Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Thepicturesquenessoftheengineer’slifewasalwaysattractivetoPresley,andmorethanoncehehadriddenonDyke’senginebetweenGuadalajaraandBonneville.Once,even,hehadmadetheentirerunbetweenthelattertownandSanFranciscointhecab.

           Dyke’shomewasinGuadalajara.Helivedinoneoftheremodelled’dobecottages,wherehismotherkepthouseforhim.Hiswifehaddiedsomefiveyearsbeforethistime,leavinghimalittledaughter,Sidney,tobringupasbesthecould.Dykehimselfwasaheavybuilt,well-lookingfellow,nearlytwicetheweightofPresley,withgreatshouldersandmassive,hairyarms,andatremendous,rumblingvoice.

           “Hello,oldman,”answeredPresley,cominguptotheengine.“Whatareyoudoingabouthereatthistimeofday?Ithoughtyouwereonthenightservicethismonth.”

           “We’vechangedaboutabit,”answeredtheother.“Comeuphereandsitdown,andgetoutofthesun.They’veheldusheretowaitorders,”heexplained,asPresley,afterleaninghisbicycleagainstthetender,climbedtothefireman’sseatofworngreenleather.“Theyarechangingtherunofoneofthecrackpassengerenginesdownbelow,andaresendingheruptoFresno.TherewasasmashofsomekindontheBakersfielddivision,andshe’stohellandgonebehindhertime.Isupposewhenshecomes,she’llcomea-humming.ItwillbestandclearandanopentrackallthewaytoFresno.Theyhaveheldmeheretolethergoby.”

           Hetookhispipe,anoldT.D.clay,butcolouredtoabeautifulshinyblack,fromthepocketofhisjumperandfilledandlitit.