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Deathworld by Harry Harrison, Chapter - XVI

Chapter - XVI

XVI. It made no sense.

Jason tried to reconcile the modern machine with the barbarian and couldn't. Who was he calling? The existence of one communicator meant there was at least another. Was Rhes a person or a thing? With a mental effort he grabbed hold of his thoughts and braked them to a stop.

There was something new here, factors he hadn't counted on. He kept reassuring himself there was an explanation for everything, once you had your facts straight. Jason closed his eyes, shutting out the glaring rays of the sun where it cut through the tree tops, and reconsidered his facts.

They separated evenly into two classes; those he had observed for himself, and those he had learned from the city dwellers. This last class of "facts" he would hold, to see if they fitted with what he learned. There was a good chance that most, or all, of them would prove false. "Get up," the voice jarred into his thoughts.

"We're leaving. His legs were still numb and hardly usable.

The bearded man snorted in disgust and hauled him to his feet, propping him against the outer wall. Jason clutched the knobby bark of the logs when he was left alone. He looked around, soaking up impressions. It was the first time he had been on a farm since he had run away from home.

A different world with a different ecology, but the similarity was apparent enough to him. A new-sown field stretched down the hill in front of the shack. Ploughed by a good farmer. Even, well cast furrows that followed the contour of the slope. Another, larger log building was next to this one, probably a barn. There was a snuffling sound behind him and Jason turned quickly—and froze.

His hand called for the missing gun and his finger tightened down on a trigger that wasn't there. It had come out of the jungle and padded up quietly behind him.

It had six thick legs with clawed feet that dug into the ground. The two-meter long body was covered with matted yellow and black fur, all except the skull and shoulders. These were covered with overlapping horny plates. Jason could see all this because the beast was that close. He waited to die.

The mouth opened, a froglike division of the hairless skull, revealing double rows of jagged teeth.

"Here, Fido," the bearded man said, coming up behind Jason and snapping his fingers at the same time.

The thing bounded forward, brushing past the dazed Jason, and rubbed his head against the man's leg. "Nice doggy," the man said, his fingers scratching under the edge of the carapace where it joined the flesh. The bearded man had brought two of the riding animals out of the barn, saddled and bridled.

Jason barely noticed the details of smooth skin and long legs as he swung up on one. His feet were quickly lashed to the stirrups. When they started the skull-headed beast followed them. "Nice doggy!

Jason said, and for no reason started to laugh. The bearded man turned and scowled at him until he was quiet. By the time they entered the jungle it was dark.

It was impossible to see under the thick foliage, and they used no lights. The animals seemed to know the way. There were scraping noises and shrill calls from the jungle around them, but it didn't bother Jason too much. Perhaps the automatic manner in which the other man undertook the journey reassured him. Or the presence of the "dog" that he felt rather than saw. The trip was a long one, but not too uncomfortable. The regular motion of the animal and his fatigue overcame Jason and he dozed into a fitful sleep, waking with a start each time he slumped forward.

In the end he slept sitting up in the saddle. Hours passed this way, until he opened his eyes and saw a square of light before them. The trip was over. His legs were stiff and galled with saddle sores.

After his feet were untied getting down was an effort, and he almost fell. A door opened and Jason went in. It took his eyes some moments to get used to the light, until he could make out the form of a man on the bed before him. "Come over here and sit down.

The voice was full and strong, accustomed to command. The body was that of an invalid. A blanket covered him to the waist, above that the flesh was sickly white, spotted with red nodules, and hung loosely over the bones. There seemed to be nothing left of the man except skin and skeleton. "Not very nice," the man on the bed said, "but I've grown used to it.

His tone changed abruptly. "Naxa said you were from off-world. Is that true? Jason nodded yes, and his answer stirred the living skeleton to life.

The head lifted from the pillow and the red-rimmed eyes sought his with a desperate intensity. "My name is Rhes and I'm a ... grubber.

Will you help me? Jason wondered at the intensity of Rhes' question, all out of proportion to the simple content of its meaning.

Yet he could see no reason to give anything other than the first and obvious answer that sprang to his lips. "Of course I'll help you, in whatever way I can.

As long as it involves no injury to anyone else. What do you want? The sick man's head had fallen back limply, exhausted, as Jason talked.

But the fire still burned in the eyes. "Feel assured ... I want to injure no others," Rhes said.

"Quite the opposite. As you see I am suffering from a disease that our remedies will not stop. Within a few more days I will be dead. Now I have seen ... the city people ... using a device, they press it over a wound or an animal bite. Do you have one of these machines? "That sounds like a description of the medikit.

