; awake – не спящий, бодрствующий).

 But the crew stood in little knots about the deck, laughing and whispering amongst themselves without showing any desire to go to his assistance. Even in that hurried glance Craddock noticed that they were dressed in the most singular manner, with long riding-coats, full-skirted velvet gowns and coloured ribands at their knees, more like men of fashion than seamen.

As he looked at their grotesque figures he struck his brow with his clenched fist to be sure that he was awake.

The deck seemed to be much dirtier than when he had left it (палуба казалось намного грязнее, чем когда он покидал ее; to leave), and there were strange, sun-blackened faces turned upon him from every side (и со всех сторон на него смотрели: «к нему повернулись» почерневшие от солнца лица). Not one of them did he know save only Joshua Hird (никого из них он не знал, за исключением Джошуа Хирда). Had the ship been captured in his absence (/неужто/ корабль был захвачен в его отсутствие)? Were these Sharkey’s men who were around him (и не люди ли это Шарки, которые окружают его)? At the thought he broke furiously away (при этой мысли он яростно рванулся; to break away – сбежать, вырваться) and tried to climb over to his boat (и попытался перебраться назад в шлюпку), but a dozen hands were on him in an instant (но в одно мгновение дюжина рук ухватила его: «оказалась на нем»), and he was pushed aft through the open door of his own cabin (и через открытую дверь его втолкнули в его собственную каюту на корме).

 The deck seemed to be much dirtier than when he had left it, and there were strange, sun-blackened faces turned upon him from every side. Not one of them did he know save only Joshua Hird. Had the ship been captured in his absence? Were these Sharkey’s men who were around him? At the thought he broke furiously away and tried to climb over to his boat, but a dozen hands were on him in an instant, and he was pushed aft through the open door of his own cabin.

And it was all different from the cabin which he had left (и здесь все отличалось от той каюты, которую он оставил /несколько дней назад/). The floor was different, the ceiling was different, the furniture was different (пол, потолок, мебель – все было другим). His had been plain and austere (/обстановка/ в его /каюте/ была простой и строгой). This was sumptuous and yet dirty (а эта была роскошной, однако неопрятной; dirty – грязный, нечистый), hung with rare velvet curtains splashed with wine-stains (богатые бархатные шторы, украшенные винными пятнами, завешивали /иллюминаторы/; to hang; rare – редкий, редкостный; to splash – забрызгивать), and panelled with costly woods (а /стены/, обшитые панелями из дорогих /пород/ дерева) which were pocked with pistol-marks (были все в оспинах от пистолетных выстрелов; to pock – покрываться оспинами, становиться рябым /о лице/; mark – знак, метка; отметина).

 And it was all different from the cabin which he had left. The floor was different, the ceiling was different, the furniture was different. His had been plain and austere. This was sumptuous and yet dirty, hung with rare velvet curtains splashed with wine-stains, and panelled with costly woods which were pocked with pistol-marks.

On the table was a great chart of the Caribbean Sea (на столе была расстелена: «находилась» огромная карта Карибского моря), and beside it, with compasses in his hand, sat a clean-shaven, pale-faced man (а возле нее с циркулем в руке сидел чисто выбритый человек с бледным лицом) with a fur cap and a claret-coloured coat of damask (в меховой шапочке и бордовом сюртуке из камчи; claret – кларет, красное вино бордо; цвет бордо). Craddock turned white under his freckles (веснушки /на лице/ Крэддока побледнели; to turn – поворачиваться, вращаться; менять цвет; white – белый; бледный) as he looked upon the long, thin, high-nostrilled nose and the red-rimmed eyes (когда он взглянул на длинный тонкий с высокими ноздрями нос и глаза с красными веками) which were turned upon him (которые смотрели на него: «повернулись к нему») with the fixed, humorous gaze of the master player (неподвижным насмешливым взглядом искусного игрока; master – хозяин; победитель) who has left his opponent without a move (который не оставил своему противнику ни одного хода).

 On the table was a great chart of the Caribbean Sea, and beside it, with compasses in his hand, sat a clean-shaven, pale-faced man with a fur cap and a claret-coloured coat of damask. Craddock turned white under his freckles as he looked upon the long, thin, high-nostrilled nose and the red-rimmed eyes which were turned upon him with the fixed, humorous gaze of the master player who has left his opponent without a move.

“Sharkey?” cried Craddock (Шарки? – воскликнул Крэддок).

Sharkey’s thin lips opened and he broke into his high, sniggering laugh (тонкие губы Шарки приоткрылись, и он разразился своим резким визгливым смехом; to break into – внезапно начинать /что-л. делать/; to snigger – хихикать).

