Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter V.
Timewasnotallowedthecrewofthefreighttrainfordebatingastotherightorthewrongofrequisitioningtheengine,andbeforeanyonethoughtofthesafetyordangeroftheaffair,thefreightenginewasalreadyflyingoutuponthedownline,hotinpursuitofDyke,nowfaraheadupontheuptrack.
“Irememberperfectlywellthere’saderailingswitchbetweenhereandPixley,”shoutedthesheriffabovetheroarofthelocomotive.“Theyuseitincasetheyhavetoderailrunawayengines.Itrunsrightoffintothecountry.We’llpilehimupthere.Readywithyourguns,boys.”
“Ifweshouldmeetanothertraincominguponthistrack——”protestedthefrightenedengineer.
“Thenwe’djumporbesmashed.Hi!look!Thereheis.”Asthefreightengineroundedacurve,Dyke’senginecameintoview,shootingonsomequarterofamileaheadofthem,wreathedinwhirlingsmoke.
“Theswitchain’tmuchfurtheron,”clamouredtheengineer.“YoucanseePixleynow.”
Dyke,hishandonthegripofthevalvethatcontrolledthesteam,hisheadoutofthecabwindow,thunderedon.Hewasbackinhisoldplaceagain;oncemorehewastheengineer;oncemorehefelttheenginequiverunderhim;thefamiliarnoiseswereinhisears;thefamiliarbuffetingofthewindsurged,roaringathisface;thefamiliarodoursofhotsteamandsmokereekedinhisnostrils,andoneithersideofhim,parallelpanoramas,thetwohalvesofthelandscapesliced,asitwere,intwobytheclashingwheelsofhisengine,streamedbyingreenandbrownblurs.