Jason touched the button at his waist that dropped the medikit into his hand. "I have mine here. It analyzes and treats most ..." "Would you use it on me?

Rhes broke in, his voice suddenly urgent. "I'm sorry," Jason said.

"I should have realized." He stepped forward and pressed the machine over one of the inflamed areas on Rhes' chest. The operation light came on and the thin shaft of the analyzer probe slid down. When it withdrew the device hummed, then clicked three times as three separate hypodermic needles lanced into the skin. Then the light went out. "Is that all?

Rhes asked, as he watched Jason stow the medikit back in his belt. Jason nodded, then looked up and noticed the wet marks of tears on the sick man's face.

Rhes became aware at the same time and brushed at them angrily. "When a man is sick," he growled, "the body and all its senses become traitor.

I don't think I have cried since I was a child—but you must realize it's not myself I'm crying for. It's the untold thousands of my people who have died for lack of that little device you treat so casually. "Surely you have medicines, doctors of your own?

"Herb doctors and witch doctors," Rhes said, consigning them all to oblivion with a chop of his hand.

"The few hard-working and honest men are hampered by the fact that the faith healers can usually cure better than their strongest potion. The talking had tired Rhes.

He stopped suddenly and closed his eyes. On his chest, the inflamed areas were already losing their angry color as the injections took affect. Jason glanced around the room, looking for clues to the mystery of these people. Floor and walls were made of wood lengths fitted together, free of paint or decoration.

They looked simple and crude, fit only for the savages he had expected to meet. Or were they crude? The wood had a sweeping, flamelike grain. When he bent close he saw that wax had been rubbed over the wood to bring out this pattern. Was this the act of savages—or of artistic men seeking to make the most of simple materials? The final effect was far superior to the drab paint and riveted steel rooms of the city-dwelling Pyrrans. Wasn't it true that both ends of the artistic scale were dominated by simplicity? The untutored aborigine made a simple expression of a clear idea, and created beauty. At the other extreme, the sophisticated critic rejected over-elaboration and decoration and sought the truthful clarity of uncluttered art. At which end of the scale was he looking now? These men were savages, he had been told that.

They dressed in furs and spoke a slurred and broken language, at least Naxa did. Rhes admitted he preferred faith healers to doctors. But, if all this were true, where did the communicator fit into the picture? Or the glowing ceiling that illuminated the room with a soft light? Rhes opened his eyes and stared at Jason, as if seeing him for the first time.

"Who are you?" he asked. "And what are you doing here? There was a cold menace in his words and Jason understood why.

The city Pyrrans hated the "grubbers" and, without a doubt, the feeling was mutual. Naxa's ax had proved that. Naxa had entered silently while they talked, and stood with his fingers touching the haft of this same ax. Jason knew his life was still in jeopardy, until he gave an answer that satisfied these men. He couldn't tell the truth.

If they once suspected he was spying among them to aid the city people, it would be the end. Nevertheless, he had to be free to talk about the survival problem. The answer hit him as soon as he had stated the problem.

All this had only taken an instant to consider, as he turned back to face the invalid, and he answered at once. Trying to keep his voice normal and unconcerned. "I'm Jason dinAlt, an ecologist, so you see I have the best reasons in the universe for visiting this planet—"

"What is an ecologist?

Rhes broke in. There was nothing in his voice to indicate whether he meant the question seriously, or as a trap. All traces of the ease of their earlier conversation were gone, his voice had the deadliness of a stingwing's poison. Jason chose his words carefully. "Simply stated, it is that branch of biology that considers the relations between organisms and their environment.

How climatic and other factors affect the life forms, and how the life forms in turn affect each other and the environment." That much Jason knew was true—but he really knew very little more about the subject so he moved on quickly. "I heard reports of this planet, and finally came here to study it firsthand.

I did what work I could in the shelter of the city, but it wasn't enough. The people there think I'm crazy, but they finally agreed to let me make a trip out here. "What arrangements have been made for your return?

Naxa snapped. "None," Jason told him.

"They seemed quite sure that I would be killed instantly and had no hope of me coming back. In fact, they refused to let me go and I had to break away. This answer seemed to satisfy Rhes and his face cracked into a mirthless smile.

"They would think that, those junkmen. Can't move a meter outside their own walls without an armor-plated machine as big as a barn. What did they tell you about us? Again Jason knew a lot depended on his answer.

This time he thought carefully before speaking. "Well ... perhaps I'll get that ax in the back of my neck for saying this ... but I have to be honest.

