Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Annixterbroughtoutthedecanterofsherryandglasses,andthetwodranktoeachother’shealth.

           Butasthepriestsetdownhisglass,wipinghislipswithamurmurofsatisfaction,thedecrepitIrishsetterthathadattachedhimselftoAnnixter’shousecameoutfromunderneaththeporch,andnosedvigorouslyaboutthewickerbasket.Heupsetit.Thelittlepegholdingdownthecoverslipped,thebasketfellsideways,openingasitfell,andacock,hisheadenclosedinalittlechamoisbagsuchasareusedforgoldwatches,struggledblindlyoutintotheopenair.Asecond,similarlyhooded,followed.Thepair,stupefiedintheirheadgear,stoodrigidandbewilderedintheirtracks,cluckinguneasily.Theirtailswerecloselysheared.Theirlegs,thicklymuscled,andextraordinarilylong,werefurnishedwithenormouscruel-lookingspurs.Thebreedwasunmistakable.Annixterlookedonceatthepair,thenshoutedwithlaughter.

           “’Poultry’—’achickenortwo’—’fancybreed’—ho!yes,Ishouldthinkso.Gamecocks!Fightingcocks!Oh,youoldrat!You’llbeadrynursetoaburro,andkeepahospitalforinfirmpuppies,butyouwillfightgamecocks.Oh,Lord!Why,Sarria,thisisasgoodagrindasIeverheard.There’stheSpanishcroppingout,afterall.”

           Speechlesswithchagrin,thepriestbundledthecocksintothebasketandcatchingupthevalise,tookhimselfabruptlyaway,almostrunningtillhehadputhimselfoutofhearingofAnnixter’sraillery.