Всадник без головы

Now, ole gal! you've got to stop yur munchin' an take this bit o' iron atwixt yur teeth. Open yur corn trap for it.	Ну, теперь, голубушка, довольно жевать! Придется вместо кукурузы взять в зубы эту железку.
That's the putty pet!"	Вот молодчина!
And so continuing to talk-now to Pluto, now to the mare-he once more adjusted the headstall; led the animal out; and, clambering into the saddle, rode thoughtfully away.	Разговаривая так то с Плутоном, то с лошадью, Зеб снова надел уздечку, вывел лошадь за ворота, вскочил в седло и тронул поводья.
Chapter Seventy Two. Zeb Stump on the Trail.	Глава LXXII. ЗЕБ СТУМП ИДЕТ ПО СЛЕДУ
After getting clear of the enclosures of Casa del Corvo, the hunter headed his animal up stream-in the direction of the Port and town.	Выехав из ворот Каса-дель-Корво, старый охотник отправился вверх по берегу реки в сторону форта.
It was the former he intended to reach-which he did in a ride of less than a quarter of an hour. Commonly it took him three to accomplish this distance; but on this occasion he was in an unusual state of excitement, and he made speed to correspond. The old mare could go fast enough when required-that is when Zeb required her and he had a mode of quickening her speed-known only to himself, and only employed upon extraordinary occasions. It simply consisted in drawing the bowie knife from his belt, and inserting about in inch of its blade into the mare's hip, close to the termination of the spine. The effect was like magic; or, if you prefer the figure-electricity. So spurred, Zeb's "critter" could accomplish a mile in three minutes; and more than once had she been called upon to show this capability, when her owner was chased by Comanches. On the present occasion there was no necessity for such excessive speed; and the Fort was reached after fifteen minutes' sharp trotting.	Не прошло и четверти часа, как он уже был там.
On reaching it, Zeb slipped out of the saddle, and made his way to the quarters of the commandant; while the mare was left panting upon the parade ground. The old hunter had no difficulty in obtaining an interview with the military chief of Fort Inge.	Соскочив с седла, Зеб пошел по направлению к квартире майора. Старому охотнику нетрудно было добиться свидания с комендантом форта Индж.
Looked upon by the officers as a sort of privileged character, he had the entr?e at all times, and could go in without countersign, or any of the other formalities usually demanded from a stranger.	Военные относились к Зебу Стумпу с уважением и вход для него был открыт в любой час -- он мог войти без пароля и не соблюдая других формальностей, установленных для посторонних.
The sentry passed him, as a matter of course-the officer of the guard only exchanged with him a word of welcome; and the adjutant at once announced his name to the major commanding the cantonment.	Часовые пропустили его, как своего. С дежурным офицером он обменялся приветствием; адъютант же немедленно доложил о нем майору.
From his first words, the latter appeared to have been expecting him.	По первым же словам, с которыми майор обратился к охотнику, видно было, что он его ждал: