Robinson Crusoe Written Anew for Children

The next morning the sun rose bright and warm upon a smooth sea. It was a

beautiful sight.

As I stood looking out over the wide water, the first mate came up. He was a kind

man, and always friendly to me.

"Well, Bob," he said, "how do you like it? Were you frightened by that little

gale?"

"I hope you don't call it a little gale," I said. "Indeed it was a terrible storm."

The mate laughed.

"Do you call that a storm?" he asked. "Why, it was nothing at all. You are only a

fresh-water sailor, Bob. Wait till we have a real storm."

And so I soon forgot my fears.

Little by little, I gave up all thoughts of going home again. "A sailor's life for me,"

I said.

My first voyage was not a long one.

I visited no new lands, for the ship went only to London. But the things which I

saw in that great city seemed very wonderful to me.

Nothing would satisfy me but to make a long voyage. I wished to see the whole

world.

I SEE MUCH OF THE WORLD (я вижу большую часть мира)

IT was easy to find (легко найти) a ship to my liking (по моему вкусу); for all

kinds of trading vessels (так как все виды торговых судов) go out from London to

every country that is known (выходят из Лондона в каждую страну, которая

известна).

One day I met an old sea captain (старого морского капитана) who had been

often to the coast of Africa (который часто был на побережье Африки). He was

pleased with my talk (рад моем разговору, ему понравился мой разговор).

Мультиязыковой проект Ильи Франка www

. f ranklang . r u

7

"If you want to see the world (если ты хочешь увидеть мир)," he said, "you

must sail (выходить в море) with me." And then he told me that he was going again

(собирался опять) to Africa, to trade with the black people there (торговать черными

людьми). He would carry out a load of cheap trinkets (он бы вывез груз дешевых

безделушек) to exchange (в обмен) for gold dust and feathers (на золотую пыль и

перья) and other rare and curious things (другие редкие и любопытные вещи).

I was very glad to go with him (был очень рад поехать с ним). I would see

strange lands (чужие страны) and savage people (диких людей). I would have many a

stirring adventure (интереснейшие приключения).

Before ten days had passed (прежде чем 10 дней прошли = не прошло и 10

дней), we were out on the great ocean (в великом океане = в открытом море). Our ship

was headed toward the south (был направлен = направлялся к югу).

The captain was very kind to me (добр). He taught (научил; to teach — учить)

me much that every sailor ought to know (что каждый моряк должен знать). He

showed me (показал) how to steer (править /рулем/) and manage the vessel (и

управляться с судном). He told me about the tides (о приливах) and the compass

(компасе) and how to reckon the ship's course (вычислять курс корабля).

The voyage (путешествие) was a pleasant one (приятным), and I saw more

wonderful things (больше прекрасных вещей) than I can name (чем я могу назвать).

When, at last, we sailed back to London (когда, наконец, мы отправились

обратно), we had gold enough (золота достаточно) to make a poor man rich (чтобы

сделать бедного человека богатым).

I had nearly six pounds (почти 6 фунтов) of the yellow dust (желтой пыли) for

my own share (в качестве моей собственной доли).

I had learned to be a trader (научился быть торговцем) as well as a sailor (как и

моряком).

It would take too long (заняло бы слишком долго) to tell you of all my voyages.

Some of them were happy and successful (счастливыми и успешными); but the most

(большинство) were unpleasant and full of disappointment (неприятными и полными

разочарований).

Мультиязыковой проект Ильи Франка www

. f ranklang . r u

8

Sometimes (иногда) I went to Africa, sometimes to the new land of South

America (в новые земли Южной Америки). But wherever (куда бы ни) I sailed I found

the life of a sailor by no means easy (я находил жизнь моряка совсем не легкой).

I did not care so much now (не заботился столь много теперь = не особенно

заботился) to see strange sights (чтобы увидеть странные = необычные виды) and

visit unknown shores (и посетить неизвестные берега).

I cared more for the money or goods (о деньгах или товарах) that I would get by

trading (которые я бы получил торговлей).

At last a sudden end (в конце концов неожиданный конец) was put to all my

sailing (был положен всем моим морским путешествиям; to sail —

путешествовать морем). And it is of this (и об этом) that I will now tell you

(расскажу вам сейчас).

adventure [d’vent

] savage [‘saevid] voyage [‘voiid]

I SEE MUCH OF THE WORLD

IT was easy to find a ship to my liking; for all kinds of trading vessels go out