Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter VI
Magnus,twolongrevolverslyingontheembankmentinfrontofhim,wasinthemiddle,Harranathisside.Oneitherside,somefivefeetinterveningbetweeneachman,stoodtheotherLeaguers,theirrevolversready.Dabney,thesilentoldman,hadtakenoffhiscoat.
“TakeyourplacesbetweenMr.OstermanandMr.Broderson,”saidMagnus,asthethreemenrodeup.“Presley,”headded,“Iforbidyoutotakeanypartinthisaffair.”
“Yes,keephimoutofit,”criedAnnixterfromhispositionattheextremeendoftheline.“GobacktoHooven’shouse,Pres,andlookafterthehorses,”headded.“Thisisnobusinessofyours.Andkeeptheroadbehindusclear.Don’tletANYONEcomenear,notANYONE,understand?”
Presleywithdrew,leadingthebuckskinandthehorsesthatGethingsandCutterhadridden.Hefastenedthemunderthegreatliveoakandthencameoutandstoodintheroadinfrontofthehousetowatchwhatwasgoingon.
Intheditch,shoulderdeep,theLeaguers,ready,watchful,waitedinsilence,theireyesfixedonthewhiteshimmeroftheroadleadingtoGuadalajara.
“Where’sHooven?”enquiredCutter.
“Idon’tknow,”Ostermanreplied.“HewasoutwatchingtheLowerRoadwithHarranDerrick.Oh,Harran,”hecalled,“isn’tHoovencomingin?”
“Idon’tknowwhatheiswaitingfor,”answeredHarran.“Hewastohavecomeinjustafterme.Hethoughtmaybethemarshal’spartymightmakeafeintinthisdirection,thengoaroundbytheUpperRoad,afterall.Hewantedtowatchthemalittlelonger.Butheoughttobeherenow.