“You fool!” he cried (глупец! – крикнул он), and, leaning over, he stabbed Craddock’s shoulder again and again with his compasses (и, наклонившись вперед, принялся вонзать циркуль в плечо Крэддока; again and again – снова и снова). “You poor, dull-witted fool, would you match yourself against me (жалкий тупоголовый болван, ты хотел потягаться со мной; to match – подбирать под пару; мериться силами с /кем-л./)?”

It was not the pain of the wounds (не столько от боли в ранах), but it was the contempt in Sharkey’s voice (сколько от презрения в голосе Шарки) which turned Craddock into a savage madman (Крэддок обезумел: «превратился в свирепого безумца»; savage – дикий, находящийся в природном состоянии; жестокий, беспощадный).

 “Sharkey?” cried Craddock.

Sharkey’s thin lips opened and he broke into his high, sniggering laugh.

“You fool!” he cried, and, leaning over, he stabbed Craddock’s shoulder again and again with his compasses. “You poor, dull-witted fool, would you match yourself against me?”

It was not the pain of the wounds, but it was the contempt in Sharkey’s voice which turned Craddock into a savage madman.

He flew at the pirate, roaring with rage (он налетел на пирата, рыча от ярости; to fly), striking, kicking, writhing, and foaming (колотя руками и ногами, гримасничая и пуская пену; to strike – ударять, наносить удар; to kick – лягать, пинать; to writhe – корчиться, извиваться; foam – пена). It took six men to drag him down on to the floor (потребовалось шесть человек, чтобы оттащить его и /свалить/ на пол; to take – брать; отнимать, требовать /времени, сил и т. п./) amidst the splintered remains of the table (среди расщепленных останков стола) – and not one of the six who did not bear the prisoner’s mark upon him (а из этих шести не было никого, кто не носил бы на себе клеймо каторжника). But Sharkey still surveyed him with the same contemptuous eye (но Шарки все еще пристально смотрел на него тем презрительным взглядом). From outside there came the crash of breaking wood and the clamour of startled voices (снаружи донесся треск ломающегося дерева и испуганные крики: «шум испуганных голосов»).

“What is that?” asked Sharkey (что /там/ такое? – спросил Шарки).

 He flew at the pirate, roaring with rage, striking, kicking, writhing, and foaming. It took six men to drag him down on to the floor amidst the splintered remains of the table – and not one of the six who did not bear the prisoner’s mark upon him. But Sharkey still surveyed him with the same contemptuous eye. From outside there came the crash of breaking wood and the clamour of startled voices.

“What is that?” asked Sharkey.

“They have stove the boat with cold shot, and the men are in the water (шлюпку пробили, сбросив в нее ядро, и люди сейчас в воде; to stave; cold – холодный; shot – выстрел; пушечное ядро).”

“Let them stay there,” said the pirate (пусть там и остаются, – сказал пират). “Now, Craddock, you know where you are (теперь, Крэддок, ты знаешь, где находишься). You are aboard my ship the Happy Delivery (ты на борту моего корабля «Счастливое избавление»), and you lie at my mercy (и /полностью/ в моей власти; to lie /зд./ – находиться; mercy – милосердие; милость). I knew you for a stout seaman, you rogue (я знал тебя как храброго моряка, негодяй ты этакий), before you took to this long-shore canting (прежде чем ты примкнул к этим сухопутным лицемерам; to take to – пристраститься, привязаться к /чему-л./; canting – лицемерный, неискренний, притворный, ханжеский). Your hands then were no cleaner than my own (тогда твои руки были не чище моих). Will you sign articles, as your mate has done, and join us (или ты подпишешь договор, как сделал твой помощник, и присоединишься к нам; article – статья, пункт; articles – договор, соглашение), or shall I heave you over to follow your ship’s company (или я вышвырну тебя /за борт/, и ты последуешь за командой со своего корабля; to heave – поднимать; швырять, бросать /разг./)?”

 “They have stove the boat with cold shot, and the men are in the water.”

“Let them stay there,” said the pirate. “Now, Craddock, you know where you are. You are aboard my ship the Happy Delivery, and you lie at my mercy. I knew you for a stout seaman, you rogue, before you took to this long-shore canting. Your hands then were no cleaner than my own. Will you sign articles, as your mate has done, and join us, or shall I heave you over to follow your ship’s company?”

“Where is my ship?” asked Craddock (где мой корабль? – спросил Крэддок).

“Scuttled in the bay (лежит затопленный в бухте; to scuttle – делать отверстия в днище или борту корабля; затапливать судно, открыв кингстоны).”

“And the hands (а матросы)?”

“In the bay, too (тоже в бухте).”

