Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter VI
DownundertheLongTrestletorethecavalcadeinashowerofmudandgravel;upagainonthefurtherbank,thehorsesblowinglikesteamengines;onintothetrailtoHooven’s,singlefilenow,Presley’sponylagging,Hooven’shorsebleedingattheeyes,thebuckskin,gameasafightingcock,catchinghersecondwind,farintheleadnow,distancingeventheEnglishthoroughbredthatOstermanrode.
AtlastHooven’sunpaintedhouse,beneaththeenormousliveoaktree,cameinsight.AcrosstheLowerRoad,breakingthroughfencesandintotheyardaroundthehouse,thunderedtheLeaguers.Magnuswaswaitingforthem.
Theridersdismounted,hardlylessexhaustedthantheirhorses.
“Why,where’sallthemen?”AnnixterdemandedofMagnus.
“BrodersonishereandCutter,”repliedtheGovernor,“nooneelse.IthoughtYOUwouldbringmoremenwithyou.”
“Thereareonlynineofus.”
“AndthesixhundredLeaguerswhoweregoingtorisewhenthishappened!”exclaimedGarnett,bitterly.
“RottheLeague,”criedAnnixter.“It’sgonetopot—wenttopiecesatthefirsttouch.”
“Wehavebeentakenbysurprise,gentlemen,afterall,”saidMagnus.“Totallyoffourguard.Butthereareelevenofus.Itisenough.”
“Well,what’sthegame?Hasthemarshalcome?Howmanymenarewithhim?”
“TheUnitedStatesmarshalfromSanFrancisco,”explainedMagnus,“camedownearlythismorningandstoppedatGuadalajara.WelearneditallthroughourfriendsinBonnevilleaboutanhourago.TheytelephonedmeandMr.Broderson.S.Behrmanmethimandprovidedaboutadozendeputies.
