Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Dabney,theoldmanwhomnobodyknew,approachedthegroupofranchersaroundMagnusDerrickandstood,alittleremoved,listeninggravelytowhatthegovernorwassaying,hischinsunkinhiscollar,silent,offeringnoopinions.

           Buttheleaderoftheorchestra,withagreatgestureofhisviolinbow,criedout:

           “Alltakepartnersforthelancersandpromenadearoundthehall!”

           However,therewasadelay.Alittlecrowdformedaroundthemusicians’platform;voiceswereraised;therewasacommotion.Skeezicks,whoplayedthebighorn,accusedthecornetandthesnare-drumofstealinghiscoldlunch.Atintervalshecouldbeheardexpostulating:

           “Ah,no!attheendoftheend!Rendermethesausages,you,orlessIbreakyourthroat!Aha!Iknowyou.Youaregoingtoplaymethereabadfarce.Mysausagesandtheporksandwich,elseIgoawayfromthisplace!”

           Hemadeanexaggeratedshowofreplacinghisbighorninitscase,buttheby-standersraisedagreatprotest.Thesandwichesandonesausagewereproduced;theotherhaddisappeared.IntheendSkeezichsallowedhimselftobeappeased.Thedancewasresumed.

           Halfanhourlaterthegatheringintheharnessroomwasconsiderablyreinforced.Itwasthecornerofthebarntowardwhichthemaleguestsnaturallygravitated.HarranDerrick,whoonlycaredtodancewithHilmaTree,wasadmitted.GarnettfromtheRubyranchoandGethingsfromtheSanPablo,cameinalittleafterwards.Afourthbowlofpunchwasmixed,AnnixterandCaraherclamouringintoeachother’sfaceastoitsingredients.Cigarswerelighted.