“Then I’m for the bay, also (тогда и мне тоже туда).”

“Hock him and heave him over (перережьте ему сухожилия и бросьте /за борт/; to hock /зд./ = to hamstring – подрезать поджилки),” said Sharkey.

Many rough hands had dragged Craddock out upon deck (множество грубых рук выволокло Крэддока на палубу), and Galloway, the quartermaster, had already drawn his hanger to cripple him (а интендант Гэллоуэй уже вытащил свой кортик, чтобы искалечить его; to draw; hanger – тот, кто вешает что-л.; кортик /мор./), when Sharkey came hurrying from his cabin with an eager face (когда /вдруг/ из своей каюты с озабоченным лицом поспешно вышел Шарки; eager – страстно желающий, жаждущий; нетерпеливый).

 “Where is my ship?” asked Craddock.

“Scuttled in the bay.”

“And the hands?”

“In the bay, too.”

“Hock him and heave him over,” said Sharkey.

Many rough hands had dragged Craddock out upon deck, and Galloway, the quartermaster, had already drawn his hangar to cripple him, when Sharkey came hurrying from his cabin with an eager face.

“We can do better with the hound!” he cried (мы можем разделаться с этим псом еще лучше; hound – охотничья собака; негодяй, подлец). “Sink me if it is not a rare plan (утонуть мне: «потопи меня», если это не прекрасный план; rare – редкий; исключительный). Throw him into the sail-room with the irons on (бросить его в парусную каюту, заковав в цепи; iron – железо; irons – кандалы, оковы), and do you come here, quartermaster (а ты, интендант, подойди-ка сюда), that I may tell you what I have in my mind (чтобы я мог рассказать тебе, что у меня на уме).”

So Craddock, bruised and wounded in soul and body (и вот Крэддок в синяках и ранах, как в душе, так и на теле; to bruise – ставить синяки; ушибать; контузить; bruise – синяк, кровоподтек; ушиб; контузия), was thrown into the dark sail-room (был брошен в парусную каюту; to throw), so fettered that he could not stir hand or foot (его сковали так, что он не мог пошевелить ни рукой, ни ногой; fetter – путы /для животных/; путы, ножные кандалы; to fetter – спутывать /лошадь/; заковывать, сковывать /в кандалы/; приковывать цепью), but his Northern blood was running strong in his veins (но кровь /уроженца/ севера мощными токами мчалась по венам; to run – струиться, течь; бежать; strong /нареч./ – сильно; энергично), and his grim spirit aspired only to make such an ending (а его суровая душа единственно жаждала такого конца; to aspire – стремиться) as might go some way towards atoning for the evil of his life (который мог бы хоть немного искупить зло, /совершенное им за всю/ жизнь; to go towards – идти в направлении /чего-л./).

 “We can do better with the hound!” he cried. “Sink me if it is not a rare plan. Throw him into the sail-room with the irons on, and do you come here, quartermaster, that I may tell you what I have in my mind.”

So Craddock, bruised and wounded in soul and body, was thrown into the dark sail-room, so fettered that he could not stir hand or foot, but his Northern blood was running strong in his veins, and his grim spirit aspired only to make such an ending as might go some way towards atoning for the evil of his life.

All night he lay in the curve of the bilge (всю ночь он пролежал во /впадине, образованной/ изгибом днища) listening to the rush of the water and the straining of the timbers (слушая, как бурлит вода /за бортом/ и скрипит шпангоут; rush – стремительное движение, бросок; straining – натяжение, растяжение; timber – лесоматериалы; шпангоут /мор./) which told him that the ship was at sea, and driving fast (что рассказало ему = из чего заключил, что корабль вышел в море и движется быстро). In the early morning some one came crawling to him in the darkness over the heaps of sails (рано утром кто-то ползком по грудам парусов приблизился к нему).

“Here’s rum and biscuits,” said the voice of his late mate (вот ром и галеты, – сказал голос его бывшего помощника). “It’s at the risk of my life, Master Craddock, that I bring them to you (я рискую жизнью, капитан Крэддок, принося это вам).”

 All night he lay in the curve of the bilge listening to the rush of the water and the straining of the timbers which told him that the ship was at sea, and driving fast. In the early morning some one came crawling to him in the darkness over the heaps of sails.

“Here’s rum and biscuits,” said the voice of his late mate. “It’s at the risk of my life, Master Craddock, that I bring them to you.”

“It was you who trapped me and caught me as in a snare!” cried Craddock (это ты заманил и поймал меня в западню! – воскликнул Крэддок; to catch). “How shall you answer for what you have done (как ты ответишь за то, что совершил)?”

