Лучшие романы Томаса Майна Рида / The Best of Thomas Mayne Reid

His astonishment, mixed with admiration, hindered him from making a ready rejoinder.

“To speak truth,” continued the young lady, with an air of charming simplicity, “I was not sorry at being run off with. One sometimes gets tired of too much talk – of the kind called complimentary. I wanted fresh air, and to be alone. So you see, Mr Gerald, it was rather a bit of good fortune: since it saved explanations and adieus.”

“You wanted to be alone?” responded the mustanger, with a disappointed look. “I am sorry I should have made the mistake to have intruded upon you. I assure you, Miss Poindexter, I followed, because I believed you to be in danger.”

“Most gallant of you, sir; and now that I know there was danger, I am truly grateful. I presume I have guessed aright: you meant the Indians?”

“No; not Indians exactly – at least, it was not of them I was thinking.”

“Some other danger? What is it, sir? You will tell me, so that I may be more cautious for the future?”

Maurice did not make immediate answer. A sound striking upon his ear had caused him to turn away – as if inattentive to the interrogatory.

The Creole, perceiving there was some cause for his abstraction, likewise assumed a listening attitude. She heard a shrill scream, succeeded by another and another, close followed by a loud hammering of hoofs – the conjunction of sounds causing the still atmosphere to vibrate around her.

It was no mystery to the hunter of horses. The words that came quick from his lips – though not designed – were a direct answer to the question she had put.

“The wild stallions!” he exclaimed, in a tone that betokened alarm. “I knew they must be among those mottes; and they are!”

“Is that the danger of which you have been speaking?”

“It is.”

“What fear of them? They are only mustangs!”

“True, and at other times there is no cause to fear them. But just now, at this season of the year, they become as savage as tigers, and equally as vindictive. Ah! the wild steed in his rage is an enemy more to be dreaded than wolf, panther, or bear.”

“What are we to do?” inquired the young lady, now, for the first time, giving proof that she felt fear – by riding close up to the man who had once before rescued her from a situation of peril, and gazing anxiously in his face, as she awaited the answer.

“If they should charge upon us,” answered Maurice, “there are but two ways of escape. One, by ascending a tree, and abandoning our horses to their fury.”

“The other?” asked the Creole, with a sang froid[155] that showed a presence of mind likely to stand the test of the most exciting crisis. “Anything but abandon our animals! ’Twould be but a shabby way of making our escape!”

“We shall not have an opportunity of trying it, I perceive it is impracticable. There’s not a tree within sight large enough to afford us security. If attacked, we have no alternative but to trust to the fleetness of our horses. Unfortunately,” continued he, with a glance of inspection towards the spotted mare, and then at his own horse, “they’ve had too much work this morning. Both are badly blown. That will be our greatest source of danger. The wild steeds are sure to be fresh.”

“Do you intend us to start now?”

“Not yet. The longer we can breathe our animals the better. The stallions may not come this way; or if so, may not molest us. It will depend on their mood at the moment. If battling among themselves, we may look out for their attack. Then they have lost their reason – if I may so speak – and will recklessly rush upon one of their own kind – even with a man upon his back. Ha! ’tis as I expected: they are in conflict. I can tell by their cries! And driving this way, too!”

“But, Mr Gerald; why should we not ride off at once, in the opposite direction?”

“’Twould be of no use. There’s no cover to conceal us, on that side – nothing but open plain. They’ll be out upon it before we could get a sufficient start, and would soon overtake us. The place we must make for – the only safe one I can think of – lies the other way. They are now upon the direct path to it, if I can judge by what I hear; and, if we start too soon, we may ride into their teeth. We must wait, and try to steal away behind them. If we succeed in getting past, and can keep our distance for a two-mile gallop, I know a spot, where we shall be as safe as if inside the corrals of Casa del Corvo. You are sure you can control the mustang?”

“Quite sure,” was the prompt reply: all idea of deception being abandoned in presence of the threatening peril.

