Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter VI
“Say,dosefellerscome,hey?Me,I’malretty,seeIhevderguhn.”
“They’vejumpedtheranch,littlegirl,”saidAnnixter,puttingonearmaroundHilma.“They’reinourhousenow.I’moff.GotoDerrick’sandwaitformethere.”
Sheputherarmsaroundhisneck.
“You’regoing?”shedemanded.
“Imust.Don’tbefrightened.Itwillbeallright.GotoDerrick’sand—good-bye.”
Shesaidneveraword.Shelookedoncelongintohiseyes,thenkissedhimonthemouth.
Meanwhile,thenewshadspread.Themultituderosetoitsfeet.Womenandmen,withpalefaces,lookedateachotherspeechless,orbrokeforthintoinarticulateexclamations.Astrange,unfamiliarmurmurtooktheplaceofthetumultuousgaietyofthepreviousmoments.Asenseofdread,ofconfusion,ofimpendingterrorweighedheavilyintheair.Whatwasnowtohappen?
WhenAnnixtergotbacktoOsterman,hefoundanumberoftheLeaguersalreadyassembled.Theywereallmounted.HoovenwasthereandHarran,andbesidesthese,GarnettoftheRubyranchandGethingsoftheSanPablo,PhelpstheforemanofLosMuertos,and,lastofall,Dabney,silentasever,speakingtonoone.Presleycameridingup.
“Bestkeepoutofthis,Pres,”criedAnnixter.
“Areweready?”exclaimedGethings.
“Ready,ready,we’reallhere.”
“ALL.Isthisallofus?”criedAnnixter.“Wherearethesixhundredmenwhoweregoingtorisewhenthishappened?”
Theyhadwavered,theseotherLeaguers.Now,whentheactualcrisisimpended,theyweresmittenwithconfusion.
