Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Ah,no,theywerenotgoingtostandupandbeshotatjusttosaveDerrick’sland.Theywerenotarmed.WhatdidAnnixterandOstermantakethemfor?No,sir;theRailroadhadstolenamarchonthem.AfterallhisbigtalkDerrickhadallowedthemtobetakenbysurprise.TheonlythingtodowastocallameetingoftheExecutiveCommittee.Thatwastheonlything.Asforgoingdowntherewithnoweaponsintheirhands,NO,sir.ThatwasaskingalittleTOOmuch.“Comeon,then,boys,”shoutedOsterman,turninghisbackontheothers.“TheGovernorsaystomeethimatHooven’s.We’llmakefortheLongTrestleandstrikethetrailtoHooven’sthere.”

           Theysetoff.Itwasaterribleride.Twiceduringthescramblingdescentfromthehills,Presley’sponyfellbeneathhim.Annixter,onhisbuckskin,andOsterman,onhisthoroughbred,goodhorsemenboth,ledtheothers,settingaterrificpace.Thehillswereleftbehind.BrodersonCreekwascrossedandonthelevelsofQuienSabe,straightthroughthestandingwheat,theninehorses,floggedandspurred,stretchedouttotheirutmost.Theirpassagethroughthewheatsoundedliketheripandtearofagiganticwebofcloth.Thelandscapeoneitherhandresolveditselfintoalongblur.Tearscametotheeyes,flyingpebbles,clodsofearth,grainsofwheatflungupintheflight,stungthefacelikeshot.Osterman’sthoroughbredtookthesecondcrossingofBroderson’sCreekinasingleleap.