| This is but the normal condition of every Texan town-whether new or founded forty years ago; and none are older, except the sparse cities of Hispano-Mexican origin-where the presidio and convent took precedence, now surpassed by, and in some instances transformed into, the "tavern." | Впрочем, это характерно для всех городов Техаса, выстроенных за последние сорок лет. Лишь в немногих старых городах, основанных испанцами, крепости и монастыри господствовали над другими зданиями; но теперь и там они уступили свое первенство, а иногда и сами превратились в гостиницы. |
| The Fort Inge establishment, though the largest building in the place, was, nevertheless, neither very grand nor imposing. | Хотя гостиница форта Индж и являлась самым большим зданием в поселке, тем не менее она была невелика и не представляла собой ничего примечательного. |
| Its exterior had but little pretence to architectural style. | Едва ли она претендовала на какой-либо архитектурный стиль. |
| It was a structure of hewn logs, having for ground-plan the letter T according to the grotesque alphabet-the shank being used for eating and sleeping rooms, while the head was a single apartment entirely devoted to drinking-smoking and expectorating included. This last was the bar-room, or "saloon." | Это была деревянная постройка в форме буквы "Т", сооруженная из обтесанных бревен. Продольную часть здания занимали комнаты для приезжающих, а поперечная представляла одно большое помещение, в котором находился буфет, или, как его называют в Америке, бар. Здесь пили, курили и, не стесняясь, плевали на пол. |
| The sign outside, swinging from the trunk of a post-oak, that had been pollarded some ten feet above the ground, exhibited on both sides the likeness of a well known military celebrity-the hero of that quarter of the globe-General Zachariah Taylor. It did not need looking at the lettering beneath to ascertain the name of the hotel. Under the patronage of such a portrait it could only be called "Rough and Ready." There was a touch of the apropos about this designation. Outside things appeared rough enough; while inside, especially if you entered by the "saloon," there was a readiness to meet you half way, with a mint julep, a sherry cobbler, a gin sling, or any other mixed drink known to trans-Mississippian tipplers-provided always that you were ready with the picayunes to pay for them. |