“What I did I did with the point of a knife betwixt my blade-bones (я сделал это с острием ножа между лопатками; betwixt /устар./ = between).”

“God forgive you for a coward, Joshua Hird (Бог простит тебя за трусость, Джошуа Хирд). How came you into their hands (как ты попал к ним в руки)?”

 “It was you who trapped me and caught me as in a snare!” cried Craddock. “How shall you answer for what you have done?”

“What I did I did with the point of a knife betwixt my blade-bones.”

“God forgive you for a coward, Joshua Hird. How came you into their hands?”

“Why, Master Craddock, the pirate ship came back from its careening (да вот, капитан Крэддок, пиратский корабль вернулся после кренгования) upon the very day that you left us (в тот самый день, когда вы покинули нас = когда вы ушли вглубь острова). They laid us aboard (они взяли нас на абордаж; to lay aboard – встать борт о борт к судну для абордажа), and, short-handed as we were, with the best of the men ashore with you (а нас было мало, потому что лучшие люди отправились на берег с вами; short-handed – неукомплектованный штатами, испытывающий недостаток в рабочей силе), we could offer but a poor defence (и мы не могли дать достойный отпор: «мы смогли предложить лишь плохую защиту»; poor – бедный; плохой). Some were cut down, and they were the happiest (некоторых зарубили /сразу/, и они оказались самыми счастливыми). The others were killed afterwards (других убили позже). As to me, I saved my life by signing on with them (а что до меня, я спас свою жизнь, подписав с ними /договор/).”

 “Why, Master Craddock, the pirate ship came back from its careening upon the very day that you left us. They laid us aboard, and, short-handed as we were, with the best of the men ashore with you, we could offer but a poor defence. Some were cut down, and they were the happiest. The others were killed afterwards. As to me, I saved my life by signing on with them.”

“And they scuttled my ship (и они затопили мой корабль)?”

“They scuttled her, and then Sharkey and his men (они затопили его, а потом Шарки и его люди), who had been watching us from the brushwood (которые наблюдали за нами из леса), came off to the ship (отошли /от берега и направились/ к кораблю; to come off – удалиться, отойти). His main-yard had been cracked and fished last voyage (в последнем плавании его грот-рей треснул и /его/ укрепили накладкой; to fish – соединять накладкой, скреплять стыком), so he had suspicions of us, seeing that ours was whole (так что он = Шарки сразу заподозрил нас, увидев, что наш цел). Then he thought of laying the same trap for you (тогда он и подумал устроить вам ту же ловушку; to lay – класть, положить; ставить капкан, делать засаду) which you had set for him (которую вы готовили ему; to set – ставить, устанавливать).”

Craddock groaned (Крэддок застонал).

 “And they scuttled my ship?”

“They scuttled her, and then Sharkey and his men, who had been watching us from the brushwood, came off to the ship. His main-yard had been cracked and fished last voyage, so he had suspicions of us, seeing that ours was whole. Then he thought of laying the same trap for you which you had set for him.”

Craddock groaned.

“How came I not to see that fished main-yard?” he muttered (и как это я не заметил: «мне не удалось заметить», что грот-рей укреплен? – пробормотал он; to come to do smth. – случиться, удаться). “But whither are we bound (но куда мы направляемся; to be bound – направляться)?”

“We are running north and west (мы идем на северо-запад).”

“North and west (на северо-запад)! Then we are heading back towards Jamaica (значит, мы направляемся назад к Ямайке).”

“With an eight-knot wind (с /попутным/ ветром в восемь узлов).”

“Have you heard what they mean to do with me (ты слышал, что они намерены делать со мною)?”

“I have not heard (не слышал). If you would but sign the articles (если бы вы только подписали договор) – ”

“Enough, Joshua Hird (достаточно, Джошуа Хирд)! I have risked my soul too often (я слишком часто рисковал /бессмертием/ моей души).”

“As you wish (как пожелаете)! I have done what I could (я сделал все, что мог). Farewell (прощайте)!”

 “How came I not to see that fished main-yard?” he muttered. “But whither are we bound?”

“We are running north and west.”

“North and west! Then we are heading back towards Jamaica.”

“With an eight-knot wind.”

“Have you heard what they mean to do with me?”

“I have not heard. If you would but sign the articles – ”

“Enough, Joshua Hird! I have risked my soul too often.”

“As you wish! I have done what I could. Farewell!”