You must know what they think. They told me you were filthy and ignorant savages who smelled. And you ... well, had curious customs you practiced with the animals. In exchange for food, they traded you beads and knives ..." Both Pyrrans broke into a convulsion of laughter at this.

Rhes stopped soon, from weakness, but Naxa laughed himself into a coughing fit and had to splash water over his head from a gourd jug. "That I believe well enough," Rhes said, "it sounds like the stupidity they would talk.

Those people know nothing of the world they live in. I hope the rest of what you said is true, but even if it is not, you are welcome here. You are from off-world, that I know. No junkman would have lifted a finger to save my life. You are the first off-worlder my people have ever known and for that you are doubly welcome. We will help you in any way we can. My arm is your arm. These last words had a ritual sound to them, and when Jason repeated them, Naxa nodded at the correctness of this.

At the same time, Jason felt that they were more than empty ritual. Interdependence meant survival on Pyrrus, and he knew that these people stood together to the death against the mortal dangers around them. He hoped the ritual would include him in that protective sphere. "That is enough for tonight," Rhes said.

"The spotted sickness had weakened me, and your medicine has turned me to jelly. You will stay here, Jason. There is a blanket, but no bed at least for now. Enthusiasm had carried Jason this far, making him forget the two-gee exertions of the long day.

Now fatigue hit him a physical blow. He had dim memories of refusing food and rolling in the blanket on the floor. After that, oblivion.

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Chapter - XVI |XVI Kapitel - XVI Capítulo - XVI Глава - XVI Bölüm - XVI 第十六章

XVI. It made no sense.

Jason tried to reconcile the modern machine with the barbarian and couldn’t. |||bring together|||||||| |||узгодити||||||варвар|| Who was he calling? The existence of one communicator meant there was at least another. Was Rhes a person or a thing? With a mental effort he grabbed hold of his thoughts and braked them to a stop. |||||||||||зупинив|||| Умственным усилием он схватил свои мысли и остановил их.

There was something new here, factors he hadn’t counted on. He kept reassuring himself there was an explanation for everything, once you had your facts straight. ||втішний||||||||||||| Он продолжал уверять себя, что всему есть объяснение, стоит только разобраться в фактах. Jason closed his eyes, shutting out the glaring rays of the sun where it cut through the tree tops, and reconsidered his facts. |||||||яскраві|проміння||||||||||||переглянув|| Джейсон закрыл глаза, закрывая глаза от ослепительных лучей солнца там, где они прорезали верхушки деревьев, и переосмыслил свои факты.

They separated evenly into two classes; those he had observed for himself, and those he had learned from the city dwellers. ||рівномірно|||||||спостерігав|||||||||||мешканці міста This last class of "facts" he would hold, to see if they fitted with what he learned. Этот последний класс «фактов» он удерживал, чтобы посмотреть, согласуются ли они с тем, что он узнал. There was a good chance that most, or all, of them would prove false. Был хороший шанс, что большинство или все из них окажутся ложными. "Get up," the voice jarred into his thoughts. ||||вторглась||| ||||вразила|||

"We’re leaving. His legs were still numb and hardly usable. ||||незворотні|||придатні для використання

The bearded man snorted in disgust and hauled him to his feet, propping him against the outer wall. |||фыркнул|||||||||подперев||||| |бородатий||||||підняв|||||підпираючи||||| Бородач с отвращением фыркнул и поднял его на ноги, прислонив к внешней стене. Jason clutched the knobby bark of the logs when he was left alone. |схватился||кривой||||||||| |схопився за||горбистий|кора|||||||| Джейсон вцепился в узловатую кору бревен, когда остался один. He looked around, soaking up impressions. |||впитывая|| |||absorbing|| |||вбираючи||враження Он огляделся, впитывая впечатления. It was the first time he had been on a farm since he had run away from home.

A different world with a different ecology, but the similarity was apparent enough to him. |||з іншою||||||||||| Другой мир с другой экологией, но сходство было для него достаточно очевидным. A new-sown field stretched down the hill in front of the shack. ||||||||||||small building ||новозасіяне||||||||||хатина Перед лачугой вниз по холму тянулось свежезасеянное поле. Ploughed by a good farmer. оброблений (1)|||| Even, well cast furrows that followed the contour of the slope. |||борозды||||||| |||борозни||||контур|||схил Ровные, хорошо проложенные борозды повторяют контур склона. Another, larger log building was next to this one, probably a barn. |||||||||||сарай There was a snuffling sound behind him and Jason turned quickly—and froze. |||пыхтение||||||||| Позади него послышался сопящий звук, Джейсон быстро повернулся и замер.

