Спрут: Калифорнийская история

           Ostermancockedhisrevolver,andintheprofoundsilencethathadfallenuponthescene,theclickwasplainlyaudiblefromendtoendoftheline.

           “Rememberouragreement,gentlemen,”criedMagnus,inawarningvoice.“Mr.Osterman,Imustaskyoutoletdownthehammerofyourweapon.”

           Nooneanswered.Inabsolutequiet,standingmotionlessintheirplaces,theLeaguerswatchedtheapproachofthemarshal.

           Fiveminutespassed.Theriderscameonsteadily.Theydrewnearer.Thegrindofthebuggywheelsinthegritanddustoftheroad,andtheprolongedclatterofthehorses’feetbegantomakeitselfheard.TheLeaguerscoulddistinguishthefacesoftheirenemies.

           InthebuggywereS.BehrmanandCyrusRuggles,thelatterdriving.Atallmaninafrockcoatandslouchedhat—themarshal,beyondquestion—rodeattheleftofthebuggy;Delaney,carryingaWinchester,attheright.Christian,therealestatebroker,S.Behrman’scousin,alsowitharifle,couldbemadeoutjustbehindthemarshal.Backofthese,ridingwellup,wasagroupofhorsemen,indistinguishableinthedustraisedbythebuggy’swheels.

           SteadilythedistancebetweentheLeaguersandthepossediminished.

           “Don’tletthemgettooclose,Governor,”whisperedHarran.

           WhenS.Behrman’sbuggywasaboutonehundredyardsdistantfromtheirrigatingditch,Magnussprangoutupontheroad,leavinghisrevolversbehindhim.HebeckonedGarnettandGethingstofollow,andthethreeranchers,who,withtheexceptionofBroderson,weretheoldestmenpresent,advanced,withoutarms,tomeetthemarshal.