Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter I
Hisbrowncanvasoverallswerethrustintolacedboots.Acartridgebeltwithoutanycartridgesencircledhiswaist.Agreyflannelshirt,openatthethroat,showedhisbreast,tannedandruddy.Heworenohat.Hishairwasveryblackandratherlong.Apointedbeardcoveredhischin,growingstraightandfinefromthehollowcheeks.Theabsenceofanycoveringforhisheadwas,nodoubt,habitualwithhim,forhisfacewasasbrownasanIndian’s—aruddybrownquitedifferentfromPresley’sdarkolive.ToPresley’smorbidlykeenobservation,thegeneralimpressionoftheshepherd’sfacewasintenselyinteresting.Itwasuncommontoanastonishingdegree.Presley’svividimaginationchosetoseeinitthefaceofanascetic,ofarecluse,almostthatofayoungseer.Somusthaveappearedthehalf-inspiredshepherdsoftheHebraiclegends,theyoungerprophetsofIsrael,dwellersinthewilderness,beholdersofvisions,havingtheirexistenceinacontinualdream,talkerswithGod,giftedwithstrangepowers.
Suddenly,atsometwentypacesdistantfromtheapproachingshepherd,Presleystoppedshort,hiseyesrivetedupontheother.
“Vanamee!”heexclaimed.
Theshepherdsmiledandcameforward,holdingouthishands,saying,“Ithoughtitwasyou.WhenIsawyoucomeoverthehill,Icalledyou.”
“Butnotwithyourvoice,”returnedPresley.“Iknewthatsomeonewantedme.Ifeltit.Ishouldhaverememberedthatyoucoulddothatkindofthing.”
“Ihaveneverknownittofail.Ithelpswiththesheep.”
“Withthesheep?”
“Inaway.Ican’ttellexactlyhow.