His hand called for the missing gun and his finger tightened down on a trigger that wasn’t there. ||||||||||сильно стиснулася||||||| Его рука позвала пропавший пистолет, а палец нажал на спусковой крючок, которого там не было. It had come out of the jungle and padded up quietly behind him. ||||||||прошло|||| ||||||джунглі||підкрадалося|||| Оно вышло из джунглей и тихонько прокралось позади него.

It had six thick legs with clawed feet that dug into the ground. ||||||з кігтями|||вкопувалися||| У него было шесть толстых ног с когтистыми лапами, которые впивались в землю. The two-meter long body was covered with matted yellow and black fur, all except the skull and shoulders. ||||||||смешанным|||||||||| ||||||||зваляна||||||||череп|| Двухметровое тело было покрыто спутанным желто-черным мехом, кроме черепа и плеч. These were covered with overlapping horny plates. ||||перекриваючі|рогові| Они были покрыты перекрывающимися роговыми пластинами. Jason could see all this because the beast was that close. He waited to die. |чекав||

The mouth opened, a froglike division of the hairless skull, revealing double rows of jagged teeth. ||||лягушачий||||||||||| Це||||жабоподібний|разділення|||безволосий|череп|виявляючи||||зубчасті|зуби Рот открылся, словно лягушачья часть безволосого черепа, обнажая двойной ряд зазубренных зубов.

"Here, Fido," the bearded man said, coming up behind Jason and snapping his fingers at the same time. |Фидо|||||||||||||||| |Фідо||||||||||клацання|||||| — Вот, Фидо, — сказал бородатый мужчина, подходя к Джейсону сзади и одновременно щелкая пальцами.

The thing bounded forward, brushing past the dazed Jason, and rubbed his head against the man’s leg. |||||||поражённого||||||||| ||помчала|||||запаморочений||||||||| Существо рванулось вперед, пронеслось мимо ошеломленного Джейсона и потерлось головой о ногу мужчины. "Nice doggy," the man said, his fingers scratching under the edge of the carapace where it joined the flesh. |||||||||||||панцир||||| — Хорошая собачка, — сказал мужчина, царапая пальцами край панциря в том месте, где он стыковался с плотью. The bearded man had brought two of the riding animals out of the barn, saddled and bridled. ||||||||||||||оседланные|| ||||||||||||||||controlled or restrained |бородатий||||||the|||||||осідлані||обуздані Бородач вывел из амбара двух ездовых животных, оседлал и взнуздал их.

Jason barely noticed the details of smooth skin and long legs as he swung up on one. |||||||||||||вскочил||| |ледве||||||||||||||| Джейсон едва заметил детали гладкой кожи и длинных ног, когда запрыгнул на одну из них. His feet were quickly lashed to the stirrups. ||||привязаны|||стремянкам ||||secured tightly||| ||||прив'язані|||стремена Его ноги быстро привязали к стременам. When they started the skull-headed beast followed them. Когда они начали, черепоголовый зверь последовал за ними. "Nice doggy! «Хорошая собачка!

Jason said, and for no reason started to laugh. — сказал Джейсон и ни с того ни с сего начал смеяться. The bearded man turned and scowled at him until he was quiet. |||||смотрелся сердито|||||| |||||насупився|||||| Бородатый мужчина повернулся и сердито посмотрел на него, пока тот не замолчал. By the time they entered the jungle it was dark.

It was impossible to see under the thick foliage, and they used no lights. ||||||the той||листя||||| The animals seemed to know the way. There were scraping noises and shrill calls from the jungle around them, but it didn’t bother Jason too much. ||скребущие|||пронзительные||||||||||||| Из джунглей вокруг доносились шорохи и пронзительные крики, но Джейсона это не слишком беспокоило. Perhaps the automatic manner in which the other man undertook the journey reassured him. |||||||||предпринял|||| |||||||||виконав|||заспокоїла| Возможно, автоматическая манера, с которой другой человек предпринял путешествие, успокоила его. Or the presence of the "dog" that he felt rather than saw. The trip was a long one, but not too uncomfortable. The regular motion of the animal and his fatigue overcame Jason and he dozed into a fitful sleep, waking with a start each time he slumped forward. |||||||||||||дремал|||прерывистый|||||||||наклонялся| ||||||||||||||||intermittent|||||||||| ||рух||||||втома|перемогла||||дремав|||переривчастий|||||||||нахилився вперед| Равномерное движение животного и его усталость одолели Джейсона, и он задремал прерывистым сном, просыпаясь каждый раз, когда резко падал вперед.

