Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Onthethirdattempt,havingworkedoutofthecorner,apairofdancersbumpedintothemoncemore,andastheywererecoveringthemselvesanothercouplecaromedviolentlyagainstAnnixtersothatheallbutlosthisfooting.Hewasinarage.Hilma,veryembarrassed,wastryingnottolaugh,andthustheyfoundthemselves,outinthemiddleofthefloor,continuallyjostledfromtheirposition,holdingclumsilytoeachother,stammeringexcusesintooneanother’sfaces,whenDelaneyarrived.

           Hecamewiththesuddennessofanexplosion.Therewasacommotionbythedoorway,arollingburstofoaths,afuriousstampingofhoofs,awildscrambleofthedancerstoeithersideoftheroom,andtherehewas.Hehadriddenthebuckskinatagallopstraightthroughthedoorwayandoutintothemiddleofthefloorofthebarn.

           Oncewellinside,Delaneyhauleduponthecruelspade-bit,atthesametimedrivinghomethespurs,andthebuckskin,withouthaltinginhergait,roseintotheairuponherhindfeet,andcomingdownagainwithathunderofironhoofsuponthehollowfloor,lashedoutwithbothheelssimultaneously,herbackarched,herheadbetweenherknees.Itwastherunningbuck,andhadnotDelaneybeenthehardestbusterinthecounty,wouldhaveflunghimheadlonglikeasackofsand.Butheeasedoffthebit,grippingthemare’sflankswithhisknees,andthebuckskin,havinglongsinceknownhermaster,cametohandquivering,thebloodyspumedrippingfromthebitupontheslipperyfloor.