Спрут: Калифорнийская история
Chapter VI
“Theyoughttocomeback,”criedOsterman.“Wecouldn’tshootnowifanythingshouldhappen,forfearofhittingthem.”
“Well,itsoundsasthoughsomethingweregoingtohappenprettysoon.”
TheycouldhearGethingsandDelaneywranglingfuriously;anotherdeputyjoinedin.
“I’mgoingtocalltheGovernorback,”exclaimedAnnixter,suddenlyclamberingoutoftheditch.“No,no,”criedOsterman,“keepintheditch.Theycan’tdriveusoutifwekeephere.”
HoovenandHarran,whohadinstinctivelyfollowedAnnixter,hesitatedatOsterman’swordsandthethreehaltedirresolutelyontheroadbeforetheditch,theirweaponsintheirhands.
“Governor,”shoutedHarran,“comeonback.Youcan’tdoanything.”
Stillthewranglecontinued,andoneofthedeputies,advancingalittlefromoutthegroup,criedout:
“Keepbackthere!Keepbackthere,you!”
“Gotohell,willyou?”shoutedHarranontheinstant.“You’reonmyland.”
“Oh,comebackhere,Harran,”calledOsterman.“Thatain’tgoingtodoanygood.”
“There—listen,”suddenlyexclaimedHarran.“TheGovernoriscallingus.Comeon;I’mgoing.”
Ostermangotoutoftheditchandcameforward,catchingHarranbythearmandpullinghimback.
“Hedidn’tcall.Don’tgetexcited.You’llruineverything.Getbackintotheditchagain.”
ButCutter,Phelps,andtheoldmanDabney,misunderstandingwhatwashappening,andseeingOstermanleavetheditch,hadfollowedhisexample.