In the end he slept sitting up in the saddle. В конце концов он заснул сидя в седле. Hours passed this way, until he opened his eyes and saw a square of light before them. Так прошли часы, пока он не открыл глаза и не увидел перед собой квадрат света. The trip was over. His legs were stiff and galled with saddle sores. |||||пострадали||седло|язвы ||||||||saddle sores |||||пошкоджені||сідло|виразки Его ноги были жесткими и покрыты язвами седла.

After his feet were untied getting down was an effort, and he almost fell. A door opened and Jason went in. It took his eyes some moments to get used to the light, until he could make out the form of a man on the bed before him. Его глазам потребовалось несколько мгновений, чтобы привыкнуть к свету, пока он не смог разглядеть фигуру мужчины на кровати перед собой. "Come over here and sit down. "Иди сюда и садись.

The voice was full and strong, accustomed to command. ||||||привчене|| Голос был полный и сильный, привыкший командовать. The body was that of an invalid. Тіло||||||інваліда Тело было телом инвалида. A blanket covered him to the waist, above that the flesh was sickly white, spotted with red nodules, and hung loosely over the bones. ||||||||||||больной||||||||||| |||||||||||||||||lumps|||||| ||||||талія||||||||вкраплений|||вузлики||звисала|слабо||| Одеяло укрывало его до пояса, сверху плоть была болезненно-белой, испещренной красными узелками, и свободно свисала над костями. There seemed to be nothing left of the man except skin and skeleton. Казалось, от человека не осталось ничего, кроме кожи и скелета. "Not very nice," the man on the bed said, "but I’ve grown used to it. |||||||||||become accustomed||| — Не очень приятно, — сказал мужчина на кровати, — но я к этому привык.

His tone changed abruptly. |||раптово "Naxa said you were from off-world. Накса|||||| «Накса сказал, что ты из другого мира. Is that true? Jason nodded yes, and his answer stirred the living skeleton to life. ||||||привела||||| ||||||оживив||||| Джейсон утвердительно кивнул, и его ответ оживил живой скелет.

The head lifted from the pillow and the red-rimmed eyes sought his with a desperate intensity. |||||||||обведені червоною облямівкою||шукали|||||інтенсивність Голова поднялась с подушки, и красные глаза искали его с отчаянной напряженностью. "My name is Rhes and I’m a ... grubber. Моє|||||||грубер «Меня зовут Рес, и я… корчеватель.

Will you help me? Jason wondered at the intensity of Rhes' question, all out of proportion to the simple content of its meaning. Джейсона удивила интенсивность вопроса Реса, совершенно несоразмерная простому содержанию его смысла.

Yet he could see no reason to give anything other than the first and obvious answer that sprang to his lips. |||||||||||||||||спала||| И все же он не видел причин давать что-либо, кроме первого и очевидного ответа, который сорвался с его губ. "Of course I’ll help you, in whatever way I can. «Конечно, я помогу тебе, чем смогу.

As long as it involves no injury to anyone else. При условии, что это не связано с причинением вреда кому-либо еще. What do you want? The sick man’s head had fallen back limply, exhausted, as Jason talked.

But the fire still burned in the eyes. "Feel assured ... I want to injure no others," Rhes said. — Будьте уверены… Я не хочу никому причинять вреда, — сказал Рес.

"Quite the opposite. "Наоборот. As you see I am suffering from a disease that our remedies will not stop. |||||страждаю||||||||| Within a few more days I will be dead. Now I have seen ... the city people ... using a device, they press it over a wound or an animal bite. Теперь я видел... горожан... с помощью аппарата они накладывают его на рану или укус животного. Do you have one of these machines? "That sounds like a description of the medikit. |||||||медичний набір "Звучит как описание аптечки.

Jason touched the button at his waist that dropped the medikit into his hand. ||||||талії||||||| Джейсон коснулся кнопки на поясе, и аптечка попала ему в руку. "I have mine here. It analyzes and treats most ..." |||лікує| Он анализирует и лечит большинство..." "Would you use it on me?

Rhes broke in, his voice suddenly urgent. ||||||терміновим — вмешался Рес, его голос внезапно стал настойчивым. "I’m sorry," Jason said.

