Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter V.
“Wantanythingtoeat?Wantanymoney?Wantagun?”
“Water,”returnedDyke.“They’vewatchedeveryspring.I’mkilledwiththirst.”
“There’sthehydrant.Quicknow.”
“IgotasfarastheKernRiver,buttheyturnedmeback,”hesaidbetweenbreathsashedrank.
“Don’tstoptotalk.”
“Mymother,andthelittletad——”
“I’mtakingcareofthem.They’restoppingwithme.”
Here?
“Youwon’tsee’em;bytheLord,youwon’t.You’llgetaway.Where’sthatbackcinchstrap,BILLY?Goddamnit,areyougoingtolethimbeshotbeforehecangetaway?Now,Dyke,upyougo.She’llkillherselfrunningbeforetheycancatchyou.”
“Godblessyou,Annixter.Where’sthelittletad?Isshewell,Annixter,andthemother?Tellthem——”
“Yes,yes,yes.Allclear,Pres?Letherhaveherowngait,Dyke.You’reonthebesthorseinthecountynow.Letgoherhead,Billy.Now,Dyke,—shakehands?YoubetIwill.That’sallright.Yes,Godblessyou.Lethergo.You’reOFF.”
Answeringthegoadofthespur,andalreadyquiveringwiththeexcitementofthemenwhosurroundedher,thebuckskinclearedthestable-corralintwoleaps;then,gatheringherlegsunderher,herheadlow,herneckstretchedout,swungintotheroadfromoutthedrivewaydisappearinginablurofdust.
Withtheagilityofamonkey,youngVaccaswunghimselfintotheframeworkoftheartesianwell,clamberingalofttoitsverytop.Hesweptthecountrywithaglance.
“Well?”demandedAnnixterfromtheground.Theotherscockedtheirheadstolisten.