All that night and the next day the Happy Delivery ran before the easterly trades (всю ночь и весь последующий день «Счастливое избавление» гнали вперед восточные пассаты; trade – торговля; ветер-пассат; to run before the wind – идти на фордевинд /полным ветром/), and Stephen Craddock lay in the dark of the sail-room (а Стивен Крэддок лежал во мраке парусной каюты) working patiently at his wrist-irons (терпеливо трудясь над кандалами на запястьях). One he had slipped off at the cost of a row of broken and bleeding knuckles (с одной /руки/ он их уже стянул ценой поврежденных и кровоточащих костяшек; to slip – сбрасывать, освобождаться /от одежды, ошейника и т. п./; row – ряд, вереница; серия, последовательность), but, do what he would, he could not free the other (но никакими стараниями не мог освободить другую), and his ankles were securely fastened (а его лодыжки были закованы еще крепче: «были скреплены надежно»).

 All that night and the next day the Happy Delivery ran before the easterly trades, and Stephen Craddock lay in the dark of the sail-room working patiently at his wrist-irons. One he had slipped off at the cost of a row of broken and bleeding knuckles, but, do what he would, he could not free the other, and his ankles were securely fastened.

From hour to hour he heard the swish of the water (час за часом прислушивался он к плеску воды; swish – свист /хлыста и т. п./; взмах /косы и т. п./ со свистом; всплеск), and knew that the barque must be driving with all set (и знал, что барк идет на всех парусах), in front of the trade wind (подгоняемый пассатным ветром). In that case they must be nearly back again to Jamaica by now (в таком случае они должны быть уже снова недалеко от Ямайки). What plan could Sharkey have in his head (какой план может держать Шарки у себя в голове), and what use did he hope to make of him (и как надеется использовать его самого: «какую пользу надеется извлечь из него»; to make – делать, изготавливать; получать)? Craddock set his teeth, and vowed (Крэддок стиснул зубы и поклялся) that if he had once been a villain from choice (что если однажды он стал злодеем добровольно: «по выбору») he would, at least, never be one by compulsion (то, во всяком случае, никогда не станет им по принуждению).

 From hour to hour he heard the swish of the water, and knew that the barque must be driving with all set, in front of the trade wind. In that case they must be nearly back again to Jamaica by now. What plan could Sharkey have in his head, and what use did he hope to make of him? Craddock set his teeth, and vowed that if he had once been a villain from choice he would, at least, never be one by compulsion.

On the second morning Craddock became aware (на второе = на следующее утро Крэддок понял; to become aware – понимать, осознавать; aware – знающий, осведомленный, сведущий, сознающий) that sail had been reduced in the vessel (что паруса на судне убавили; to reduce – сокращать, уменьшать), and that she was tacking slowly (и оно медленно ложится на другой галс), with a light breeze on her beam (а с траверза дует легкий бриз; beam – балка, брус; траверз /направление, перпендикулярное курсу судна/). The varying slope of the sail-room and the sounds from the deck (изменяющийся крен, /ощутимый/ в парусной каюте и звуки, /доносящиеся/ с палубы) told his practised senses exactly what she was doing (в точности рассказывали ему: «его опытному рассудку», какие действия выполняет судно; sense – чувство, ощущение; рассудок, сознание). The short reaches showed him that she was manoeuvring near shore (короткие галсы свидетельствовали о том, что оно маневрирует недалеко от берега; reach – протягивание /руки/; галс /мор./), and making for some definite point (направляясь к какому-то определенному месту; to make for – направляться к). If so, she must have reached Jamaica (если так, то оно, должно быть, достигло Ямайки). But what could she be doing there (но что оно может там делать = зачем оно там)?

 On the second morning Craddock became aware that sail had been reduced in the vessel, and that she was tacking slowly, with a light breeze on her beam. The varying slope of the sail-room and the sounds from the deck told his practised senses exactly what she was doing. The short reaches showed him that she was manoeuvring near shore, and making for some definite point. If so, she must have reached Jamaica. But what could she be doing there?

And then suddenly there was a burst of hearty cheering from the deck (и тут вдруг с палубы донесся взрыв приветственных возгласов; hearty – сердечный; дружеский; cheering – одобрительное, приветственное восклицание), and then the crash of a gun above his head (а за ними – грохот пушки у него над головой), and then the answering booming of guns from far over the water (и тут же над водой – ответный рокот орудий /откуда-то/ издалека). Craddock sat up and strained his ears (Крэддок сел прямо и обратился в слух: «и напряг слух»; ear – ухо; способность слышать, слух). Was the ship in action (/неужели/ корабль вел бой; action – действие, поступок; боевые действия)? Only the one gun had been fired (стреляло только одно орудие), and though many had answered there were none of the crashing (и хотя многие ему отвечали, не было /слышно/ никакого треска) which told of a shot coming home (что свидетельствовало бы о попадании выстрела в цель; to come home – попадать в цель).