The works of George Dalgarno of Aberdeen

They were carrying a boat-hook between them, and, attached to the boat-hook was a tow-line, which trailed behind them, its end in the water. No boat was near, no boat was in sight. There must have been a boat attached to that tow-line at some time or other, that was certain; but what had become of it, what ghastly fate had overtaken it, and those who had been left in it, was buried in mystery. Whatever the accident may have been, however, it had in no way disturbed the young lady and gentleman, who were towing. They had the boat-hook and they had the line, and that seemed to be all that they thought necessary to their work. George was about to call out and wake them up (Джордж собирался крикнуть и разбудить их; to be about to do something собираться, намереваться сделать что-либо), but, at that moment, a bright idea flashed across him, and he didn't (но в ту минуту великолепная идея/мысль промелькнула у него в голове, и он не стал /кричать/). He got the hitcher instead, and reached over (он взял багор вместо этого, протянул его), and drew in the end of the tow-line (и втянул /в лодку/ конец каната); and they made a loop in it, and put it over their mast (и они сделали на нем петлю, и накинули на свою мачту), and then they tidied up the sculls (а потом подобрали весла; to tidy убирать; приводить в порядок), and went and sat down in the stern, and lit their pipes (и сели на корме, и зажгли трубки; to light) ...»