Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           HehadmadeuphismindtobringDykein.HesucceededinarousingthesamedegreeofdeterminationinDelaney—bynow,atrustedaideoftheRailroad—andofhisowncousin,arealestatebroker,namedChristian,whoknewthemountainsandhadoncebeenmarshalofVisaliaintheoldstock-raisingdays.ThesetwowentintotheSierras,accompaniedbytwohireddeputies,andcarryingwiththemamonth’sprovisionsandtwoofthebloodhoundsloanedbytheSantaClarasheriff.

           OnacertainSunday,afewdaysafterthedepartureofChristianandDelaney,Annixter,whohadbeenreading“DavidCopperfield”inhishammockontheporchoftheranchhouse,putdownthebookandwenttofindHilma,whowashelpingLouisaVaccasetthetablefordinner.Hefoundherinthedining-room,herhandsfullofthegold-borderedchinaplates,onlyusedonspecialoccasionsandwhichLouisawasforbiddentotouch.

           Hiswifewasmorethanordinarilyprettythatday.Sheworeadressoffloweredorgandieoverpinksateenwithpinkribbonsaboutherwaistandneck,andonherslimfeetthelowshoesshealwaysaffected,withtheirsmart,brightbuckles.Herthick,brown,sweet-smellinghairwasheapedhighuponherheadandsetoffwithabowofblackvelvet,andunderneaththeshadowofitscoils,herwide-openeyes,rimmedwiththethin,blacklineofherlashes,shonecontinually,reflectingthesunlight.