Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter IV
ThePintschlightsoverheadvibratedwithblindingrapidityinthelong,slidingjarthatranthroughthetrainfromendtoend,andthemomentumofitsspeedsuddenlydecreasing,allbutpitchedtheconductorfromhisseat.Ahideousear-splittingraspmadeitselfheardfromtheclamped-downWestinghousegearunderneath,andAnnixterknewthatthewheelshadceasedtorevolveandthatthetrainwasslidingforwarduponthemotionlessflanges.
“Hello,hello,”heexclaimed,“what’sallupnow?”
“Emergencybrakes,”declaredtheconductor,catchinguphiscashboxandthrustinghispapersandticketsintoit.“Nothingmuch;probablyacowonthetrack.”
Hedisappeared,carryinghislanternwithhim.
Buttheotherpassengers,allbutthestoutgentleman,wereawake;headswerethrustfromoutthecurtains,andAnnixter,hurryingbacktoHilma,wasassailedbyallmannerofquestions.
“Whatwasthat?”
“Anythingwrong?”
“What’sup,anyways?”
HilmawasjustwakingasAnnixterpushedthecurtainaside.
“Oh,Iwassofrightened.What’sthematter,dear?”sheexclaimed.
“Idon’tknow,”heanswered.“Onlytheemergencybrakes.Justacowonthetrack,Iguess.Don’tgetscared.Itisn’tanything.”
ButwithafinalshriekoftheWestinghouseappliance,thetraincametoadefinitehalt.
Atoncethesilencewasabsolute.Theears,stillnumbwiththelong-continuedroarofwheelsandclashingiron,atfirstrefusedtoregistercorrectlythesmallernoisesofthesurroundings.
