Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter I
“Ithinkweshouldwininthiscourt,”Harranobserved,watchingthebubblesbreakinhisglass.“TheinvestigationhasbeenmuchmorecompletethanintheVisaliatrial.Ourcasethistimeistoogood.Ithasmadetoomuchtalk.ThecourtwouldnotdarerenderadecisionfortheRailroad.Why,there’stheagreementinblackandwhite—andthecircularstheRailroadissued.HowCANonegetaroundthose?”
“Well,well,weshallknowinafewhoursnow,”remarkedMagnus.
“Oh,”exclaimedLyman,surprised,“itisforthismorning,then.Whyaren’tyouatthecourt?”
“Itseemedundignified,boy,”answeredtheGovernor.“Weshallknowsoonenough.”
“GoodGod!”exclaimedHarranabruptly,“whenIthinkofwhatisinvolved.Why,Lyman,it’sourhome,theranchhouseitself,nearlyallLosMuertos,practicallyourwholefortune,andjustnowwhenthereispromiseofanenormouscropofwheat.Anditisnotonlyus.ThereareoverhalfamillionacresoftheSanJoaquininvolved.Insomecasesofthesmallerranches,itistheconfiscationofthewholeoftherancher’sland.Ifthisthinggoesthrough,itwillabsolutelybeggarnearlyahundredmen.Brodersonwouldn’thaveathousandacrestohisname.Why,it’smonstrous.”
“Butthecorporationsofferedtoleasetheselands,”remarkedLyman.“Areanyoftherancherstakingupthatoffer—orareanyofthembuyingoutright?”
“Buying!Atthenewfigure!”exclaimedHarran,“attwentyandthirtyanacre!Why,there’snotoneintenthatCAN.Theyareland-poor.