"I should have realized." «Я должен был понять». He stepped forward and pressed the machine over one of the inflamed areas on Rhes' chest. |||||||||||запалені|||| Он шагнул вперед и прижал машину к одному из воспаленных участков на груди Реса. The operation light came on and the thin shaft of the analyzer probe slid down. ||||||||вал|||||| ||||||||||||зонда|| Загорелся индикатор работы, и тонкий стержень зонда анализатора скользнул вниз. When it withdrew the device hummed, then clicked three times as three separate hypodermic needles lanced into the skin. ||вона відступила|||||||||||гіподермічні||вкололи||| Когда он вытащил устройство, оно загудело, а затем трижды щелкнуло, когда три отдельные иглы для подкожных инъекций вонзились в кожу. Then the light went out. Затем свет погас. "Is that all?

Rhes asked, as he watched Jason stow the medikit back in his belt. ||||||убрать|||||| ||||||store|||||| ||||||приховати||медичний набір||||пояс — спросил Рес, наблюдая, как Джейсон засовывает аптечку обратно за пояс. Jason nodded, then looked up and noticed the wet marks of tears on the sick man’s face. Джейсон кивнул, затем поднял голову и заметил мокрые следы слез на лице больного.

Rhes became aware at the same time and brushed at them angrily. ||усвідомив||||||||| В то же время Рес осознал это и сердито коснулся их. "When a man is sick," he growled, "the body and all its senses become traitor. ||||||||||||||зрадник «Когда человек болен, — прорычал он, — тело и все его чувства становятся предателями.

I don’t think I have cried since I was a child—but you must realize it’s not myself I’m crying for. Не думаю, что я плакал с детства, но вы должны понять, что я плачу не из-за себя. It’s the untold thousands of my people who have died for lack of that little device you treat so casually. ||недосяжні|||||||||||||||||нехтуючи ним Это неисчислимые тысячи моих людей погибли из-за отсутствия этого маленького устройства, к которому вы относитесь так небрежно. "Surely you have medicines, doctors of your own? «Неужели у вас есть свои лекарства, врачи?

"Herb doctors and witch doctors," Rhes said, consigning them all to oblivion with a chop of his hand. |||||||отправив|||||||||| ||||||||||||||gesture||| Лікарі травники|||||||засуджуючи||||забуття|||||| — Травники и знахари, — сказал Рес, предав их всех забвению ударом руки. "Лікарі-травники та відьми," - сказав Рес, відправляючи їх усіх у забуття різким рухом руки.

"The few hard-working and honest men are hampered by the fact that the faith healers can usually cure better than their strongest potion. ||||||||заважають||||||віра|цілителі віри|||лікувати|||||зілля «Немногим трудолюбивым и честным людям мешает тот факт, что целители верой обычно могут лечить лучше, чем их самое сильное зелье. "Кілька старанних і чесних чоловіків заважає той факт, що цілителі з вірою зазвичай можуть вилікувати краще, ніж їхнє найпотужніше зілля. The talking had tired Rhes. Разговор утомил Реса. Розмови втомили Реса.

He stopped suddenly and closed his eyes. On his chest, the inflamed areas were already losing their angry color as the injections took affect. ||||||||||||||ін'єкції|| На его груди воспаленные участки уже теряли свой гневный цвет, когда уколы подействовали. Jason glanced around the room, looking for clues to the mystery of these people. |||||||підказки|||||| Floor and walls were made of wood lengths fitted together, free of paint or decoration. |||||||дошки||||з|||

They looked simple and crude, fit only for the savages he had expected to meet. ||||грубі|||||||||| Они выглядели простыми и грубыми, подходящими только для дикарей, которых он ожидал встретить. Or were they crude? Або||| Или они были грубы? The wood had a sweeping, flamelike grain. ||||широкое|| ||||broad and flowing|| |||||пламенеподібна|візерунок деревини У дерева была широкая, похожая на пламя текстура. When he bent close he saw that wax had been rubbed over the wood to bring out this pattern. ||нахилився|||||восок||||||||||| Когда он наклонился, то увидел, что дерево было натерто воском, чтобы подчеркнуть этот узор. Was this the act of savages—or of artistic men seeking to make the most of simple materials? Был ли это поступок дикарей или творческих людей, стремящихся максимально использовать простые материалы? The final effect was far superior to the drab paint and riveted steel rooms of the city-dwelling Pyrrans. ||||||||скучной|||закованного||||||| ||||||||dull|||||||||| ||||||||похмурий|||зварені заклепками||||||жителі міста| Окончательный эффект был намного лучше, чем тусклая краска и клепанные стальные комнаты городских пиррян. Wasn’t it true that both ends of the artistic scale were dominated by simplicity? |||||||||||||простотою Не правда ли, что на обоих концах художественной шкалы господствовала простота? The untutored aborigine made a simple expression of a clear idea, and created beauty. |некультурный|||||||||||| ||native person||||||||||| |некультурний|аборигенний народ||||||||||| Необразованный абориген просто выразил ясную идею и создал красоту. At the other extreme, the sophisticated critic rejected over-elaboration and decoration and sought the truthful clarity of uncluttered art. ||||||||||||||||||незагроможденного| ||||||||||||||||||simple and clear| |||||вишуканий||відкинув||перебільшення||||шукав|||ясність||незавантаженого| С другой стороны, искушенный критик отвергал чрезмерную проработку и украшательство и стремился к правдивой ясности лаконичного искусства. At which end of the scale was he looking now? |||||шкала|||| These men were savages, he had been told that. Эти люди были дикарями, так ему сказали.