Chapter 16

Chased by Wild Stallions

The two sat expectant in their saddles – she, apparently, with more confidence than he: for she confided in him. Still but imperfectly comprehending it, she knew there must be some great danger. When such a man showed sign of fear, it could not be otherwise. She had a secret happiness in thinking: that a portion of this fear was for her own safety.

“I think we may venture now;” said her companion, after a short period spent in listening; “they appear to have passed the opening by which we must make our retreat. Look well to your riding, I entreat you! Keep a firm seat in the saddle, and a sure hold of the rein. Gallop by my side, where the ground will admit of it; but in no case let more than the length of my horse’s tail be between us. I must perforce go ahead to guide the way. Ha! they are coming direct for the glade. They’re already close to its edge. Our time is up!”

The profound stillness that but a short while before pervaded the prairie, no longer reigned over it. In its stead had arisen a fracas that resembled the outpouring of some overcrowded asylum; for in the shrill neighing of the steeds might have been fancied the screams of maniacs – only ten times more vociferous. They were mingled with a thunder-like hammering of hoofs – a swishing and crashing of branches – savage snorts, accompanied by the sharp snapping of teeth – the dull “thud” of heels coming in contact with ribs and rounded hips – squealing that betokened spite or pain – all forming a combination of sounds that jarred harshly upon the ear, and caused the earth to quake, as if oscillating upon its orbit!

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «Литрес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на Литрес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.

Примечания

1

Texas – a state in the South West of the USA (678,358 square kilometres); till 1836 Texas belonged to Mexico; after the independence from Mexico had been declared, the territory was included in the USA and became a state in 1845

2

savannah – a plain with grass and no trees

3

prairie – a level treeless land covered with grass

4

the Leona – the river in Texas, USA

5

serape – a bright, coloured Mexican shawl or plaid

6

cicada – a flying insect which produces a shrill sound in hot, dry weather

7

nimbus – a light or golden circle round the saint’s head; a rain cloud

8

azure – (poet.) bright blue (usually about the sky)

9

centaurean – from centaur – in Greek mythology, a strange creature, half man and half horse

10

San Antonio de Bejar – the city in south-central Texas; it was founded by the Spanish expedition from Mexico in 1718

11

Osnaburgh – a linen cloth of a certain trademark

12

Pittsburgh – the city in Pennsylvania on the Monongahela River; the first settlement was founded in 1758

13

Kentucky – the state in the south of the United States (104,664 square kilometres); it was admitted as the 15th state in 1792

14

Jehu – the King of Israel (842–815 BC) who was a great chariot driver

15

Indianola – the city in central Iowa founded in 1849; there used to be a town of the same name in Texas

16

the Gulf of Matagorda – the Bay of Matagorda, an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico in southern Texas

17

en route – on the way to/from (French)

18

cortège – a procession (French)

19

nankin – a kind of rich cloth

20

A Leghorn hat is a hat made of straw imported from Livorno, a town in Italy

21

A Panama hat is a light hat made of plaited palm leaves; the name comes from Panama, a Spanish-speaking republic in Central America

22

entourage – people accompanying a respected or high-ranking person

23

carriole – a light, covered carriage drawn by one horse

24

a Jersey wagon – a light two-wheeled carriage

25

a barouche – a four-wheeled carriage for four passengers and the driver, with two seats facing each other

26

the Mississippi – the largest river in North America; it flows south to the Gulf of Mexico. Together with its tributary, the Missouri River, the Mississippi is the longest river in the world

27

Louisiana – the US state (123,366 square kilometres) admitted to the union in 1812 as the 18th member; it borders Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas

28

a Creole – in the old French or Spanish states in the south of the USA, a person of pure European or mixed European origin; descendants of the French and Spanish settlers

29

penates – home, household; in Roman mythology, Penates were household gods who protected the house

30

Erebus – in Greek mythology, Erebus (Darkness) is the offspring of Chaos (the Greek for Abyss)

