Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Somelaystubbornlycloseinalittledepressionbetweentwoclods,tillthehorses’hoofswereallbutuponthem,thensprangoutfromtheirhiding-placeatthelastsecond.Othersranforwardbutafewyardsatatime,refusingtotakeflight,scentingagreaterdangerbeforethemthanbehind.Stillothers,forcedupatthelastmoment,doubledwithlightningalacrityintheirtracks,turningbacktoscuttlebetweentheteams,takingdesperatechances.Asoftenasthisoccurred,itwasthesignalforagreatuproar.

           “Don’tlethimgetthrough;dontlethimgetthrough.”

           “Lookoutforhim,therehegoes.”

           Hornswereblown,bellsrung,tinpansclamorouslybeaten.Eitherthejackescaped,orconfusedbythenoise,dartedbackagain,fleeingawayasifhislifedependedontheissueoftheinstant.Onceeven,abewilderedrabbitjumpedfairintoMrs.Derrick’slapasshesatinthecarry-all,andwasoutagainlikeaflash.

           “Poorfrightenedthing,”sheexclaimed;andforalongtimeafterward,sheretaineduponherkneesthesensationofthefourlittlepawsquiveringwithexcitement,andthefeelofthetremblingfurrybody,withitswildlybeatingheart,pressedagainstherown.

           BynoonthenumberofrabbitsdiscerniblebyAnnixter’sfieldglassesonaheadwasfarintothethousands.Whatseemedtobegroundresolveditself,whenseenthroughtheglasses,intoamazeofsmall,movingbodies,leaping,ducking,doubling,runningbackandforth—awildernessofagitatedears,whitetailsandtwinklinglegs.