Thus began the mystery of Keesh (таким образом началась тайна Киша), a mystery that deepened and deepened with the passing of the days (тайна, которая усиливалась и усиливалась в последующие дни). His very next trip he killed a young bear (в свой следующий поход он убил молодого медведя), nearly full-grown (почти взрослого), and on the trip following (а в последующий поход), a large male bear and his mate (большого самца медведя и его самку;
young [jAN], marvel ['mRv(q)l], unusual [An'jHZuql]
Thus began the mystery of Keesh, a mystery that deepened and deepened with the passing of the days. His very next trip he killed a young bear, nearly full-grown, and on the trip following, a large male bear and his mate. He was ordinarily gone from three to four days, though it was nothing unusual for him to stay away a week at a time on the ice-field. Always he declined company on these expeditions, and the people marvelled. "How does he do it?" they demanded of one another. "Never does he take a dog with him, and dogs are of such great help, too."
"Why dost thou hunt only bear (почему ты охотишься только на медведя)?" Klosh-Kwan once ventured to ask him (Клош-Кван однажды осмелился спросить его;
And Keesh made fitting answer (и Киш дал надлежащий ответ;
venture ['venCq], why [waI], once [wAns]
"Why dost thou hunt only bear?" Klosh-Kwan once ventured to ask him.
And Keesh made fitting answer. "It is well known that there is more meat on the bear," he said.
But there was also talk of witchcraft in the village (но был также разговор о колдовстве в деревне;
witchcraft ['wICkrRft], reward [rI'wLd], evil [Jvl]
But there was also talk of witchcraft in the village. "He hunts with evil spirits," some of the people contended, "wherefore his hunting is rewarded. How else can it be, save that he hunts with evil spirits?"
"Mayhap they be not evil, but good, these spirits," others said (может быть, они не злые, а добрые, эти духи, — говорили другие;
mayhap ['meIhqp], mighty ['maItI], patience ['peISqns]
"Mayhap they be not evil, but good, these spirits," others said. "It is known that his father was a mighty hunter. May not his father hunt with him so that he may attain excellence and patience and understanding? Who knows?"