Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter V.
Behrman.“Geton,boys.”
Theydashedforward,followingthehounds.S.Behrmanlaboriouslyclimbedtohissaddle,panting,perspiring,moppingtherolloffatoverhiscoatcollar,andturnedinafterthem,trottingalongfarintherear,hisgreatstomachandtremulousjowlshakingwiththehorse’sgait.
“Whataday,”hemurmured.“Whataday.”
Dyke’strailwasfresh,andwasfollowedaseasilyasifmadeonnew-fallensnow.Inashorttime,thepossesweptintotheopenspacearoundthedivisionhouse.ThetwoPortuguesewerestillthere,wide-eyed,terriblyexcited.
Yes,yes,Dykehadbeentherenothalfanhoursince,hadheldthemup,takenahorseandgallopedtothenortheast,towardsthefoothillsattheheadwatersofBrodersonCreek.
Onagain,atfullgallop,throughtheyoungwheat,tramplingitundertheflyinghoofs;thehoundshotonthescent,bayingcontinually;themen,onfreshmounts,securedatthedivisionhouse,bendingforwardintheirsaddles,spurringrelentlessly.S.Behrmanjoltedalongfarintherear.
Andeventhen,harriedthroughanopencountry,wheretherewasnoplacetohide,itwasamatterofamazementhowlongachasethehighwaymanledthem.Fenceswerepassed;fenceswhosebarbedwirehadbeenslashedapartbythefugitive’sknife.Thegroundroseunderfoot;thehillswereathand;stillthepursuitheldon.Thesun,longpastthemeridian,begantoturnearthward.
