Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Butthecow-puncherwasnotreadytocometograpplesyet.Fearless,hiswitsgambollingunderthelashofthealcohol,hewishedtomakethemostoftheoccasion,maintainingthesuspense,playingforthegallery.Bytouchesofthehandandkneehekeptthebuckskinincontinual,nervousmovement,herhoofsclattering,snorting,tossingherhead,whilehe,himself,addressinghimselftoAnnixter,pouredoutatorrentofinvective.

           “Well,strikemeblindifitain’toldBuckAnnixter!HewasgoingtoshowmeoffQuienSabeatthetoeofhisboot,washe?Well,here’syourchance,—withtheladiestoseeyoudoit.Givesadance,doeshe,high-falutin’hoe-downinhisbarnandforgetstoinvitehisoldbroncho-bustin’friend.Buthisfrienddon’tforgethim;no,hedon’t.Herememberslittlethings,doeshisbroncho-bustin’friend.Likestoseeadancehisselfonoccasion,hisfrienddoes.Comesanyhow,trustin’hiswelcomewillbehearty;justtoseeoldBuckAnnixterdance,justtoshowBuckAnnixter’sfriendshowBuckcandance—danceallbyhisself,alittlehen-on-a-hot-platedancewhenhisbroncho-bustin’friendaskshimsopolite.Alittledancefortheladies,Buck.Thisfeatureoftheentertainmentisaloneworththepriceofadmission.Tuneup,Buck.Attentionnow!I’llgiveyouthekey.”

           He“fanned”hisrevolver,spinningitabouthisindexfingerbythetrigger-guardwithincredibleswiftness,thetwirlingweaponamereblurofbluesteelinhishand.