Before Adam / До Адама. Книга для чтения на английском языке. Джек Лондон

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СКАЧАТЬ he walked; and so far forward did he bend, and so long were his arms, that with every step he touched the knuckles of his hands to the ground on either side of him. He was awkward in the semi-erect position of walking that he assumed, and he really touched his knuckles to the ground in order to balance himself. But oh, I tell you he could run on all-fours[24]! Now this was something at which we were particularly awkward. Furthermore, it was a rare individual among us who balanced himself with his knuckles when walking. Such an individual was an atavism, and Red-Eye was an even greater atavism.

      That is what he was – an atavism. We were in the process of changing our tree-life to life on the ground. For many generations we had been going through this change, and our bodies and carriage had likewise changed. But Red-Eye had reverted to the more primitive tree-dwelling type. Perforce, because he was born in our horde he stayed with us; but in actuality he was an atavism and his place was elsewhere.

      Very circumspect and very alert, he moved here and there about the open space, peering through the vistas among the trees and trying to catch a glimpse of the hunting animal that all suspected had pursued me. And while he did this, taking no notice of me, the Folk crowded at the cave-mouths and watched.

      At last he evidently decided that there was no danger lurking about. He was returning from the head of the run-way, from where he had taken a peep down at the drinking-place. His course brought him near, but still he did not notice me. He proceeded casually on his way until abreast of me, and then, without warning and with incredible swiftness, he smote me a buffet on the head. I was knocked backward fully a dozen feet before I fetched up against the ground, and I remember, half-stunned, even as the blow was struck, hearing the wild uproar of clucking and shrieking laughter that arose from the caves. It was a great joke – at least in that day; and right heartily the Folk appreciated it.

      Thus was I received into the horde. Red-Eye paid no further attention to me, and I was at liberty to whimper and sob to my heart’s content[25]. Several of the women gathered curiously about me, and I recognized them. I had encountered them the preceding year when my mother had taken me to the hazelnut canyons.

      But they quickly left me alone, being replaced by a dozen curious and teasing youngsters. They formed a circle around me, pointing their fingers, making faces, and poking and pinching me. I was frightened, and for a time I endured them, then anger got the best of me and I sprang tooth and nail upon the most audacious one of them – none other than Lop-Ear himself. I have so named him because he could prick up only one of his ears. The other ear always hung limp and without movement. Some accident had injured the muscles and deprived him of the use of it.

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      Примечания

      1

      in my waking hours – когда я бодрствовал

      2

      eating my fi ll of them – (разг.) ел до отвала, сколько душе угодно

      3

      he knew me, too – (разг.

Примечания

1

in my waking hours – когда я бодрствовал

2

eating my fi ll of them – (разг.) ел до отвала, сколько душе угодно

3

he knew me, too – (разг.) он тоже меня узнал

4

if I could find but one man – (разг.) если бы я мог найти хоть одного человека

5

in default of a better phrase – (уст.) за отсутствием лучшего выражения

6

It will be noted, in passing – (разг.) Замечу походя (между делом)

7

Mid-Pleistocene – (геол.) средний плейстоцен (период истории развития земли, который начался около миллиона лет назад и продолжался 800 тысяч лет)

8

Weismann – Август Вейсман (1834–1914), немецкий биолог, теоретик эволюционного учения

9

the doubting Th omases – ср. русск. Фома неверующий

10

was a wee babe – (разг.) был младенцем

11

It was a dictate of instinct. – (разг.) Так требовал инстинкт.

12

in his day – (зд.) для своего времени

13

what enabled him to get a grip with his foot – (разг.) что позволяло ему хватать и цепляться ногами

14

never hesitating, never at a loss – (разг.) не колеблясь, не задумываясь

15

For that matter – (разг.) Раз уж на то пошло; если уж говорить об этом

16

many a time – (разг.) не раз, неоднократно

17

made his fur fly – (разг.) от него пух и перья летели

18

was СКАЧАТЬ