Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter VI
Vanamee,thatcow-boyoveratDerrick’s,hasjustcomefromtheGovernorwithamessage.Iguessit’simportant.”
“Hello,what’supnow?”mutteredAnnixter,astheyturnedback.
TheyfoundOstermansaddlinghishorseinfurioushaste.Near-byhimwasVanameeholdingbythebridleananimalthatwasonelatherofsweat.Afewofthepicnickerswereturningtheirheadscuriouslyinthatdirection.Evidentlysomethingofmomentwasinthewind.
“What’sallup?”demandedAnnixter,asheandHarran,followedbyPresley,drewnear.
“There’shelltopay,”exclaimedOstermanunderhisbreath.“Readthat.Vanameejustbroughtit.”
HehandedAnnixterasheetofnotepaper,andturnedagaintothecinchingofhissaddle.
“We’vegottobequick,”hecried.“They’vestolenamarchonus.”
Annixterreadthenote,HarranandPresleylookingoverhisshoulder.
“Ah,it’sthem,isit,”exclaimedAnnixter.
Harransethisteeth.“Nowforit,”heexclaimed.“They’vebeentoyourplacealready,Mr.Annixter,”saidVanamee.“Ipassedbyitonmywayup.TheyhaveputDelaneyinpossession,andhavesetallyourfurnitureoutintheroad.”
Annixterturnedabout,hislipswhite.AlreadyPresleyandHarranhadruntotheirhorses.
“Vacca,”criedAnnixter,“where’sVacca?Putthesaddleonthebuckskin,QUICK.Osterman,getasmanyoftheLeagueasareheretogetheratTHISspot,understand.I’llbebackinaminute.ImusttellHilmathis.”
HoovenranupasAnnixterdisappeared.Hislittleeyeswereblazing,hewasdragginghishorsewithhim.
