getting my eye once more above the gunwale, I set myself to study how it was
she managed to slip so quietly through the rollers.
2. I found each wave, instead of the big, smooth glossy mountain it looks from
shore, or from a vessel's deck, was for all the world like any range of hills on
the dry land, full of peaks and smooth places and valleys. The coracle, left to
herself, turning from side to side, threaded, so to speak, her way through
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these lower parts, and avoided the steep slopes and higher, toppling summits
of the wave.
1. 'Well, now (итак),' thought I to myself (подумал я про себя), 'it is plain I must
lie where I am (ясно, что я должен лежать, где я есть), and not disturb the
balance (и не нарушать равновесия); but it is plain, also, that I can put the paddle
over the side (но также ясно, что я могу опустить за борт весло;
времени, в ровных местах), give her a shove or two towards land (дать ей
толчок или два = пару раз подгрести к суше).' No sooner thought upon than
done (только я подумал об этом, так и сделал). There I lay on my elbows, in the
most trying attitude (я лежал на локтях в очень мучительном положении;
and every now and again gave a weak stroke or two to turn her head to shore (и то
и дело делал один-два слабых удара /веслом/, чтобы развернуть его нос к
берегу).
2. It was very tiring, and slow work (это было очень утомительной и медленной
работой), yet I did visibly gain ground (и все же я продвинулся вперед;
and, as we drew near the Cape of the Woods (и когда мы приблизились к Мысу
Леса), though I saw I must infallibly miss that point (хотя я и видел, что должен
неминуемо пропустить эту точку;
продвинулся на несколько сотен ярдов к востоку;
close in (я действительно был близко;
the breeze (я мог видеть прохладные зеленые вершины деревьев, качавшиеся
509
бризом), and I felt sure I should make the next promontory without fail (и я
почувствовал, что должен высадиться на следующем мысе обязательно).
аttitude [`xtItjHd] infallibly [In`fxlqblI] promontory [`prOmqntrI]
1. 'Well, now,' thought I to myself, 'it is plain I must lie where I am, and not
disturb the balance; but it is plain, also, that I can put the paddle over the
side, and from time to time, in smooth places, give her a shove or two towards
land.' No sooner thought upon than done. There I lay on my elbows, in the
most trying attitude, and every now and again gave a weak stroke or two to
turn her head to shore.
2. It was very tiring, and slow work, yet I did visibly gain ground; and, as we
drew near the Cape of the Woods, though I saw I must infallibly miss that
point, I had still made some hundred yards of easting. I was, indeed, close in. I