They dressed in furs and spoke a slurred and broken language, at least Naxa did. |||||||смешанном||||||| |||||||незрозуміло||||||| Они были одеты в меха и говорили на невнятном и ломаном языке, по крайней мере, Накса. Rhes admitted he preferred faith healers to doctors. ||||цілителі|цілителі|| Рес признался, что предпочитает врачей знахарям. But, if all this were true, where did the communicator fit into the picture? Но если все это было правдой, то какое место в этой картине занимал коммуникатор? Or the glowing ceiling that illuminated the room with a soft light? Или светящийся потолок, освещавший комнату мягким светом? Rhes opened his eyes and stared at Jason, as if seeing him for the first time.

"Who are you?" he asked. "And what are you doing here? There was a cold menace in his words and Jason understood why. ||||загроза|||||||

The city Pyrrans hated the "grubbers" and, without a doubt, the feeling was mutual. |||||||||||||взаємний Naxa’s ax had proved that. Накса|||| Naxa had entered silently while they talked, and stood with his fingers touching the haft of this same ax. ||||||||||||||рукоятка|||| ||||||||||||||handle|||| Накса|||||||||||||||||| Пока они разговаривали, Накса молча вошел и остановился, касаясь пальцами рукояти того самого топора. Jason knew his life was still in jeopardy, until he gave an answer that satisfied these men. |||||||опасности||||||||| |||||||небезпека||||||||| Джейсон знал, что его жизнь все еще в опасности, пока не дал ответ, который удовлетворил этих людей. He couldn’t tell the truth.

If they once suspected he was spying among them to aid the city people, it would be the end. ||||||шпигунством|||||||||||| Если бы они однажды заподозрили, что он шпионит среди них, чтобы помочь горожанам, это был бы конец. Nevertheless, he had to be free to talk about the survival problem. тим не менше||||||||||| Тем не менее, он должен был быть свободен, чтобы говорить о проблеме выживания. The answer hit him as soon as he had stated the problem. |||||||||вказав|| Ответ поразил его, как только он сформулировал проблему.

All this had only taken an instant to consider, as he turned back to face the invalid, and he answered at once. ||||||||||||||||disabled person||||| Все это заняло всего мгновение, чтобы обдумать, как он снова повернулся лицом к больному и тотчас же ответил. Trying to keep his voice normal and unconcerned. |||||||байдужий Стараясь, чтобы его голос был нормальным и беззаботным. "I’m Jason dinAlt, an ecologist, so you see I have the best reasons in the universe for visiting this planet—"

"What is an ecologist?

Rhes broke in. – вмешался Рес. There was nothing in his voice to indicate whether he meant the question seriously, or as a trap. |||||||||||||||||пастка В его голосе не было ничего, что указывало бы на то, серьезно ли он относится к этому вопросу или как ловушку. All traces of the ease of their earlier conversation were gone, his voice had the deadliness of a stingwing’s poison. ||||||||||||||||||жала| |слід||||||||||||||смертельність|||жала шершня| Все следы непринужденности их предыдущей беседы исчезли, в его голосе была смертоносность яда жалокрыла. Jason chose his words carefully. "Simply stated, it is that branch of biology that considers the relations between organisms and their environment. |просто кажучи||||||||вивчає||взаємозв'язки|||||

How climatic and other factors affect the life forms, and how the life forms in turn affect each other and the environment." That much Jason knew was true—but he really knew very little more about the subject so he moved on quickly. Многое из того, что знал Джейсон, было правдой, но на самом деле он очень мало знал об этом предмете, поэтому быстро продолжил. "I heard reports of this planet, and finally came here to study it firsthand. |||||||||||||на власні очі

I did what work I could in the shelter of the city, but it wasn’t enough. ||||||||притулок||||||| Я делал все, что мог, в убежище города, но этого было недостаточно. The people there think I’m crazy, but they finally agreed to let me make a trip out here. Люди там думают, что я сошел с ума, но в конце концов они согласились позволить мне совершить путешествие сюда. "What arrangements have been made for your return? |угоди|||||| «Какие приготовления были сделаны для вашего возвращения?

