There was no further question of authority between us; Woola was my devoted slave from that moment hence. I reached the hill in a few minutes but I found nothing interesting to reward me. Numerous brilliantly colored and strangely formed wild flowers dotted the ravines. From the summit of the first hill, I saw other hills stretching off toward the north.
My morning walk was important as it resulted in a perfect understanding with Woola, upon whom Tars Tarkas relied for my safe keeping. I now knew that while theoretically a prisoner I was virtually free. I hastened to regain the city limits before Woola's erstwhile masters could discover the defection of him. I decided never again leave the limits of my prescribed stamping grounds again until I was ready to venture forth for good and all.
On regaining the plaza, I saw the captive girl. She was standing with her guards before the entrance to the audience chamber. She gave me one haughty glance and turned her back full upon me. The act was so womanly, so earthly womanly, that though it stung my pride[51] it also warmed my heart with a feeling of companionship. It was good to know that someone else on Mars beside myself had human instincts of a civilized order.
If a Martian woman wanted to show dislike or contempt, she would do it with a sword thrust or a movement of her trigger finger. But their sentiments are mostly atrophied and it would require a serious injury to arouse such passions in them. Sola, let me add, was an exception. I never saw her perform a cruel or rude act, or fail in uniform kindliness and good nature. She was indeed, as her fellow Martian had said of her, an atavism; a dear and precious reversion to a former type of loved and loving ancestor.
Seeing that the prisoner seemed the center of attraction, I halted to view the proceedings. Lorquas Ptomel and his retinue of chieftains approached the building and, signing the guards to follow with the prisoner entered the audience chamber. I chanced an attempt to enter the audience chamber and listen to the proceeding, as I was a somewhat favored character
Примечания
1
soldier of fortune наемный солдат
2
the Civil War Гражданская война в США 18611865 годов
3
cavalry arm кавалерия, конные войска
4
try my luck попытать удачу
5
Apaches Апачи, собирательное название для племён североамериканских индейцев
6
tepees типи, переносное жилище кочевых индейцев
7
regiment of regulars полк регулярной армии
8
painstaking examination тщательное обследование
9
I was very fond of я был очень привязан к Пауэллу
10
the silence of the dead гробовая тишина
11
overstrained nervous system перенапряженные нервы
12
the myriad stars formed a gorgeous and fitting canopy for the wonders of the earthly scene мириады светил образовали гигантский плотный шатер над земными красотами
13
uniform in size одинаковые в размере
14
not ten feet from my breast меньше чем в десяти футах от моей груди
15
was making overtures of peace предложил мир
16
motioned to me показал жестом
17
extreme age старость
18
the river Iss река Исс
19
average life expectancy средняя продолжительность жизни
20
waning resources of the planet истощающиеся ресурсы планеты
21
what struck me most что меня поразило больше всего
22
blanch in horror побледнеть от ужаса
23
bruising myself набив синяки
24
felled ox поверженный бык
25
I saw what they were after я понял, что им нужно от меня
26
arrived at maturity достигла совершеннолетия
27
sun-kissed залитые солнцем
28
disclosed characteristics of показала склонность к
29
bodily wants физические потребности
30
crude means for artificial lighting примитивные средства искусственного освещения
31
semi-barbaric state полуварварское состояние
32
glued upon me прикованы ко мне
33
with a shuffling gait шаркающей походкой
34
to brain размозжить череп
35
the odds were too against me у меня было мало шансов
36
he doubled up with pain он согнулся пополам от боли
37
with motherly solicitude с материнской заботой
38
guided them entirely by telepathic means управляли ими телепатически
39
terminal point of our journey конечная цель нашего путешествия
40
with military precision с армейской точностью
41
while the women and the younger Martians formed two solid walls leading out through the chariots and quite away in plain beyond взрослые женщины и молодежь образовали живой коридор, который шел между колесницами до самой долины
42
the incubator was not to be visited another five years инкубатор не будут посещать следующие пять лет
43
the last warrior to leave the desk последний воин, покинувший судно
44
it was customary было принято
45
I never proffered any remarks myself хотя сам я ничего не говорил
46
I was all ears я стал внимательно слушать
47
with this resolution strong upon me с твердым решением
48
this city was peopled by great white apes город был населен большими белыми обезьянами
49
his nature was such его характер был таков
50
I needed some outlet for my natural affections я должен был найти выход своим естественным чувствам
51
it stung my pride это задело мою гордость