Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter III
Youknowtheadvantageofpromptandfearlessaction.Youarenotthesorttoshrinkfromtakingchances.Toplayforbigstakesisjustyourgame—tostakeafortuneontheturnofacard.Youdidn’tgetthereputationofbeingthestrongestpokerplayerinElDoradoCountyfornothing.Now,here’sthebiggestgamblethatevercameyourway.Ifwestanduptoitlikemenwithgutsinus,we’llwinout.Ifwehesitate,we’relost.”
“Idon’tsupposeyoucanhelpplayingthegoat,Osterman,”remarkedAnnixter,“butwhat’syouridea?Whatdoyouthinkwecando?I’mnotsaying,”hehastenedtointerpose,“thatyou’veanywaysconvincedmebyallthiscackling.Iknowaswellasyouthatweareinahole.ButIknewthatbeforeIcamehereto-night.YOU’VEnotdoneanythingtomakemechangemymind.Butjustwhatdoyoupropose?Let’shearit.”
“Well,IsaythefirstthingtodoistoseeDisbrow.He’sthepoliticalbossoftheDenver,Pueblo,andMojaveroad.Wewillhavetogetinwiththemachinesomewayandthat’sparticularlywhyIwantMagnuswithus.Heknowspoliticsbetterthananyofusandifwedon’twanttogetsoldagainwewillhavetohavesomeonethat’sintheknowtosteerus.”
“TheonlypoliticsIunderstand,Mr.Osterman,”answeredMagnussternly,“arehonestpolitics.Youmustlookelsewhereforyourpoliticalmanager.Irefusetohaveanypartinthismatter.IftheRailroadCommissioncanbenominatedlegitimately,ifyourarrangementscanbemadewithoutbribery,Iamwithyoutothelastiotaofmyability.
