Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Twentymenpromptlysprangtothebuckskin’shead,butshebrokeaway,andwildwithterror,bewildered,blind,insensate,chargedintothecornerofthebarnbythemusicians’stand.Shebroughtupagainstthewallwithcruelforceandwithimpactofasackofstones;herheadwascut.Sheturnedandchargedagain,bull-like,thebloodstreamingfromherforehead.Thecrowd,shrieking,meltedbeforeherrush.Anoldmanwasthrowndownandtrampled.Thebuckskintroduponthedraggingbridle,somersaultedintoaconfusionofchairsinonecorner,andcamedownwithaterrificclatterinawilddisorderofkickinghoofsandsplinteredwood.Butacrowdofmenfelluponher,tuggingatthebit,sittingonherhead,shouting,gesticulating.Forfiveminutesshestruggledandfought;then,bydegrees,sherecoveredherself,drawinggreatsobbingbreathsatlongintervalsthatallbutburstthegirths,rollinghereyesinbewildered,supplicatingfashion,tremblingineverymuscle,andstartingandshrinkingnowandthenlikeayounggirlinhysterics.Atlastshelayquiet.Themenallowedhertostruggletoherfeet.Thesaddlewasremovedandshewasledtooneoftheemptystalls,wheresheremainedtherestoftheevening,herheadlow,herpasternsquivering,turningherheadapprehensivelyfromtimetotime,showingthewhiteofoneeyeandatlongintervalsheavingasingleprolongedsigh.

           Andanhourlaterthedancewasprogressingasevenlyasthoughnothingintheleastextraordinaryhadoccurred.