31

gramineae – grass

32

algarobias – a kind of wood species

33

mezquites – a name of a bush with thorns

34

Fort Inge – a settlement built in 1849 on the eastern bank of the Leona River, 135 kilometres south-west of San Antonio

35

lazo – lasso – a long rope used for catching horses and cattle

36

ranchero – rancher (Spanish)

37

calzoneros – trousers (Spanish)

38

calzoncillos – men’s underwear (Spanish)

39

botas – boots (Spanish)

40

Moorish – related to the Moors, a population of medieval Spain and Portugal of Moroccan, Algerian or Berber origin; the Moorish style is typical for architecture and decorative art of medieval Spain

41

the Conquistadores – participants of the Spanish conquest of America in the 16th century

42

cavallero – a nobleman; originally: a cavalry man, a military man on horseback

43

mustangs – North American wild horses; they descended from Spanish horses brought to America in the 16th century. Tamed mustangs are known for their speed and strength

44

a Jack – a common man, a plebeian

45

a tête-à-tête – a private meeting of two persons

46

piccaninny – (US) a small child; an African baby

47

Lucifer – in Greek and Roman mythology, the Lightbearer – the morning star, symbol of dawn; in Christianity, the name of Satan before his fall

48

Tartarus – in Greek mythology, the deepest part of the underworld

49

Pluto – in Greek mythology and religion, the son of Cronus, and brother of Zeus; he ruled the underworld, the dark land of the dead

50

Proserpine or Persephone – in Greek mythology and religion, the wife of Pluto, king of the underworld

51

hullabalooing – making a lot of noise about smth; expressing excitement

52

ambuscade = ambush – an unexpected attack from a hidden place

53

lorgnette = binoculars, field-glasses (French)

54

ghouls – in Arabic folklore, demonic spirits who inhabit cemeteries and deserted places

55

ogres – in fairy-tales, giants eating human beings

56

Titans – in Greek mythology, the children of Uranius (Heaven) and Gaea (Earth)

57

Bacchus – in Greek mythology and religion, the god of vegetation, better known as the god of wine and ecstasy; in Roman mythology this god is known as Dionysus

58

musketry – from musket – a firearm of the 16th–18th centuries; in the 19th century it was replaced by a rifle

59

crape – black silk or cotton material

60

sombrero – a broad-brimmed Spanish or Mexican hat made of straw or felt

61

Cimmerian – related to the Cimmerians, the ancient people of unknown origin who lived north of the Caucasus till the 8th century BC; later they were driven by the Scythians to Anatolia

62

Aeolus – in Greek mythology, the god of wind

63

the Rio Grande – the river in North America; it forms the border between Texas and Mexico. The river starts in the Rocky Mountains and flows to the Gulf of Mexico

64

mustanger – a man who catches, tames and sells mustangs

65

Satan – the prince of evil forces, the enemy of God; he is also identified with the devil

66

Mon Dieu! = My God! (French)

67

the Rio de Nueces – the Nueces River in Texas and Mexico

68

Fouquiera splendens – ocotillo, or wine cactus, a flowering shrub which grows in Texas, California and Mexico

69

Lipano – the Lipan people – the Indian nomad tribe of western Texas

70

Comanche – North American Indian tribe of the Great Plains; they were skilled horsemen and led a nomadic life

71

Rangers – in the USA, soldiers, trained to make rapid attacks on the enemy territory; in Texas, Rangers were formed into regiments and used in federal service as law-enforcement forces

72

moccasin – a shoe of soft leather worn by North American Indians, hunters and traders; also a common name of Agkistrodon vipers

73

tarantula – a poisonous spider

74

centipede – a long, many-segmented insect; each segment has one pair of legs

75

the Alamo – one of the tributaries of the Nueces River; also the old chapel of the Franciscan mission, founded in 1716–1718, the place of the historic resistance of fighters for the independence of Texas from Mexico

