Дети капитана Гранта / The Children of Captain Grant

“Very well, set to work, then[9 - set to work, then – тогда приступайте],” said Glenarvan.

Lady Helena soon joined her husband on deck. The sea was splendid, and every movement of the shark was distinctly visible. In obedience to the captain’s orders, the sailors threw a strong rope over the starboard side of the yacht, with a big hook at the end of it. The bait took at once, though the shark was full fifty yards distant. This was evidently a monster.

The passengers and sailors on the yacht were watching all the animal’s movements with the liveliest interest.

It soon came within reach of the bait, turned over on its back. In a few minutes more the shark was thrown on the deck. A man came forward immediately, and approaching it cautiously, with one powerful stroke cut off its tail.

The sailors knew the contents of its stomach might be worth investigation. The fish was still breathing; it measured ten feet[10 - 1 фут = около 30 сантиметров] in length, and weighed more than six hundred pounds[11 - 1 фунт = около 409 граммов].

The huge brute was soon ripped up in a very unceremonious fashion[12 - in a very unceremonious fashion – без всяких церемоний]. The hook had fixed right in the stomach, which was found to be absolutely empty, and the disappointed sailors were just going to throw the remains overboard, when the boatswain’s attention was attracted by some large object.

“What’s this?” he exclaimed.

“It’s just a rock that the shark has got in his inside and couldn’t digest,” said another of the crew.

“Hold your tongues, all of you!” said Tom Austin[13 - Tom Austin – Том Остин], the mate[14 - the mate – помощник капитана] of the Duncan. “Don’t you see the animal is a drunkard and has not only drunk the wine, but swallowed the bottle?”

“What!” said Lord Glenarvan. “Do you mean to say it is a bottle that the shark has got in his stomach?”

“Ay, it is a bottle, most certainly,” replied the boatswain, “but not just from the cellar.

”

“Bring it to the cabin,” said Lord Glenarvan, “for bottles found in the sea often contain precious documents.”

Tom obeyed, and in a few minutes brought in the bottle and laid it on the table, at which Lord Glenarvan and the Major were sitting ready with the captain, and, of course, Lady Helena. For a moment they all sat silent, gazing at this frail relic, wondering if it told the tale of sad disaster, or brought some message from a sailor.