Naxa snapped. "None," Jason told him.

"They seemed quite sure that I would be killed instantly and had no hope of me coming back. In fact, they refused to let me go and I had to break away. |||відмовили|||||||||| На самом деле они отказались меня отпускать, и мне пришлось оторваться. This answer seemed to satisfy Rhes and his face cracked into a mirthless smile. ||||||||||||безрадостной| ||||задовольнити|||||потрісканий|||безрадісний| Этот ответ, казалось, удовлетворил Реса, и его лицо расплылось в безрадостной улыбке.

"They would think that, those junkmen. |||||сміттярі «Они бы так подумали, эти старьевщики. Can’t move a meter outside their own walls without an armor-plated machine as big as a barn. |||||||||||бронированою|||||| Не могут пройти ни на метр за пределы собственных стен без бронированной машины размером с амбар. What did they tell you about us? Again Jason knew a lot depended on his answer. И снова Джейсон понял, что многое зависит от его ответа.

This time he thought carefully before speaking. "Well ... perhaps I’ll get that ax in the back of my neck for saying this ... but I have to be honest.

You must know what they think. They told me you were filthy and ignorant savages who smelled. |||||брудні||||| Мне сказали, что вы грязные и невежественные дикари, которые пахнут. And you ... well, had curious customs you practiced with the animals. ||||цікаві|звичаї||||| А у вас... ну, у вас были любопытные обычаи, которые вы практиковали с животными. In exchange for food, they traded you beads and knives ..." |||||||бусини||ножі В обмен на еду они обменивали вас на бусы и ножи…» Both Pyrrans broke into a convulsion of laughter at this. |||||судома сміху|||| При этом оба пиррианца разразились конвульсиями смеха.

Rhes stopped soon, from weakness, but Naxa laughed himself into a coughing fit and had to splash water over his head from a gourd jug. |||||||||||||||||||||||тыква|кувшин |||||||||||кашель||||||||||||посудина для води|глечик Рес вскоре остановился от слабости, но Накса расхохотался до приступа кашля, и ему пришлось плеснуть себе на голову водой из тыквенного кувшина. "That I believe well enough," Rhes said, "it sounds like the stupidity they would talk. |||||||||||дурість||| -- Я вполне уверен, -- сказал Рес, -- что это звучит как глупость, которую они будут говорить.

Those people know nothing of the world they live in. I hope the rest of what you said is true, but even if it is not, you are welcome here. You are from off-world, that I know. No junkman would have lifted a finger to save my life. |брухтозбирач||||||||| You are the first off-worlder my people have ever known and for that you are doubly welcome. ||||||||||||||||подвійно| We will help you in any way we can. My arm is your arm. These last words had a ritual sound to them, and when Jason repeated them, Naxa nodded at the correctness of this. Эти последние слова звучали как ритуал, и когда Джейсон повторил их, Накса кивнула, подтверждая правильность этого.

At the same time, Jason felt that they were more than empty ritual. В то же время Джейсон чувствовал, что это больше, чем пустой ритуал. Interdependence meant survival on Pyrrus, and he knew that these people stood together to the death against the mortal dangers around them. Взаємозалежність||||||||||||||||||смертельний||| Взаимозависимость означала выживание на Пирре, и он знал, что эти люди вместе стоят насмерть против окружающих их смертельных опасностей. He hoped the ritual would include him in that protective sphere. ||||||||||сфера Он надеялся, что ритуал включит его в эту защитную сферу. "That is enough for tonight," Rhes said.

"The spotted sickness had weakened me, and your medicine has turned me to jelly. |||||||||||||м'який стан «Пятнистая болезнь ослабила меня, и ваше лекарство превратило меня в студень. You will stay here, Jason. There is a blanket, but no bed at least for now. |||ковдра||||||| Enthusiasm had carried Jason this far, making him forget the two-gee exertions of the long day. ||||||||||||усилиях|||| ||||||||забути||||зусилля|||| Энтузиазм завел Джейсона так далеко, заставив его забыть о усилиях долгого дня в два g.

Now fatigue hit him a physical blow. |втома||||| He had dim memories of refusing food and rolling in the blanket on the floor. ||туманні|||||||||||| У него были смутные воспоминания об отказе от еды и катании одеяла по полу. After that, oblivion. ||забуття