Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Fromwithinthebarnitselfcamethesoundofthefrictionofaheavybodyandastirofhoofs,asoneofthedozingcowslaydownwithalongbreath.

           Vanameelefttheranchhousebehindhimandproceededonhisway.Beyondhim,totherightoftheroad,hecouldmakeoutthehighergroundintheMissionenclosure,andthewatchingtoweroftheMissionitself.Theminutespassed.Hewentsteadilyforward.Thenabruptlyhepaused,hisheadintheair,eyeandearalert.Tothatstrangesixthsenseofhis,responsiveastheleavesofthesensitiveplant,hadsuddenlycometheimpressionofahumanbeingnearathand.Hehadneitherseennorheard,butforallthathestoppedaninstantinhistracks;then,thesensationconfirmed,wentonagainwithslowsteps,advancingwarily.

           Atlast,hisswiftlyrovingeyeslighteduponanobject,justdarkerthanthegrey-brownofthenight-riddenland.Itwasatsomedistancefromtheroadside.Vanameeapproacheditcautiously,leavingtheroad,treadingcarefullyuponthemoistclodsofearthunderfoot.Twentypacesdistant,hehalted.

           Annixterwasthere,seateduponaround,whiterock,hisbacktowardshim.Hewasleaningforward,hiselbowsonhisknees,hischininhishands.Hedidnotmove.Silent,motionless,hegazedoutupontheflat,sombreland.

           ItwasthenightwhereinthemasterofQuienSabewroughtouthissalvation,strugglingwithSelffromdusktodawn.AtthemomentwhenVanameecameuponhim,theturmoilwithinhimhadonlybegun.Theheartofthemanhadnotyetwakened.