"Elizabeth Moon - Paksenarrion 1 - The Sheepfarmer's Daughter" - читать интересную книгу автора (Moon Elizabeth)

Elizabeth Moon - The Deed of Paksenarrion [vol 1] Sheepfarmer's Daughter


until I've explained. First, you'll put the butt a handspan
behind the right foot of the man in front of you; file
leaders, that's an armspan in front of you. Then slowly tilt
the reed back over your shoulder тАФ you have to be
careful not to let the butt slip forward. Then your left
hand grips two spans below the right, and you lift it onto
your shoulder. That gives enough clearance in front for
marching. Don't let it swing free; use your grip to hold the
butt end down. Bosk, show them how to do it."
Bosk came forward and took Paksenarrion's reed from her
hands. He held it upright, and demonstrated the facing
movements they had practiced: the end of the reed, far
over his head, scarcely quivered when he turned. Then he
loosened his grip and let the butt end slide toward the
ground, tilting the reed as it slid so that it grounded an
armspan in front of him. While his right hand steadied the
shaft, his left hand reached below and lifted; the reed
rose, keeping the same steep slant. When his left hand
reached his right, he shifted the right quickly to the lower
grip.
"That's the position you want," said Stammel. "Now,
show 'em how to move with it."
Bosk strode forward, the reed steady on his shoulder, not
waving or dipping with his stride. When he turned, they
could hear the whirr as the end of the reed sliced the air.
He made a square, then returned the reed to an upright
position and handed it back to Paks.

file:///F|/rah/Elizabeth%20Moon/Moon,%20Elizab...arrion%2001%20-%20Sheepfarmer's%20Daughter.htm (37 of 653) [5/20/03 11:22:30 PM]
Elizabeth Moon - The Deed of Paksenarrion [vol 1] Sheepfarmer's Daughter


"Ready тАФ " said Stammel. "Ground the butts тАФ "
Paksenarrion felt the length of reed quivering as she tried
to let it slide slowly through her hands, aiming the butt
somewhat ahead of her right foot. It bumped the ground.
"It's too close to you," said Bosk. "Slide it out further."
Paks slid the butt along the ground until Bosk nodded.
"Now tilt 'em back along your shoulders," said Stammel.
Paks let the top of the reed fall back slowly. The butt
came off the ground, but she pushed it back before
anyone said anything. Some were not so lucky. Stammel
and the corporals were yelling at those who let the reeds
get out of control. At last all were in the correct position.
"Left hands down," said Stammel. "And lift, but keep it
under control. NO!" he roared. Paks heard a smack and a
yelp of pain as someone's reed landed on someone's head.