Белый Клык / White Fang

But gods are used to being obeyed, and Grey Beaver pursued him in his canoe. He lifted him from water by the nape of the neck. Holding him with one hand, with the other hand he gave him a beating. And it was a beating. His hand was heavy. And White Fang snarled.

Grey Beaver continued to beat, White Fang continued to snarl. But this could not last forever. Finally he broke down and began to cry. For a time each blow brought a yell from him. At last Grey Beaver stopped. White Fang continued to cry. This seemed to satisfy his master, who threw him down roughly in the bottom of the canoe. When Grey Beaver took the paddle and hit the cub savagely with his foot, White Fang’s free nature protested again, and he sank his teeth into the moccasined foot.

The beating that had gone before was nothing compared with the beating he now received. Grey Beaver’s wrath was terrible; likewise was White Fang’s fright. Not only the hand, but the hard wooden paddle was used upon him; and he was bruised and sore in all his small body. Again, and this time with purpose, did Grey Beaver kick him. White Fang did not repeat his attack on the foot. He had learned another lesson of his bondage. Never must he dare to bite the god who was lord and master over him; the body of the lord and master was sacred.

On the bank Lip-lip tried to use the opportunity and revenge White Fang, but Grey Beaver’s foot lifted Lip-lip into the air, so that he fell down to earth a dozen feet away. This was the man-animal’s justice. At Grey Beaver’s heels White Fang went obediently through the village to the tepee.

That night, when all was still, White Fang remembered his mother and sorrowed for her. He sorrowed too loudly and woke up Grey Beaver, who beat him. After that he sorrowed silently when the gods were around. But sometimes, straying off to the edge of the woods by himself, he gave outlet to his grief, and cried it out with loud whimperings and wailings.

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Примечания

1

to get on someone’s nerves – действовать на нервы

2

you see things – тебе мерещится

3

leave smb alone – оставить кого-л. в покое

4

but – (зд.) кроме, за исключением

5

foot (мн. feet) – фут, английская мера длины, равная примерно 30 см

6

hadn’t the heart to do smth – не хватило духу что-л. сделать

7

to explain oneself – объясниться

8

Who’s croaking now? – Расквакался!

9

to sniff noses – обнюхать

10

roused with a start – вздрогнув, очнулся

11

an inch – дюйм (английская мера длины, равная 2,5 см)

12

to be telling upon sb – сказываться на ком-л.

13

a yard – ярд (английская мера длины, равная ок. 99 см)

14

on sb’s heels – следом за кем-л.

15

a pound – фунт (английская единица измерения веса, равная ок. 450 г)

16

game – (зд.) дичь

17

to rip into ribbons – порвать в лоскуты

18

sit on someone’s haunches – сидеть на задних лапах (о животном), сидеть на корточках (о человеке)

19

to start for somewhere – направиться куда-л.

20

take after smb. – быть на кого-л. похожим

21

for smb’s sake – ради кого-либо

22

to let go of smth – отпустить

23

beginner’s luck – новичкам везёт

24

to lick chops – облизнуться (о животных)

25

to run down – загнать, настигнуть

26

mating season – период спаривания