76

papeterie – a set of writing materials (French)

77

portmanteau – a suitcase consisting of two parts that fold together

78

demijohn – a large glass wine bottle

79

corduroy – a durable fabric, used for breeches, coats, jackets and trousers

80

calico – a cotton fabric with simple designs; it first appeared in the 11th century in Calicut, India

81

brogues – strong leather shoes with stitches

82

Milesian – related to Milesians, the ancestors of the Celtic population of Ireland

83

Galway – a county in western Ireland, the largest Gaelic-speaking region of the country; a seaport and the county town of County Galway

84

Connemara – a region in County Galway, a lowland with bogs, lakes and uplands

85

manada – herd of horses (Spanish)

86

ci-devant – 1. former; 2. before (French)

87

Howly Vargin – Holy Virgin, Mother of Jesus

88

Saint Patrick – bishop and patron saint of Ireland, national apostle who brought Christianity to the country in the 5th century

89

Yankees – citizens of the USA, or more precisely of the six New England states; the origin of the word is unknown; it came into use during the Civil War in 1861–1865

90

Galwegian – inhabitant of Galway

91

grog – an alcoholic drink mixed with water

92

Nothing in his tout ensemble means nothing in his cloths

93

métier – profession, occupation, business (French)

94

Orleens – New Orleans – the largest city and port on the Mississippi River, founded in 1718 by the French settlers; in 1763 New Orleans was given to the Spanish government, but in 1803 it was returned to France. In the same year Napoleon sold it to the United States

95

Saint Looey – St. Louis – the largest city in Missouri, located on the bank of the Mississippi River; it used to be the Gateway of the West at the time of the first settlers. The Missouri River joins the Mississippi to the north of St. Louis

96

Loozeyanner – Louisiana

97

cabriesto – a kind of rope

98

the garden of Eden – in the Bible, an earthly paradise where the first people, Adam and Eve, lived

99

fracas – noise; noisy quarrel

100

Alacran – Alacran tartarus, a kind of poisonous insects

101

revanche – compensation, satisfaction (French)

102

cantata penserosa – a short musical work for a choir and a soloist

103

hydrophoby – fear of water

104

cavallada – a mare (female horse) (Spanish)

105

mise-en-scène – a scene; view (French)

106

jacalés – a hut with walls covered with clay

107

faro, monté – the names of card games

108

hacienda – an estate and an estate house in Texas, Mexico and South America (Spanish)

109

the Guadalupe mountains – the mountains in western Texas and New Mexico

110

the Llano Estacado – a region in the USA on the border of Texas and New Mexico

111

Ethiopia – the country in eastern Africa (1,063,652 square km)

112

the Mexican war – the war between Mexico and the United States in 1846–1848; after the victory, the USA acquired over 1,300,000 square km of Mexican territory

113

Scott’s campaign – a military campaign in the course of Mexican war

114

monté-table – here: a table used for gambling (French)

115

Colt – Samuel Colt (1814–1868), American firearms manufacturer who perfected and patented a revolver

116

corps-d’armée – army corps (French)

117

Morisco – Moorish (Spanish)

118

Andalusia – a historic region in the south of Spain (87,590 square km); the capital is Seville; Andalusian culture was greatly influenced by many centuries of Moorish rule

119

Teutonic tongue – a Germanic language; Germanic languages belong to the Indo-European family

120

peons – workmen hired by the day, who worked in the fields

121

vaquero – a shepherd (Spanish)

122

Azteca – the historical land of the Aztec in the northwest of Mexico; in the 15th–16th centuries the Aztec ruled a large empire; their origin is uncertain; after the Spanish conquest the Aztec empire came to an end

123

Anahuac – the part of Aztec Mexico (4,000 square km) where Tenochtitlan, the Aztec capital, was located

124

Phidias – the Greek sculptor of the 5th century BC who created the impressive images of the Greek gods; he supervised the construction of Parthenon and initiated a building program in Athens