Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter VI
Suddenlyandwithoutanyapparentcessationofthemovement,hefired,andalittlesplinterofwoodflippedintotheairatAnnixter’sfeet.
“Time!”heshouted,whilethebuckskinrearedtothereport.“Holdon—waitaminute.Thisplaceistoolighttosuit.Thatbiglightyonderisinmyeyes.Lookout,I’mgoingtothrowlead.”
Asecondshotputoutthelampoverthemusicians’stand.Theassembledguestsshrieked,afrantic,shrinkingquiverranthroughthecrowdlikethehuddlingoffrightenedrabbitsintheirpen.
Annixterhardlymoved.Hestoodsomethirtypacesfromthebuster,hishandsstillinhiscoatpockets,hiseyesglistening,watchful.Excitableandturbulentintriflingmatters,whenactualbodilydangerthreatenedhewasofanabnormalquiet.
“I’mwatchingyou,”criedtheother.“Don’tmakeanymistakeaboutthat.KeepyourhandsinyourCOATpockets,ifyou’dliketolivealittlelonger,understand?Anddon’tletmeseeyoumakeamovetowardyourhiporyourfriendswillbeaskedtoidentifyyouatthemorgueto-morrowmorning.WhenI’mbad,I’mcalledtheUndertaker’sFriend,soIam,andI’mthatbadto-nightthatI’mscaredofmyself.They’llhavetorevisethecensusreturnsbeforeI’mdonewiththisplace.Comeon,now,I’mgettingtiredwaiting.Icometoseeadance.”
“Handoverthathorse,Delaney,”saidAnnixter,withoutraisinghisvoice,“andclearout.”
Theotheraffectedtobeoverwhelmedwithinfiniteastonishment,hiseyesstaring.Hepeereddownfromthesaddle.
